Lucas Kane opened his eyes to a nightmare dressed in daylight.
The blinding flash that had consumed him just seconds ago was gone, but what it left behind was worse. He found himself standing in the middle of a wide eight-lane road. Towering skyscrapers lined both sides like silent sentinels. Several cars were overturned, some crushed as though tossed by giants, blocking the lanes in twisted heaps of metal.
A horrible accident? That was his first thought—until he saw the blood.
It pooled across the asphalt like rivers, staining the street crimson. Bits of flesh, torn limbs, and half-eaten corpses lay scattered around, some still twitching. A pungent stench of rot and iron assaulted his senses, making his stomach churn.
But that wasn't what made Lucas freeze.
It was the zombies.
Hundreds of them.
They stood all around him—motionless, eyes vacant, skin pallid and stretched thin over unnatural veins pulsing with purple. Their mouths hung open in silent hunger.
Why aren't they attacking me? Lucas thought, heart pounding like a war drum. His breath caught in his throat as he tried not to move, not to blink, not to breathe too loudly. These creatures were like statues—but he could feel it in his bones. That wouldn't last.
Then, as if in answer to his spiraling dread, a calm, emotionless voice echoed in his mind:
[Welcome to the World of the Apocalypse Game.]
A holographic map flickered into view before his eyes. It was not Earth—not even close. Instead of blue oceans and continents, this world was almost entirely landmass. The seas were like scattered lakes, dotting an endless expanse of terrain.
[This is Aquaria. Its surface area is one thousand times that of Earth.]
[The number of cities here is ten thousand times greater.]
[Its culture and technology are nearly identical to Earth's—but this world has already fallen.]
[Zombies and mutated beasts have taken over. Survival is your only objective.]
Lucas's lips parted in disbelief. Was this... a hallucination?
The voice continued.
[Survival Tips – Memorize them if you want to live.]
1. The planet is covered in a strange energy field. Slaying zombies and mutated beasts releases energy you can absorb to grow stronger. In many cases, it's more effective than firearms.]
2. All natural water sources are polluted. Drink unfiltered water, and you might not live to regret it.]
3. Not all mutated plants and animals are harmful. Some offer powerful restorative properties—use them wisely.]
4. Supply crates are scattered across the world. Search them. What you find may save your life.]
5. Everyone begins with a spatial ring. Energy can expand its capacity. But be warned—others may kill for it.]
6. Use your gathering skill to collect resources from defeated enemies—quickly.]
7. At night, creatures grow more aggressive. Never be caught without shelter after dark.]
8. All mutations are currently suppressed. But every 30 days, that suppression weakens. Prepare accordingly.]
[Warning: Game begins in 60 seconds.]
[Calibrating gravity...]
[Constructing gamified reality layers...]
[Restarting urban power grid...]
[Activating remote auction network...]
[Enabling chat interface...]
[Enhancing human adaptability parameters...]
The system voice droned on with technical jargon, but Lucas barely registered it.
Sixty seconds.
That was all he had before the undead statues around him came to life.
I have to move. Now!
He scanned the buildings nearby, panic rising in his throat. Where could he hide? Most storefronts were smeared with blood. Shattered windows. Busted doors. Whatever was inside had probably already been feasted on—or worse, was still inside.
Then he spotted a restaurant. Its glass doors were clean. No blood. No signs of struggle.
Looks safe, Lucas thought and took a step forward.
[Warning: 27 starving zombies inside. Entering will trigger feeding frenzy.]
"Holy—!" He stumbled back.
Where had that message come from? It floated like a digital prompt in the air next to the restaurant.
No one else seemed to react to it.
His eyes darted to a nearby convenience store.
[Six zombies inside. Contains purified water. If you're fast, and well-armed, it's a gamble worth taking.]
Still too risky. He was unarmed, untrained, and just a regular guy in this new world.
Then, he looked at a real estate office just a few steps further.
[Congratulations. This building is clear. No zombies detected. Contains: Level-1 Supply Crate.]
Bingo!
He glanced at the undead still frozen around him.
[Zombies are currently in stasis. Movement disabled. Cannot be killed. Time remaining: 46 seconds.]
Lucas calculated. Thirty meters. He could sprint there in under ten seconds and shut the door before the timer hit thirty-five.
But that left ten precious seconds. Not to scream. Not to freeze.
To think. To plan.
To act.
His eyes scanned the still figures once more—and then they locked onto something that made his breath catch:
A zombie in riot gear. A dead SWAT officer.
And on its belt—a gun.