Chapter 19: Rise of the Scavenger
The silence of the white post-match processing room was deeper than any darkness Klaus had found in the Canyon. Only the faint hum of energy and his own ragged breathing filled the space. Adrenaline still pulsed through his veins, the phantom impact of the bullet on his vest still a fresh echo across his torso.
Before him, the golden panel of the System gleamed, its letters etching his victory into the ether.
>> SOLO MATCH: CANYON OF PERDITION – COMPLETED. <<
>> RANK: SCAVENGER [SILVER TIER – PROMOTION PENDING]. <<
>> REWARDS CALCULATING... <<
A white-and-silver metal chest, identical to the one from the tutorial, materialized in the air and fell into his eager hands. This time, he opened it with a calm that surprised even himself. Inside, resting on a velvet-blue case, was a single glass vial containing a silvery, shimmering liquid — like living mercury.
>> NEURAL OPTIMIZATION SERUM [RARE] <<
>> EFFECT: PERMANENTLY INCREASES BRAIN PROCESSING SPEED AND INTERFACE SYSTEM SYNCHRONIZATION. <<
>> BONUS: +5% EFFICIENCY TO ALL PASSIVE SKILLS. <<
It was an internal upgrade. Less spectacular than a legendary weapon, but perhaps far more valuable in the long run. He didn't hesitate. He injected the serum into his jugular vein. A wave of cold coursed through his system, followed by a sudden, overwhelming clarity. The world around him sharpened, and the presence of the Shadow in his mind became clearer — more part of him.
>> Neural synchronization increased to 108%. Processing efficiency optimized. I appreciate the upgrade, Unit Klaus. <<
The main panel refreshed.
>> MATCH REWARDS: <<
>> 1. SYSTEM CREDITS: 8,500 (c) [BASE: 2,000c | LOOT BONUS: +4,500c | ELIMINATION BONUS: +2,000c] <<
>> 2. EXPERIENCE (XP): 4,250 XP. <<
>> 3. LEGENDARY ITEMS ACQUIRED IN EVENT: 2. <<
Experience was the key. His HUD flashed, showing a progress bar climbing rapidly.
>> CURRENT XP: 6,800 / 7,816 <<
>> CURRENT RANK: SILVER 1 <<
>> NEXT RANK: SILVER 2 <<
The bar stopped — so close, but not enough.
>> A review of the rank system is recommended to contextualize your progress, << the Shadow suggested.
Immediately, a new information panel appeared before him, listing the steps of the ladder he was climbing.
>> RANK SYSTEM – BASIC STRUCTURE <<
RANK: BRONZE
Status: Beginner Recruit.
Focus: Basic Survival, Common Loot Collection.
Benefits: Access to Basic Lobby, Subsistence Food and Water.
Sublevels (Each requires increasing XP to evolve):
Bronze 1 → Bronze 2: 400 XP
Bronze 2 → Bronze 3: 580 XP
Bronze 3 → Bronze 4: 841 XP
Bronze 4 → Bronze 5: 1,219 XP
Bronze 5 → Silver 1: 1,768 XP(Klaus reached this after the Tutorial)
RANK: SILVER
Status: Competent Survivor / Hunter.
Focus: Acquisition of Superior Equipment, Completion of Secondary Objectives.
Benefits: Access to the Silver Refuge (Private Dorms, Quality Meals, Bazaar Terminal), +10% Credit Bonus per Match.
Sublevels:
Silver 1 → Silver 2: 2,564 XP
Silver 2 → Silver 3: 3,718 XP
Silver 3 → Silver 4: 5,391 XP
Silver 4 → Silver 5: 7,816 XP(Klaus is here)
Silver 5 → Gold 1: 11,334 XP(His next major goal)
RANK: GOLD
Status: Veteran / Tactical Officer.
Focus: Squad Leadership, Acquisition of Advanced Technology, Mastery of High-Risk Events.
Benefits: Access to the Gold District (Luxury Suites, Gourmet Food, Exclusive Shops, System Stock Market), +25% Credit Bonus, Ability to form Clans.
