The sun had begun its slow descent behind the shattered skyline, casting long shadows over the desolate streets of the coastal city. Jack and Alex navigated the twisted remnants of what was once a bustling metropolis, now a shadow of its former self. The streets were strewn with debris, remnants of buildings, and abandoned vehicles, all bearing the marks of the devastation that had swept through the area.

Alex led the way with a determined stride, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. Jack followed closely, his senses attuned to the potential threats that lurked in the shadows. As they walked, Alex occasionally paused to examine the ruins, his gaze reflecting a mix of weariness and hope.

They stopped at a corner where Alex crouched to collect something from a dead merman. Jack watched with curiosity as Alex carefully extracted a small, glowing orb from the merman’s corpse. It was a mana core, a shimmering sphere that pulsed with a faint, ethereal light.

Jack’s interest was piqued. “What’s that?” he asked, nodding towards the orb in Alex’s hand.

Alex looked up, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. “This is a mana core. It’s the new currency around here. With everything that’s happened, the old ways of trade have fallen by the wayside. Now, mana cores are what people use to get food, weapons, and other supplies.”

Jack raised an eyebrow. “A new currency? How does it work?”

Alex stood up, tucking the mana core into a pouch on his belt. “The distribution center is run by the local police and some members of the armed forces. They’re the ones who manage the exchange. You bring them mana cores, and you can trade them for what you need. It’s a system that’s been set up to keep things somewhat organized in this chaos.”

They continued down the street, the conversation providing Jack with valuable insight into the city’s current state. The ruins of the coastal city were a stark contrast to the bustling metropolis it had once been, but the new system was a testament to humanity’s resilience in the face of disaster.

As they turned a corner, Alex’s sharp eyes caught sight of movement up ahead. He raised a hand, signaling Jack to stop. “Hold up,” he whispered. “We’ve got company.”

Jack’s gaze followed Alex’s line of sight, and he saw a small group of creatures scuttling across the street. They were evolved rats—creatures that had undergone a disturbing transformation, their size and aggression amplified by the mana-infused environment.

Alex drew his weapon, a makeshift spear fashioned from a metal rod and a sharp point. Jack unsheathed his bone sword, the blade glinting ominously in the fading light. The two of them prepared for the confrontation, their movements synchronized as they faced the oncoming threat.

The rats approached with an aggressive charge, their beady eyes glowing with a malevolent intelligence. Jack and Alex engaged the creatures with a coordinated attack. Jack swung his bone sword with precision, cleaving through the rats with practiced ease. The bone blade proved effective, its sharp edge slicing through the mutated flesh of the rats.

Jack’s focus was sharp, his movements fluid as he dispatched the rodents with deadly efficiency. He avoided their frantic bites and claws, using his agility to stay out of reach while delivering swift, lethal strikes. Alex fought alongside him, his spear darting in and out with deadly accuracy.

As the last of the rats fell, Jack took a moment to catch his breath. The area was littered with the remains of the creatures, and he carefully collected the smaller mana stones that had been dropped. These stones were lighter and more delicate than the ones taken from the merman, but they held value nonetheless.

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Alex approached, wincing as he examined a bite wound on his arm. “Damn, got bit,” he muttered, his face contorted in pain.

Jack’s eyes widened with concern. “Let me take a look.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a vial of healing potion. Using his healing skill, Jack applied the potion to the wound, his mana flowing into Alex’s injury. The potion worked quickly, closing the wound and alleviating the pain.

“Thanks,” Alex said gratefully, flexing his arm. “Those rats can be a real pain in the ass.”

Jack nodded. “No problem. We need to keep moving. These mana stones could come in handy.”

Alex led the way once again, guiding Jack through the maze of ruined streets. As they walked, he explained more about the city’s current economy. “Mana cores and stones are crucial here. They’re used by alchemists to make potions—strength, agility, mana, healing, and constitution potions. Bones and hides from monsters are used by blacksmiths to create armor and weapons. The armed forces and police oversee the whole operation.”

Jack listened intently, absorbing the information. The system Alex described was a survival mechanism born out of necessity, a way to adapt to the new world that had emerged from the chaos. The interplay of mana cores, stones, and the skills of the people within the city created a delicate balance that allowed for some semblance of order amidst the turmoil.

As they approached the distribution center, a large building that had been partially fortified, Jack observed the bustling activity around it. The area was surrounded by makeshift barriers and guarded by a few armed personnel. People lined up outside, exchanging mana cores for supplies and trading information.

Alex led Jack through the crowd, his familiarity with the process evident in his easy manner. They reached the entrance, where a pair of guards eyed them warily but allowed them through upon seeing Alex’s recognition.

Inside, the distribution center was a hive of activity. Shelves were stocked with various goods, and people moved about with purpose, conducting their transactions. Jack noticed the efficiency of the system, with everything running smoothly despite the chaos outside.

Alex approached a counter where a stocky man with a grizzled face was working. “Hey, Tom. I’ve got some cores to trade and a few questions.”

Tom looked up, his gaze shifting to Jack with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. “New face?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Alex replied. “Jack here’s been through a lot and could use some supplies. He’s also looking to understand how things work around here.”

Tom nodded, his expression softening. “Alright, let’s see what you’ve got. And I’ll fill you in on what you need to know.”

Jack placed the mana cores and stones on the counter, watching as Tom examined them with a practiced eye. The trade was straightforward, and Jack received a handful of supplies in exchange for the valuable resources.

As they finished their transaction, Tom leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “If you’re looking for work or need more information, the alchemists and blacksmiths are the ones to talk to. They’re always in need of materials and have plenty of knowledge about the current state of things. And be careful—there are still plenty of dangers out there.”

Jack nodded in understanding. “Thanks for the tip. I’ll keep that in mind.”

With their supplies in hand, Jack and Alex left the distribution center and ventured deeper into the city. The information they had gathered would be invaluable as they continued to navigate the challenges of this new world. The streets were still dangerous, but with the knowledge they had gained and the supplies they had acquired, they were better equipped to face the trials ahead.

As night fell, Jack and Alex found a relatively safe spot to set up camp. The ruins of an old building provided some shelter from the elements, and they made a fire to keep warm. The crackling flames cast flickering shadows on the walls, and the warmth was a welcome relief from the cold, damp air.

They sat by the fire, their conversation continuing as they discussed their plans and shared stories of their experiences. Jack felt a sense of camaraderie with Alex, a feeling that had been missing since his arrival on the island. The hardships they had faced had forged a bond between them, and Jack was grateful for the unexpected alliance.

As they spoke, Jack’s thoughts drifted back to the events that had led him to this point. The journey from the island had been fraught with danger and betrayal, but it had also opened new possibilities. The city, though devastated, offered a chance for survival and perhaps even a way to rebuild.