Irvin thought back to the augments he had received. It was a powerful tool, but he knew it wouldn't be enough on its own. He needed to be smart, he needed other people to survive.

Irvin realized that he couldn't make it alone in whatever this new world will become. He would need others, people he could use, to get them to do stuff he couldn't. But even as he considered the idea, he felt a twinge of unease.

Why would anyone follow me to begin with?

Irvin sighed, running a hand through his hair. He would have to adapt, to find a way to build relationships without compromising his own survival.

As he stood there, watching the world change before his eyes, he felt a sense of determination settle over him. He would find a way to thrive in this new world, no matter what it took.

He would explore every possibility, exploit every opportunity, and if necessary, he would dominate those who stood in his way.

But even as he made his plans, Irvin knew he couldn't ignore the risks. His isolation had always been both a blessing and a curse - it allowed him to think clearly and act decisively, but it also left him vulnerable. In a world where strength in numbers might be the key to survival, he would have to be careful not to alienate potential allies.

Irvin slapped himself, rubbing his eyes in disbelief as he took in the surreal scene before him. The city he had known, with its stone buildings and bustling streets, had been transformed into an alien landscape.

The buildings were now entwined with thick, serpentine vines that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. The once-smooth pavement was cracked and broken, with tendrils of grass and weeds pushing through the gaps.

He started forward cautiously, his footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the cloying sweetness of unfamiliar blooms. Irvin's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the impossible changes that had occurred while he slept.

How long was I out? he wondered, his brow furrowing. This is far from the end right?

As he moved deeper into the urban jungle, Irvin couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He could have sworn he saw eyes peering at him from the depths of the foliage. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized the extent of the danger he was in.

The once-familiar streets were now covered with twisted roots and and young saplings pushing through.

He spent time watching it grow several meters over the few hours he rested and ate from his backpack. Irvin realized the city will quickly turn into forest or jungle.

I need to find shelter, he thought, his palms sweating from the walk. Somewhere safe, where I can rest and figure out my next move. If it start raining now, I will have a problem.

A rustling sound behind him made Irvin whirl around, his heart leaping into his throat. A massive vine, as thick as his forearm, was slithering towards him, its thorny surface glistening with a sickly sheen. Irvin stumbled backwards, his eyes wide with terror.

He turned and ran, his feet pounding against the uneven ground as he dodged and weaved through the overgrown streets. Regardless of the vines whereabouts Irvin's lungs burned as he pushed himself to the limit, desperate to escape as far as possible.

Irvin collapsed behind a cracked concrete wall, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. He cursed himself for not putting any augment points into agility.

Stupid, stupid, stupid, he berated himself, his fists clenched. I should have known better than to help to some useless guy.

As his breathing slowed, Irvin took stock of his new surroundings. The wall he leaned against was covered in a thick layer of moss, its surface damp and spongy to the touch. He reached out to grab a nearby branch, hoping to fashion a makeshift weapon, but the wood refused to yield beneath his fingers.

Irvin frowned, applying more pressure, but the branch remained stubbornly intact. He tried again with a smaller twig, then again with a piece no thicker than his fingers, finally he managed to snap it off with a sharp crack. The wood was dense and heavy, far more substantial than he had expected.

The plants have evolved, he realized, turning the twig over in his hands. They're stronger, this is going to be a problem.

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A sense of unease settled over Irvin as he contemplated the implications of this. If the plants had changed so dramatically, what about the animals? Would they be bigger, faster, more aggressive?

He shook his head, trying to dispel the thought. He needed to focus on the present. Irvin pushed himself to his feet, wincing as his muscles protested the sudden movement.

I have to keep moving, he told himself, gritting his teeth against the pain. I can't stay here, exposed like this.

Irvin scanned the area, looking for any sign of shelter or resources. The crumbling remains of a nearby building caught his eye, its walls were thick with vines, somehow holding it together, its windows long since shattered. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing.

He approached cautiously, keeping an eye out for any signs of danger. As he drew closer, he noticed that the vines covering the building were pulsing gently, as if they were breathing. Irvin hesitated, his hand hovering over the entrance. The darkness inside was hard to see through.

