Nathaniel Kane stood at the edge of the crumbling overpass, gazing out over the ruined cityscape. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the distant sounds of survivors echoed through the empty streets below. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his decision. He had promised to protect the small group of survivors he had found, but their supplies were dwindling, and the dangers outside were growing. The group needed food, water, and medical supplies, and Nathaniel knew he was the only one who could get them.

“I’ll be back before nightfall,” he said, his voice low but firm. Alyssa, the young woman who had been his closest companion since this nightmare began, looked at him with concern.

“Be careful, Nathaniel. The city’s not safe, and… we need you,” she whispered, her eyes searching his face for any sign of doubt.

“I’ll be fine,” he assured her, though he felt the unease creeping into his gut. He wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince her or himself.

With a final nod, he turned and walked away from the makeshift camp, his footsteps echoing off the cracked pavement. The city was a graveyard of shattered dreams, buildings torn apart by whatever hellish force had been unleashed. Nathaniel moved through the shadows, his senses on high alert, every nerve tingling with anticipation.

As he reached a deserted convenience store, he heard something—a rustle, a footstep, the unmistakable sound of movement. He froze, his hand instinctively reaching for the knife at his side. His pulse quickened as he crept closer to the noise.

Before he could react, a group of figures lunged at him from the darkness. Rough hands grabbed him, dragging him to the ground. He struggled, kicking out wildly, but there were too many of them. Panic surged through him as he fought to free himself.

Then, something snapped inside him.

A surge of power, unlike anything he had ever felt, erupted from deep within. Time seemed to slow as the world around him faded into a blur of shadows. He felt the energy coursing through his veins, a dark and primal force that whispered of untapped potential. His mind was flooded with information—stats, abilities, the framework of a system that made no sense yet felt strangely familiar.

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Strength: 10

Dexterity: 12

Endurance: 8

Intelligence: 14

Wisdom: 13

Charisma: 10

Shadow Affinity: 15

Shadow Cloak: Unlocked.

Dark Tendrils: Unlocked.

The attackers didn’t stand a chance. Nathaniel moved with a speed and precision that surprised even him. His body seemed to move on its own, guided by an instinct he had never known. He lashed out with newfound strength, his fists connecting with bone and flesh. The shadows around him writhed and twisted, dark tendrils extending from his body to ensnare his assailants.

They screamed, a sound that sent a shiver down Nathaniel’s spine. He watched, detached, as the tendrils tightened, crushing bones and silencing the cries. Blood splattered across the ground, the metallic scent filling the air.

As the last of the attackers fell, Nathaniel stood over them, panting. His heart pounded in his chest, not from fear, but from the thrill of the power he had unleashed. He looked down at his hands, now slick with blood, and felt a strange satisfaction. These people—no, these murderers—had done this before. He could sense it, the darkness in their souls, the evil they had committed.

His rage boiled over. He hadn’t just defended himself—he had enjoyed it. The realization hit him like a freight train. He had slaughtered them without mercy, and it had felt… right.

Experience points flooded his mind, the system rewarding him for his actions.

Level 2.

Level 3.

He stood there, the corpses at his feet, feeling the rush of power as he placed his points. Strength increased, as did his Shadow Affinity. He focused on his abilities, refining them, making them stronger. He knew he had crossed a line, but in this new world, there was no room for hesitation or morality. The strong survived, and he was strong now.

Nathaniel wiped the blood from his hands and turned away from the carnage. The supplies he had come for were forgotten. He had a new purpose now—a purpose fueled by the system that had awakened within him. And as he walked back into the shadows, he knew one thing for certain: the city was his hunting ground, and the predators had just become the prey.