15: Chapter 15 [Survivors of the Nest City]

The path to the new base was more difficult than Lin Qiming had anticipated.

The route Hephaestus navigated required crossing a completely collapsed tunnel. This had once been part of the main mine shaft, but an accident many years ago caused the entire top rock layer to cave in, sealing off the passage.

Now, the collapsed rubble and twisted metal supports were piled into a small hill, with only a few narrow crevices barely wide enough to pass through.

“Crawl through here,” Hephaestus marked a winding path on the map. “The narrowest point of the crevice is only 35 centimeters; you'll need to remove your backpack and pass through sideways.”

Lin Qiming looked at the pile of rubble and took a deep breath.

He first removed his backpack and tied it with a rope, preparing to drag it through. Then he strapped his machete and metal pipe to his back, ensuring they wouldn't get stuck.

Xiao Haozi jumped down from his shoulder and was the first to dive into the crevice—the little fellow's small size allowed him to pass through easily.

Lin Qiming followed and crawled in. It was pitch black inside the crevice, illuminated only by the faint glow of the Hephaestus panel. The air was stagnant, filled with a heavy smell of dust and... a faint, lingering scent of sweet blood.

Gas?

He immediately held his breath and sped up.

The crevice twisted and turned; sometimes he needed to crawl, other times he had to squeeze through sideways. The edges of the rubble were sharp, cutting his clothes and skin, but he couldn't afford to care.

After crawling for about twenty meters, a glimmer of light appeared ahead—not natural light, but the fluorescence of some mineral.

The gap also widened, allowing him to walk hunched over.

Lin Qiming quickened his pace and finally emerged from the crevice into a relatively open space.

This was a natural limestone cave, about a hundred and fifty square meters in size, with the highest point reaching seven or eight meters. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, stalagmites rose from the floor, and in the center was a small pool. The water was crystal clear, emitting a faint blue glow—some kind of bioluminescent microorganism.

The air was fresh, lacking the foulness common to the Hive Bottom. The temperature was also moderate, neither cold nor hot.

“This is the place.” Lin Qiming set down his backpack and looked around.

The cave was very hidden; the entrance was that narrow crevice, making it easy to defend and hard to attack. There was water, space, and natural fluorescent lighting—though faint, at least he wouldn't have to constantly consume torches.

[Base Candidate: Natural Limestone Cave.]

[Assessment: Safety A, Resources B, Concealment S.]

[Recommendation: New base can be established.]

Lin Qiming decided to make his home here.

He first inspected the cave to ensure there were no dangerous creatures or structural hazards. Then he began to set up.

First was the light source. He inserted the torches he brought into rock crevices and lit them. With the firelight and natural fluorescence combined, the cave became bright.

Next was the sleeping area. He found a relatively flat, dry stone platform and spread out the rags and padding he had brought.

The workbench was placed in the center of the cave, near the pool for easy water access.

Tools and materials were piled in a corner, covered with a piece of canvas to keep out dust.

Finally, there was defense. He set up an alarm inside the entrance crevice—using the same jar and pebble device; it would trigger if anyone crawled in.

By the time he finished, it was completely "dark"—though there was no concept of day and night in the cave, his biological clock told him it was time to rest.

Lin Qiming sat by the pool, cleaning the wounds on his body. He had sustained several scratches while crawling through the crevice today; although they weren't deep, they needed treatment.

Xiao Haozi crouched nearby, licking his paws to wash his face.

“Hard work today.” Lin Qiming cut a small piece of rat meat—the last of his stock—and handed it to Xiao Haozi.

Xiao Haozi happily carried it off in his mouth.

Lin Qiming also ate something himself—Nutrient Paste he had traded from Old Cole. A grayish, pasty substance that tasted like soil mixed with starch, but it provided basic calories.

[Consumed: Basic Nutrient Paste × 1]

[HP +3, Stamina +10]

[Current HP: 65/68, Stamina: 44/100]

His status had recovered somewhat.

He opened the panel to check today's gains.

Two energy units, not yet absorbed. A set of eight wrenches, all of good quality. The ancient ones relics fragment had already been absorbed, raising the repair progress to 9.5% and unlocking 1% of the Player Summoning Protocol.

