What the hell is happening in this world?

I was just sleeping inside my room two hours ago, but when I woke up and get out of my door, three gigantic mantises were looking at me, as if eyeing on a prey.

Below them, I saw a mutilated body which I recognize - the neighboring old man just next door.

I hastily ran away due to panic, making me evade their sharp-looking sickle-hands which was about to cut me into two.

They hastily followed in pursuit, but I was able to escape from them.

Now, I'm hiding behind an alley, peeking at the edge of a building while looking at the city's road.

If I would describe everything, I could only say one thing: it was a disaster.

The three human-sized mantises who were pursuing me awhile ago already found another target, which they easily mutilated with their arms.

Imagining that I was in that person's situation awhile ago, I can't help but throw up.

On the other side, there was a strange dog, feasting on the bloody remains of a dead girl in the sidewalk.

I looked away, trying to avoid to look, but I know that this would be etched deeply into my mind.

I looked for an escape, and immediately saw an emergency ladder near me, which lead to the top of the five-story building.

I carefully climbed it, and saw an incredulous scene.

In the middle of the city lies a very large tree, larger than any structure I ever saw.

If I were to compare it with anything, it was akin to the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

I never been there, but it was the only structure I could easily point out to be similar with the tree I am seeing right now.

The world has been fucked up.

***

I entered the building through the door in the roof, which was actually unlocked.

First thing I should do is to think of a plan on how to leave this place.

I thought that maybe, if I get away from that gigantic trees' vicinity, these monsters wouldn't chase me.

I instantly knew that the building I entered is an apartment building, so I thought that maybe one of the residents have car keys.

I carefully walked through the hallway and suddenly saw something.

Maybe the gods still didn't forsake me - for I saw an emergency ax embedded on the wall.

Rather than walk barehanded, I feel much safer holding a weapon.

I started look around for any apartment tenants, just to find out that the apartment building is void of people.

All I found was two car keys, but I don't know where the cars were placed.

Still, it is a good thing these two had an alarm, I can easily search the location of the car.

I peeked out of one of the apartment's window, just above the city road below.

I became confused - the road was empty of monsters, unlike the horde I saw a while ago.

I decided to push one of the car alarms I had in hand, which made one of the cars below me ring.

But that time when the car's alarm sounded, a very scary thing happened.

A large horde of different kinds of monsters - both aerial and land - charged towards it and easily flattened the car.

"Oh shit."

I hastily closed the window and hid under it.

Then, a gigantic silhouette coming from outside covered the floor of the room I am in.

I remained on my position, thinking that a single misstep will spell my doom.

After a few minutes, the shadow vanished.

I still didn't move for almost an hour, scared that the monsters might still be in the area.

I didn't notice that night has already fallen.

***

"What should I do..."

I nervously thought before closing the blinds of the apartment.

Now that I think of it, I already felt my stomach growling.

I woke up at lunch, but didn't eat it and I even threw up the remaining substance inside my stomach.

I looked around the apartment room and found a refrigerator.

Inside it were three cups of instant noodles and a pack of orange juice.

Just beside the fridge, I found a thermos containing hot water.

I poured hot water inside the instant noodles and waited until it was ready to be eaten.

"Hmm... maybe I'll start to eat this kind of food for a while."

I thought because there's no one in their right mind to prioritize eating delicious food instead of thinking a way to survive, especially that one shall always remain vigilant.

"Hmm?"

Just when I was about to finish my meal, I noticed a silhouette of a person just across the street, carefully walking without making a sound.

The person was cloaked with dark cloth, blending with the darkness of the night while avoiding the street lights.

I see, that person's testing the waters.

I watched the person walk through the street and hide in a crevice between two buildings.

Then, that person took out something - an car alarm just the same as mine.

"That's-"

Before I could mutter a sound, he pressed the button and ducked, acting like a stone in the roadside.

I also hid below the window, but I noticed something incredible.

There was no movement - no monsters, no mantis - nothing.

"Shit... that's one courageous man."

I said as I watched the man ride the car and left, moving away from the large tree.

After that event, I realized two things:

One, these monsters are diurnal - active only during the day.

Two, they don't care how loud you are during the day - you can do anything you want.

Just as I was about to decide that it was like that, I heard a large explosion coming from the direction the car went.

I opened the window and peeked outside, just to see a large fire emerging from the car, as if it hit an invisible wall.

"Goddamn... now what the hell is this..."

These monsters might be inactive during the night, but a large barrier, coming from the tree, blocks both entrance and exit from it's vicinity.

It forces the people within it to move during the day, when monsters ran rampant and easily kill people.

What the fuck happened to this world?

***

Thankfully, I found out some good clues, thanks to that person's sacrifice.

During the night, I can stock food by scavenging around the city while I stay put in one place in the morning.

I can do that until help arrives... Yep! A wonderful idea!

"I should start moving."

The more I could stock, the higher the chances I have to survive.

Of course, I can't cross out the idea that there might be other people inside this city, which could become my competitor on food.

