Aarav took a slow step forward.
The darkness from before had vanished.
In its place stood a broken world.
Ruined buildings stretched as far as he could see.Cracked roads. Burnt walls. Silence that felt… wrong.
It wasn't just empty.
It felt abandoned.
[Zone Update: Ruined City – Beginner Area]
"…So this is where I start," Aarav muttered.
His voice sounded small in the vast emptiness.
A metallic scraping sound echoed nearby.
Aarav froze.
"…Not alone."
He turned toward the sound.
Between two shattered buildings, something moved.
Slow.
Watching.
Then it stepped out.
Its body was thin but twisted, like it had been stretched unnaturally. Its skin looked gray and cracked, and its eyes glowed faint red.
[E-Rank Scavenger]
Aarav exhaled slowly.
"Stronger than before…"
The creature tilted its head.
Then—
It charged.
Fast.
Too fast.
Aarav jumped back, barely dodging as its claws slashed through the air.
The wind from the attack brushed his face.
"…That would've killed me."
His heart pounded.
But this time—
He didn't panic.
Instead, he focused.
"Think."
The surroundings. The enemy. His options.
Nothing fancy.
No weapons.
No backup.
Just him.
"…Then I adapt."
The creature attacked again.
Aarav moved.
[Plan-T Override — ACTIVATED]
The world slowed.
The creature's movements became clear.
Predictable.
Aarav stepped to the side—perfect timing.
The attack missed.
His eyes scanned the ground.
A broken metal pipe.
He grabbed it.
The skill flickered.
Unstable.
"…Not yet."
The creature turned again.
Roared.
Charged once more.
Aarav tightened his grip.
"Now."
Time slowed again.
He stepped in.
Not back.
Forward.
SWING.
The pipe crashed into the creature's head.
CRACK.
It stumbled.
Aarav didn't hesitate.
Again.
SWING.
Again.
Until the creature collapsed.
Silence returned.
Aarav stood there, breathing heavily.
"…I did it."
His hands trembled.
Not from fear.
From adrenaline.
He looked at the fallen creature.
"…So this is how I survive."
A faint blue glow appeared.
The system.
Waiting.
Aarav smiled slightly.
"Alright."
He straightened up.
"Let's see what I get."
To be continued…
What should Aarav upgrade next? Comment 🔥