The system's warning did not fade.
It stayed—burned into Arjun Kim's vision like a scar.
[Major Faction Detected]
[Distance: 2.4 km]
[Estimated Members: 20–30]
[Threat Level: High]
Arjun stood on the rooftop of the plaza building, staring into the ruined city. Smoke curled from distant fires. The apocalypse had not only created monsters—it had given humans permission.
Mina joined him, binoculars in hand.
"They call themselves the Iron Serpents," she said. "Ex-military, gang leaders, scavengers. Organized. Brutal."
Arjun didn't look surprised.
"That many people don't survive together without blood."
"They enslave smaller groups," Mina added. "Take women. Take food. Take territory."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Arjun spoke.
"Good."
Mina turned sharply.
"Good?"
"It means they're predictable."
That night, the system unlocked more data.
[Faction Scan: Partial Success]
Leader: Unknown]
Second-in-Command: 'Viper' — Level 12]
Faction Trait: Aggression Amplification]
Arjun leaned back against the wall.
"So they're stronger than us," he said calmly.
Mina frowned.
"We have seven fighters. They have an army."
Arjun smiled faintly.
"Armies bleed."
The next morning, Arjun gathered his faction.
Seven people stood before him—five women, two men. Scarred, armed, watching him like their future depended on it.
Because it did.
"The Iron Serpents will come," Arjun said. "Not today. Not tomorrow. But soon."
Fear rippled through the group.
"They will offer protection," he continued. "In exchange for obedience."
One woman—Rhea, tall and sharp-eyed—spoke up.
"And if we refuse?"
"They will take what they want," Arjun replied. "By force."
Silence.
Then Arjun stepped forward.
"I won't let that happen."
[Command Authority Increased]
"But," he added, "if you follow me, you follow completely."
No one looked away.
Two days later, scouts reported movement.
Iron Serpent patrol.
Four men. Heavily armed. Confident.
Arjun watched them from a collapsed overpass.
"Perfect," he muttered.
The system pulsed.
[Quest Generated: Cut the Fangs]
Objective: Eliminate Enemy Patrol Without Alert]
Reward: Territory Influence + Skill Fragment]
Mina raised an eyebrow.
"Ambush?"
"No," Arjun said.
"Execution."
The patrol never saw him.
Arjun activated Shadow Step. The world blurred.
The first man dropped without a sound—throat crushed.
The second turned—
Mina's bullet punched through his skull.
Chaos erupted.
The third fired wildly before Rhea buried a blade into his back.
The last tried to run.
Arjun caught him.
"Who sent you?" Arjun asked calmly.
The man trembled.
"V-Viper… second-in-command…"
Arjun nodded.
Then snapped his neck.
[Quest Complete]
[Skill Fragment Acquired: Tactical Insight]
Mina exhaled.
"They'll notice."
"Yes," Arjun replied.
"That's the point."
The Iron Serpents noticed.
By sunset, a message arrived.
A man walked openly into the plaza.
Tall. Muscular. Snake tattoo curling up his neck.
"I'm Viper," he announced. "You killed my men."
Arjun stood across from him, expression unreadable.
"They trespassed," Arjun said.
Viper laughed.
"This city belongs to us."
Arjun tilted his head.
"Then why are you standing in my territory?"
The air went cold.
Viper's smile faded.
"You're brave," he said. "Or stupid."
Arjun stepped closer.
"Leave," he said quietly. "And take your fear with you."
Viper leaned in.
"You have three days," he whispered. "Then we come."
He turned and walked away.
[Faction Event Triggered: War Countdown — 72 Hours]
That night, Mina confronted Arjun.
"You just declared war."
"No," Arjun replied.
"They did."
She hesitated.
"Can we win?"
Arjun looked at the system.
[Hidden Condition Detected]
[Doomsday Login Users Are Drawn Together]
He smiled.
"We don't need to win a war," he said.
"We just need to survive the first battle."
Outside, the city groaned.
Inside the system, something awakened.
[Next Chapter Preview: Siege Begins]
And somewhere in the ruins,
the Iron Serpents sharpened their knives—
unaware they had already stepped into Arjun Kim's game.