Morning sunlight slid through the classroom windows.
Students chatted loudly.Chairs scraped.The usual chaos.
But Nobita sat quietly at his desk… back straight, eyes focused, breathing calm.
Shizuka glanced at him.
She noticed it again.
This Nobita… didn't look like Nobita.
No slouching.No sleepy eyes.No fear.
A calm, silent strength radiated from him.
Shizuka whispered to herself:
"…What happened to him…?"
Doraemon at Home — Preparing for the Worst
Back in Nobita's room earlier that morning, Doraemon panicked while stuffing gadgets into his pouch.
"Time cloth… anywhere door… spare battery… bamboo copter… flashlight… long-distance communicator…"
His hands trembled.
"If the apocalypse really comes here… then Nobita will need all of this—no, more! Much more!"
He glanced at Nobita's bed.
Him dying in Nobita's arms…The world burning…The infected screaming…
His paw shook harder.
"I have to protect him this time.Whatever it takes."
Nobita's Body Fails — The Price of Power
In class, while everyone talked, Nobita quietly stretched his arm.
A sharp pain stabbed through his biceps.
"…agh."
His muscles burned violently—like fire tearing through his tissues.
He clenched his teeth.
The system flashed:
[Warning: Host has exceeded physical limits][Muscle fibers tearing][Applying emergency anaesthesia…]
A wave of numbness spread through his body.
Shizuka saw his fingers tremble.
"Nobita…? Are you okay?"
Nobita inhaled deeply.
"Yeah… I'm fine."
But inside—
Pain.
And determination.
The System continued:
[Because of overuse, the host's muscle adaptation will now increase][Strength growth rate doubled][Dagger mastery growth rate accelerated]
Nobita looked out the window.
If the world is going to become hell…I need to be stronger than this.
Recess — Shizuka Confronts Him
During break, Shizuka approached him.
Her eyes soft, confused, worried.
"Nobita… what's happening to you?You're different.Stronger.More serious…"
Nobita looked at her calmly.
"People change."
"Not this fast…" Shizuka whispered.
She stepped closer.
"Are you… suffering something?"
Nobita forced a gentle smile.
"…No.I'm preparing."
"For what?"
Nobita didn't answer.
But Shizuka saw the sadness and pain hidden behind his calm eyes.
Something terrible…Something she couldn't understand…was shaping him.
Gian and Suneo — The Old Bullies vs. New Nobita
Gian marched over during lunch, angry as ever.
"HEY, NOBITA! you ignored me yesterday!"
Suneo smirked beside him.
"Yeah, Nobita! You're acting cool? Trying to be strong?"
Students gathered.
But Nobita didn't even look up.
"Move."
Gian froze.
That tone was different.Cold.Unbothered.Sharp.
"W-What did you say?!"
Gian charged—
But Nobita simply stepped aside.
Gian stumbled.
Before Suneo could brag, Nobita gently pushed his forehead—
Suneo fell backward with a squeal.
Gian roared and tried to punch him.
Nobita blocked it with one hand.
Everyone gasped.
"W-WHAT?!"
That same hand gently pushed Gian's shoulder—
Gian crashed to the floor.
Silence.
Only Nobita's calm breathing remained.
Shizuka's eyes widened.
"This… is Nobita?"
Gian trembled.
"I-It's like he's not human…"
The System chimed softly in Nobita's mind:
[Strength: Increased][Reflexes: Increased][Bloodlust kept suppressed due to mental level]
Teacher Enters — Mark Sheet Day
Everyone returned to their seats nervously.
The teacher walked in with score sheets.
Everyone tensed.
Except Nobita.
For the first time in his life…He wasn't afraid of marks.
One by one, papers were handed out.
Shizuka got 92.Dekisugi got 98.Suneo got 73.Gian got 48.
Finally…
"Nobita… here's yours."
The class waited for the usual shouting.Crying.Failure.
But the moment Nobita saw the paper…
He didn't scream.
He didn't cry.
He didn't faint.
He smiled.
Quietly.
Deeply.
Warmly.
Gently.
100 / 100
Everyone exploded.
"What?!""Impossible!""Nobita beat Dekisugi?!""He cheated!""No way!"
But Nobita simply stared at the paper…
"…My first perfect score…before the apocalypse…"
A single tear touched the corner of his eye.
Not from fear.
Not from pain.
But from achievement.
From change.
From hope.
Shizuka covered her mouth, shocked.
"Nobita… I don't even recognize you anymore…"
And Doraemon, watching from the open door, whispered:
"He…He's becoming someone who can survive any world…"
END OF CHAPTER 8