The night was pitch black when Reon reached the edge of Verdant Hollow.
They'd been driving through desolate roads for hours—old highways crumbling from neglect, overpasses shattered by riots, even a segment of collapsed mag-rail that now served as a dangerous slum tunnel for fleeing civilians.
But finally, they saw it.
A forest of steel and glass domes, overgrown with wild vines and artificial trees: the Verdant Agricultural Dome, once an experimental project in food self-sustainability, now long abandoned by the government.
Reon parked the armored RHINO vehicle in a hollowed trench just outside the dome perimeter. With Mina asleep beside him and their Security Drone circling above, he activated the chip.
> ✅ Safehouse Coordinates Accepted
Location: Verdant Hollow Sub-Dome 3
Status: Offline
Condition: 72% Structural Integrity
Entrance: Underground tunnel system
⚠️ Warning: Power Grid requires manual reboot
⚠️ Warning: Possible squatters or local wildlife presence detected
Reon took a deep breath and looked over at Mina, still asleep in the passenger seat, clutching her bunny.
He touched her cheek gently.
"Sleep a little longer, kiddo. I'll handle the monsters."
---
Sub-Dome 3 – Underground Entry
The entrance was well-hidden beneath overgrowth and mud. Reon had to crawl through a narrow shaft, using his wristband's flashlight to guide the way.
When he emerged into the dome's substructure, it was like stepping into a tomb.
Dark. Dusty. Silent.
But not dead.
Every wall had power cables embedded in it. Solar panels on the roof still caught the fading light of the ruined sky.
Reon opened the System interface and activated Tactical Wealth Deployment.
> 💰 Spent: $12,000
✅ Purchased: Dome Control Kit (Military Grade)
✅ Auto-synchronizing Solar Battery Core – Installed
✅ Safehouse Interior Generator – Installed
The floor vibrated gently beneath his boots as the systems booted up.
Lights flickered.
Doors unlocked.
And for the first time in what felt like days, warm air filled the space.
---
Minutes Later – Dome Interior
Mina stood in the dome's main living chamber, wide-eyed. Transparent walls showed the artificial forest outside. An indoor garden was slowly reactivating—roots curled beneath glowing moss beds, and a synthetic waterfall hummed to life behind a glass wall.
"It's like a dream," she whispered.
Reon smiled and patted her head. "It's home now. No one knows we're here."
> ✅ Safehouse Activated
Status: Hidden
Defensive Perimeter: Level 1
Water: Purified
Food Storage: 180 Days
Energy: Self-Sustaining
Next Upgrade Available at System Level 3
Reon leaned back, finally letting the tension in his body ease.
But it didn't last.
The System chimed again.
---
[SYSTEM WARNING]
> 🔍 Unauthorized Movement Detected
Quadrant: North Vegetation Ring
Identity: Unknown
Vital Signs: Human
Status: Malnourished, Armed
Count: 5
Behavioral Pattern: Hostile + Desperate
Reon's expression hardened.
Not even a full hour in, and already someone had found them.
---
Meanwhile – Unknown Broadcast Tower
A broken-down military satellite dish groaned to life atop a rusted tower. Someone was speaking into a mic, voice sharp and commanding.
"This is Commander Ryvek of the World Balance Coalition."
He was tall, armored, and flanked by a dozen soldiers with salvaged tech armor.
"To all Wealth-Holders: surrender your funds. Hoarding capital in this crisis is a crime against humanity."
He pointed to a map—Reon's Safehouse location was already circled.
"We've intercepted his purchase trail. Sector 3. Verdant Hollow. Reon Kael."
He turned to his squad.
"Move out. Confiscate the credits. If he resists, execute."
---
Back at the Dome – Reon's Decision
The five hostiles outside were ragged men—refugees, maybe ex-military, covered in grime and desperation. They had knives, old pistols, and one had a modified welding tool.
Reon could've ignored them. But he didn't.
He activated the Dome's intercom.
"You've got one chance. Leave now. I don't want to hurt anyone."
One of them looked straight at the dome's lens and laughed.
"We know you've got food. Water. Power. Don't be selfish, rich boy!"
They charged.
Reon sighed.
"Fine. I warned you."
---
> ✅ Tactical Wealth Deployed: $3,000
✅ Temporary Shock Perimeter Activated
✅ Stun Turrets Constructed
⚡ Engagement Initiated…
The first man screamed as a perimeter beam hit him mid-run. The second was knocked unconscious by a turret's sonic blast. The rest scattered, fleeing into the woods, screaming about "ghosts" and "killer tech."
Reon didn't chase.
He didn't have to.
This was only the beginning.
---
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
> ✅ System Level Up: Level 2 → Level 3
🎉 New Feature Unlocked:
🧠 Secondary Account Access – Family Link Available
Would you like to give Mina System Access?
Roles Available:
Support (Healing, Defense Optimization, Alert Network)
Trade Agent (Barter Negotiation, Relationship Building)
Combat Learner (Defense Drones, Self-Defense Training)
Reon stared at the options.
His instincts screamed to shield her from all of this.
But deep inside, he knew—this world wasn't going back to what it was. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
She needed to grow stronger, too.
---
He looked over at Mina.
"You ready to be part of something crazy?"
She blinked. "Will it help us stay together?"
He smiled. "Yeah."
"Then I'm in."
> ✅ Mina Kael added as Sub-System User
Assigned Role: Support Class – Guardian Type
---
End of Chapter 4