Chapter 2 — Awakening the Power Within
After I managed to stop laughing like a madman I finally focused.
If this was real... If my wish came true...
I didn't even think about it at first. My hands were sticky with blood, the bat felt heavier as if it didn't want to swing again, and the world outside screamed in chaos, but my first thought was simple: the system. Whatever it was, whatever that "ding" had meant, it was mine now. My hands twitched as if responding to some unspoken command. I mentally reached out, and—like touching a whisper in the air—a translucent panel shimmered into view before my eyes.
A few words at the top blinked. But the first thing that demanded attention were the numbers. The raw, barebones stats. My mind raced as I considered possibilities, the simplest of numbers bringing me joy stretching across my chest like fire.
SYSTEM INTERFACE
Boxes and bars lined neatly, like some professional spreadsheet someone had made for gods or madmen. Everything was visible at a glance:
[STATISTICS]
Name: Elion
Level: 1
Physique: 7 (10)
Mind: 14 (10)
Spirit: 8 (10)
Will: 20 (10)
Perception: 6 (10)
Free Points: 3
[SKILLS]
None
[BLOODLINE]
Dormant — ?
Then a new line shimmered, as the words appeared from nothing:
You have killed a Level 1 'Zombie' and have been awarded 3 stat points to assign.
The system notice was informational.
First these were officially zombies— woot woot Zombie Apocalypse!
Secondly I get stronger from killing them. I'm not sure what the stats mean—I can guess— but better to experiment only I have 3 free points so I need to think about this more.
But most importantly zombies have levels as well and can —presumably— get stronger from killing as well. meaning it's a race for recourses...
I paused. First things first, I locked the door, I didn't want to be interutped as I was thinking. Then I took stock of my surroundings, the glass station was typical, meaning I has supplies from shelves of candy to first aid kits, and chips and noodles. I knew we even had milk in the back as drinks for days.
So that took care of 'Food' and 'Shelter'. Next would be clothing. currently all I have on is a hoodie, jeans, and tennis shoes. so I need to stock up on more. not only for clean close because my hoodie is already stained with blood and it's owing to get worse, but also since I'm sure about the weather, it's the middle of July but being in Nevada— A.K.A. the desert— means the nights here get cold.
I took a deep breath, and recentered my thoughts and focused on what my next step should be. The stats. While I wouldn't mind having some, at this point in time I need to use them to get more info. What the different stats mean, and how they work.
Physique, Mind, Spirit, Will, and Perception. I get the 'body', 'mind', and 'spirit'. Will is vague, but as my highest stat I'm not going to touch it for now. while I wouldn't mind Min-Maxing my stats later, right now I need survivability and that came from versatility. If I only focus on what was my strengths it will only increase my weaknesses.
Physique? Spirit? Perception might be useful, but I liked action, not theory. No, that wasn't right. Survival came first. My hand hovered over the Strength bar.
+1 Physique.
+1 Spirit.
The last point blinked, waiting.
+1 Perception. Done.
A "ding" echoed, soft and warm in my chest. Status points had been distributed. System confirmed.
It clicked into place, numbers sliding up in a satisfying, way. My chest felt lighter as I flexed my fingers. I wan't sure of it was placebo or if it was, really magic. I felt different, almost faster, stronger. Like I could see better and hear more. The little tweaks weren't flashy, but they were… me. Real.
I turned back to the system, then the Skills tab. I hovered. Empty. Blank. I had no idea what to expect. No suggestions, no tutorial, just a void begging to be filled.
Great
And that's when it appeared.
A small flash of red light appeared at the corner of my eye and when I turned to look , there near the zombie I killed earlier, a red orb the size of a marble laid, on the floor as of waiting to be picked up, pulsating like a heartbeat.
I walked over and reached down to pick up. It was like a glass marble but I knew it wasn't glass, it was something else, it felt like it held power inside it, like it thrummed with energy. Almost on instinct I crushed the small ball in my fist and it exploded in a flash of red light, as I feel a wave of heat rush through my veins like they were filled with fire.
Ding
Skill: Passive — Crimson Pulse
I didn't hesitate. I mentally called open the system, and the words glowed as they appeared. The system screen confirmed the skill:
Skill: Crimson Pulse (Passive)
Increases mana regeneration by +0.5 per minute
Increases mana pool by +1 a day
Allows for faster mana flow, instant casting
Requires no activation, always active
I blinked. Mana? Instant casting? I didn't think I saw a mana stat in my stats before, and before I could question it further I was overwhelmed as a rush of energy filled me, mana.
Mana or whatever it was, it felt… right. My mind felt sharper already, muscles humming beneath my skin. This wasn't just a dream anymore. This was the first piece of my power, taken with my own hands. I smiled, the first true smile that wasn't hollow.
I didn't need flashy attack skills yet—this passive alone would let me fight longer, survive longer. Every day I'll get a free stat in mana, plus once I learn other skills or spells to use the mana, I can cast them silently, instantly. That was crazy OP. But for now...
I turned back to the system info
[STATISTICS]
Name: Elion
Level: 1
Physique: 8 (10)
Mind: 14 (10)
Spirit: 9 (10)
Will: 20 (10)
Perception: 7 (10)
Free Points: 0
[SKILLS]
Passive Skills: Crimson Pulse
Active Skills: None
[BLOODLINE]
Dormant — ?
My new stats shown and the skill glowed a faint red. I felt a smile craw on my face as I looked at the system info. I still don't know what the stats exactly do, and I still don't see a mana stat so I'm guessing it's linked with 'Spirit' or 'Mind' but I'm unsure for now. Perception helped me senses. Will is unknown... I'm guessing the 10 means 'average'. so while I'm below on a few stats some are above or close to. And Will was 20, I hope that shows it's benefits soon.
But now that I updated my stats and gained a skill that leaves only one thing left to do. Weapons. I had the baseball bat and I knew the shitty manager kept a taser in the office.
I made my way to the back office thinking of my next steps. while a taser might not help against a zombie if they were a typical 'undead' zombie, it would definitely be useful against other humans.
I'm not naive or stupid enough to go play the hero. Sure I might help others if it benefits me, but I'm not looking to be a savior or hero or something. I just want to survive... and be free.
I opened the office door and rummaged through the desk drawers looking and—found it. A small black taser that also worked a flashlight, the manager had a habit of being 'Tatical' stuff cuz they "Looked cool!" it had an output of 9.2 Million volts so it would shock a grown man.
I slid it into my pocket as I made my way out to the front of the store.
If I wanted to survive I needed to get stronger, more power, more skills. I needed the strength to protect myself in this shit world... and maybe just maybe I'll reach the top.
"...But first I'm a level 1 and I need to kill some zombies."
I turned to the streets ready to take my first steps to freedom.