Chapter 4 — Final Preparation
The clock read 7:15 a.m. when I woke up, my head still heavy from the events of the previous night. The system was still active, the semi-transparent graphics and notifications hovering in my vision as if they were part of the real world.
Thirteen days.
That was the time left until the collapse. Thirteen days until the zombie apocalypse began, devouring the planet from the inside out. And I couldn't waste any more time.
I got out of bed, took a deep breath, and opened the calling app. I knew it would be hard to convince anyone. Who would believe in the end of the world? But I had to try. I started with my family.
Warning the Parents and Sister
I dialed my mother's number. The call took a few seconds before she answered, her usual warm voice filling the receiver:
"Daniel? Up early? What a miracle!"
I swallowed hard. I wanted to tell the truth right away, but I knew I had to be subtle.
— Mom, I need you and Dad to come here as soon as possible. There's… an emergency.
She laughed, suspicious.
— Emergency? Are you okay? What happened?
— I can't explain it over the phone, but it's serious. It's a safety issue.
— Daniel… you're worrying me.
I heard my father in the background, asking what was going on.
— Put him through, Mom. I need to talk to you two.
A few seconds later, they were both on the line.
I explained the basics: that something very serious was about to happen, that they needed to leave the countryside and come to the capital. I didn't go into details about zombies or the system. I knew that if I said too much, I would lose all credibility.
— Son, are you in trouble? — my father asked, direct as always.
— It's not that. But… trust me. It's a matter of life or death. Don't ask now. Just come.
They were silent for a moment. Then my mother gave in:
— Okay. Let's organize things here and hit the road early tomorrow. But I want an explanation when we get there.
Relief. At least part of the plan was working.
Next would be my sister, Isabela. She was only 19 years old, she was studying Biomedicine in another city, and she had always been stubborn.
I called her.
— So, you've been missing? Did you finally remember you have a sister? — she teased, with that sarcastic tone she always used.
— Isa, I'm serious. I need you to leave college today and come here. It's urgent.
She laughed, thinking it was a joke.
— Stop being so dramatic. I'm in the middle of exam week.
— Forget about the exams. It doesn't matter anymore. Isa, please, just trust me. I... know things. Things you wouldn't understand now. But if you stay here, you'll die.
Silence.
She could tell by the seriousness in my voice that I wasn't joking.
— Okay... Okay, you're scaring me, idiot. But... I'm going to try to catch the next bus. You owe me an explanation.
— I'll explain everything in person. And... I love you, okay?
— I love you too, you crazy guy.
We ended the call. My chest hurt. I knew I was dragging my family into the eye of the storm, but it was the only chance to save them.
The Friends
Then came the friends. I started with Gabriel, my childhood friend, always loyal, but extremely skeptical.
— Dani, are you drunk? — was his first reaction, laughing on the other end of the line.
— No. I'm very sober and very screwed. Listen... remember those zombie apocalypse movies we used to watch? It's about to happen.
I explained the basics, omitting the system and the time travel. I spoke in a practical way: that something serious was going to happen, that he needed to prepare himself.
Gabriel was stubborn, but not stupid. And, above all, he knew me well enough to know when I was serious.
"Okay. I'll go to the market, stock up on some stuff, just in case. But if it's a prank, I swear I'll beat the crap out of you."
I smiled, relieved.
"Thanks, bro. I owe you one."
Then I called Amanda. Ex-girlfriend, friend, someone who still meant a lot to me, even though things between us had ended badly.
She answered coldly.
"What do you want?" she asked dryly.
"To save you," I replied.
Silence.
"I don't understand."
"I know we ended badly. But something big is coming. You need to get out of town, or at least get ready. I wouldn't talk to you if it wasn't important."
I heard her breathing on the other end of the line. Then, her voice became softer:
— You sound desperate… Okay, Dani. I'll trust you. But you owe me an explanation. And maybe… a coffee.
I smiled, even in the midst of the chaos.
— I promise.
Planning and Technical System
After the calls, I spent the rest of the day training, monitoring the system and preparing myself.
🎯 Updated Status:
Level: 3
XP: 55/150
Strength: 2
Speed: 2
Stamina: 3
Vitality: 12
Hand-to-Hand Combat: 15/100
Firearm Mastery: 0/100
Infection Resistance: 5/100
Mutation Control: 0/100
Points Distribution: 2
With each training session, I felt my body respond in a superhuman way. More resistance, more strength. The system projected graphs, notifications, and analyzed my movements.
I also discovered a hidden panel: the System Store
but, still blocked. It required 100 Red Crystals, which could only be obtained by killing zombies or in special events.
In addition, the system released a global map, with points of interest:
📍 Relevant Locations:
Umbrella Laboratory: 80 km away
Temporary Safe Zone: University
Early Mutation: Industrial District
Order Cells: unknown (1/3 located)
And the system's voice, always present, an AI with a childish intonation, reminded me:
🎙️ "With every action, destiny changes. Protect yours. Evolve. Or perish."
The Arrival
When night fell, my parents and sister arrived. My father, rigid as always, looked suspicious. My mother, worried. Isabela, scared.
I explained as much as possible, without sounding crazy. I showed data, clues, theories about Umbrella, the collapse. I didn't mention the system directly, but I hinted that reliable sources had warned me.
They resisted, but they stayed.
My friends also began to prepare. Gabriel stocked up on food, Amanda bought supplies, others began to mobilize.
I knew not everyone would believe me. But I planted the seed of doubt. And that, sometimes, was enough to save lives.
Thirteen Days
The counter in my vision read:
[Days Left: 12]
Twelve days until hell breaks loose.
But this time… I was ready to fight.