I don't have a choice, he reminded himself, steeling his nerves. I need shelter, and this is the best I can do for now.

Irvin's stomach grumbled as he rummaged through his backpack, pulling out couple of peaches and protein bars. He devoured the food quickly, his eyes darting around the abandoned building for any signs of danger.

The second floor seemed stable enough, with thick vines covering the walls and providing additional support. The opposite wall had branches piercing through it letting light seep through.

This should do for now, he thought, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Trying to dig between the vines proved pointless as it didn't even budge.

He stashed the remaining supplies in a corner instead. Covering them with a piece of tattered cloth. The building groaned around him, the sound of creaking wood and shifting vines filling the air.

If this place is still standing, there must be more throughout the city. The thought crossed Irvin's mind, his heart quickening with anticipation. If other structures remained standing, more food should be around.

He made his way back to the ground floor, stepping carefully over the debris and broken glass that littered the floor. The street outside was eerily quiet, the only sound the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Irvin moved quickly, keeping to the shadows as he explored the surrounding area. He soon came across a group of people huddled together, their faces dirty and their clothes torn. They were picking through the remains of a grocery store, their movements frantic.

It has been couple of days since it all started, Irvin realized, watching them from a distance. How quickly can people change?

He fingered the straps of his backpack, the weight of it suddenly feeling heavier. For a moment, he considered approaching them, offering to share what he had. But then he noticed few elderly among them.

No, he thought, shaking his head. I can't risk it. Not with someone who might slow me down.

He turned away, his jaw clenched with resolve. He had to look out for himself first and foremost.

As he continued his exploration, Irvin came across more groups of survivors. Some were scavenging for food, others were tending to the injured. The sight of blood and broken bones made his stomach churn, but he forced himself to keep moving.

There's nothing I can do for them, he told himself, averting his gaze from a man with a gaping wound on his leg. I have to focus on my own survival.

He quickened his pace when he noticed a bigger group with several young children among them. Their cries echoed off the crumbling walls, making Irvin's skin crawl.

Too much of a liability, he thought, his eyes narrowing. I can't afford to get dragged down by someone else's problems.

Everywhere he looked, there were signs of suffering and desperation. Corpses littered the streets, their bodies twisted and broken. The stench of death hung heavy in the air, mingling with the sickly sweet scent of the vines.

Irvin's heart pounded in his chest as he took it all in. I didn't expect apocalypse to go down in this kind of shitty way.

As Irvin went in circles further from his hiding spot, the once-familiar signs became increasingly unrecognizable. The streets, once bustling with the constant hum of traffic and the chatter of pedestrians, were now silent save for the rustling of leaves, occasional cry for help and almost constant cracking of stones and metals.

Irvin paused to catch his breath, leaning against the trunk of a fresh tree that had sprouted from the center of what had once been a busy intersection.

The asphalt around its base was cracked and broken, as if the tree had forced its way through the man-made surface with sheer determination. Irvin ran his hand over the rough bark, this stuff grows higher with each hour.

As he continued on his way, he heard something like an explosion it was far away, but it wasn't hard to realize that another building fell down. Cars were reduced to nothing more then piles of ruble, their metal frames rusted turning to powder at slightest touch, their tires long since rotted away.

And yet, amidst the chaos and destruction, there were moments of breathtaking beauty. In the lobby of what had once been a branch of national bank, a lush garden had taken root, its flowers blooming in a riot of color.

The marble floors were now carpeted in a thick layer of moss, and vines climbed the walls, their tendrils reaching towards the light that streamed through the shattered glass ceiling.

Irvin stood in the center of the lobby, his eyes wide with wonder. He had never seen anything like it before, this strange juxtaposition of decay and growth, of destruction and creation. It was as if the world was being reborn.

As he walked, Irvin couldn't help but reflect on the broader implications of this transformation. For so long, humanity had believed itself to be the master of the world, the creator of great cities and the conqueror of nature. But now, in the face of this great upheaval, it seemed that nature was the true victor.

And yet, even as he grappled with his thoughts, Irvin couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the resilience of the natural world. It was a humbling realization, one that left Irvin feeling small and insignificant in the face of such raw power.