The night was painted in crimson fire and ash.
Lucas moved through the burning streets, the metallic scent of fresh blood sharp in the air. His footsteps echoed between collapsed buildings as the once-bustling Greenwood Safe Zone turned into a chaotic, makeshift battlefield.
Every building was destroyed, reduced to smoking rubble, and the ground was littered with far too many dead bodies. A chilling wave of dread washed over him.
I need to get to my house ASAP. I hope my family... I hope my house is still intact.
Clack! Shhhhlick!
Lucas froze. He heard the unmistakable sounds of a struggle—a snarling roar mixed with the ragged cries of a human—echoing from a side alley. Curiosity, a dangerous instinct in this new world, overruled caution. When he cautiously peered around the charred corner, Alex was there, frantically fighting a massive wolf. It looked like he was losing badly.
[ Wolf (F)]
[ Level: 3 ]
"Ahh, I'm going to die here!" Alex cried out, his voice hoarse with panic. He saw Lucas standing there, watching. A desperate, calculating smile flashed across Alex's blood-streaked face. A bad idea, Lucas realized, the moment that smile appeared.
Lucas remained perfectly still, observing the desperate fight.
Suddenly, Alex turned and bolted, running straight towards Lucas and screaming, "Hey! Help me, you idiot!" He was intentionally luring the enraged wolf right into the narrow gap where Lucas stood.
"Become my bait, Lucas!" Alex gasped, shoving Lucas's shoulder as he tried to dart past.
What Alex didn't know was that Lucas had already awakened his System abilities three hours ago. He was no longer the soft target Alex remembered.
Lucas didn't run. He gripped his heavy, rusted metal pipe tight—a makeshift weapon far more reliable than a knife—and immediately activated his Skill: Weapon Resonance.
A faint, blue luminescence sparked across the metal pipe, and a prompt flashed in Lucas's vision:
[ Weapon Resonance Activated! ]
The wolf, now focused on the nearest source of panic, lunged with terrifying speed, its jaws snapping. Lucas moved with a burst of newfound speed, sidestepping the massive canine. He swung the metal pipe in a brutal, horizontal arc, aiming for the temple. The wolf, committed to the leap, couldn't dodge.
CRUNCH!
The impact was sickening. A damage notification flashed. The force, amplified by his temporary strength boost, was devastating. The wolf's head didn't just get hit; it caved in with a wet, bone-jarring crack, killing it instantly.
[ You have killed a Wolf (Level 3). ]
[ You have gained 20 Coins. ]
[ Objective: Eliminate invading monsters (2/5) ]
Alex skidded to a stop, utterly speechless, staring from the smoking crater where the wolf's head had been to Lucas's menacing stance. He finally met Lucas's cold, level gaze.
"You were going to bait me, weren't you?" Lucas asked, his voice flat and dangerously quiet. The residual blue glow of his skill faded from the pipe.
"No! I would never do that, Lucas! I was trying to lead it away from you!" Alex stammered, frantically trying to backtrack.
"I know what kind of person you are, Alex. I always have." Lucas walked slowly toward Alex, his pipe now held like a club, his intent clear. There was no room for mercy in this new world, especially not for people who would sacrifice others.
"No, please, don't kill me! I'll do anything! I'll follow you, I'll be your slave!" Alex begged, dropping to his knees and scrambling back.
"Give me 100 Coins and I will spare you," Lucas stated, watching the hope flicker in Alex's eyes, only to crush it. He knew Alex wouldn't have that much.
"I... I only have 80 Coins on me! Please, take this! I swear I'll find more and bring it to you! Just let me live!" Alex sobbed, fumbling with his wallet and tossing a small, digital credit chip—the coin storage—at Lucas's feet.
The credit chip was a tool for transferring and storing coins—mainly used by those without a System.
[ Coins: 240 ]
Lucas picked up the chip, felt the weight of the 80 Coins transfer to his own tally, and then, without a word, he swung his pipe again.
THUD.
[ You have killed a Human (level: 0)]
[ You have gained 80 Coins ]
Lucas looked down at Alex's lifeless body. His heart felt heavy — not from guilt, but from the grim acceptance of this new world.
He will come for revenge when he becomes an Awakened. The thought was dismissed instantly. If Alex was going to become an Awakened, he should have already been one. Lucas wasn't leaving any loose ends.Better to end it now.
Lucas continued to run home, a fresh wave of foreboding tightening his chest. When he finally reached the location of his small apartment building, his bad feeling was confirmed. His house was not there. Instead, a large, scorched clearing stood where the building once was, and within the wreckage stood three large, predatory silhouettes.
The distinct heat haze shimmering around the largest one confirmed his nightmare:
[ Mutated Fire Wolf (Alpha) (F)]
[ Ability: Fire Breath, Enhanced Speed ]
[ Level: 6 ]
[ Wolf (F)]
[ Level: 4 ]
[ Wolf (F)]
[ Level: 4 ]
When the Apocalypse descended, some animals mutated, granting them unique Abilities and higher Intelligence, while others simply grew larger and stronger. The non mutated animals instinctively began to follow the powerful Mutated Alphas for protection and territory.
Lucas ducked instantly behind a partially intact wall. They're guarding something, or this is their new den. He had to act fast. He needed to distribute his stats to stand a chance against a Level 6 with an elemental ability. Luckily, they were preoccupied with the wreckage and hadn't noticed him yet. He had a precious minute to prepare.
Wolves specialize in Agility and Strength. I can only take them down by prioritizing those stats and Stamina to absorb hits.
[ Strength: 8 (+5)
Agility: 9 (+5)
Stamina: 12
Mana: 10 ]
[ Undistributed Stat Points: 9 ]
"Wolves rely on speed and power," he murmured. "If I can match that… I might stand a chance."
He quickly allocated his points.
[ +3 Strength ]
[ +3 Agility ]
[ +3 Stamina ]
His body felt lighter immediately, energy surging through his limbs like wildfire.
[ Strength: 11 (+5)
Agility: 12 (+5)
Stamina: 15
Mana: 10 ]
[ Undistributed Stat Points: 0 ]
Lucas exhaled slowly. "Alright… let's do this."
He picked up his metal pipe again, fingers wrapping tightly around it as the blue aura flickered to life.
Time to fight.