The overhead fluorescent lights hummed as he slumped in his seat, half-listening to his professor's rant about modern politics. It was a law class, early afternoon, University of Texas at Austin.
Normally, he'd have tried harder to pay attention, but lately he found no spark in these lectures. He was here on the GI Bill, a former cavalry scout who'd once stared down roadside ambushes and mortar fire. Now he sat in a room lined with dry-erase boards and bland motivational posters, struggling not to yawn.
The professor, Holly Brooks, had a habit of belittling anyone who disagreed with her. She leaned hard to one side of the political spectrum and never missed an opportunity to lecture on broader social issues. He never spoke up, though. It wasn't worth starting a fight.
Most days, he'd let her talk, shake his head privately, and then just head home to study the textbook. Today was shaping up no differently. He checked the clock on the wall, just a few more minutes before they wrapped up. Maybe he could grab lunch afterward and actually review case summaries.
Then it happened. Without warning, the walls around them shivered. The light overhead flickered twice. A pressure built behind his eyes.
He sat up straight, heart pounding. Across the room, others noticed. A girl in the front row lowered her pen. A guy near the window pulled out his earbuds. The professor halted mid-sentence, frowning.
A sound like distant glass breaking swept through the room. The chalkboard cracked. The doors rattled in their frames. Then, as if someone had flipped a hidden switch, a message hovered in midair.
A glowing screen, transparent and crisp, just popped into existence. It read:
[System Initialization Complete. Welcome Participants.]
He blinked, rubbed his eyes, but the text didn't vanish. Instead, it scrolled downward:
[New Scenario: Survive and Adapt. Earn Points to Purchase Goods and Skills. The old rules have ended.]
Whispers broke out among the students. Someone cursed. The professor scowled, probably thinking it was a prank. The man raised his hand, as if to bat the message away. But the message vanished before he touched it, and in its place something else arrived.
A shape flickered above the professor's lectern, like a bad TV signal stabilizing into a figure. It became a small sprite, about the size of a cat, hovering in midair. It wore a tiny top hat, a bow tie, and a smug grin.
The sprite tipped its hat. "Welcome, my fine learners," said the sprite in a cheerful voice. "Today's lesson involves survival. I trust you're all ready?"
The professor stepped back. "Who… what is this nonsense? Show yourself properly!"
The sprite snickered. "Oh, I am showing myself quite properly. Care for a demonstration of the new rules?" It snapped its tiny gloved fingers.
The floor cracked open beneath the lectern. Something heaved itself out, a short, scrawny figure with greenish skin and pointed ears. A goblin, straight out of a fantasy illustration. It looked around with hungry eyes.
The professor screamed. She turned to run, but the goblin dropped onto her shoulders from above. She didn't have time to do more than gasp. Its weight drove her down, and its claws and teeth ended her in a wet, brutal second. Blood sprayed across lecture notes and textbooks.
Students scattered, shrieking. Some tried to rush the door. The door didn't budge.
The sprite laughed. "Class dismissed," it said. "Try not to die too quickly. I get bored when it's too easy."
He pushed himself up from his chair, heart hammering. His old training kicked in. Assess the threat. Weapon? He had none. He grabbed a metal chair leg, someone had tipped a chair over in panic, and ripped it free with a grunt. It wasn't elegant, but it'd have to do.
The goblin leapt from the professor's corpse onto a desk, snarling at the closest student. Blood dripped from its maw. The student fell backward, scrambling away, kicking at the floor. Nobody had a gun here.
He stepped forward, trying to get the goblin's attention. As a cavalry scout, he'd learned the value of drawing enemy fire to let others regroup. There was no rifle now, just a makeshift club.
"Hey!" he shouted, moving closer. "Over here!"
The goblin's eyes snapped to him. Its ears twitched. Then it sprang.
He swung the chair leg hard, catching it mid-air. The impact jolted his arm. The goblin screamed as the blow knocked it sideways.
He advanced, striking again before it could recover. Once to the head, once to the chest, again and again until it stopped moving.
Panting, he looked around. The sprite hovered near the ceiling, arms folded. It smiled. "Well done. You get a prize."
A message popped into view:
[First Kill Achieved!
+50 Points
Select Your Constellation Now!]
Below the message was a list of constellations. Orion, Draco, Ursa, and a few others. Each constellation promised unique skills. Before he could think, another window appeared:
[Constellations Available (Initial Selection):
– Orion: Wind and precision. Ranged attacks, arrow spells, keen senses.
