Morning never truly arrived.
The sky remained dark, covered in ash and smoke, as if the world itself had decided daylight was no longer necessary.
Arjun Kim stood at the edge of the rooftop, overlooking their newly secured territory. The ruined city stretched endlessly—broken buildings, abandoned vehicles, and shadows that moved when they shouldn't.
The system screen hovered before his eyes.
[Safe Zone Status: Stable]
[Controlled Area Radius: 300 meters]
[New Objective: Encounter Rival Survivors]
[Reward: Unknown]
Mina joined him, adjusting the strap of her rifle.
"So," she said calmly, "the system finally wants us to deal with people."
Arjun let out a short breath.
"Creatures follow instinct," he replied. "Humans plan. That makes them worse."
They didn't have to wait long.
By midday, movement appeared at the edge of the plaza. A group of survivors—six of them—armed, organized, and confident. Too confident.
"They're scouting," Mina whispered. "Military formation… or at least pretending to be."
Arjun's eyes narrowed.
[Threat Analysis: Organized Human Group Detected]
[Probability of Hostility: 82%]
"They want what we have," Arjun said. "Supplies. Territory. Control."
The group advanced openly, not hiding anymore. Their leader—a tall man with a scar across his face—raised his hand.
"We don't want trouble," the man shouted. "Share your supplies, and we'll leave."
Mina glanced at Arjun.
"That's a lie."
Arjun nodded once.
"They never leave."
The first shot came from the enemy side.
It missed—but that was enough.
Arjun moved instantly.
[Combat Mode Activated]
[Skill: Tactical Awareness Level 1 — Fully Active]
He kicked over a barricade, rolling into cover as bullets tore through concrete. Mina fired back, precise and controlled, forcing two enemies into hiding.
"Left flank!" Mina called out.
Arjun sprinted, his enhanced reflexes blurring his movement. He struck fast—metal rod crashing into a man's skull before the enemy could even scream.
[Kill Confirmed | Conversion Points +20]
Another rushed him with a knife. Arjun grabbed the attacker's wrist, twisted, and slammed him into the ground.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
Mina dropped two more with clean headshots.
The leader tried to retreat.
Arjun didn't allow it.
[Critical Strike Available]
One throw.
One impact.
The scarred man collapsed, lifeless.
Silence returned to the plaza.
Arjun stood among the bodies, breathing steady. The system chimed softly.
[Human Threat Neutralized]
[Conversion Points +60]
[Skill Points +35]
[New Skill Unlocked: Command Authority Level 1]
Mina stared at him for a moment.
"You didn't hesitate at all," she said quietly.
Arjun wiped blood from his hands.
"Hesitation gets you killed," he replied. "Kindness gets you robbed."
The system pulsed again.
[Command Authority Active: Minor Influence Over Survivors]
Mina frowned.
"That doesn't sound good."
"It's necessary," Arjun said. "Sooner or later, people will follow someone. Better me than someone worse."
They dragged the bodies away, reclaiming weapons, ammunition, and supplies. By nightfall, their territory had expanded further.
[Controlled Area Radius Expanded: 500 meters]
[Safe Zone Reinforced]
From the rooftop, Mina looked down at the city.
"Creatures… scavengers… rival groups," she said. "This place is hell."
Arjun stared at the glowing system screen, eyes cold and focused.
"No," he replied.
"This is the beginning."
The city below trembled with chaos.
And above it, a new ruler was slowly taking shape.
In the apocalypse, monsters wear many faces.
Some of them are human.
And Arjun Kim was ready to face them all.