Chapter 5: A Fragile Peace

The bodies were already starting to freeze.

I stood over them, rifle still warm in my hands, breath clouding in the cold air. The world had changed—death wasn't shocking anymore. It was survival. Kill or be killed.

But that didn't mean it didn't weigh on me.

I turned away, pushing down the hollow feeling in my chest. Lily. I had to focus.

Shadow was already waiting at the entrance, ears perked, watching me. Smart dog. He knew when to move, when to be quiet. I gave him a nod, and he padded ahead as I followed back to the main shelter.

The facility door slid shut behind me with a heavy clank, sealing out the cold and the corpses.

[System Notification: Facility Perimeter Secured]

[Reward: Automated Defense Turrets – Offline (Power Required)]

I stopped. Turrets?

My eyes flicked to the control panel. The system had already started to reconfigure the defenses.

"System, access turret control."

[Power Insufficient. Required: 30% Additional Energy]

I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. The geothermal energy wasn't enough. I'd need another power source.

But first—Lily.

I moved quickly down the hall. She was still asleep, curled up under the blankets. Shadow lay beside her, eyes barely open but watching. Guarding.

I crouched beside them, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her breathing was steady. Her skin was warmer.

We were safe. For now.

I let out a slow breath and leaned back against the cold steel wall. The system had given me a stronghold, but it wouldn't be enough forever.

Food would run low. More survivors would come. The world wasn't done trying to kill us.

I looked down at my hands—rough, scarred, bloodied. I wasn't the same man I was before.

But I still had a choice.

I wouldn't just survive this apocalypse.

I would win.