HIGHER RANKS (LOCKED)
PLATINUM: System Elite. Arena Commanders.
DIAMOND: Living Legends. Shapers of the System's Reality.
MASTER: Rumored Entities. Said to transcend the game itself.
Klaus studied the list. Each jump required exponentially more XP. He had reached Silver 4 with relative speed, but the climb to Gold would be a steep wall. Only 1,016 XP separated him from Silver 5 — but then, another 11,334 to reach Gold 1. Matches would have to be longer, more profitable, and inevitably, more deadly.
>> Your performance in the Canyon, particularly your success in the Field Event, significantly accelerated your progression, << the Shadow analyzed.
>> The acquisition of legendary items is a force multiplier that will allow for more aggressive and lucrative strategies in upcoming matches, creating a positive feedback loop for your ascension. <<
She was right. The Plasma Pistol and Progmatrix weren't just treasures — they were tools to shatter rank barriers. Selling the blueprint would grant him enough credits to buy immediate upgrades, but crafting the armor would make him an almost unstoppable force in Silver-tier arenas.
The decision was clear. He needed resources, a safe place to work, and information.
"Take me to the Bazaar," he ordered, his voice steady.
The wall of the room dissolved, revealing the familiar hall of the Silver Refuge. The scene was the same, but his eyes saw it differently now. The Bronze recruits clustered in the center were no longer just fellow survivors — they were statistics, potential threats, or disposable allies. The other Silvers, in their secluded areas, were direct competitors in the race to Gold.
He ignored everyone's offers and went straight to his quarters, locking the door behind him. At the terminal, he accessed the Bazaar. His first action was to list the Data Cylinder 'Progmatrix' [LEGENDARY].
The system processed for a moment before responding.
>> ITEM EVALUATION [LEGENDARY] COMPLETE. <<
>> OPTIONS: <<
>> 1. DIRECT SALE: 85,000 Credits (c). <<
>> 2. AUCTION (DURATION: 48 HOURS): MINIMUM BID 70,000c. 5% FEE. <<
>> 3. TRADE: OFFERS AVAILABLE. (MORE DETAILS) <<
The number was staggering. 85,000 credits. With that, he could buy a small fortune in Gold-tier equipment. But that was the short path. The long one... was crafting.
He selected the trade option. Several offers appeared. Most were for credits, but one stood out:
TRADE OFFER #734-B
>> OFFERED: <<
>> – FULL ACCESS TO A GOLD-TIER CRAFTING LAB (7 DAYS) <<
>> – SET OF BASIC MATERIALS FOR NANOTECH ARMOR (ENOUGH FOR 1 SUIT) <<
>> – 15,000 CREDITS (c) <<
>> IN EXCHANGE FOR: <<
>> – DATA CYLINDER 'PROGMATRIX' [LEGENDARY] <<
It was perfect. Fewer immediate credits, but the means of production. Whoever made the offer didn't have the resources to craft the armor themselves — or didn't want the risk. They wanted the blueprint to sell to someone richer. Klaus, however, wanted the power for himself.
He accepted the trade.
Immediately, a digital access key and the coordinates of a lab in the Gold District were transferred to his inventory, along with the 15,000 credits. The materials would be delivered on-site.
He had taken the step. In a week, if all went well, he would no longer be just a lucky survivor. He would be a walking tank, a demon of nanotech and plasma.
A new determination, cold and focused, burned inside him. The exhaustion from the match had vanished, replaced by anticipation for his next move.
The Shadow broke his reverie.
>> There's a message for you. Low priority. Signature matches the female unit encountered at the City Museum. <<
Klaus frowned. She had survived. And she had found him. He opened the message. It was brief.
"Thanks for the hand. Or rather, for the kit. I saw what you did at the convoy. You're the storm they fear. Watch the shadows in Gold. They don't like new predators. – LENA"
A warning. And a confirmation. His actions were being noticed — not just by other Silver recruits, but by those on higher tiers.
Klaus deleted the message. He didn't need warnings.
He was the storm.
And he was ready to rain down on them all.
Rest was over. The work began now.
The Collector was about to become an Artificer.
And the System would never be the same again.