End Of World Marriage

Pylon Level 1

Kate could hardly breathe. How could she? The stench of dead bodies was heavy in the air, and there was really nothing she could do about it. Not that she'd tried looking for a solution—she felt she had a greater job to deal with. She looked to the side where Kenan had fallen asleep. She'd tried to move him into the tent, but she wasn't nearly as strong as he was, even with the addition of stats. So she'd brought out one of the bedrolls and successfully moved him on top of it.

Kate sighed as she took in the sight of all the c*****e around her. She'd gotten herself injured literally at the end of the first wave, which meant he'd been forced to face the second and third waves by himself just to protect her and survive. It didn't change what he'd done, but the knowledge that he'd fought his hardest for both of them made the pain she felt a little less. At least... he still loved her. Heartbreak or not, Kate could still tell. Just because she was angry didn't mean she was blind to the truth.

Kenan groaned softly. Her eyes snapped to his face. He'd been out for three hours—not enough time to rest considering the day they'd had, but just enough. Besides, it was already late. Night had fallen, and the massive moon that had been hidden behind those thick clouds had forced its way out. Plus, the weird trees glowed an eerie pale blue that freaked her out even more than the fact they were both surrounded by the corpses of dead goblins. Real goblins, not the ones you found in the pages of a book.

"I'm not dead yet, am I?" Kenan asked as he looked up at Kate, exhaustion written all over his face. Try as she might, she couldn't help the smile that crossed her face.

"You're still alive, Keys. For now, at least. Nothing and no one has the right to take your life—that honor belongs to me."

Kenan chuckled, then rolled over and got up from the bedroll. He looked up at the sky for a moment, noticing it was already night, before moving his gaze across the clearing.

"We had one heck of a wedding day, huh?"

Kate shrugged. "It was a complete and total disaster."

Kenan nodded, not exactly sure what to say next. Kate took a shuddering breath. She doubted either one of them would be getting any sleep until much later. It would be best to get some things done.

"Between the both of us, we have 700 exp each. I can't imagine what you had to go through to get that amount, but we can raise the pylon level. From what I can see, if we do that, perhaps we'd have more options to survive. We can split the cost between the both of us."

"Maybe we shouldn't rush leveling up the pylon. The enemies I fought—they were a lot stronger than the first, and by several levels. I don't even know how to explain what happened, but we need to be ready."

"I don't disagree with you, but I'm filthy, and I can and will only tolerate sleeping on the ground just for today. Plus, I can't help the feeling that leveling the pylon would help us far more than you think. Let's just get it out of the way, then let's deal with the remaining exp after."

Kenan opened his mouth to refute but shut it with a click. He and Kate were talking now. He had no idea how long this moment of calm would last, and he'd rather not jeopardize it by starting another argument. If their challenges got harder, he would just have to step up. They were both unfamiliar with the enemies they were facing, their skills, and even weapons in Kate's case. But a little training would go a long way in preparing them for the next challenge. It might not be wise, but Kenan wanted to make her happy and at least get her to forgive him. For that to happen, she needed to feel like she was in control of her environment. It made Kate a little bit of a control freak, but a childhood of trauma and abuse would do that to you.

"Fine, but after the pylon, you have to level up all your stats to level one."

Kate shrugged in agreement but didn't argue. They both got up and made their way closer to the pylon. Kenan took that chance to look over his body, observing his injuries and seeing if he had any left. Unfortunately, apart from a lack of sleep and fatigue, he felt as good as new. He unwrapped the bandages around his leg, seeing where the goblin had bitten him—fully healed without leaving a scar behind.

"Those health potions are really efficient. But considering the system said these were basic health potions, what would an advanced health potion look like?" Kenan asked as Kate brought up the system screen above the pylon.

"I guess we won't know until we find out. But considering the efficiency of the current potions, the advanced ones could possibly heal cancer and some of the worst diseases our world faces. Maybe even regenerate limbs for those who lost them or were never born with them."

Kenan rubbed a hand under his jaw at Kate's reply. "Do you think we can market it? There was that Basic Farming skill, and according to all of fiction, the ingredients used for potions are grown. And then there's the Basic Alchemy skill that was also first offered."

Kate paused, drawn by Kenan's explanation. It was obvious he'd figured something out.

"Farming grows the ingredients, and alchemy makes them into potions. Outside of that being super important to our survival, do you think we'll keep these skills when this is all over? If we do, then it should be possible to market these health potions. We can help a lot of people... and, well... we can make a lot of money. Enough to finally buy that house in the hills you liked so much."

Kate held his gaze for a full second longer than necessary. "I think it's too soon for us to be talking about houses or making money. But you make a valid point about this being important for our survival. After the pylon is leveled up, if we get the chance to pick those skills again, you get the Basic Farming and I'll handle the Alchemy. If not for anything else, but for the fact we both can survive without the other. Now come on, let's get this over with."

[Level Pylon to Level 1?]

[Pylon Has Been Leveled Up to 1! Clearing Size has increased to 100 meters in circumference! System Store Unlocked!]

[Quest 2: Home-maker I (Complete): Level up the system pylon to level 1 and unlock basic structures. Cabin (1/1) Well (1/1) Garden (1/1) Latrine (1/1)]

[Quest 5: Home-maker II: Level up the system pylon to level 2 and unlock basic structures. Menagerie (0/1) Armory (0/1) Watchtower (0/4)]

[Quest 6: Home-maker III: Successfully grow 1 plant in your garden.]

[Quest 7: The Art Of Love: Consummate your marriage. REWARDS: +1200 EXP EACH, 1 BASIC SKILL SELECTION]

"Did you see that last quest?"

"I don't want to talk about it, Kenan! Let's just be done with—"

She never got to finish her sentence as the clearing suddenly shook—so hard that they both felt nauseous and had to fall flat on the ground. It felt like the clearing itself was held in the hands of a toddler who proceeded to shake and smash it around in amusement. By the time the shaking stopped, Kenan could hear Kate puking her guts out.

But he could also feel—the pull of the wind was stronger now. Fresh air seemed to flow into the area around him, and for the first time since getting here, he felt like he could breathe. He focused his gaze, and the first thing he noticed was that the pylon seemed to have risen up a few feet. It was now roughly two feet out of the ground and was still the same smooth metallic heptagon.

Kenan shifted his gaze, taking in more changes. Where their tent had stood, a small cabin now replaced it. Just standing outside, Kenan could tell it wasn't that large—just one single room with enough space for both of them to have a bed. A little ways to the left was a patch of upturned black earth. Stones were ringed around it, but it was enough for Kenan to tell he was looking at the garden. Not too far from it was the well, but the damn thing looked like a hole in the ground with none of the structures built around wells to make them safe. But at least they now had access to water.

And finally, a shiny plastic public toilet. It was the only thing out of place within the clearing, apart from the fact that the clearing had grown massively. There was enough space now that it would take him a few seconds to run from one end to the other. It was strange, but it filled him with a sense of hope they would get out of here. Then the screen above the pylon rippled, showing them the full stats for it.

Pylon Level: 1 (0/10,000)

Unallocated EXP: 0

EXP Generated / Day: 160

Territory:

• Clearing Size: 100 meters (round)

Structures:

• Cabin: Level 0 (0/10) 10 exp/day

• Well: Level 0 (0/10) 10 exp/day

• Garden: Level 0 (0/10) 10 exp/day

• Latrine: Level 0 (0/10) 10 exp/day

System Store:

• Daily Item Slots: 3

• Item Rank: Basic

• Items: 1-Basic Bed (50 exp) / Random Seed Bag (10 exp) / Introduction to Skills (100 exp)

Corruption Index: Hidden