The Safehouse was calm for now.
Soft artificial lighting glowed from the dome's walls. The air smelled faintly of ozone and lavender from the reactivated purification system. Birds chirped—synthetic, but peaceful.
And in the heart of it, Reon Kael stood silently, watching over his little sister.
Mina sat on a medical chair in the Safehouse's core control chamber, staring at the glowing System screen hovering in front of her. Her fingers trembled slightly.
> ✅ Secondary System Link Established
User: Mina Kael
Age: 8
Role: Support Class – Guardian Type
Skill Tree Accessed:
🔹 Passive Field: "Protective Light"
🔹 Alert Protocol: "Early Danger Sense"
🔹 Link Skill: "Emotional Sync – Anchor Mode"
Reon knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to do anything right away," he said gently. "Just learn. I'll protect you like always."
Mina shook her head. "No… I wanna help now."
And with a single breath, she tapped "Activate Skills".
---
[SYSTEM NOTICE] – Sub-System User Activated
> 🎉 Mina Kael has unlocked the following abilities:
✅ Protective Light (Passive):
Generates a soft field that slightly reduces damage in a 3-meter radius.
✅ Emotional Sync:
When emotionally linked to the primary user, provides small boosts to reaction speed and clarity.
✅ Danger Sense (Passive):
Alerts all system-linked allies 10 seconds before a physical threat reaches proximity.
A soft, golden aura flickered around Mina.
For a moment, Reon's HUD blinked—his vitals displayed a "+2% Response Speed" buff. He looked down at his hands. Steadier. Sharper.
She really was supporting him now.
---
That Same Hour – Far North of Verdant Hollow
Commander Ryvek stood at the head of a convoy of military trucks and salvaged hoverbikes. Soldiers from the World Balance Coalition adjusted their rifles and checked outdated but still-lethal tech.
"Kael has established a dome base," Ryvek said, scanning the satellite data. "Level 3 System. Tactical wealth confirmed."
A soldier beside him asked, "Shouldn't we negotiate? He hasn't attacked any civilians yet."
Ryvek's eyes darkened. "We don't negotiate with billionaires in a world of beggars."
He pointed forward.
"Move out. If he resists, we crush him."
---
Back at the Dome – Defense Prep Begins
Reon reviewed the System again.
> 💰 Remaining Balance: $49,442,800
🔓 System Store Tier 3 Unlocked
Available Upgrades:
Automated Defense Grid [20,000]
Tactical Shield Array (Dome Coverage) [12,000]
Safehouse AI Assistant [8,000]
Advanced Drone Pack [10,000]
Underground Escape Route (Pre-Dug) [15,000]
Civilian Refugee Scanner [5,000]
He chose fast.
> ✅ Purchased: Safehouse AI Assistant
✅ Purchased: Tactical Shield Array
✅ Purchased: Underground Escape Route
💰 New Balance: $49,407,800
---
A calm female voice echoed through the dome.
> "Hello, Reon. I am VERA—Virtual Emergency Response Assistant. I will optimize your Safehouse protocols, automate passive defenses, and assist in tactical planning."
A holographic figure appeared—tall, graceful, serene, with glowing lines running through her robes.
Reon looked impressed. "About time I got an assistant."
VERA bowed. "And it's about time you prepare for war. A military convoy is en route. ETA: 21 minutes."
---
Mina's First Use of Her Skill
Suddenly, Mina's system pulsed bright.
> ⚠️ DANGER SENSE TRIGGERED
Threat Type: Armed Group
Approximate Size: 40+
Weaponry Detected: Ballistics, Light Armor, EMP Payloads
Engagement Class: B-Rank
Moral Profile: "Stabilizers" – seek forced wealth redistribution
Reon's HUD turned red.
"They're coming for my money… but they don't understand. I didn't steal it. I earned every last cent."
He looked at Mina, who was breathing hard.
"I felt them," she whispered. "Like… hate. A lot of hate."
---
Last Moments Before the Storm
Reon grabbed his reinforced jacket, slipped on his holsters, and activated the base's internal shield grid.
Drones buzzed into position. Turrets began rising from the moss-covered walls. Lights dimmed, shifting into combat-ready red.
VERA's voice was calm, but stern.
> "Would you like me to issue a warning message to the approaching convoy?"
> Yes / No
Reon didn't hesitate.
> Yes.
---
A loud broadcast echoed across the hills, bouncing off broken metal and trees.
> "To the approaching force: This facility is privately owned and defended. Any attempt to breach it will be considered an act of war.
Turn back now, or be turned into ashes."
Reon stood on the balcony overlooking the dome's entrance, his long coat fluttering in the synthetic wind.
Beside him, Mina stood, her hand in his, golden light softly glowing from her system.
---
They came to rob a survivor.
But they were about to meet the Last Billionaire of the World.
And he wasn't giving up anything.
---
[End of Chapter 5]