Night had fallen over the city, and with it, silence—deceptive and heavy. Fires still burned in the distance, but the streets near Arjun and Mina's safehouse were unnervingly quiet.
The small apartment building they had claimed would serve as a temporary stronghold. Broken windows were barricaded with furniture, and Mina had set up simple noise traps at the doors.
Arjun crouched in the corner, checking the blue screen.
[Total Items Stored: 74 | Skill Points: 12]
[New Task: Hunt and Neutralize Threats | Reward: +15 CP]
"Threats?" Mina asked, glancing outside.
"Everyone is a threat," Arjun said flatly. "Humans, creatures, anyone desperate enough to kill. And we need to be ready."
The system chimed again.
[New Skill Unlocked: Enhanced Reflexes Level 1]
Arjun flexed his fingers. His muscles responded quicker than before. Every movement precise, every swing calculated.
A distant howl cut through the air.
Mina's hand went to her gun.
"Creatures?"
Arjun shook his head.
"Humans first. Creatures later. We don't risk getting surrounded."
Minutes later, a small group of scavengers approached the building, unaware anyone was inside. Arjun watched them through a cracked wall panel.
"Three people, armed," Mina whispered.
"Easy."
Arjun nodded. He held a metal rod in one hand, a makeshift hammer in the other. Mina readied her pistol.
[Stealth Mode Activated | Silent Elimination Bonus: +5 CP]
They struck with precision. One swing, one shot, another swing. No screams left behind, no time wasted. Supplies from the scavengers were added to the system automatically.
[Total Items Stored: 112 | Conversion Points: 32 | Skill Points: 17]
Mina looked at Arjun.
"You're… ruthless."
Arjun smiled faintly.
"Survival isn't pretty. It's effective."
After securing the floor, they began to fortify the safehouse further. Traps were reset, barricades reinforced, and escape routes mapped.
[System Notification: Safehouse Secured | Bonus Skill Points Awarded: 5]
Mina leaned against the wall, exhausted but alert.
"How many more like them are out there?" she asked.
Arjun stared at the glowing system screen.
"As many as it takes… until we control our own fate."
The city outside was a nightmare. Fires, screams, and the unknown lurked in every alley.
Inside, two survivors had already taken the first step toward mastering this apocalypse.
In the end, only preparation and ruthlessness decide who lives.
Arjun Kim was ready for everything.
And Mina Park was right beside him.