– Draco: Fire and toughness. Close combat enhancements, flame spells, scaled armor at higher levels.
– Equuleus: Healing and support. Light-based spells, minor buffs, health regeneration.
– Lepus: Speed and stealth. Shadow movement, backstab bonuses, evasion skills.
– Lyra: Illusion and trickery. Decoys, confusion spells, mild telekinetic tricks.]
He frowned. This was like some twisted game menu. He was no stranger to videogames, but this felt too real. Constellations? Magic? He wiped sweat from his forehead.
He had no reason to trust this system, but it had provided him with a chance. If everyone was forced to fight, then picking a path that suited his style was critical. He needed something that fit what he knew: aggression, direct combat.
Draco drew his eye. Fire-based attacks, improved defense. Perfect if he planned to wade into battle.
Orion offered ranged precision, but he might run out of ammo if guns still worked normally. He did prefer face-to-face fights.
Equuleus would help others by healing, but he didn't know how many people he'd be able to trust.
Lepus was for stealth, not really his style.
Lyra favored trickery, which seemed useful but not in line with his direct approach.
He considered Draco. Fire attacks could clear a room. Toughness would help him survive. He imagined using flames to fend off future monsters.
He also thought about Orion. He could find a rifle, maybe a bow or crossbow if things got medieval. Keen senses might help him spot threats early. But was that enough?
No. He wanted a direct approach. Orion might leave him too dependent on ammunition or stealth. Draco offered built-in solutions. Fire was primal, never running out like bullets. Toughness meant fewer injuries.
He liked that. Still, he took a moment to check details. A submenu opened for Draco:
[Draco Constellation Skill Path:
Tier 1 Skills:
– Ember Spark (low-level fire spell, short range)
– Tempered Skin (slight reduction of physical damage)
– Fire Grip (minor boost to melee weapon damage as the weapon heats up)
Unlock Requirements: Draco Affinity chosen, Level 1 to start. Further tiers available at higher levels.]
That sounded solid. Ember Spark gave a ranged magical option, even if short. Tempered Skin meant he'd take fewer lumps. Fire Grip could give his makeshift club an edge.
He wondered if he'd get something better later on, like actual dragon's breath.
He looked back at Orion:
[Orion Constellation Skill Path:
Tier 1 Skills:
– Light Arrow (basic ranged magical attack)
– Keen Vision (improved perception, slight boost to accuracy)
– Wind Step (brief speed burst)]
Orion seemed decent, but he wanted raw power. He had loved the Army for the adrenaline rush, the direct contact. Draco would let him face threats head-on.
He made a choice: "I choose Draco," he said quietly.
A chime sounded, and the system responded:
[Draco Chosen. Tier 1 Skills Unlocked: Ember Spark, Tempered Skin, Fire Grip.]
A new window appeared:
[Assign Ember Spark to Quick Slot?
Yes/No]
He selected yes. Another window appeared, showing a small HUD in his peripheral vision. Health bar, mana bar, stamina bar.
Points: 50.
Under skills, Ember Spark glowed faintly. He could feel it now, a warmth in his chest, as if the world had given him a pilot light behind his ribs.
He turned back to the chaos in the classroom. Students huddled behind desks. Some stared at their own floating menus, baffled or terrified.
One girl sobbed, pressing a shaking hand to her mouth. He understood their fear, but he had no time to comfort anyone. He needed to survive, and maybe help a few who could stand on their own.
The sprite clapped slowly. "Well, isn't this delightful? Would anyone else like to choose? Time's ticking."
The doors rattled again, and he realized that they were probably locked by this twisted scenario. More monsters would come.
A chime echoed through the room:
[New Objective: Clear the Building.
Monsters: Goblins (2x), Skeleton (1x)
Reward: +100 Points, Access to Exit]
He tightened his grip on the chair leg. Two more goblins and a skeleton somewhere in the halls. He eyed the classroom door.
So far, no one else looked eager to step up. He exhaled and moved toward the exit. If he cleared them, maybe everyone could escape. And he'd earn more Points, which might mean better gear or food.
As he approached the door, a guy with a baseball cap called out, "What are you doing, man? Stay here! We're safe in here."
He shook his head. "No one's safe. The system wants us to clear the building. If we don't, something worse might happen." He tested the door handle. It opened this time.
He slipped into the hall.
