Chapter 2

Noah sat up, trying to make sense of his current situation. "Where am I?" he wondered aloud.

As his eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room, Noah noticed the remnants of old furniture and faded photographs scattered around him. The place looked like it had been abandoned for years, adding to the eerie feeling that he was not alone.

A rustling sound caught Noah's attention, and he turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows. It was an old man in his 50s or 60s. "You're awake," he said, his voice tinged with both relief and curiosity. "How are you feeling?"

Noah's throat felt dry as he tried to speak, "I... I'm not sure. Where am I? Who are you?"

The old man approached with a warm smile, though his face bore the marks of countless hardships. "I found you unconscious outside of this building. My name's Thomas, a lone survivor."

'So I was unconscious when this old man found me. I need to gather more information about this world. It looks like I need to use the wild card that transmigrators use.' Noah's mind raced with questions. "How did I get here? I don't remember anything." 'That's right, this is it. The "I don't remember anything" trope.'

Thomas placed a reassuring hand on Noah's shoulder, "It's all right, lad. The wasteland does strange things to people. You might remember in time. For now, focus on surviving."

Surviving. The word echoed in Noah's mind, and he realized the gravity of his situation.

"Thank you, Thomas," Noah said, trying to collect his thoughts. "I'll find a way to repay your kindness."

Thomas waved off the notion. "No need for that, lad. We're all in this together, in one way or another. It's tough out there, but you're not alone. I've seen others like you, confused and lost; So let's stay here for now and rest I fill you up tomorrow.

As the days passed, Thomas shared his knowledge of the wasteland with Noah, teaching him essential survival skills. They scoured the ruins for supplies, and Thomas showed him how to avoid zombies and navigate dangerous territories. Yes, this world has zombies.

As the days turned into weeks, Noah became more proficient in navigating the wasteland, thanks to Thomas' guidance. During one of their evenings by the campfire, Noah couldn't contain his curiosity any longer.

"Thomas, how did this world become like this? How did the apocalypse happen?" Noah asked, eager to understand the origins of the post-apocalyptic world he now inhabited.

Thomas sighed, his weathered face reflecting the weight of the memories. "It all began with an experiment gone horribly wrong. A secret government facility was conducting research on a new form of clean energy. They were trying to harness the power of radiation to create a limitless energy source."

Intrigued, Noah leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on Thomas.

"However, something went awry during the experiment. The radiation mutated, combining with an unknown virus that was being researched in the same facility," Thomas explained. "The mutated radiation-virus hybrid spread like wildfire, infecting everyone and everything in its path."

Noah's eyes widened as he began to grasp the magnitude of the disaster. "So, the radiation caused the mutations and turned people into zombies?"

Thomas nodded grimly, "Yes, the mutated radiation-virus hybrid had devastating effects. It caused rapid mutations in both living creatures and the deceased. It reanimated the dead, turning them into mindless, flesh-hungry monsters - the zombies we face today."

Noah couldn't help but shudder at the thought of the devastation caused by the radiation-virus hybrid. "What about the survivors? How did you manage to endure?"

Thomas sighed, his gaze distant as he recollected the past. "Not everyone was fortunate enough to survive the initial chaos. The world plunged into anarchy as governments collapsed, and people fought for survival. Many sought refuge in underground bunkers - places of hope where survivors banded together to face the horrors of the wasteland above."

As he listened to Thomas' account, Noah realized the significance of the bunker and the resilience of those who found shelter within it. "But what about the rest of the world? Is there anything left beyond the wasteland?"

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Thomas shook his head sadly. "Most of the world has become a desolate wasteland, overrun by zombies and the remnants of civilization. There are scattered survivor settlements, but they are few and far between. It's a harsh reality we all must face."

Noah's heart sank, the weight of the apocalypse settling upon his shoulders. 'This world is too dangerous. Good thing this old man found me before the zombies; otherwise, I'd already be dead.'

Thomas placed a reassuring hand on Noah's shoulder. "Perhaps in time, some memories may return. But don't let the past consume you. Focus on the present and what lies ahead. Survival is your priority now." 'Did he think I was thinking about my lost memory that I made up?'

Noah nodded, absorbing Thomas' advice. 'Although I'm weak right now, I can become stronger than anyone because I have this "Status".' he thought, and suddenly, a translucent panel materialized.

[Ding!]

[Status|Inventory|Ability|Quest

Name: Noah White

Level: 1 exp (4/10)

Traits: (select 2 traits)

Perks: None

Age: 18

Strength: 11

Constitution: 10

Agility: 9

Intelligence: 10

Wisdom: 9

Charisma: 8

Stat points: 0

Perk points: 0 ]

Then he remember how he got this it was

During one of their expeditions, they encountered a small group of zombies, their rotting limbs dragging across the desolate ground. Noah felt a shiver run down his spine, realizing the true peril that lurked in the wasteland.