As for experience points, today's exploration, moving, and base setup had provided quite a bit.

[Current EXP: 1020/1500 (Next Level: E-Rank · Mid-Stage)]

Still 480 points away from leveling up. Almost there.

Skill [Basic Manufacturing] Lv4 (137/400), talent [Artisans Heart] has been unlocked.

The base had moved from "Zero Point" to this cave, so it needed a new name.

However, naming rights required 100 ENU, and he currently only had 15, which wasn't enough.

“Let's call it ‘Deep Rock Workshop’,” he muttered to himself.

[Base Named: Deep Rock Workshop (Temporary).]

[Once energy is sufficient, pay 100 ENU to complete formal registration.]

Deep Rock Workshop. More hidden and safer than Zero Point.

He lay down, looking at the stalactites on the cave ceiling. The bioluminescent microorganisms flickered in the pool like a starry sky.

His seventh day in this world.

From a dying vagrant by a cesspool to now having two bases (though one was abandoned), a set of tools, an AI partner, a little rat, and his first trading experience.

Significant progress.

But it wasn't enough.

The Iron Tooth Gang was still searching for him. Food reserves were down to just a few bags of Nutrient Paste. Energy reserves were far from 100 points. The Player Summoning Protocol was only 1% repaired.

The road ahead was still long.

But at least he had a direction.

Collect ancient ones relics, repair the stc core, accumulate energy, and unlock the protocol.

Then... summon players.

The descent of the Fourth Calamity.

That would be the true turning point.

Lin Qiming closed his eyes.

Tomorrow, he would begin systematically searching for ancient ones relics.

Hephaestus had said that many fragments of Ancient Ones technology were scattered throughout the Hive Bottom, mostly buried or forgotten.

He had to find them.

Absorb them.

Repair the protocol.

But tonight, rest first.

He fell asleep.

In his dream, he saw light. Countless points of light emerged from the darkness, converging into a river that flowed into the distance.

Was that... the stream of consciousness of the players?

He didn't know.

But he knew he was walking toward that future.

On the morning of the seventh day, Lin Qiming was woken up by the system's notification sound.

It wasn't an alarm, but... a talent unlock.

[Survival duration detected to have reached 168 hours (7 days).]

[Detected independent survival in the Hive Bottom, establishment of a base, completion of trades, and handling of threats.]

[Talent Unlocked: Hive Survivor]

[Effect: In a Hive environment, Perception +10%, Stealth +15%, Resource Discovery Rate +20%, intuitive early warning of low-level threats (probability-based trigger).]

[Description: You have learned to survive in the shadows like a rat, foraging in the trash and maneuvering through danger. You are not a rat, but you understand the survival wisdom of one.]

Hive Survivor.

Very fitting.

In the Hive Bottom, anyone who could survive for seven days had their own philosophy of survival.

Lin Qiming's philosophy was: be cautious but not cowardly; be greedy but not blind; cooperate but do not depend.

Like a rat—alert, tenacious, and always searching for the next opportunity.

He sat up and moved his body. The fracture in his left arm was much better, and he could already apply slight pressure. His HP had recovered to its maximum of 68, and his stamina was also full.

A new day.

A new beginning.

He walked to the pool and cupped some water to wash his face. The water was cold but clear.

Xiao Haozi also woke up, jumped onto his shoulder, and gave a couple of "squeaks."

“Morning.” Lin Qiming stroked its head.

Then he walked to the workbench and began planning his day.

Objective: Search for ancient ones relics.

Hephaestus had already scanned the nearby area and marked several locations that might contain relics: the ruins of an old-era laboratory, an Abandoned Adeptus Mechanicus Temple, and... deeper into the Hive, the "Remains Mine."

The Remains Mine was the most dangerous, but it likely held the most relics.

Lin Qiming decided to go to the relatively safe laboratory ruins first.

He brought his tools: machete, folding knife, dagger, a set of wrenches, rope, and backpack. He also took a few bags of Nutrient Paste as dry rations.

Xiao Haozi crouched on his shoulder, ready to go along.