The hallway stretched ahead, lit by flickering fluorescent lights. Lockers lined the walls. Papers scattered across the floor. He moved slowly, alert for any sound. His heart pounded harder now.
He had faced worse in warzones, but never monsters. Still, fear and excitement buzzed under his skin.
Then he saw it, a shape at the far end. Another goblin, crouched, sniffing the air.
No, he had to avoid that word, that thing he used to say in service. Focus on what's right in front of him.
It hadn't noticed him yet.
He tested his new skill. Ember Spark. The HUD showed he had some mana, whatever that was. He concentrated on the skill, feeling heat rush to his hand.
A small ball of flame flickered to life above his palm. He aimed and released it. The spark soared and struck the goblin's shoulder. The creature shrieked, its skin singed.
He sprinted forward while it was distracted, chair leg raised high.
The goblin spun around, hissing, but too late. He slammed the club into its face. A sharp crack and it went down.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
A window popped up:
[+25 Points]
He smiled grimly. The system rewarded kills like loot drops. With another monster down, he felt a bit more confident. He stepped over the corpse and moved toward the main stairwell.
He needed to clear them all.
From below, he heard scraping. Skeleton, probably. He never thought he'd fight actual undead, but here he was. Another Ember Spark might help.
He descended the stairs slowly, careful not to make noise. The stairwell echoed with a hollow clatter, like bones tapping metal rails.
At the landing between floors, he saw it. A human skeleton, empty eye sockets glowing faintly with some unnatural light. It carried a broken desk leg, sharpened into a crude spear.
He clenched his teeth. Rushing it might be risky, skeletons were often resistant to blunt trauma in games. But he had Ember Spark and Fire Grip.
He checked Fire Grip's info:
[Fire Grip: Temporarily heat your held weapon, adding low-level fire damage. Lasts 30 seconds. Costs small mana.]
He activated Fire Grip. His chair leg glowed red along its length.
He hopped down the last steps and swung at the skeleton's ribcage. The creature turned with surprising speed, blocking with its spear. Sparks flew.
He pressed harder, forcing it back. Then he stepped to the side and struck low at its knee joints. Bone cracked, and it stumbled.
He raised the chair leg for a finishing blow, smashing the skull. The skeleton collapsed into a pile of loose bones.
[+30 Points
Total: 105 Points]
Not bad. He caught his breath. One more goblin to clear.
He crept down another flight of stairs to the ground floor. The doors leading outside were glass, and beyond them he saw chaos in the street. People running, strange shapes in the distance.
But those doors were locked behind the scenario's condition. He had to find that last goblin.
He passed the administrative office. Something moved behind the glass pane set into the door. He tried the handle, it opened.
Inside, chairs were overturned, a TV mounted on the wall had static flickering across the screen. And there, crouched behind a desk, was the last goblin.
It hissed when it saw him and lunged forward, swinging a stapler it held like a weapon.
He stepped aside, surprised at its odd choice of tool. He retaliated with a quick jab to its side. The goblin staggered, then screeched and tried to bite him.
He bashed its head. Down it went.
[+25 Points
Objective Complete]
A chime rang out:
[Building Cleared!
+100 Points Awarded
Total: 230 Points
Exit Unlocked
Recommended Action: Spend Points in System Store]
He sighed with relief and stepped back into the hall. Now he needed to see what he could buy.
Another window opened:
[System Store Open:
Weapons, Armor, Consumables, Skills]
He had 230 Points. What should he get first? A better weapon would help. His chair leg worked fine against basic enemies, but what if something tougher showed up?
He opened the Weapons tab:
[Available at this Tier:
– Rusted Machete (50 Points): Basic melee weapon, better than improvised clubs.
– Low-Quality Pistol (200 Points): 9mm pistol with 1 magazine of ammo (12 rounds).
– Cracked Short Bow (100 Points): Basic bow, low durability, 10 arrows.]
He considered each. The pistol tempted him. Firearms felt comfortable, and a magazine of 12 rounds could handle multiple foes. But after the ammo ran out, it might be useless unless more ammo could be bought.
The machete was cheap, leaving him Points for something else. The bow was interesting, but he'd picked Draco for close combat, not Orion.
He also checked Armor:
[– Tattered Leather Vest (50 Points): Slight defense boost.
– Padded Jacket (70 Points): Slightly more defense, minor cold resistance.
– Cheap Helmet (40 Points): Basic head protection.]
Then Consumables:
[– Minor Health Potion (20 Points): Heals small amount of HP.
