He stared at the option, yes or no.
Adrian gulped a mouthful of saliva. This may be the perfect time for him to test if the system really exists.
Besides, there's nothing for him to lose here. If it didn't work, then so be it. But he hoped it would work. This might be his only chance of saving his little sister.
He thought the word "Yes" and suddenly light rippled across the holographic interface, symbols flashing too fast to follow.
Then it stopped.
A clear tone rang out.
One line after another appeared in front of him.
[Reward 1 Acquired: Colt M4A1 Carbine — 5.56×45mm NATO]
[Reward 2 Acquired: Modular Tactical Assault Backpack — Military Grade]
[Reward 3 Acquired: Level IIIA Kevlar Ballistic Vest — Standard Issue]
[Reward 4 Acquired: Colt M1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol — .45 ACP]
[Reward 5 Acquired: 5.56×45mm NATO Ammunition — 6 Loaded Magazines]
[Reward 6 Acquired: .45 ACP Ammunition — 5 Loaded Magazines]
[Reward 7 Acquired: M67 Fragmentation Grenades — x4]
[Reward 8 Acquired: Kawasaki KLR650 Dual-Sport Motorcycle]
[Reward 9 Acquired: 5.56 Suppressor]
[Reward 10 Acquired: .45 ACP Suppressor]
[All items are now stored in your inventory and can be accessed only after thirty seconds of no combat activity]
[Would you like to know the full features of the system?]
"Is this real…" Adrian asked himself. Those rewards just now, aren't those real weapons? But he doesn't have any experience firing live weapons.
The question of the system still lingered in the air. He also wanted to know what other things the system could do. So he tapped yes.
[Modern Weapon Gacha System — Overview]
The Modern Weapon Gacha System is a special ability granted exclusively to the user. It can be accessed at any time, provided sufficient points are available.
[Current Points: 0 / 1000]
[Point Acquisition Methods]
Points may be earned through the following actions:
- Eliminating infected entities
- Assisting or rescuing surviving civilians
Different infected variants yield different point values. Acts of meaningful assistance toward other survivors grant significantly higher rewards.
[Draw Mechanics]
Each gacha draw provides 10 rewards. Possible rewards include, but are not limited to:
- Ammunition.
- Survival supplies.
- Firearms and weapons
- Vehicles.
- Military and vehicle personnel units.
- Aircraft and armored vehicles (with trained crews).
[User Enhancement Protocol]
The system has detected that the host lacks prior combat or firearms experience. To ensure survivability and operational capability, the following enhancements have been granted:
- Sharpshooter Proficiency.
- Weapon Handling Mastery.
- Military Vehicle Operation Knowledge.
Reading through all that, Adrian finally now knew how his system works. It's easy to follow and very straightforward.
"So all my rewards were stored in the system huh? How do I even access my inventory?"
As if the system heard him, an inventory tab appeared.
[Inventory - this is where your rewards are stored upon drawing. It has an unlimited amount of space. Only system rewards can be put into the inventory. Also it can't be accessed during combat.]
[Would you like me to organize the items for you? So that you can equip them all in one go? Kevlar with already the ammunition stowed in the pockets, primary weapon slung and sidearm holstered.]
Adrian blinked.
"That… would be nice," he said quietly.
He tapped Yes.
The interface pulsed once.
[Organizing equipment…]
[Organization complete!]
Suddenly, Adrian felt a weight pressing him down. He looked down and saw the vest was already hugging his body, the M4A1 resting against his chest, pistols on the holster.
The rifle felt… natural, like he had seen and used this before. His fingers found safety without thinking. He checked it instinctively.
With this, he is now finally armed and could take on zombies. And if he wanted more of this, he must kill the zombies and save other people if possible.
"Okay," Adrian inhaled and exhaled, preparing himself for the encounter with the zombies.
He walked towards the door and opened it. Outside, the floor-to-ceiling windows gave him a view of the landscape below. It was way worse than with survivors running from every direction chased by zombies. He looked further, where Quezon City lies ahead.
There, his little sister was still in danger. He must get to her at all costs. He has a motorcycle in his inventory, he can bring it out outside the lobby of the Megatower.
But that means going down.
Earlier he was scared to even consider going down, but with a weapon in his hand, he doesn't feel that anymore.
With that, he headed towards the elevator. Using the ID card that he had obtained from the receptionist desk, he tapped the ground floor.
The elevator door slid to a close and he looked at the digital display showing the numbers decreasing.
He tapped his right index finger on the trigger, as if to calm himself from the excitement and nervousness he is feeling.
He had killed a zombie. This should be easy, and more easy when he already has a weapon.
One minute later, the elevator arrived at the ground floor. The door slid open, giving a clear view of what's outside.
Five zombies staring at him like was dumb fuck who has the audacity to show himself in front of them.