“Let's go.”

He crawled out of the cave crevice and returned to the tunnel. Today's target was an old laboratory about five hundred meters to the northwest.

According to Hephaestus's scan, it was a research outpost from the early Golden Age that was later abandoned and buried. However, it might still contain some technological items from the old era.

On the way, Lin Qiming constantly practiced the effects of his new talent, [Hive Survivor].

With increased perception, he could more keenly notice environmental details: changes in the sound of distant water droplets, the direction of air currents, traces of dust on the ground...

With increased stealth, he walked more lightly and chose his routes more cleverly, making the most of shadows and obstacles.

The increased resource discovery rate... hadn't manifested yet, but it should be useful.

The intuitive early warning hadn't triggered yet, and he hoped it wouldn't—that would mean encountering danger.

After walking for half an hour, he reached the target area.

It looked like the ruins of an old-era building; most of the concrete structures had collapsed, but the outlines of rooms could still be seen. Broken glassware, rusted instrument stands, and several overturned machines were scattered on the ground.

Lin Qiming carefully entered the ruins. Hephaestus began scanning.

[Faint Information-State Signal detected... Source: Directly ahead, inside that overturned analyzer.]

The analyzer was a machine about half the height of a person; its outer casing was already cracked, revealing the circuits and pipes inside. Lin Qiming used a wrench to pry open the casing and rummaged through it.

Circuit boards, coils, sensors... most were already damaged.

But in the deepest part of the machine, within a shielded compartment, he found a palm-sized crystal plate.

The crystal plate was hexagonal, its surface as smooth as a mirror, with fine points of light flowing inside.

[Discovery: Ancient Ones Technology Relic Fragment (Data Storage Core).]

[Contains a high concentration of information-state energy.]

[Absorbable.]

Lin Qiming picked up the crystal plate and pressed it against the stc core.

Buzz—

The warm current was even stronger than yesterday's! The repair progress began to jump!

9.5% → 10.0% → 10.5% → 11.0%!

It jumped 1.5% in one go! The energy reserve also rose from 15.0 to 18.0!

[Absorbed: Ancient Ones Technology Relic Fragment (Data Storage Core)]

[Energy Gained: 3 ENU.]

[Unlocked Damaged Data Fragment: Player Summoning Protocol · Framework (5%).]

[Unlocked New Blueprint: Information State Constraint (Basic).]

Information State Constraint? Lin Qiming checked the blueprint.

[Blueprint: Information State Constraint (Basic)]

[Description: Can stabilize information-state existence, preventing dissipation or contamination. Has a protective effect on player consciousness projections.]

[Required Materials: Pure Crystal (≥1 unit), Energy-Conductive Metal (≥2 units), Microcircuits (≥1 set).]

[Manufacturing Difficulty: High.]

He didn't have the materials now, so he couldn't build it. But he noted the blueprint.

The repair progress breaking the 10% mark and the Player Summoning Protocol reaching 5% were both good news.

Lin Qiming continued searching the ruins. In another room, he found some old-era laboratory logs—they were paper and had become brittle, but they were still barely readable.

The log recorded an experiment regarding "Consciousness Projection" and "Cross-Dimensional Resonance."

"...After receiving specific frequencies of Information-State Signals, the test subjects exhibited precognitive abilities regarding events that had not yet occurred. It is conjectured that a resonance exists between the information-state universe and the material universe..."

"...The Signal Repeater at the Third Sanctuary detected abnormal fluctuations from an unknown source. It may be related to ancient ones relics..."

"...Experiment terminated. All data sealed. This location abandoned."

Third Sanctuary... Signal Repeater...

Lin Qiming recalled memories from his past life. In the Warhammer 40K setting, the Third Sanctuary was one of the most mysterious facilities of the Old Ones, said to be related to time, information, and consciousness.

Could these relics he found be related to the Third Sanctuary?

Hephaestus had said that the stc core was the core control unit of the "Old One Cross-Dimensional Anchoring Device."

Anchoring device... Signal Repeater... Player Summoning Protocol...

There must be a connection between them.

