Rakesh_Kumar_3235

The world is dying—storms rage, the ground cracks, and civilization is in ruins. Survival is uncertain, but Dr. James isn’t just another desperate survivor. He has a Technology System—one that grants him blueprints, tools, and knowledge far beyond human understanding.

Stranded on an island, he builds in secret while the world tears itself apart. Rival survivors fight for power, governments scramble for control, but James?

He’s preparing for something they’d never expect.

Because survival isn’t his true goal.

And when the time comes, the world will realize too late—he was never meant to stay.

Doomday Engineer

The bodies were still warm when we dragged them behind the trees, covering the evidence as best we could. The snow would help, but it wouldn't erase everything. The Black Ravagers would notice their missing scouts soon, and when they did, they'd come looking.

Ray wiped his knife clean and exhaled sharply. "They're going to hit us hard when they realize their men aren't coming back."

I nodded, already running calculations in my head. We had bought ourselves time, but not much. The storm had buried most of the old structures, leaving us with limited defensive options.

I turned to my system, checking for possible upgrades.

Base Defense Upgrade Available – Cost: 1,200 System Points

Reinforced Perimeter Barricades – Cost: 600 System Points

Tactical Drone Assistance – Cost: 800 System Points

Upgrade Confirmed: Reinforced Perimeter Barricades

Materials in Storage: Processing…

The hum of the system's deployment filled my mind, and within moments, our barricades thickened with reinforced plating. It wasn't much, but it would buy us valuable seconds in a fight.

Daniel watched with a raised eyebrow. "That's new."

I ignored him, masking my actions with a simple response. "We had extra materials."

Back at the main facility, Lily sat near the heater with Max curled beside her. She looked up at me with wide eyes. "Are the bad people coming?"

I crouched beside her, forcing a reassuring smile. "Not if we can help it."

She nodded but didn't look convinced. Neither was I.

Ray approached, his face unreadable. "We need to decide. Do we wait for them to attack, or do we take the fight to them?"

I considered our options. A preemptive strike could cripple them, but it was risky. On the other hand, letting them come to us meant fighting on our terms, with defenses in place.

Ray folded his arms. "If we hit them first, we control the pace of battle. But it also means leaving the base vulnerable."

Sam, standing nearby, chimed in. "We don't have enough people to split up."

Daniel adjusted his grip on his rifle. "So we dig in and make them pay for every step they take."

I exhaled. "Then we make this place a fortress."

The group nodded, tension thick in the air.

Defensive Measures Activated – Preparing for Battle

The stage is set for a major battle! Do you think James made the right call by staying defensive, or should he have struck first? Let me know in the comments!

Chapter 38 – The Calm Before the Storm