Conscripted Crafter - The Dead Man Gives

For most in Settlement Four, the clearing of the fourth floor brings upon a time of miraculous joy and celebration. But for Dustin, a twenty-year-old simply looking to survive, he’s never been more anxious—because the yearly Ceremonial draft draws near.   Shrouded in secrecy, Dustin is thrust into the Zone, where the terrifying events that follow shackle him with the burden of a worthless Class and with a condition that marks him beneath his peers, making life torturous. Dustins ready to give up, when he learns what awaits the One who conquers the Tower. It changes everything. At the top is something worth dying for, and Dustin dreams of being the one to get it. In a place where weakness is a death sentence, Dustin will fight for survival as he climbs the tower, rebelling against fate's hand and the unfair scorn of his betters.  And as factions wrestle for dominance, and the harsh realities behind the Tower’s later floors begin to surface, Dustin may prove that dismissing him was a mistake. Some are born with power, he's determined to create it. This story is about: Dustin O’callahan growing in renown and strength while struggling to survive inside the Zone. We'll follow him as he maximizes the advantages of his Class, takes risks in gathering resources others wouldn't, and eventually rises through a society determined to dismiss him.What to expect: Focus on the creation of items/armor/weapons. Strategic use of resources. Military. The accumulation of wealth. Aura farming. Slow burn. Weak-to-strong. Political backstabbing. Worldbuilding between societies. Action and death. Love and sacrifice. There's a bit more action at the beginning, but the crafting focus will be there.  Hard mode: No review swaps, no shout out swaps, no paid ads. Only you. Please consider following if you like the story. Thank you!