– Simple Food Ration (10 Points): Satisfies hunger.
– Basic Mana Potion (20 Points).]
And Skills: He probably didn't have enough to unlock higher-tier skills yet. Better to focus on gear.
He had 230 Points. If he bought the pistol for 200, he'd have 30 left, enough for a health potion and maybe a ration. The pistol would give a strong advantage early on.
But ammo would become a problem. The machete at 50
Points, plus a padded jacket at 70, and maybe a helmet at 40 would total 160. Then he'd have 70 left for potions or food. That would give him staying power in melee.
Given that Draco favored close combat, a machete and some armor made sense. Still, the pistol gave range and confidence.
He weighed the options. The pistol might help in a pinch but would run dry. The machete and armor combo would keep him alive longer, and Ember Spark gave him a bit of ranged ability.
He decided on the machete, jacket, helmet, and some potions. Survivability would matter most long-term.
He selected the machete first:
[Purchase Rusted Machete for 50 Points?
Yes/No]
"Yes."
A light flashed beside him, and a rusted machete appeared, clattering to the floor. He picked it up. Balanced better than a chair leg. Sharp enough to kill goblins faster.
Next, the padded jacket:
[Purchase Padded Jacket for 70 Points?
Yes/No]
"Yes."
A threadbare but serviceable jacket appeared. He shrugged out of his old hoodie and pulled it on. Slightly heavier, but he felt safer.
Helmet for 40 Points:
[Yes]
A cheap-looking bike helmet materialized. He slipped it on. Better than nothing.
He'd spent 160 Points total. 230 - 160 = 70 left.
Health potions cost 20 each. He bought two. That left him with 30 Points. He bought one food ration just in case. 20 Points left. Maybe save those in case something popped up.
He felt more prepared now. The building was cleared, so he returned to the classroom. Inside, several students were huddled together. The sprite was gone, leaving only the smell of death and the ruined body of the professor.
He tried not to look directly at the corpse.
"Hey," he said to the group. "I cleared it. We can leave."
A few looked at him in shock. One stood up, a skinny guy with glasses. "Leave? Are the doors open now?"
"I think so. The system said the exit is unlocked."
Nobody rushed to follow him. He understood, they were in shock. The world had just shattered. He could waste time trying to convince them, or he could move on.
He had no reason to linger here. Outside, the streets might be filled with opportunities and threats. Points mattered now, and so did leveling up. He had chosen Draco because he intended to get stronger, not hide in a classroom.
He stepped into the hallway and made for the main entrance. As he approached, the glass doors slid open on their own. Sunlight poured in. The street beyond looked surreal.
Cars sat abandoned, some with doors open. A few people ran shouting down the block. He heard distant screams and the crashing of metal.
In the sky, he noticed faint patterns, like constellations outlined in glowing threads. Had the world always had those patterns?
He stepped outside. The hot Texas afternoon pressed against him. Down the street, a pickup truck had plowed into a bus stop. People yelled at each other in confusion. A wounded man limped across the road, holding his arm.
The system had changed everything in an instant. Distant gunshots popped, a reminder that someone else had found a way to fight back with modern means.
A new message flashed:
[Scenario Update:
Survivors Must Earn Points to Purchase Food and Supplies After Day 3.
All Pre-System Food Will Rot Starting Day 3.
Recommended Action: Explore for Dungeons, Monsters, and Allies.]
He spotted movement to his left. The sprite hovered above a lamppost, tipping its hat.
"Well now, aren't you quick on the uptake," it said. "So many choices. Dungeons forming in that library, or perhaps the gymnasium. Monsters in the dorms. You can stay and try to help these poor souls, or head out and claim some turf for yourself. I do love a good show."
He ignored the sprite. If it wanted him to squirm, he wouldn't give it the pleasure. Instead, he searched the block. The key would be to pick targets he could handle, earn Points, and gain levels. Constellation upgrades probably required experience.
He opened his status screen:
[Name: Daniel Ward)
Level: 1
Constellation: Draco
HP: 100
MP: 50
Stamina: 80
Strength: Normal
Agility: Normal
Intellect: Low Magic Aptitude (manageable)
Points: 20
Exp: 0/100 (Defeat Enemies and Complete Scenarios to Gain Exp)]
No experience yet. Odd. Did the goblins not give experience, only Points? He must need to complete scenarios or kill stronger foes. The building clearing gave Points but no Exp.
