Night hovered over Tokyo like a silent warning.
Nobita sat alone in his room, bandages wrapped around his arms and knees. Every muscle hurt, every breath felt heavy… but his eyes remained sharp.
The Survival System floated before him.
[Host Progress: 23%][Physical Level 1 stabilized][Mental Level 2 stabilized]
Nobita wiped sweat from his forehead.
"What's next…?"
The System pulsed.
[Next stage: Combat readiness detected.][Host lacks weapon proficiency.][Unlocking weapon skill path…]
Nobita's heart skipped.
A new screen opened:
[Choose First Combat Skill]– Hand-to-hand– Staff technique– Dagger mastery– Improvised weapons– Beginner firearms
Nobita didn't hesitate.
"Dagger."
He remembered Leon stabbing a zombie in the head during the chaos.Remembered Helena carving through infected to protect civilians.
A dagger saved lives.
A dagger could save his.
The screen glowed red.
[DAGGER MASTERY — LV1 UNLOCKED]Effects:• Grip stability increased• Fast close-range slashing• Critical damage to weak points• Instinctual blade avoidance• Small "Bloodlust" awakening…
Nobita blinked."Bloodlust…?"
The system explained:
[Bloodlust: A survival instinct that activates during lethal danger.Enemies will hesitate.Animals may flee.Infected will react violently.]
A chill ran down his spine.
This wasn't a toy skill.
This was real.
A Knife in His Hand
5 Mins later...
Doraemon entered quietly, holding a wooden practice dagger.
"Nobita… I know you're training but… please don't push yourself too hard…"
Nobita took the dagger.
It felt natural.Like it belonged in his hand.
He swung once—
SWISH!
The air split with a sharp sound.
Doraemon's eyes widened.
"That swing… Nobita, you've never been athletic!"
Nobita stared at his hand.
"…I just need to be strong enough."
Walking Home — The Accident
Later that day, Nobita and Doraemon walked back from buying groceries.
Cars passed normally…
Until—
KRRRSHHH!
A loud crash erupted at the intersection.
A small car had flipped onto its side.A woman inside screamed, trapped.
Smoke poured out.
Doraemon gasped.
"Nobita, we need help! I'll get a gadget—"
But Nobita was already sprinting.
The System activated instantly.
[Danger detected][Bloodlust suppressed: Host stable][Strength boost preparing…]
Nobita planted his feet beside the overturned car.
His heart pounded.His muscles trembled.
But he pushed his hands under the metal—
"Haah…!"
The car shifted—Groaning—Lifting—
Nobita lifted half the car off the ground.
Doraemon's jaw dropped.
"N-NOBITA!! THAT'S NOT HUMAN STRENGTH!"
Nobita's legs shook violently…
But he held on.
The woman crawled out, crying.
"Th-thank you… thank you!"
Nobita gently lowered the car.
Then collapsed to his knees.
The System chimed:
[Strength Surge unlocked]Host can temporarily lift heavy objects equal to half a vehicle.][Cooldown: 10 minutes]
Doraemon rushed to his side.
"Nobita..! You almost broke your arms!"
Nobita smiled weakly.
"But she's safe…"
Doraemon saw something terrifying yet inspiring:
The Nobita in front of him wasn't weak.He wasn't scared.He wasn't running.
He was evolving.
That Night — Bloodlust Awakens
Back in his room, Nobita practiced swings with the wooden dagger.
But something strange happened.
Each slash became faster.Sharper.Colder.
His eyes narrowed.His breathing slowed.
The air around him thickened.
A pressure spread—a dark aura—like a predator preparing to strike.
The System warned:
[Bloodlust state activating…][Host entering kill-focus mode][Mental stability protecting host from loss of control]
Doraemon watched from the doorway, frightened.
"N-Nobita…? Your eyes…"
They were different.
Calmer.But dangerous.
A warrior's eyes.
Nobita exhaled deeply, ending the aura.
"I need this, Doraemon.If the apocalypse comes here…I won't let you die again."
Doraemon stared at him.
"Nobita…you've changed more than I ever imagined."
Nobita looked at his own hand, gripping the dagger.
"…This time, I will protect everyone."
And the System pulsed with approval.
[Dagger Mastery: 43%][Bloodlust: Stable][Strength Surge: Ready]
The new Nobita had taken his first step toward becoming a survivor.
END OF CHAPTER 7