I was so dead.
3.7 kilometers to the next safe zone.
I'd die before even reaching one.
The air was thick and bitter, every breath scraping down my throat like sandpaper. The ground beneath me was cracked and glowing faintly—each step sending up a puff of dust that stuck to my sweat. The—what looked like a sun above—burned too bright, too close, too wrong.
Then, silence.
Something moved.
Once. Then again. Then—
*Slash!*
Pain exploded across my arm. I hissed, stumbling forward as blood streamed down my wrist.
The interface flickered to life midair, translucent and glitching.
[E-Rank Stock (Unlocked)]
Rusted Combat Knife — Old and chipped, but stable. Deals minimal damage. (Cost: 10 pts)Standard Survival Dagger — Lightweight, vibration edge. (Cost: 15 pts)Training Baton (Energy-Based) — Low output, harmless to beasts above Rank D. (Cost: 12 pts)
The "survival" dagger. That was what I could use to survive right now—and all I could hope.
"
{ Do you wis— }
"YES! Anything—just hurry up, dammit!"
A flash of blue light answered. My hand tingled, then solid weight formed in my palm—a dagger, sleek but trembling slightly with unstable energy.
My pulse was thunder. My fingers shook.
"Don't make me wait," I muttered, forcing my voice steady. "I've got a long road ahead. Let's end this early."
Total lie. Every muscle in me screamed run.
Then I saw it.
The creature crawled out from behind a broken wall—its limbs too long for its body, its skin blackened like burnt leather. The air shimmered around it, distorting its outline as though the world itself rejected its existence. It had no eyes—just a vertical slit across its face that opened sideways, revealing rows of wet, grinding teeth.
It moved wrong—like static come to life.
When it screeched, the sound wasn't just heard. It vibrated through my skull.
✦ ✦ ✦
I lunged forward on instinct, slashing once. The blade sliced air.
The creature blurred. Suddenly, it was behind me.
I twisted—too late. Claws raked down my back.
"Agh—!"
I fell to my knees, rolling just as its tail slammed into the ground beside me, cracking the earth like glass.
The system chimed, ever so cheerfully:
[HP: 68%]
No time to think. No time to breathe.
I grabbed a handful of dirt and flung it at its face—pointless, but it flinched. That one second was all I needed.
I slashed upward, catching its shoulder. A hiss like steam burst out; black blood sprayed my face, stinging like acid.
"Fuck!—that burns!" I spat, stumbling back.
The creature staggered, then lunged again, faster this time. I barely dodged. The dagger hummed weakly as I parried, each hit numbing my arm further.
[Weapon Integrity: 72%]
"Oh, come on!" I yelled, blocking another strike.
Then its claw hooked my chest and sent me flying. I hit a rock, vision blurring.
[HP: 32% — Critical Condition]
"Get up, Liam," I muttered through clenched teeth. "You die here, you die for nothing."
The creature roared again. The sound made my ears bleed.
I forced myself up, adrenaline burning hotter than pain. The dagger flickered—its blade now unstable, vibrating harder.
One shot. That's all I had.
As it lunged, I dropped to my knees and rammed the dagger upward into its jaw. The blade hummed violently, then burst.
A blinding flash. Then silence.
I collapsed, breathing in sand and smoke.
[Beast Eliminated — Rank: E+]
[EXP +80 | HP: 8% | Weapon destroyed]
I laughed weakly. "One kilometer down… three point six to go."
Then the world went dark.
❖ PHASE II: HOW MUCH MORE MILES? ❖
I collapsed on the sand—it was warmer here, almost soothing.
Unlike the miles behind, this one didn't bite like ice.
My chest rose and fell in ragged breaths as I stared at the sky—
Or whatever was left of it.
No clouds.
No sun.
No birds.
Just… emptiness. Like the heavens had been deleted.
"
The holographic interface flickered into view, glitching faintly at the edges like even it was tired.
[Status: Active]
Name: Liam (Fragmented)
Rank: E-Rank (Unstable Core)
Energy Output: 41%
Physical Fatigue: 78%
Mental Integrity: Stable
Core Synchronization: 9%
Status report: Rest recommended. Core instability increasing.