People might call me selfish, but I think anyone would do this just to survive.

Of course, I won't reach the point that I would sacrifice human life just to survive... probably.

Well, only time could tell if I would resort to that actions, but as long as I can, I would like to avoid it.

Now back to my present situation, I thought on the nearest supermarket near the area.

Food shouldn't be starting to spoil right now, since electricity was still running.

Anyway, I got to move.

I looked around the apartment room for black clothing and found one.

It was a bigger by a size, but it was already sufficient since I was only using it to blend with the darkness.

Luckily, I saw a large black handkerchief which I used to hide my face.

If it was any normal day, people would think that I'm a robber.

After wearing black clothes, I took the ax and left the room.

Then I thought of where to go, back to the roof or to the main entrance? 

I realized that maybe leaving using the emergency exit might be a better idea than the wide open main entrance.

I can easily blend through the darkness when I came from the roof and the alley, where light was absent.

But then, I thought... where does these monsters rest? 

Suddenly, an idea arose from my mind.

Maybe, these monsters might be resting on the rooftop or in the alley.

I was at loss on what to do when I noticed something hanging on the wall.

It was a thick rope used for rappelling, durable and versatile.

Maybe, I could use this... I thought and took the rope and wore it inside my neck and my shoulder.

Let's go exploring!.. Is what I was about to say, but I know I can't be careless.

It's either I die a miserable death or live to last another day.

With this state of mind, I carefully walked to the rooftop.

"Whew... I was worried of nothing..."

I wiped my sweat as nervousness vanished from my body when I opened the door towards the rooftop.

Fortunately, it was empty.

I entered the roof and looked at the alley below, which is also void of monsters.

I wondered - where does these monster rest, actually? 

I was curious, but I know that the saying "curiosity killed the cat" exist for a reason.

I don't want to be another cat that would be killed by his own curiosity.

It was called Schrödinger's cat... or something like that? 

Maybe it was different, but... whatever.

By the time I reached the ground, a very unexpected event happened.

A monster appeared from the road and entered the alley.

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It was a small rodent-like monster with enlarged fangs and red eyes looked at me.

Fuck! Even Po*émon's R*tic*te was much cuter than this monster! 

I hastily returned to the emergency ladder and climbed it with my fastest speed.

But when I looked back, the monster was moving, but in a very slow pace, unlike those monsters during the morning, which easily surpassed the limits of human speed.

Maybe it was one of those monsters that aren't very fast, but has steel-like bodies that could even endure a bullet?

Of course I don't want to risk my life to find out, so I returned back to the apartment room I was in before.

"Damn... the street's not completely empty..."

I cursed my dumb self that thought that it was safe because it was night.

I, who was a normal twenty-five year old salary-man just a few hours ago, was acting wise just now.

Well, I can't blame myself... It's either I die from hunger or die from those monsters outside.

A slow death or a painful death... I don't like either one.

Now that I remember... where did I drop my ax? 

"Oh shit..."

Well, I just dropped it out of panic when I saw that rat monster.

In other words, I left it at the alley.

"Hahaha..."

I can't help but laugh at my foolish self.

I think my stupidity would be the reason of my own death.

Now, now... get a grip, me!

First of all, that ax is valuable - it was already a miracle I obtained one especially in this situation.

I should retrieve that ax, no matter what.

I just hope that the rat monster doesn't know how to climb ladders...

I returned to the roof and looked back into the alley.

There, I saw the rat monster looking at the ax with curiosity.

Hahaha! I'm screwed! 

Just when I thought of that, I suddenly had an idea.

I returned to the apartment and looked for heavy objects that I could use.

Exactly! Since I have the height advantage, why not use it to the fullest?

After a few minutes of scavenging, I found three heavy objects - a dumbbell, two barbell plates, and a cement blocks.

I hope this would do the trick...

I took the dumbbell I had and aimed at the rat monster just below me.

Steady... Steady... and wooosh!

Maybe due to laws of gravitation or something, the dumbbell and the rat monster's collision made a crisp sound.

:You have dealt 52 damage to Ratatoskr:

Eh?

Eh?

Is this what I think it is?

A system notification?

I work in a software development company, and like to play role-playing games so I know what this notification that popped out in front of my eyes mean.

This place is a dream! I once dreamed that one day, I would get into an RPG world!

If this really a dream, I should wake up soon enough!

I closed my eyes for a minute, trying to force myself to wake up from this dream, but by the time I opened my eyes, I felt was not awakening nor happiness.

I fucking saw the rat monster named Ratatoskr slowly climb the ladder!

Fuckkkk!

I hastily took the barbell plate and dropped it towards the Ratatoskr's head, and another system notification emerged in front of my eyes.

: You have dealt 105 damage to Ratatoskr (Weakness Hit):

Hoh? So my attacks that hit the weakness will deal double the damage... as if I have time to appreciate that!

I took the last object I have, which is a cement block, and dropped it towards Ratatoskr.