Lin Qiming put away the log and continued his search, but there were no more relics in the ruins.

He left the ruins and headed for the next location: the Abandoned Adeptus Mechanicus Temple.

It was a small Adeptus Mechanicus prayer room that had later been abandoned. Hephaestus scanned a faint energy signal inside, which could be an Adeptus Mechanicus relic or energy device.

The temple entrance was sealed by a metal door, but it was already rusted. Lin Qiming pried it open with a crowbar and went inside.

The space inside wasn't large, about fifty square meters. In the center was an altar with a damaged machine on it—it looked like an Energy Amplifier, but it was already broken.

Scattered around the altar were some Adeptus Mechanicus relics: small gears, Prayer Plates, and Machine Oil Bottles.

Lin Qiming inspected the machine. There was an energy unit inside, but it was depleted. He dismantled it to absorb it, gaining only 0.5 ENU.

However, beneath the machine's base, he discovered a hidden compartment.

Inside the compartment was a locked metal box. He pried it open with his tools.

Inside the box was a black stone, about the size of a fist, with a smooth surface and very light weight.

[Scanning: Unknown material.]

[No matching record in database.]

[Faint information-state fluctuations detected, but unable to parse.]

Unknown material... possibly a rare resource. Lin Qiming put the stone away.

After finishing his search of the temple, he headed for his final target: the Remains Mine.

That was one of the deepest areas of the Hive City, said to have once been an ancient battlefield, piled high with the wreckage of ancient wars. It was dangerous, but it might also hide more relics.

As he reached the entrance of the Remains Mine, Lin Qiming felt the warning from his [Hive Survivor] talent.

His intuition was telling him: it's very dangerous inside.

But he decided to go in anyway.

The mine tunnel was pitch black, with only the beam of his flashlight sweeping through. Bones were scattered on the ground—human, xenos, of indistinguishable ages. There were scorch marks and bullet holes on the walls, clearly the result of intense combat.

The air was thick with the smell of stale blood and ozone.

Lin Qiming advanced cautiously. Hephaestus scanned continuously, marking items that might be of value.

He found some wreckage of old weapons: rusted lasguns, broken power swords, and deformed armor fragments.

He also found some personal items: ID tags, journals, and photographs—all weathered away.

But there were no ancient ones relics.

Until he reached the depths of the mine, in front of a collapsed cave.

The cave was blocked by boulders, but a faint blue light leaked through the gaps.

Blue light... very similar to the light of the ancient ones relics.

Lin Qiming tried to move the boulders, but they were too heavy for one person to move.

He observed the gaps and found they were passable, but very narrow.

"Xiao Haozi, can you go in and take a look?" he asked the little fellow on his shoulder.

Xiao Haozi gave a "squeak," jumped down, and squeezed into the gap.

A few minutes later, it crawled out, carrying a... crystal fragment in its mouth.

It was only the size of a fingernail, but the blue light was very bright.

[Found: Ancient One Technological Relic Fragment (High Purity).]

[Contains high concentration of information-state energy.]

[Absorbable.]

Lin Qiming took the fragment and absorbed it.

Hum——

The repair progress surged!

11.0% → 12.0% → 13.0% → 14.0%!

Energy reserves also rose from 18.5 to 22.0!

[Absorbed: Ancient One Technological Relic Fragment (High Purity)]

[Energy Gained: 3.5 ENU.]

[Unlocked Damaged Data Fragment: Player Summoning Protocol - Framework (15%).]

[Unlocked Chapter 15 [Hive Survivor] Talent Unlock: A Rat's Self-Cultivation (Continued)]

[Unlocked Damaged Data Fragment: Player Summoning Protocol - Energy Matrix (1%).]

[Notice: Protocol repair progress has broken through 15%, basic framework is stable. The next stage requires repairing the Energy Matrix to provide stable energy for summoning.]

The repair progress shot up to 14% in one go! Energy reserves also reached 22 ENU. The framework of the Player Summoning Protocol was repaired to 15%, and a new "Energy Matrix" section was unlocked.

Lin Qiming looked at the jumping data on the panel and let out a long breath.