He'd have to find something that granted Exp. Maybe specific quests. He recalled the system mentioned scenarios. Clearing them might provide Exp.
A distant crash drew his attention. The campus library was a massive building, likely filled with students and staff. If a dungeon formed there, it might have a scenario attached.
Dungeons sounded like they'd reward winners. Also, the sprite had hinted about it. The gym might be another option. He knew from overhearing people on campus that some ROTC folks and maybe National Guard personnel had offices near the gym.
That could mean weapons and allies.
He weighed the options: Library dungeon might be tough. Gym might have people who can shoot. Allies could mean security, but also competition for loot.
On the other hand, allies might help him handle bigger threats, and later he could break off if needed. He was no hero, but teaming up temporarily might be wise.
He approached a cluster of survivors near a smashed vending machine. Three of them were armed with broom handles and a makeshift spear made from a curtain rod.
They looked at him, sizing him up. One of them said, "You… you're geared up. Did you figure out how to buy stuff?"
He nodded. "You kill monsters, earn Points, and buy gear from the system menu. It's insane, but it works."
A woman holding the spear eyed his machete. "Where'd you get that?"
"System store. 50 Points."
They looked at each other, uneasy. They probably hadn't killed anything yet. Without kills, no Points, no gear. He couldn't supply them. He also didn't want to waste time babysitting them.
But if he found some useful people, maybe at the gym, they might help him tackle harder dungeons.
A new prompt appeared for him alone:
[Hint: Some buildings are now Dungeons. Clearing a Dungeon might provide Exp and additional perks. Consider attempting a Level 1 Dungeon soon. Recommended: Campus Gym (Short Tutorial Dungeon). Rewards: Exp, Basic Skill Upgrade.]
Perfect. A tutorial dungeon. He'd get the hang of things there.
He glanced at the survivors, then pointed down the sidewalk. "I'm heading to the gym. Might be a safe spot." He didn't wait to see if they followed.
He jogged along the empty street. Broken glass crunched under his boots. The city felt changed, as if the world's rules had twisted overnight.
He tried not to think about it too hard. He had chosen Draco, fire and power, and that told him all he needed to know. He was going to adapt to this new system on his own terms.
As he reached the gym's entrance, he heard faint shouts inside. The automatic doors were jammed halfway open. He slipped in, finding the lobby in disarray.
Posters of workout classes hung crooked on the walls. A vending machine lay on its side, contents spilled out. Candy bars and chips scattered across the floor.
A large digital message floated by the reception desk:
[Dungeon Detected:
Name: Maverick Gymnasium Trial
Level: 1
Recommended for Beginners
Objective: Clear Three Rooms of Enemies and Defeat the Mini-Boss
Rewards: 100 Exp, 200 Points, Minor Equipment Box]
Now that was what he needed, experience. He stepped forward, and a prompt appeared:
[Enter Dungeon? Yes/No]
He selected Yes. The world shimmered. He found himself still inside the gym lobby, but the doors behind him vanished. He was now locked into this instance.
He scanned the area. The first "room" was probably the main basketball court. He knew the layout. The gym had a large basketball court through a set of double doors. The second room might be the weight room, and the third maybe the locker rooms.
The mini-boss could be anywhere. He tightened his grip on the machete. Time to earn his keep.
The double doors leading to the basketball court swung open by themselves, revealing a court lined with warped flooring and strange crystals jutting from the walls. Three goblins waited there, armed with makeshift clubs.
Easy enough, he'd handled that before.
He activated Fire Grip again. The machete's blade glowed with heat. He rushed forward before they could scatter. The first goblin swung at him, but he ducked and slashed across its belly.
It fell, shrieking. The second circled behind him, forcing him to pivot. He kicked a basketball lying on the floor at it, distracting it just long enough to strike.
The third tried to run, but he hurled an Ember Spark at its back. Down it went.
No new Points or Exp messages. Maybe Exp would come after completing the whole dungeon. He pushed on, entering the weight room through another set of doors.
Here, skeletons waited, two of them, each holding a metal bar like a spear. He remembered their speed and aimed Ember Spark at the first. The flame hit its skull, staggering it.
He closed in, hacking at its ribcage. The second jabbed at him, scratching his arm. Pain flared, but he gritted his teeth and counterattacked, shattering its arm and then crushing its skull underfoot.
He felt a sting on his arm. A quick check: minor wound, nothing too serious. He decided to hold off on using a health potion until he was in real trouble.
