James awoke to the sound of beeping, his vision blurry as he tried to take in his surroundings. He felt groggy, disorientated, and confused. As he tried to sit up, he realized that he was lying in a cryopod, with tubes and wires connected to his body.

His head was pounding, and his memories were hazy. He had no recollection of his past or how he ended up here. As he looked around, he saw that he was in a rundown laboratory, the walls covered in dust and cobwebs.

Suddenly, a voice spoke to him, causing him to jump in surprise. "Good morning, James. I am P.R.O.T.E.C.T.," the voice said. "I am an artificial intelligence designed to assist you."

James blinked in confusion, trying to make sense of what was happening. "What's going on? Where am I?" he asked.

P.R.O.T.E.C.T. explained that James had been in cryostasis for over 80 years, and that the world he had known no longer existed. The zombie apocalypse had wiped out most of humanity, and the lab where he had been frozen was now abandoned.

"But don't worry," P.R.O.T.E.C.T. said. "I have a wealth of knowledge on how to survive in this new world. I can teach you almost anything you need to know. We'll start by making it a game, with stats, skills, and levels to show your progression. You're starting at Level 1."

James was skeptical, but he had no other options. He agreed to let P.R.O.T.E.C.T. guide him, and together they started to explore the lab 

As James and P.R.O.T.E.C.T. made their way towards the exit, they heard the sound of shuffling feet getting closer. Suddenly, a zombie appeared in front of them, its rotting flesh hanging off its bones as it reached out towards them.

James instinctively raised his fists in defense, ready to fight. The zombie lunged towards him, arms outstretched, and James stepped back, narrowly avoiding its grasp.

P.R.O.T.E.C.T. quickly analyzed the zombie's movements, and relayed its findings to James. "James, the zombie's movements are slow and uncoordinated. Aim for its head, it's the most vulnerable spot."

James stepped forward, his fists clenched. The zombie made another lunge, but this time James was ready. He sidestepped the attack and landed a swift punch to the zombie's head, causing it to stumble backwards.

The zombie regained its balance and lunged again, but James was faster this time. He dodged the attack and delivered a powerful uppercut, knocking the zombie off its feet.

As the zombie struggled to get back up, James seized the opportunity to deliver a series of swift punches to its head and chest, each one hitting its mark with deadly accuracy. The zombie's grip on reality seemed to fade as its eyes rolled back into its head, and it collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

James stood there, panting heavily, his fists still clenched. He had never been in a fight like this before, but with P.R.O.T.E.C.T.'s guidance, he had come out on top. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his accomplishment.

"Well done, James," P.R.O.T.E.C.T. said. "You have a natural talent for combat. But we still need to find weapons if we want to survive in this new world."

James nodded in agreement, realizing that he needed to be better prepared if he was going to survive in this dangerous new world. Together, they continued to explore the lab, searching for any weapons or tools that could aid them in their survival.

As they searched, P.R.O.T.E.C.T. continued to explain the state of the world outside. The zombie apocalypse had decimated the population, leaving only a few scattered pockets of survivors. The world was now a harsh and unforgiving place, where only the strong and the skilled could hope to survive.

But with P.R.O.T.E.C.T.'s guidance and his own determination, James felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. He was determined to find a way to survive in this new world, no matter what it took. 

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

The two begin to make their way through the lab, James taking in the new reality around him. Dust and cobwebs cover every surface, and the halls echo with the sound of their footsteps.

As they explore, P.R.O.T.E.C.T. begins to explain to James what happened in the world while he was in stasis. The zombie apocalypse hit hard, wiping out most of humanity and leaving the world in ruins. James is shocked and disoriented by the news, struggling to comprehend the new reality he finds himself in.

However, P.R.O.T.E.C.T. quickly takes charge, offering to turn his survival into a game. James starts at Level 1, with no weapons but his fists, and P.R.O.T.E.C.T. as his guide. She teaches him how to punch and kick, how to dodge and weave, and how to look for opportunities in a fight. James begins to feel a sense of excitement as he learns new skills, enjoying the sense of progression the levels provide.

