The announcement did not arrive with urgency.
That was what made it terrifying.
Rook was adjusting the irrigation channels near the farm when the world dimmed—just slightly. Not dark enough to panic. Not sudden enough to startle.
Enough to be noticed.
The System window expanded unbidden, larger than before, pushing every other interface aside with quiet authority.
[Global Announcement]
The text remained blank for a full second.
Then it filled.
[First Wave Event Scheduled.]
[Time Until Commencement: 20 Days.]
[Scope: Worldwide.]
[Participation: Mandatory.]
Rook straightened slowly.
Around the world, the same message appeared in front of billions of people—those still alive to see it.
The announcement continued.
[During the First Wave, hostile entities will assault all unclaimed and claimed territories.]
[Threat levels will scale based on population density and environmental factors.]
[Survival rewards will be issued upon completion.]
No explanation of rewards.No clarification of failure conditions.
Just one final line.
[Preparation is advised.]
The System window closed.
The valley returned to normal.
Birds still chirped. The stream still flowed. The crops continued growing, timers ticking down with mechanical indifference.
Rook stood still, letting the information settle.
Twenty days.
In the city, that would feel like nothing. People would spend it chasing levels, arguing over leadership, killing each other over ground they didn't truly control.
Here, it was an eternity.
He opened the Territory interface.
Territory Status: Stable
Population: 1
Defensive Rating: Minimal
Minimal.
Rook didn't feel fear.
He felt calibration.
"Twenty days," he murmured.
Enough time to reinforce walls.Enough time to finish the harvest.Enough time to prepare something people outside wouldn't even consider.
He turned toward the watchtower, already mentally reordering priorities.
The First Wave wasn't coming to test bravery.
It was coming to test foundations.
And Rook intended to be ready.