Altair processed the system's words, trying to figure out how he could handle this situation. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't come up with a viable solution.
"Have children?" he repeated incredulously, his voice laced with suspicion. "What do you mean by that exactly? Are you telling me to kidnap women and force them to bear my children?"
A deep sense of unease settled in his chest. He wasn't an awakened warrior, nor did he have power or influence. If he were to take such an abhorrent path, he would be hunted down and executed long before the corrosion even arrived. Besides, the mere thought of committing such an atrocity disgusted him.
The system's mechanical voice responded without hesitation.
"Eng. The host has misunderstood. The requirement is not bound by blood relations. The children do not need to be biologically yours. As long as they recognize you as their guardian, they will be counted."
Altair frowned but let out a sigh of relief. At least he didn't have to do something reprehensible. His thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of this revelation.
"So... if I adopt a child and they acknowledge me as their father or guardian, it would still fulfill the requirement?"
"Eng. Correct. The stronghold system functions on the principle that children are an extension of their parents. Those who accept you as their father, protector, or guardian will become the pillars of the stronghold. Their trust in you will provide the foundation needed to strengthen it."
Altair exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. That was a relief. If it had truly required him to father children by blood, the entire endeavor would have been impossible. But adoption... that was something he could do.
Still, doubts lingered in his mind. "And how much time do I have before this corrosion arrives?"
"Eng. The host has nine hundred days until the world is engulfed by corrosion."
Nine hundred days. Roughly two and a half years. Could he really gather enough children to form a stronghold in that time? Would it be enough to survive?
Altair narrowed his eyes. "What happens after I adopt a child? How does this stronghold system work?"
"Eng. The stronghold system is currently at its initial stage. At this stage, I can only communicate with the host and provide minor tasks to help strengthen you and guide you in your quest. However, once you gain your first child—your first pillar—the system will unlock its core functions. The first unlockable features include the ability to construct the stronghold's walls, build housing, and unlock the food warehouse."
Altair pondered this information carefully. "And how do I unlock these functions? What do I need?"
"Eng. The system operates based on trust points. For each child the host takes in and earns trust from, 100 trust points will be awarded. However, if a child is lost, 200 trust points will be deducted. Trust points are essential for constructing and upgrading various aspects of the stronghold, ensuring survival against the corrosion."
Trust points? Altair sighed. That meant he couldn't just adopt children and leave them be—he had to earn their trust and care for them. It was an immense responsibility, but at least it was an honorable one.
He ran a hand through his unkempt hair, his fingers tangling in the strands. "...And right now, I have nothing? No advantages at all?"
"Eng. The stronghold system's primary function is to provide the framework for survival. I cannot grant the host additional abilities, but the host can earn kill points by eliminating enemies or the Rust—the red-skinned creatures that emerge from within the corrosion. Kill points will help the host advance in personal strength. I can also display the host's current status and progress."
"Then show me," Altair said, determined to at least see where he stood.
A transparent screen flickered into existence before him, glowing softly in the dimly lit room. He instinctively leaned forward, reading through the unfamiliar interface.
[Stronghold System]
Profile
Host: Altair Camis
Level: 1Ability: None
Kill Points: 0
Health Points: 70
Trust Points: 0
Pillar(s): 0
Altair noticed another panel and immediately opened it, curious about its contents.
System Store (Level 1)
Potions:
Health Potion – 10 Kill Points
Healing Potion – 10 Kill Points
Poison – 10 Kill Points
Poison Antidote – 50 Kill Points
Abilities (1000 Kill Points Each):
Fire
Water
Healing
Flight
Super Strength
Invisibility
He was shocked. He could actually purchase abilities? Then, in the future, he would truly have his own power. But his excitement was quickly overshadowed by a grim realization—he needed to kill to gain points.
He had only ever killed wild animals. Could he really take a life?
Altair contemplated the thought. Though he had an aversion to killing, he also wanted the ability to protect himself and his future children. He exhaled and checked the tasks he needed to complete.
Current Tasks:Walls: Locked (100 Trust Points)
Description: Stone walls capable of withstanding normal human attacks.
House: Locked (100 Trust Points)
Description: A stone building with two rooms, a kitchen, a dining area, a bathroom, a living room, and a fireplace.
Food Warehouse: Locked (100 Trust Points)
Description: A storage facility stocked with food supplies.
Altair exhaled slowly. The system was surprisingly simple. Not only could it help him strengthen himself, but if he gained enough kill points, he could acquire multiple abilities.
His gaze lingered on the "Pillars: 0" section. That was his immediate focus. He needed three children just to open the three initial parts of the stronghold.
Turning his eyes away from the screen, he clenched his fist. He needed to act. Orphans were common in villages and towns—children who had lost their families to famine, disease, or the countless dangers of the outside world. If he could take them in, give them a home, and earn their trust…
Maybe, just maybe, he could survive—and even help others.
He asked the system if he could allow other people into the stronghold in the future. The answer was yes. That relieved him, but it also made one thing clear—if he had to open the stronghold to others, he would need strength.
A spark of determination flickered in his heart.
"Alright," he said, his voice firm. "I accept."
[System Update: The host has acknowledged the Stronghold System. The path to survival begins.]
Altair took a deep breath and clenched his fists. From this moment on, his life had a new purpose.