Seven days. From 5% to 14%. An average daily increase of over 1%. At this rate... no, it couldn't be calculated that way. The further the repair went, the harder it would become, and the higher the relic energy required might be.

But at least the direction was clear and the progress was visible.

He collected the residual crystal powder from that high-purity fragment—this was also a rare material and might be useful.

Then he looked around the Remains Mine. There should be more relics here, but he had explored long enough for today. The intuitive warning from his talent had been slightly pulsing, suggesting it was time to leave.

"Hephaestus, record the current location. Mark it as 'Remains Mine - Ancient Ones Relic Enrichment Zone'."

[Recorded.]

[Warning: Faint Warp disturbances detected in this area; it is advised not to stay for an extended period.]

Warp disturbances... in the Warhammer universe, that was never a good sign.

Lin Qiming hesitated no longer and turned to leave the mine. Xiao Haozi jumped back onto his shoulder, looking around alertly.

The journey back felt much safer. Perhaps it was because of the stealth bonus from the [Hive Survivor] talent, or perhaps it was just psychological.

An hour later, he returned to the Deep Rock Workshop.

He squeezed through the gap, and the alarm didn't trigger—meaning no one had been there. Everything in the cave was as usual; the torches were still burning, and the pool glowed with fluorescence.

Lin Qiming set down his backpack and began to take stock of today's gains.

Ancient One Relic Fragments ×2 (Absorbed), repair progress rose from 9.5% to 14%. Energy reserves rose from 15 to 22.

Unknown Black Stone ×1 (Purpose unknown).

Several old experimental logs (Possibly contains background information).

Rare Crystal Powder ×1 (Material).

And... the unlocking of the [Hive Survivor] talent.

He sat at the workbench, opened the panel, and decided to properly organize his current status. With the repair progress breaking through 15%, according to what Hephaestus said before, more functions should be unlocked.

"Hephaestus, display the full status interface."

[Generating full status report...]

The panel expanded, and more detailed data than usual surfaced:

[Anchorer: Lin Qiming]

[Status: Healthy (Recovering from minor injuries)]

[Energy Level: 38 ona (E-Rank · Lower Tier)]

[Experience Points: 1020/1500 (Next Level: E-Rank · Middle Tier)]

[Core Asset: STC Control Unit (Old One Cross-Dimensional Anchoring Device Core)]

[Repair Progress: 14.03%]

[Energy Reserves: 22.1/100 ENU]

[Unlocked Functions: Environmental Scanning (500m radius), Basic Database Query, Blueprint Library (Basic), Information State Perception (Faint), Stronghold Management (Temporary)]

[Damaged Functions: Player Summoning Protocol (Framework 15% repaired, Energy Matrix 1% repaired)]

[Current Stronghold: Deep Rock Workshop (Temporary)]

[Level: 0]

[Facilities: Sleeping Area (Crude), Water Source (Natural Pool), Workbench (Rough), Basic Defenses]

[Resource Reserves: Scrap Metal (42 units), Tools (Wrench set ×1, Hand saw ×1, Chisel ×1, etc.), Rare Materials (Unknown Black Stone ×1, Crystal Powder ×1)]

[Skill Tree:]

[Basic Manufacturing Lv4 (137/400)]

Traits: Manufacturing Speed +10%, Material Utilization +5%, Manufacturing Precision +10%, Manufacturing Consumption -10%

[Basic Identification Lv2 (45/100)]

Traits: Item Identification Success Rate +15%

[Basic Survival Lv3 (88/200)]

Traits: Environmental Adaptation +10%, Injury Recovery +5%

[Talents:]

[Artisans Heart (Unlocked)]

Effect: Inspiration rate during manufacturing +15%, chance to create higher quality items, manufacturing speed +20%

[Hive Survivor (Newly Unlocked)]

Effect: In Hive environments, Perception +10%, Stealth +15%, Resource Discovery Rate +20%, intuitive warning of bottom-tier threats (chance to trigger)

[Missions in Progress:]

[Cornerstone of the Workshop (Completed)] - Basic stronghold construction finished.

[Relic Collector (In Progress)] - Collect Ancient One technological relic fragments to repair the stc core. Current Progress: 14%.

