Emily's eyes fluttered open, but the world felt… wrong. Her body, her surroundings—it was all familiar, yet tinged with the sense of déjà vu that gnawed at her mind. One month. That was all she had. One month before the apocalypse that had torn her previous life apart. She forced herself to sit up, heart pounding. Memories of screams, of fire, of betrayal, rushed in all at once.
"This is real," she whispered, her voice trembling, though her resolve hardened like steel. "I'm back. And this time… I won't fail."
A soft chime echoed in her mind, startling her. She blinked. A translucent screen, glowing faintly, hovered before her eyes. Words appeared:
"System Activated. User: Emily. Task 1: Survive until Apocalypse Day 1. Reward: Power unlock."
Emily stared, stunned. She had always dismissed such fantastical ideas—magic, powers, or systems—but now… she couldn't deny it. A thrill coursed through her veins. Her second chance at life had begun, and this mysterious system would be her guide.
She swung her legs off the bed and touched her apartment walls, testing her senses. Everything was exactly the same as it had been in her last life—but she knew every corner, every creaky floorboard. That knowledge could be her advantage.
Suddenly, the door clicked. Emily froze. No one had a key. A familiar voice rang in her ears, and her stomach twisted with unease.
"Emily? Is that really you?"
She turned slowly. There he stood—smiling innocently, just like he had years ago. Her chest tightened. Her friend. The one who had betrayed her last life.
Emily forced a polite smile, her heart pounding. "It's me."
The friend's eyes sparkled with an unreadable mix of warmth and curiosity. "I can't believe we get to see each other again. I thought… I thought I'd lost you forever."
Emily nodded, her mind racing. Something about the tone felt off. Memories of backstabbing, of secrets whispered behind her back, surfaced unbidden. She narrowed her eyes. Trust would not come easily this time.
Before she could say more, a shadow moved outside her window. Emily's gaze instinctively turned—and her breath caught. A man stood there, observing silently. Tall, sharp features, an aura of cold authority. Gabriel. He said nothing, but his eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary. Emily felt a shiver run down her spine. She didn't know if it was fear—or something more.
The system pinged again.
"Task 2: Assess immediate threats. Reward: Combat skill enhancement."
Emily clenched her fists, determination replacing fear. "One step at a time," she muttered. "I'll survive… and I'll be ready for anything this time."
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to look back at her so-called friend. A smile, cordial and careful, spread across her lips. "We have a lot to prepare for."
And just like that, the countdown had begun. One month, four weeks, twenty-eight days to prepare. The apocalypse was coming—and this time, Emily would be ready.