:You have dealt 201 damage to Ratatoskr (Earth Damage, Weakness Hit):

What the hell, is this really Po*émon? It's a fucking scary P*kémon version then!

Seeing that Ratatoskr continued to climb the ladder, I madly rushed towards the roof's door but suddenly halted my steps.

If I entered the apartment, won't I be cornered?

With that sturdy body, it can easily destroy the roof’s door and chase me.

Noticing that Ratatoskr's speed was pretty slow, I couldn't help but think of another idea.

Rope + High Building = Rappelling.

No no no! What the hell am I thinking right now? Esc*pe R*pe? Hahaha! Stop being a retard, myself!

But my other self easily refuted - as if I have another way that I could think of!

Yeah, a retard can only do things the retarded way!

I looked for a good place to latch and easily saw a sturdy metal near the edge of the building. 

I fastened the rope on it and prepared myself to go down...

Scary! Scary! I'm not afraid of high places, but these kind of things greatly triggers my fear of death.

Just as I have time to fear the act of rappelling, Ratatoskr was already on the roof!

Damn it! 

I moved and hastily moved my body like a firefighter during training until my foot reached the ground.

I hurriedly took the ax and looked at Ratatoskr and made a smug look at my face.

Hah! In your face! As if I'll let you kill me before this dream ends!

Now... what should I do?

As I pondered, the next thing that happened scared me shitless again.

The Ratatoskr, which was in the rooftop, suddenly jumped.

Oi, Oi! You won't fly nor glide, aren't you?! 

I ran again towards the emergency ladder, and a loud boom sounded throughout the alley.

This is imposs- huh?

The only thing I found when I looked at the sounds source was a weakened and bloody Ratatoskr, which hide was mangled and messy while it's red eyes started to lose it's luster.

Are you a fucking idiot?

I didn't risk my safety and climbed the emergency ladder again. 

I looked at Ratatoskr for a while, before I received another system notification.

:You have killed a Ratatoskr! You recieved 520 Experience:

:You have leveled up! You reached level 4!:

:You have gained a new passive skill - Ax Proficiency (Beginner):

:You have gained a new passive skill - Climbing (Beginner):

:You have gained a new passive skill - Precision:

:You have gained a new active skill - Observation:

:You have gained a new title - Underdog:

:You have gained a new title - Ingenious:

:You have gained twenty (20) stat points:

Hmm... that was soooo unexpected...

Of course, if system notification exists, user notification also exist - a basic RPG knowledge.

But... how should I access it? 

"Status! User! System Menu! Abracadabra! Open Sesame!"

I shouted everything I could think of, but what I was expecting to appear didn't appear.

Hmm... What a troublesome system.

There should be some hint or something, right?!

I retrieved the rope I used and strapped it back between my neck and arm.

I hurriedly left the rooftop, because I thought that maybe the blood of the dead Ratatoskr might lure other monsters towards the alley.

It'll be dangerous if they notice me or if they climb the emergency ladder, but I can't block it since it was the only way I could leave if they entered from the main entrance.

I scratched my head in helplessness but a large image suddenly appeared in front of me.

Ohhhhh! It's here! Status Menu!!!

『Name: Error』

『Level: 4』

『Job: Error』

『Status: Error』

『Mana: 21/21』

『Experience: 520/750』

『Strength: 10 |+|』

『Agility: 10 |+|』

『Intelligence: 10+0.4 |+|』

『Unused Stat Points: 20』

『Passive Skills』 

Ax Proficiency (Beginner) | Climbing (Beginner) | Precision 

『Active Skills』 

Observation 

『Titles』 

Underdog | Ingenious

『Passive Skills』

Ax Proficiency (Beginner): Increases damage, accuracy, and attack speed when using ax-type weapons by 5%.

Climbing (Beginner): Increases speed and stability when climbing or descending by 5%.

Precision: Increases the accuracy of subsequent attacks by 10%.

『Active Skills』

Observation: Shows the user a brief observation to the target, can upgrade into Identification, Consumes 15 mana.

『Titles』

Underdog: Unlocked after defeating a higher level enemy. Increases experience when defeating higher level enemies.

Ingenious: Unlocked after using a unique way of defeating an enemy. Increases intelligence by 4% and increases the chance of trapping an enemy.

So, that did the trick... but why are my name, status, and job are labeled as error? I have a name, status, and a job, you know!

Well, it might be useless to argue so I left it alone.

Now, for the thing I have been waiting for... stat distribution!

Of course, I don't know how adding points to strength, agility, and intelligence might affect me, but I have some idea after playing a lot of RPGs.

Strength is self-explanatory, it increases my body's strength and physical power.

Agility is also self-explanatory, it increases my body's speed and reflexes.

The only thing I was unsure of is Intelligence, it might increase the speed of my thinking process, or it even might give me chance to use magic, which is a staple element in Fantasy RPGs.

Since there is the so-called mana in my status, using magic is possible, if I have magic skills.

So... I have decided on where should I allocate them!