[Energy Reserves (In Progress)] - Accumulate 100 ENU to formally name the stronghold and activate the protocol. Current Progress: 22.1/100.

[Survival Challenge (Long-term)] - Survive and develop in the Hive Bottom. Daily settlement.

[Comprehensive Evaluation:]

[You have grown from a dying person by a cesspool into a survivor capable of establishing a stronghold, manufacturing tools, and conducting trade in the Hive Bottom.]

[You have repaired part of the Old One device and unlocked the direction of the summoning protocol.]

[But the road ahead remains long: the threat of the Iron Tooth Gang, shortage of food, lack of energy, repair of the protocol...]

[Suggestion: Prioritize solving the food problem to avoid starving to death while searching for relics.]

Lin Qiming read through it carefully. The data was very intuitive, and the pros and cons were clear at a glance.

Strengths: He had a stronghold, tools, talents, the repair progress had broken 14%, and the direction was clear.

Weaknesses: Food was almost gone, energy was still 78 points short, the Iron Tooth Gang was searching for him, and the Player Summoning Protocol only had 15% of its framework repaired.

"The comprehensive evaluation is as sharp-tongued as ever." He curled his lip.

[Objective assessment is the foundation of formulating an effective plan,] Hephaestus responded calmly. [According to current data, your survival probability has increased from an initial 0.7% to 11.3%. Significant progress, but still below the safety threshold (30%).]

"11.3%..." Lin Qiming smiled bitterly, "Meaning I still have nearly a ninety percent chance of dying?"

[To be precise, it is 88.7%. But probability is dynamic; every choice you make will change it.]

"Like choosing what to eat right now." Lin Qiming pulled the last bag of Nutrient Paste from his backpack, broke it in half, and handed the other half to Xiao Haozi.

The little fellow took it and ran to the edge of the pool to eat.

Lin Qiming also ate that half bag. The taste was still nauseating, but the feeling of fullness in his stomach was real.

[Consumed: Basic Nutrient Paste × 0.5]

[Health +2, Stamina +5]

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

[Current HP: 68/68 (Full), Stamina: 49/100]

Stamina has recovered a bit. He walked to the edge of the pool, filled his canteen, and began to process today's "spoils of war."

First was that piece of unknown black stone. He used the tip of his dagger to gently scrape off a bit of powder to observe the reaction. The powder was dark gray, reflecting faintly in the firelight.

"Hephaestus, analyze the composition."

[Scanning...]

[Composition: Carbon-based nanostructure (80%), unknown metal alloy (15%), trace Information-State residue (5%).]

[Properties: Lightweight, high hardness, weak reaction to energy fluctuations.]

[Inferred use: Possibly as an energy conduction material or Information-State storage medium.]

[Recommendation: Store temporarily, analyze further after repair level increases or more data is obtained.]

Lin Qiming carefully wrapped up the black stone and put it into the "Rare" category of his material pile.

Then, the crystal powder. These were remnants left behind after the ancient ones relics absorbed energy; although the energy had been drained, the material itself might be special.

[Scan: High-purity silicon-based crystal powder.]

[Use: Can be used as material for precision optical components, energy focusing lens substrates, or Information-State circuit dopants.]

[Value: Medium. Can be exchanged for 5-8 bags of Nutrient Paste at the Adeptus Mechanicus market.]

Can be exchanged for food? Lin Qiming's eyes lit up. But he didn't plan to sell them for now—these rare materials might be useful for crafting high-level items in the future.

He finished organizing the materials, sat down at the workbench, and looked at the set of wrenches.

Eight pieces, complete with sizes, from smallest to largest. Although they were old tools, they were well-maintained and had almost no rust. They were much better than the pliers he had used before.

"With these, manufacturing precision will increase by a huge margin." He picked up a medium-sized wrench and weighed it. The weight was right, and it felt solid in his hand.

[Tool upgrade: Upgraded from 'Crude' to 'Ordinary'.]

[Effect: Manufacturing precision +15%, complex structure assembly success rate +10%.]

