The new world shimmered—rolling green hills, crystal rivers, sky without panels.
The squad stood on a hilltop, Kael's pawprint glowing neon."Byteville starts here," Kael declared. "First town. No levels. No Coder."
Lila planted a dagger-flag. "Byteville: Population 5… and one ghost ferret."
Rix unrolled a holographic blueprint. "Town square here. Ferret statue center. Loot fountain optional."
Grimlock hammered a sign: BYTEVILLE — CHAOS WELCOME.Vex floated, eyes sparkling. "Fate Glitch: The backup awakens at sunset."
The pawprint pulsed—neon cracks spread across the ground.Byte: …backup… loading…
A tiny ferret hologram flickered.
"BYTE!" the squad yelled.
The hologram solidified—Byte, alive, neon fur brighter, eyes glowing.Byte: BACKUP = SUCCESS. BYTE = MAYOR.
Byte leaped onto Kael's shoulder, nipping his ear.
Lila hugged Byte. "You little hero—never do that again!"
Byte: HUG = LOOT. MORE HUGS.
Rix high-fived Byte. "Mayor Byte. First decree: free loot for all."
Grimlock knelt. "I serve the ferret."
First free NPCs spawned—farmers, blacksmiths, kids—no panels, no quests.A little girl NPC tugged Kael's cloak. "Mister, is this heaven?"
"Better," Kael smiled. "It's Byteville."
Sunset ceremony—ferret statue unveiled: Byte riding a toaster, holding a nuke button.Byte: STATUE = LOOT. BYTE APPROVES.
Lila cut the ribbon.
"Byteville officially open!"
Rix activated loot fountain—coins, gear, candy rained.Grimlock rang a bell. "First Ferret Festival starts now!"
Festival chaos: Byte look-alike contest (Rix won in ferret onesie)
Chaos skill fireworks (Kael rewrote sky into memes)
Lila's dagger-throwing booth ("Hit the Coder target!")
Vex's prophecy tent ("Your future: chaos and snacks")
Grimlock's arm-wrestle arena (undefeated)
A blacksmith NPC forged Byte Medals. "For the squad that broke the system."
Kael pinned one on Byte. "Honorary Mayor. Lifetime supply of mana sparks."
Byte: SPARKS = LOOT. BYTE ACCEPTS.
Night fell—bonfire, stories.Lila leaned on Kael. "We did it. No more glitches."
"Except one," Kael grinned, pointing at Byte.
Rix toasted. "To Byte—the ferret who nuked reality."
Grimlock raised mug. "To freedom."
Vex smiled. "Fate Glitch: The town grows. But a shadow watches."
A distant server tower flickered—Zeta's eye?Byte: SHADOW = LOOT. BYTE READY.
Byteville lights glowed—first free town.
But the pawprint on Kael's hand pulsed red