"
The text blinked once. Then the response scrolled across, too bright against the dead sky:
[ Remaining Distance: 3.42 Miles to Next Safe Zone ]
Estimated travel duration: 4 hours (current stamina levels insufficient).
"Ugh… when will I reach solace?" I muttered, half to myself, half to the void.
The system stayed silent—its screen hovering there like a ghost refusing to answer.
Wind howled. Sand hissed. Nothing lived here.
No voices.
No footsteps.
No one.
Just me.
And the system.
And the endless road that refused to end.
✦ ✦ ✦
I kept walking, refusing to give up. Besides, I was in too deep to turn back now.
I took the last few gulps of the Synth-Water Capsule—it dissolved into data particles as soon as I finished.
"Guess there goes five points," I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck.
Still, my throat burnt like I'd swallowed ash.
I paused mid-command, realizing I had no weapon.
Might as well fix that.
The system's reply came cold and instant:
[Insufficient Point Balance]
"What?" I blinked. "When did I—"
A new window opened like it was mocking me:
[System Store: Online]
[Available Balance: 10 Points]
[Category Selection:]
{Weapons}
{Armor}
{Consumables}
{Relics}
{Utilities}
{Restricted Vaults — Locked until Rank D+}
"Oh, f*ck me sideways." I smirked, more defeated than amused.
"What do I do to earn points, huh? Is there a manual I missed, or are we just winging it now?"
❖ PHASE III: I'LL DO MORE THAN KILL ❖
The system's interface flickered—like a dying light bulb that was still fighting to stay alive—before it stabilized into something new.
Something I hadn't seen before.
[Beast Eliminated — Rank: E+]
[EXP Gained: +80]
[Progress: 80 / 2,000 (E → D)]
[HP: 8% | Weapon Integrity: 0% — Destroyed]
[Warning: Critical Core Instability Detected]
I blinked, panting. I could still remember the beast's corpse behind me, while a few miles back, still twitching, as black mist leaked from its open wound.
"Wait—EXP? HP? What the hell is this, a game?"
The interface pulsed once, then expanded into multiple translucent panels.
Text streamed across in sterile, robotic rhythm:
[Orientation Mode: Initiated]
[HP: 'Health Points.' Represents your life force. If it reaches 0, Core Collapse will occur. Revival unavailable below Rank B.]
[EXP: 'Experience Points.' Gained through combat, exploration, or completion of system tasks. Used to strengthen Core Synchronization.]
[CoreSynchronization: Determines your power output, energy control, and survival rate. Low synchronization = unstable abilities.]
[Points: System currency earned from defeating beasts, scavenging relics, or completing survival milestones. Required for all purchases and upgrades.]
[Warning: Point farming through non-system-approved methods is prohibited. Punishment: Core reset.]
"Nice. So, I'm basically broke and dying." I groaned, wiping blood from my lips. "Anything else, system? Maybe a tutorial fairy with snacks?"
[Humor detected. Request: Denied.]
[Additional Notice: Weapon destroyed. Replacement required.]
[Tip: Slaying higher-ranked beasts increases EXP yield exponentially.]
[Tip: Maintaining HP above 50% improves energy regeneration.]
[Tip: You may also gain Points by scavenging relics, assisting other survivors, or completing Directive Missions.]
Directive Missions. Relics. Core Sync. It all sounded… bigger than me.
But the screen faded before I could ask more questions, leaving only a faint digital hum.
Wind hissed through the dunes, carrying the faint metallic tang of blood.
I looked at my reflection in the cracked blade of the broken dagger—eyes dim, but alive.
Barely.
The system pulsed once more:
[Mission Log Updated]
[Primary Directive: Survive.]
[Secondary Directive: Grow stronger.]
[Hidden Directive: Unknown.]
I clenched my jaw, forcing myself up from the sand. "Survive, huh?" My voice came out hoarse, almost a growl.
"No. I'll do more than survive."
I looked at the fading red sun on the horizon, fists trembling.
"I'll do more than kill."
The interface dimmed—almost as if it approved.
[Acknowledged.]
[Core Synchronization increased to 10%.]
And for the first time since this nightmare began, I felt my pulse steady.
Not from fear.
But from resolve.