The final room was likely the locker room. He stepped inside and found it changed, darker, filled with dripping pipes and glowing fungus along the tiles.
At the center stood the mini-boss: a larger goblin, nearly as tall as a man, wielding a rusted blade. It wore some crude armor, pieces of plastic and metal strapped together.
Two normal goblins flanked it.
This might be tricky. He decided to try a different approach. Ember Spark the minions first, reduce their numbers. He raised his hand, launched Ember Spark at the closest small goblin.
It screamed and flailed, giving him time to rush forward and slash its throat. One down.
The mini-boss roared and charged. The second small goblin jumped onto a bench to get behind him. He spun, hacking at the small goblin first, knocking it aside, but that gave the mini-boss a chance to swing at him.
Its blade caught his shoulder, slicing through the padded jacket but not too deep. Still hurt like hell.
He stepped back, heart pounding, and activated Fire Grip again. With a flaming blade, he pressed the attack, parrying the boss's strike and countering with a blow to its side. Its armor smoked under the heat.
The goblin chief snarled and tried a clumsy overhead swing. He sidestepped and kicked it in the knee. As it stumbled, he slammed the machete down into its neck.
Thick, dark blood sprayed.
The mini-boss fell to its knees, gurgling. He finished it off with a final slash.
A fanfare sounded:
[Dungeon Cleared!
+100 Exp
+200 Points
Minor Equipment Box Obtained]
He felt a rush of relief. Exp, he could finally level. A prompt appeared:
[Level Up!
You are now Level 2
Stat Points Gained: 5
Skill Points Gained: 1]
A new window appeared:
[Assign Stat Points:
– Strength (improves melee damage, carrying capacity)
– Agility (improves speed, dodge, accuracy)
– Stamina (improves endurance, reduces fatigue)
– Intellect (improves magic damage and mana)
– Vitality (improves health pool, natural recovery)]
He had 5 points. He focused on melee and durability. He assigned 2 to Strength, 2 to Vitality, and 1 to Stamina. That seemed balanced. He'd hit harder, survive longer, and fight more without tiring.
Skill Points: He had 1. For Draco, he might unlock a Tier 1 upgrade. A menu opened:
[Draco Tier 1 Upgrades:
– Ember Spark Upgrade: Increase damage by 20%.
– Tempered Skin Upgrade: Improve damage reduction by 10%.
– Fire Grip Upgrade: Increase duration by 15 seconds.]
He considered. More damage on Ember Spark would help range attacks. Tempered Skin upgrade would keep him alive in melee, which was his main style.
Fire Grip lasting longer would help in prolonged fights. Since he was going melee-heavy, maybe staying alive should come first. He picked Tempered Skin upgrade.
[Tempered Skin Upgraded. Damage reduction improved.]
He felt a slight comforting warmth spread under his skin, as if his body itself had grown tougher.
He checked the Minor Equipment Box:
[Open Minor Equipment Box?
Yes/No]
"Yes."
The box appeared before him, hovering, then opened to reveal:
[You Received: Sturdy Gloves (+2 melee damage), 10 Arrows (useless without a bow), Minor Healing Amulet (slow HP regen over time)]
He took the gloves and amulet. The arrows, well, maybe he could sell them later or trade them. He put on the gloves, simple leather gloves reinforced with light material.
They fit well. He slipped on the amulet, feeling a gentle warmth.
The dungeon shimmered, and he found himself back in the real gym lobby. The doors were open again. Outside, a few more people had gathered, some with crude weapons.
He noticed a woman in a corner with a notepad, scribbling frantically. Another guy held what looked like a broken sword. Nobody seemed eager to approach him. Good. He didn't feel like explaining himself.
A new prompt appeared:
[Recommended Action: Explore City, Form Alliances or Challenge More Dungeons. Larger Threats Will Appear Over Time.]
He stepped outside, the sun lower in the sky now. He had leveled up, got better gear, and understood the system a bit more. Food would rot on Day 3, so everyone would have to fight for Points soon.
That meant chaos. He needed a base, or at least a safe spot. Maybe he could claim a small building, set up a defensive perimeter. He'd need allies eventually, no one could handle everything alone.
But for now, he had survived the first day. He looked up at the sky, where faint outlines of constellations shimmered, Draco's shape visible if he squinted.
The world might be broken, but he finally felt alive again.
He gripped his new machete and walked down the street, ready for whatever came next.