With a swift motion, Thomas calmly took out a homemade crossbow and shot a bolt into one of the zombies, immobilizing it. "Remember, aim for the head. That's the only way to stop them permanently," he advised.

Noah followed Thomas' advice and grabbed a nearby metal pipe, steeling himself for the fight. His heart raced as he faced the approaching zombies. The stench of decay filled the air, and their haunting moans echoed through the desolate wasteland.

The first zombie lunged at Noah with surprising speed. He sidestepped the attack, using the momentum to deliver a powerful strike to the back of its head. The force of the blow sent the zombie stumbling forward.

Before it could recover, Noah swung the metal pipe again, this time aiming for its skull. The impact was brutal, and the zombie crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

[Ding!]

He suddenly heard something on his mind but he didn't have time to process it

As the remaining zombies drew nearer, Noah tightened his grip on the metal pipe, feeling the weight of the situation. He knew he had to act quickly and decisively.

With a swift flick of his wrist, Thomas reloaded his crossbow and aimed at another zombie. The bolt flew through the air, piercing the undead creature's head. It collapsed to the ground, unmoving.

Noah spotted an opportunity as one of the zombies stumbled over debris, momentarily off-balance. He took advantage of the opening, swinging the metal pipe with all his might. The blow connected, and the zombie's skull shattered, leaving it motionless on the ground.

[Ding!]

Two more zombies remained, and they showed no signs of slowing down. Noah's heart raced, but he refused to let fear overwhelm him. He focused on the task at hand, steeling his nerves for the impending clash.

As one of the zombies lunged at him, Noah ducked under its outstretched arms, feeling the rush of air above him. He spun around, using the momentum to deliver a crushing blow to its head. The zombie faltered, but it was still moving.

With quick reflexes, Noah struck again, this time aiming for its temple. The impact was enough to finally bring the creature down, its body lying lifeless on the ground.

[Ding!]

Only one zombie remained, its guttural moans growing louder as it closed in on Noah and Thomas. Noah's heart pounded in his chest, but he knew he couldn't falter now.

The final zombie lunged at Thomas, who narrowly avoided its grasp. With a focused determination, Noah stepped forward and swung the metal pipe with all his strength. The pipe connected with the zombie's head, but it didn't go down.

"Noah, aim for the head!" Thomas shouted, his voice steady despite the intensity of the situation.

Noah nodded, adjusting his grip on the metal pipe. He took a deep breath, steadying his aim. With one final swing, he delivered a crushing blow to the zombie's head, hitting its mark.

[Ding!]

The creature finally collapsed, its undead existence brought to an end.

Breathing heavily, Noah looked at Thomas, a mixture of relief and gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you," he said, his voice shaking slightly.

Thomas smiled, clapping a hand on Noah's shoulder. "You did well, lad. You're learning fast."

As the adrenaline subsided, Noah felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him. He had faced the true peril of the wasteland and emerged victorious, thanks to Thomas' guidance and his own determination to survive.

But as the reality of the fight settled upon him, Noah's emotions overwhelmed him. He staggered away from the grisly scene, retreating to a safe distance. With his back against a crumbling wall, he sank to his knees, gasping for breath. The full impact of the fight hit him all at once, and his body shook with a mixture of exhaustion and raw emotion.

Thomas gave him space, knowing that Noah needed time to process his first kill. He knew all too well the toll it took on a person's psyche, especially in this merciless world.

As the minutes passed, Noah's breathing steadied, and the initial shock began to subside. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, trying to collect himself. However, the images of the fight still haunted him, and the guilt weighed heavily on his conscience.

Thomas finally approached and crouched beside him, offering a canteen of water. "Take it easy, lad. Killing, even in self-defense, is never easy. It's a harsh reality we face out here."

Noah took a few sips of water, feeling its coolness soothing his parched throat. "I never thought... it would be this hard," he admitted, his voice hoarse.

"It never gets easier," Thomas replied, his gaze distant as he recalled his own experiences. "But sometimes, it's necessary to protect yourself and others."

As they sat in silence, the reality of the wasteland settled over them once more. Noah knew that he couldn't let the guilt consume him, but he also couldn't ignore the weight of taking a life, even if it was an undead one.

Thomas placed a hand on Noah's shoulder, offering comfort and support. "We'll get through this together, lad. You're not alone in this fight."

Noah looked at Thomas, grateful for his presence and understanding. "Thank you," he whispered.

With Thomas by his side, Noah knew he could continue to face the challenges of the wasteland. He had taken his first steps into a harsh and unforgiving world, and though the path ahead was uncertain, he was determined to survive, adapt, and find meaning amidst the chaos.

knowing that he would face many more challenges and difficult decisions. But

with Thomas as his mentor and ally, he was ready to embrace the uncertainties of the wasteland and discover the true depths of his survival instincts.