Walking through the bustling streets I made my way through an eatery. Phone in my hand and my eyes locked to the screen. Typing away on my notes, the eatery was as usual full of brawny men who had day jobs at the nearby construction site. "Oi, what would you like this time Diyana?!" The lady behind the counter shouted at me.
"Hmm? A cola for me Manang" looking up from my phone I smiled at the auntie at the counter. Giving me a thumbs up she went and got me my cola.
I felt the chair in front of me being lifted. Looking up again I looked at the elderly woman. Her arms wrinkly, and covered with symbolic tattoos, her face bore the age of wisdom. "Lola!" (Grandma) I greeted the woman in front of me. Her eyes crinkle and her hand sets the cane beside the table.
"Aking gunita" (my memory) she addresses me, though I could not understand her native language I sure do know that she calls me my memory. An endearment that she calls me in stead of her lost daughter.
"What can you tell me for today Lola?" I always like to listen to her stories, her stories bring a bewitching feeling. She speaks of her native home, the current news, or the latest gossip and she always tells it in a way like a tarot reader tells the results of the cards. Sometimes she brings paper puppets, telling the story with visual aid that adds the olden feel.
But I can tell that she didn't bring puppets so I waited for her. "Gunita are you ok?" She asked me concerned. My smile froze and I looked at her confused.
"I'm ok? Lola why are you asking me this?" I smiled wearily, sometimes when she does this almost after she warns me something is really going to happen. "Lola is something clouding me again?" She tells me that she can see the energy of people, like her ancestors do. She hails a god of her people, she brings offerings to trees, plants and everything that brings life.
She is particularly close to nature one can tell. And because she is so close with nature, she can almost tell something will go wrong. Though, at first I didn't believe her, but after the numerous times that my life was saved because I was extra careful due to her warnings I started to believe her. It was just too many incidents just for it to be a coincidence.
"Have you done something that can cause such bad karma? Ayayay did you raze down an entire forest on your past life or something?" She tsked and looked at me, but I can tell she wasn't really looking at me. I was really starting to get unnerved, the recent accidents were increasing daily that Lola had to add me to one of her prayers.
"Nothing really, I just stayed in my room like usual reading novels and reviewing some creators works." I noticed how she sighed and pulled out a bundle of berries. And my face scrunched up in a bitter memory. "Lola c'mon I don't wanna eat those again. I just drank cola, urgghh Lolaaa" she shoved the berries in front of me.
"Eat it," she waved a berry. If it was a blue berry I would've gladly eaten it, but that berry was from the wilds it was bitter and it made my teeth become red. "I prayed to Dumangan, to have to eat this."
"Dumangan? Who was that again? The God of good harvest?" I avoided the berry, but she pinched my hand. Where does she have this pinching power come from?!
"Eat or you will be eaten by a Bakunawa"
"Lola I will not be eaten by some uhh Bakunawa?? Wait isn't that the Giant sea serpant?" In my haste to get away, I toppled over the chair. "Oop-!" I can hear cackling above me, I smiled and rolled my eyes. "I'll eat it later Lola, I really don't wanna eat that for now." I waved at her, seeing the scrutinizing gaze that she shot at me. "I promise" I added for safe measure.
I stood up, the clock in my wrist glistened. And I took a peek at the time, seeing that it was around 9, I grabbed my phone and cola. "Lola, I'll go home first." I waved my phone. "I still have a reviewing to do. I'll be back on lunch I swear!" She chuckled. "See ya!" She waved at me, her figure blocked by men as I went out of the eatery.
In truth, I just wanted to write in my notebook. And maybe just kinda get away from that berry.
I crossed the road, with my phone in hand. The cola which was on my other hand was crushed under me, my backpack was barely hanging on my shoulders. And a wave of pain assaulted my whole being.
My vision was clouded with a looming shadow, is that a large wheel? The ringing in my ears was almost ear piercing. I couldn't grasp what just happened, my body hurts. A truck maybe? I could hear people saying a vehicle, over the ringing of my ears.
I cannot feel my body anymore. I can't breathe, but it's not scary or does it hurt.
'Ah I've been hit by a truck'
The thought came in late, the pain was much faster. Panic didn't come, nor was the fact that I was dying. I was drowning, drowning by my own blood. 'breathe' I forgot how to breathe. All the air was knocked out, and when I did try to breathe a steady flow of warm liquid pooled on my mouth and slid from the corner of my lips.
