The clock read 7:50. Time was ticking. And the countdown to the end of the world had already begun.
I closed the floating panel with a simple mental command, as if it were already instinctive. Little by little, I began to accept that the system was part of me. I got up from the bed, my muscles still normal, the body fragile of a tired college student, but my mind — it was sharp. I knew what was coming. The chaos, the screams, the blood, the losses…
Not this time.
"Master, what's the agenda for the day?" — The childish and mischievous voice of the System Loli, who I now knew was called Hikari, sounded again.
"Train. Observe. Prepare.", I answered, opening the wardrobe. My eyes ran over the ordinary clothes, but my mind saw beyond. I needed to think like a survivor, not like a student.
I put on reinforced jeans, thick-soled sneakers, and a black jacket. Everything was discreet, but sturdy enough. I grabbed my worn-out backpack and started throwing the essentials inside:
✔ Water bottle
✔ Cereal bars
✔ Small pocket knife — useless against zombies, but better than nothing
✔ Money and documents
I looked around the room once more. The walls still had posters of games and movies, a reminder of who I was. But that Daniel died along with the old world.
I went out into the street.
The city was still alive. People hurriedly came and went, oblivious to the cruel fate that was approaching. Cars honked, street vendors shouted offers, the smell of street food hung in the air. It seemed normal… but it wasn't.
I saw everything differently now. Every corner, every alley, every building… I mentally mapped out escape routes, refuge points, stores with possible weapons or supplies.
"Two weeks… every second counts…", I thought, quickening my pace.
"Oh, master… just a reminder…" Hikari's voice rang out again, with a more serious tone. "If you want to train and earn some points, there are the 'Training Zones'. They don't give you actual combat XP, but they strengthen your attributes."
I frowned, curious.
"What zones?"
The interface opened a holographic mini-map in front of me, discreet enough for no one else to see.
🟢 Available Training Zones:
"Iron Pulse" Gym — 500 meters
"Vital Park" Running Park — 1.2 km
"Red Dragon" Martial Arts Club — 2 km
"Training in these places increases basic attributes, slowly but steadily. You can strengthen them without having to kill zombies… for now, hehe~"
I smiled, satisfied. This was what I needed. To get stronger before the chaos began.
I chose the Iron Pulse Gym. It was the closest one and, in the future, I remembered that it was one of the first temporary shelters before the infestation spread. I walked through the streets, paying attention to every detail, every face.
I passed groups of students, old people sitting in the squares, couples holding hands... All doomed. Unless I could change that.
Iron Pulse Academy — 08:15
The place was almost empty, which was good. I paid the daily fee and went straight to the weights and resistance area. As I lifted weights, I felt the system analyzing my body.
🔧 [Recognized Workout]
Strength: +0.01 progress
Stamina: +0.005 progress
"Workouts accumulate progress. When you reach 100 progress points in an attribute, you go up 1 real point.", explained Hikari, in her sweet voice. "In other words… I can get stronger before I really fight…", I whispered, picking up the pace.
I spent two hours there, alternating between weights, resistance training and running. The progress was slow but steady. Even without fighting, I could already feel my body responding better, firmer, more prepared.
At 10:30, I left the gym and headed to Parque Vital. Endurance running. I needed to improve my Stamina — when running away from zombies, this was vital.
I ran for almost an hour, feeling my muscles burn, but the system updating itself with every meter I covered.
🔧 [Recognized Workout]
Stamina: +0.015 progress
Speed: +0.005 progress
My ordinary body from before was already giving way to something more efficient, albeit slowly.
When the clock struck 12:00, I stopped at a kiosk and asked for water. My cell phone vibrated in my pocket. Messages from classmates, teachers, social media… everything was so banal, so insignificant compared to what I knew was coming.
I picked up my phone and opened the calendar.
There were 14 days left until the Apocalypse.
"Hikari… how long will it take for you to release the threat radar?", I asked curiously.
"When the master reaches Level 2 or completes the first 'Survival Challenge'. It won't be long if you're smart~"
I nodded. I needed weapons, supplies and information. And, more than that, I needed allies — people I could trust or manipulate to survive.
I looked at the blue sky, at the people laughing, living… and, for the first time, I felt that I was ahead of my destiny.
But time was running out.
And soon, the world would fall apart.