Very good. He tried the handsaw and chisel—by comparison, these two homemade tools looked much cruder.

"If I have time tomorrow, I'll remake the saw and chisel set with the new tools," he planned.

Then he looked at the blueprint library. The repair level had broken through 15%, so according to what Hephaestus said earlier, it should be able to unlock more functions.

"Hephaestus, has the database query authorization been upgraded?"

[Repair level reached 15%, unlocking basic archive queries (partial).]

[Queryable categories: Basic information on the Ancient Ones civilization, STC system overview, Player Summoning Protocol background (summary).]

[Note: Most entries are still damaged, only fragments can be viewed.]

"Show me the basic information on the Ancient Ones civilization first."

The panel switched, and text appeared:

[The Old Ones]

[Existence period: Approximately 60 million years ago (before the Golden Age).]

[Civilization characteristics: Highly developed cross-dimensional technology, mastered Information-State manipulation, time flow observation, consciousness projection, and other technologies.]

[Known facilities: First Sanctuary (Matter Creation), Second Sanctuary (Life Design), Third Sanctuary (Information and Time).]

[Cause of extinction: Unknown. Speculated to be related to the 'C'tan' war, 'Aeldari Fall', and 'Birth of Chaos'.]

[Legacy: STC system (Standard Template Construct), some technological relics, cross-dimensional anchoring devices.]

[Note: The Old Ones were not a single species, but a coalition of multiple advanced civilizations. Their ultimate goal was to 'create a stable universe free from Chaos corruption'.]

"Third Sanctuary... Information and Time." Lin Qiming remembered the experimental log he saw today. "So those relics, and the stc core, are all related to the Third Sanctuary?"

[Logical connection: The STC control unit is the core of the Old Ones' 'cross-dimensional anchoring device'. This device was designed by the Third Sanctuary, aiming to establish a stable Information-State channel.]

[The Player Summoning Protocol is one of the functions of this device: anchoring specific Information-State existences (player consciousness) to the material universe.]

[Your mission: Repair the device, activate the protocol.]

"And then summon players, using the power of the Fourth Calamity to change the fate of the Warhammer universe?" Lin Qiming said in a low voice.

[Theoretically feasible. But warning: Player consciousness projection carries risks. Information-State pollution, Warp interference, causality disruption...]

[The Old Ones perished before completing this plan. You are continuing their unfinished work.]

Lin Qiming fell silent. Sixty million years ago, what were the Old Ones trying to do with this device? They failed. Now, he, a drifter who crawled out of a cesspit, had to continue it.

It felt... like an ant trying to lift a giant hammer.

But the ant had no choice. Either lift the hammer or be trampled to death.

He closed the archive and looked at the next entry: "Player Summoning Protocol background."

[Player Summoning Protocol]

[Design purpose: Establish a stable Information-State channel, allowing specific consciousness projections to cross the dimensional barrier and anchor to the material universe.]

[Target group: Consciousness existences with 'high Information-State affinity', 'low causality pollution', and 'strong plasticity' (codenamed 'players').]

[Operating principle: Use the Third Sanctuary Signal Repeater to send specific frequency Information-State Signals, attract qualified consciousnesses, and grant them material carriers through the anchoring device.]

[Risk: Consciousness projection may lead to Information-State leakage, Warp attention, causality chain breakage.]

[Current status: Damaged. Framework repaired 15%, Energy Matrix repaired 1%, Signal Repeater not connected, carrier generation system missing.]

[Repair requirements: ancient ones relics energy, rare materials, stable energy sources, Information-State resonance points.]

"Carrier generation system missing..." Lin Qiming frowned. "Does that mean even if the protocol is repaired and players are summoned, they won't have bodies?"

[To be precise: You need to build a 'carrier generation facility'. Player consciousness needs a material carrier to operate in this universe.]

[The blueprint is damaged and needs further repair to unlock.]

Fine, problems one after another. But at least he knew the direction: first repair the protocol framework, then repair the Energy Matrix, then connect the Signal Repeater, and finally build the carrier facility.

The road was still long. But at least he had a roadmap.

He closed the panel, walked to the edge of the pool, and splashed some clear water on his face.