Ringing, it was loud. Yet it was quiet. I couldn't register anything. But I knew my situation.
For a second I stayed in that state, all the fight left me. But seeing the fact that if I stay in this state, the will to live stirred awake.
I fought to open my eyes, blurred, bright and undistinguishable. That's all I could even register before the pain in my body shifted.
And when I mean shifted, I mean the blood on my lips ceased to drip the pain on my arms and legs were gone. And instead a huge wave of pain assaulted my stomach area. My spine which I thought was broken, doesn't hurt anymore. But the gapping headache that I was feeling did hurt quite a bit.
I should've eaten that berry then if I knew I would be in this situation, just what in tarnation have I done to deserve this entire ordeal. I fought to regain my sight, but the things in front of me continued to swirl and only faint silhouettes was visible at the moment.
The faintest image flashed through my mind. And then I was assaulted by numerous of them. Brief description, images, scenes, random thoughts, blurry as they were coming, some oddly vivid, it was at that moment I realized they weren't images. They were memories.
They weren't mine, no. It wasn't mine, but it was mine. To be precise, it was hers. Saying, in a way it was mine.
Everything was so jumbled up that I hardly knew where it was left or right. I am in a state of confusion, but in this state I knew that this wasn't my body anymore.
No, it was the thing that I often ended up daydreaming about.
I transmigrated.
⟨⟨S Y S T E M---- loading⟩⟩
And oh would you look at that, I also have one of these.
In my state of disbelief came the huge feeling of wanting to laugh. Everything was on point, the way I died, the way all this came next. It was almost as if I'm living off someone's writings. But I knew that this was my reality now. It made me want to laugh all throughout this bullshit. Contrary I didn't want this, I didn't want it to happen to me. This was probably karma to all the critiques that I gave to those authors.
I hate this universe.
I fought to open my eyes, and so I did.
The first thing that I noticed was the red cola that was crushed, my backpack, my watch and my phone, and me lying in the cold tiles. The pain in my stomach came from the fact that I died collapsing in hunger, which led my head hitting the corner of the table and I thus bled out to death.
It has been 3 weeks and 2 days. Since humanity perished under the tombs, portals, dungeons, and the world's unexpected geographical change. Yes, it was how humanity perished. These mysterious things popped out so suddenly that before anything could be done everything perished.
3 weeks and 2 days this was also how long I was stuck under my house's basement cowering and hiding from the beings outside the now empty neighborhood.
3 weeks and 2 days ago, I just went home after school. I was doing my laundry before the earth quaked under my feet, and resounding roars and terrified screams filled the air. I knew for sure that something had happened, the radio announced everything that I knew about the whole phenomenal before it died on static.
Never once did I have the courage to go outside, and thus wilted in here in hunger.
⟨⟨Greetings, Host. I am the System. I am here to assist you on your journey through the apocalyptic world. Your primary objective is to 'Survive'.⟩⟩
My blurry vision focused on the blue pop up that was in front of me. It's message was slightly disturbing, but nonetheless somewhat not new to me. It was always along the lines of those. I watched as new words replaced the message.
⟨⟨The host has been selected and 'restarted'. Best of luck on your forthcoming ventures.⟩⟩
⟨⟨Initiating system prompt: Please assess the current status of your physical condition.⟩⟩
It prompted me to open my status, like most do when they are in this position.
"Status.." my voice came out weak, and most noticably more younger. I resisted the urge to cough. My dry throat gave a number, and I gave a labored breath.
⟨⟨ Name: Diyana Susas Tuban--» Nadia Romanov
Race : Human
»Lvl: 0
Exp: 0/50
HP›› 50 / 100
MP›› 100 / 100
» STR:1
» END: 2
» SPE: 2
» AGI: 2
» ACC: 3
» CHA: 5
Status points: 0 ⟩⟩
⟨⟨It is noted that host has Hunger status; -1 HP every 5 minutes.⟩⟩
⟨⟨Task! Secure food
»Rewards:
›+10 EXP
›1 status point
›Hunger status eliminated.⟩⟩
Numerous blue Windows popped up in my vision. And I took priority on looking at the task that was given, and scanning just my stats. I wobbled trying to stand up. I leaned on the cool wall of the basement, and grabbing my bag pack as I did so. My bag rustled as I opened it, I grabbed the numerous junk food that I was planning on binge eating and tossed them across the tiled floor.