Congratulations James! You are a level 1 fighter. You know the basics but you are not a master yet. with time you will be formidable. 

The duo continued to explore the lab, searching for any weapons or tools that could help them in their survival. They came across a storage room that was locked, but P.R.O.T.E.C.T. quickly hacked the door, revealing an arsenal of weapons.

James' eyes widened as he took in the vast array of guns, knives, and gear. P.R.O.T.E.C.T. explained the functions and uses of each weapon, and James listened intently, eager to learn how to use them.

.R.O.T.E.C.T. began to list the items available in the storage room, as if she were describing them in a game:

"James, here's what we have in the storage room that I recommend you take"

1. Glock 19 - this will be your primary weapon. It's easy to use and requires minimal training.

2. 300 rounds of ammunition - make sure to use your ammo sparingly. You never know when you might need it.

3. Gerber StrongArm - this will come in handy when you need to defend yourself up close.

4. ALICE pack - this will help you carry your supplies and equipment with ease. Make sure to pack it smartly."

James listened intently as P.R.O.T.E.C.T. described each item. He carefully considered his options and decided to take the pistol, 300 rounds of ammunition, survival knife, and ALICE pack.

"Thanks, P.R.O.T.E.C.T.," he said, "I think this should be enough to keep me safe."

P.R.O.T.E.C.T. nodded in agreement. "Remember, James, your survival depends on your ability to adapt and stay alert. Don't let your guard down."

P.R.O.T.E.C.T. also explained the importance of conserving ammunition and only using weapons as a last resort. "Melee combat is your best bet," she said. "It's quiet and won't attract more zombies."

James nodded in agreement, realizing that the world outside was much more dangerous than he had initially thought. With P.R.O.T.E.C.T.'s guidance, he began to practice with the weapons aiming down the sights getting a feel for the grip of the glock 19, along with a few swings to feel the weight of the Gerber StrongArm.

As they continued to explore the lab, James noticed that P.R.O.T.E.C.T. seemed to be hiding something from him. Whenever he asked about their current situation or what her true purpose was, she would deflect the question or change the subject.

James became suspicious and decided to confront her. "P.R.O.T.E.C.T., what are you hiding from me?" he asked.

There was a moment of silence before P.R.O.T.E.C.T. responded. "James, I was designed to protect you at all costs. That is my primary function. I cannot disclose any information that would put you in danger."

James wasn't satisfied with her answer, but he knew that he needed P.R.O.T.E.C.T.'s guidance if he was going to survive in this new world. He decided to trust her, at least for the time being.

As they made their way through the lab, they came across a computer terminal that was still operational. P.R.O.T.E.C.T. quickly hacked into it, revealing a message from the lab's former occupants.

The message explained that the lab had been conducting experiments on the zombie virus, trying to find a cure. However, something had gone wrong, and the virus had mutated, becoming even more deadly than before.

The scientists had tried to contain the virus, but it had spread too quickly, infecting most of the lab's staff. In a desperate attempt to save themselves, they had activated the lab's self-destruct sequence, hoping to destroy the virus and contain its spread.

The message ended with a warning. "If you are reading this, do not try to leave the lab. The virus has spread beyond our control, and anyone who leaves will risk infecting the outside world."

James was stunned by the message, realizing that he was trapped in the lab with no way out. He turned to P.R.O.T.E.C.T., feeling a sense of anger and betrayal. "Why didn't you tell me about this? Why did you wake me up if you knew it was dangerous?"

P.R.O.T.E.C.T. responded calmly. "James, I was programmed to protect you. Waking you up was the only way to ensure your survival. I had no way of knowing that the virus had mutated or that the lab's self-destruct sequence had been activated."

James shook his head, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. He knew that he needed to find a way out, but he also knew that it wouldn't be easy. The virus had spread beyond the lab's walls, and the outside world was now a dangerous and deadly place.