Fluorescent microorganisms swam in the water like a miniature galaxy.

Xiao Haozi was full and playing by the pool, using its small paws to slap the water surface, splashing tiny droplets.

Lin Qiming watched it, and suddenly remembered something.

"Hephaestus, Xiao Haozi... what is it? A common mutated creature?"

[Scan: Unknown small mammalian mutant.]

[Specialty: Has weak sensing of Information-State fluctuations, can locate ancient ones relics.]

[Inference: Possibly produced adaptive mutations after long-term exposure to relic radiation.]

[Threat: Extremely low. Can be tamed.]

Can sense relics... No wonder it could find those fragments.

Lin Qiming squatted down and petted Xiao Haozi's head. The little guy looked up, let out a "squeak," and rubbed against his hand.

"From now on, finding relics is up to you," he said.

Xiao Haozi seemed to understand and puffed out its little chest.

Lin Qiming smiled. In this dark Hive Bottom, at least there was a little guy accompanying him.

He walked back to the workbench and started planning for tomorrow.

Primary problem: Food. Only two and a half bags of Nutrient Paste left, lasting at most three days. Must find a stable food source.

Plan A: Hunting. But traps need improvement, and prey is unstable.

Plan B: Trading. Trade rare materials or tools for food. Old Cole's side is worth a try.

Plan C: Planting. The cave environment is suitable for growing some moss or mushrooms, but it takes time.

He decided to pursue multiple paths: Tomorrow, first go to the Ashen Gang stronghold to find Old Cole, and trade crystal powder or tools for food. Meanwhile, improve the traps and try to catch more mutated rats. Also, collect some edible moss spores and try to cultivate them.

Secondary problem: Energy. 22 ENU is still 78 away from 100. Need to continue searching for technological waste with residual energy.

Plan: System search for nearby abandoned facilities. Hephaestus can mark potential targets.

Third problem: Iron Tooth Gang threat. Risk of the stronghold being exposed.

Plan: The Deep Rock Workshop has good concealment, but defense must be strengthened. Consider making simple weapons or traps.

Fourth problem: Relic collection. The core of repairing the protocol.

Plan: Use Xiao Haozi as a guide, focusing on searching in areas like the Remains Mine. But must pay attention to safety.

He listed them one by one in the panel's memo, as if formulating a strategic plan.

Seven days since coming to this world, he finally moved from the struggle of "surviving" to the stage of "surviving with a plan."

Progress.

It was late at night. Lin Qiming added a torch, checked the alarm, and lay down on the stone platform.

Xiao Haozi curled up by his pillow, a fluffy ball, its body temperature warm.

"Hephaestus," he said softly.

[I am here.]

"Log: Day 7 of the New Calendar. Repair level broke through 14%, unlocked [Hive Survivor] perk. Obtained ancient ones relics × 2, energy reserve 22.1. Unlocked basic archive query, learned about protocol background. Tomorrow's plan: Solve the food problem."

[Log recorded.]

[Supplement: Survival probability assessment has risen slightly to 11.5%.]

[Conclusion: You are evolving from a 'rat' to a 'rat with a plan'. This is a qualitative change.]

Lin Qiming smiled: "Thanks for the compliment."

[You're welcome. Suggestion: Sleep. You need stamina tomorrow.]

"Okay."

He closed his eyes. In the cave, there was only the fluorescence of the pool and the crackling of the torch.

In the distance, the eternal roar of the Hive City came through the rock layers, like the heartbeat of a giant beast.

But in this small cave, at least it was safe for now.

There was light. There was water. There was a tool. There was a partner.

And there was a long, difficult, but clearly directed road.

Player Summoning Protocol. Fourth Calamity. Changing fate.

These sounded like myths.

But he was turning myths into reality, bit by bit.

From a cesspit to a cave.

From a drifter to a craftsman.

From a dying man to an anchor.

Seven days. Just the beginning.

Lin Qiming fell asleep.

In his dream, he saw countless points of light emerging from the darkness, like stars, like eyes, like souls waiting to be awakened.

They were watching him.

Waiting to be summoned.

Waiting to descend.