Daniel Hunter
Age: 18
Level: 4
XP: 400/800
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Class: ???
Health: 10/10
Strength: 10
Agility: 11
Endurance: 10
Intelligence: 12
Unspent Points: 0
Dan gave his stats a quick glance before heading out. With the group now somewhat assembled, they gathered in Mia's apartment to formulate a plan. Around a small, battered table salvaged from the corner, Dan decided it was time to lay everything out.
He explained everything that had happened since the outbreak—the strange interface only he had seen at first, the combat, the leveling system, and its benefits. As he spoke, the others listened intently, some exchanging skeptical looks, others absorbing every word.
To break the tension, Dan offered a bit more about himself.
Dan: "So, yeah. My name's Dan, as you know. I was a law student, third year. I like sports, traveling, and hitting the gym."
Mia smiled softly.
Mia: "I was studying architecture. Used to work part-time as a bartender. I liked going out… but those days feel so far away now."
Eli adjusted his glasses nervously.
Eli: "I'm Eli. I study blacksmithing at the college next to the university. They didn't have accommodations, so they placed me here instead."
Dan blinked in surprise.
Dan: "Blacksmithing?"
Eli laughed awkwardly.
Eli: "It's more modern now—fabrication, welding, forging—but yeah, I like making things."
They all turned to Jade, who leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
Jade: "Name's Jade… just Jade."
Everyone nodded; it was clear she wasn't the talkative type.
Once introductions were done, Dan outlined the situation on the lower floors: the reception was overrun, the stairwell dangerously full of infected, and their safest bet was to secure and clear the upper floors until they could find a way out.
That's when Eli, thoughtful and always tinkering with ideas, raised a hand.
Eli: "What if, when we reach the roof, we make noise at the back of the building? You know, to draw the infected away from reception? That way, we can sneak down through the front."
Dan's eyes widened. He paused, then slapped his forehead.
Dan: "Brilliant! I can't believe I didn't think of that."
He gave Eli a thumbs-up.
Eli blushed slightly, proud of the praise.
Still, everyone looked exhausted. They'd been running on adrenaline, and Dan knew the fatigue would catch up fast. Even so, he had a pressing concern.
Dan: "I don't know if you'll all get survival packs like I did when I leveled up. It might only happen once, or maybe just to those who hit a certain threshold. Either way, we can't risk running out of food or tools. Let's clear one more floor—just one—and hope it gives someone the XP they need to level."
No one argued. They grabbed their makeshift spears and followed Dan quietly toward the third floor.
The stairwell creaked under their weight as the group ascended cautiously, weapons gripped tightly. Dan led the way, eyes scanning every shadow. The silence above was eerie—too still, like the floor was holding its breath.
He reached the third-floor landing first and slowly pushed the door open.
It groaned loudly.
Dan froze.
Nothing.
With a gesture, he motioned the others forward and slipped into the corridor.
The hallway was dim. moonlight from broken windows spilled weak rays across the cracked tile floor. The air smelled faintly of blood and rot.
Then came the sound.
A low growl.
From a nearby room, a door burst open and two infected rushed out, sprinting toward Dan. He stepped forward instinctively, drawing their attention away from the others. His upgraded agility kicked in—he ducked under the first infected wild swing and rammed his blade into its gut, twisting hard before kicking it back.
The second lunged.
But Jade was faster.
Without hesitation, she stepped in from the side and drove her spear upward into the creature's throat. It gurgled and collapsed. She didn't say a word, just gave Dan a curt nod.
Dan: "Nice."
More doors creaked open.
Eli: "Uh… we might've stirred the nest."
Another infected burst out—then another. Four. Six. More.
Dan: "Form up! Hallway's narrow—let's funnel them!"
The group moved with surprising cohesion.
Dan and Jade stood at the front, using their reach to stab and slash. Behind them, Mia kept watch on the rear while Eli reinforced damaged spears with duct tape.
The infected came in waves. Dan noticed the pattern again—the way they surged forward in bursts, then recoiled briefly. He timed his attacks with precision. Jade moved like a shadow beside him—minimal movements, no wasted energy.
Mia: "Left door!"
An infected crept out of a side room, teeth bared. Mia stepped forward and drove her spear into its chest. Her eyes were wide, hands shaking, but she held her ground.
Dan: "You okay?!"
Mia: "No. But I'll keep going."
The fight dragged on, but eventually, the corridor fell silent again—except for ragged breathing and blood dripping onto tile.
They'd taken out ten infected total.
Dan leaned against the wall, panting.
System Notification:
[You have gained 200 XP.]
[Level Up!]
[You are now Level 5.]
[1 stat point available.]
The others froze as their own screens flickered into existence.
System Notification:
Mia has leveled up to Level 2.
Jade has leveled up to Level 3.
Eli has leveled up to Level 2.
Each of them stared in awe at the floating interface.
Eli: "Whoa… it's real. We can all see it."
Jade: "Guess we're part of the game now."
Mia: "This… actually helps."
Dan smiled tiredly.
"Wait... why did the doors open?" Jade asked quietly.
Everyone froze at the realization.
Eli: "Could they be learning? Maybe some survivors opened them."
Mia: "We should be careful. We don't know what's happening anymore."
Dan nodded, tightening his grip on his spear.
Dan: "Alright. We'll figure it out together."
They moved toward the last door—still locked—but it somehow opened when they tried.
Dan went first, slipping inside slowly while Eli, Mia, and Jade covered the doorway. The room was dimly lit by the glow of a laptop frozen on a login screen. Books scattered the desk; clothes lay thrown over a chair.
Then came a faint cough from the far corner.
Dan signalled the others to move cautiously.
Eli (whispering): "There's someone here."
Mia stepped forward and called out softly.
Mia: "Hey, it's okay. We're not infected."
A young man with tousled hair and dark circles under his eyes emerged, wild and unfocused. His hands trembled as he shuffled toward them, voice cracked and desperate.
Mark: "Please... leave me. Leave me alone."
Dan relaxed slightly.
Dan: "We're survivors too. What's your name?"
Mark: "Mark... been hiding here... so scared..."
Suddenly, Mark's expression twisted into panic. His eyes darted wildly, and without warning, he lunged at Dan, a broken metal rod clenched in his shaking hands.
Dan: "Get back!"
He sidestepped just in time. The rod scraped dangerously close.
Mia gasped. Jade and Eli recoiled in shock.
Dan tried to calm him.
Dan: "Mark, stop! You're not thinking straight."
Mark's grip tightened.
Mark: "No... you're one of them... just like everyone else!"
Dan had no choice. His heart pounded as he raised his machete defensively.
Dan: "Mark, don't... I don't want to do this."
Mark charged again, crazed and desperate.
Dan dodged and, with practiced precision, struck—slashing Mark's side. The young man's wild eyes widened, and he collapsed with a ragged gasp.
Silence fell.
Dan dropped the Machete, breathing heavily. Mia knelt beside Mark, who coughed weakly.
Eli: "Was he infected?"
Dan: "No," Dan said tightly. "Just... broken."
They stood in heavy silence, the weight of survival crushing harder than ever.
Dan wiped sweat from his brow as a notification popped on his system.
System Notification:
[First human you killed.]
[Instant level up…]