Adrian instinctively trained the rifle and pulled the trigger. It was in full-burst mode, the bullet pierced through five of them before they could even get close to him.
After expending 20 ammunition, the five zombies were downed with blood pooling beneath their bodies.
[Infected Eliminated ×5]
[Points Earned: +50]
[Current Points: 50 / 1000]
"So ten points for every kill huh?"
He stepped outside and saw three more zombies in the lobby, wandering around and searching for prey.
He aimed his M4A1 at them.
Their heads snapped toward him.
They started moving.
Adrian planted his feet, rifle tight to his shoulder. The front sight settled on the nearest skull.
He squeezed.
A short burst cracked through the hallway.
The first zombie's head jerked sideways and it folded mid-step, sliding across the polished floor.
The other two didn't slow.
They rushed him, arms swinging wildly.
Adrian shifted aim.
Burst.
The second zombie's jaw exploded apart. It stumbled forward on momentum alone before collapsing at his feet.
The third was already lunging.
Adrian stepped back, creating distance. His rifle tracked upward smoothly, almost on instinct.
The rounds punched through its forehead. The body went limp in the air and dropped hard, skidding into the wall with a dull thud.
A notification blinked into existence.
[Infected Eliminated ×3]
[Points Earned: +30]
[Current Points: 80 / 1000]
Adrian exhaled slowly.
His ears rang faintly, but his grip stayed steady. He checked the hallway again, looking for zombies, but there were none.
So he jogged towards the exit where he had once entered, and opened his inventory.
The motorcycle, Kawasaki KLR650 icon pulsed in the inventory window.
Adrian slowed near the glass exit doors and scanned outside first.
EDSA was still a wreck, abandoned cars, drifting smoke, distant screams. No zombies close enough to rush the entrance.
Good enough.
He focused on the icon.
"Deploy," he muttered.
The interface flashed.
[Kawasaki KLR650 — Deployment Confirmed]
Particles of light shimmered before him and seconds later, the motorcycle materialized. It was not the standard motorcycle found in the Philippines where most used scooters. This was a full-sized dual-sport machine.
He slung the rifle across his chest and swung a leg over the seat. His boots planted automatically. His fingers wrapped the throttle and clutch like he'd done it a thousand times.
He turned the key.
The engine barked alive.
A deep, throaty rumble in the air.
Nearby, heads snapped toward the sound.
Adrian didn't hesitate.
He revved once, the engine growled louder, and kicked into gear. The front wheel rolled forward. He lined up with the driveway towards the main road.
Immediately, the infected turned and sprinted toward him, drawn by the engine noise.
But they were too slow.
Adrian leaned left, weaving between two abandoned sedans, and zigzagged through zombies in front of him like a pro.
He could only do this in a motorcycle so he was glad that the system gave him one in his first draw.
Now, onwards to Quezon City. Based on his speed, he'd be there in less than thirty minutes.
Along the way, as more and more cars were being left by their drivers, he noticed a family running from a horde of zombies. The mother was carrying a baby and the father was carrying their five-year-old son.
He knew that if he didn't intervene, they'd die before they could even get to safety. But where is the safety in this place when every place is filled with zombies.
However, this was not the time to argue in his mind. He stopped the motorcycle and lifted his M4A1. He reloaded it first with a fresh mag and then fired down the stretch of road between the family and the horde.
In an instant, he had killed ten zombies, and injured some. Those who were injured tipped over and caused those behind them to fall over too, creating a hump of zombies that slowed them down.
[Infected Eliminated ×10]
[Points Earned: +100]
[Civilian Assistance Recorded]
[Points Earned: +600]
[Current Points: 780 / 1000]
The family noticed his actions and a glad expression flickered on their faces.
"Don't stop! Run!" Adrian shouted.
The father didn't hesitate. He grabbed his wife's arm and dragged her forward while still carrying the boy. The mother clutched the baby tight against her chest and sprinted.
Seeing that there was no imminent danger, Adrian resumed his journey to Quezon City.
Looking ahead at the EDSA road, it was now impossible for a car to pass through here. Even the busway, where only the carousel bus could only use was blocked by private cars, possibly out of desperation to escape the situation.
Well, he would have done the same as well.
He looked at the time at the infotainment of the motorcycle. It was already four o'clock in the afternoon. There's still time before dark.
"Please Bea, hold on for me," Adrian muttered under his breath.
He twisted the throttle.
The Kawasaki surged forward, engine growling as he slipped between a stalled bus and a sedan wedged nose-to-nose.
Movement flickered between vehicles.
Zombies.
They wandered aimlessly until the motorcycle's roar reached them. Heads turned and they started running.
But their attempts were futile as he was faster than them. Estimated time of arrival to Bea's school, twenty minutes.