⟨⟨ Task! Secure food• Completed!
»Rewards:
›+10 EXP
›1 status point
›Hunger status eliminated.⟩⟩
The window popped out again, this time along with it the pain subsided in my stomach. Just as the system dinged in the notification, the hunger status that I had was eliminated. I grabbed a pack of biscuits and tore it open. Stuffing two pieces in my mouth, I chewed on pretty aggressively. As I do so, I opened my status screen to see what changed.
⟨⟨ Name: Diyana Susas Tuban--» Nadia Romanov
Race : Human
»Lvl: 0
Exp: 10/50
HP›› 50 / 100
MP›› 100 / 100
» STR: 2
» END: 2
» SPE: 2
» AGI: 2
» ACC: 3
» CHA: 5
Status points: 0 ⟩⟩
My experience had risen to 10, and I now have 1 SP. I didn't bother trying to decide which slot I'm going to put that one 1 SP, and just randomly put it on strength. I tried hard gathering myself in this jumbled mess. I grabbed the watch that I had and brought it close up to my face. I watched as the pointer ticked by, and found it miraculous that it wasn't broken.
"9:30 am. The time also was adjusted huh?" I grabbed something to support me. And managed to grab the table that ultimately was the cause of my death. I munched on the pack in my hand, and reached out to grab another one. I scattered the rest of the things from my bag, on the table.
Notebook, my pencil case, another notebook, my make-up pouch which only had a chapstick, a liptint and a compact powder in it. And that little bag that Lola gave me was full of herbs and wax sealed bottles.
I fiddled with the wax sealed bottles, there were 7 in total. All of them were unique, some had what looks to be like sand and some were eccentric pitch black. The moment I touched one of those a notification popped up.
⟨⟨You have obtained 7 potions, would you like to convert them into status points?⟩⟩
"Potions?" I hurried to look back at the mini bottles at my hands. Testing the waters of this new found system I prob further to question. "Can I use this as a healing potion or boost potions?" An unnecessary question popped up.
⟨⟨The potions currently held do not meet the necessary criteria and are classified as luck charms. The system can solely convert them into Status points.⟩⟩
"I see," I could only mutter remembering how unlucky I was that Lola had to make these for me. "Convert them." I watched as the potions disappeared from my hands. Another notification popped up.
⟨⟨status points: 35⟩⟩
"I can't tell if Lola really is a tribe woman or a witch." I looked at the points that appeared. After reading all that stories, having this much points after just waking up can only mean one thing. The heroine's halo was working. "Maybe she's both." Or not, maybe those luck potions are just working thats why I got these points.
⟨⟨
» STR: 2 --› 10
» END: 2 --› 10
» SPE: 2 --› 10
» AGI: 2 --› 10
» ACC: 3 --› 5
» CHA: 5 --› 6
⟩⟩
I decisively put the points on my physical capabilities. And instantly noticed how my body became lighter in the process. And that numbing feeling that I got on my stomach area and back was now gone. I switched my attention back to the situation. A plan was already forming on my mind.
I ate another pack of biscuits, before scanning what's inside my notebook and seeing if those can make a window pop up. And to my surprise it did, because I honestly just prepared myself to not get anymore-
⟨⟨level too low to activate⟩⟩
-or maybe those status points are over my head. Of course my level is gonna be dang low for these things to be useful.
Gathering all of it back and putting it all in my bag. I looked around the place and noticed a few things. One the bag was much bigger than I originally thought, two I was wearing jeans and a simple black shirt, and three I needed more spare clothing. I went to the pile of laundry and took the ones that I managed to get cleaned and shoved it all in my backpack.
If I didn't know any better, I would've stayed here like the previous owner of this body. 16, that's the age of this body. Doesn't have any siblings nor parents and only lived by the pocket money given by the government, house owned by the government and will be kicked out once I turned 18. Marvelous.
I looked around the basement to see what I could use as a weapon. Everything has been cleaned up. It was still a wonder how this basement hadn't collapsed yet. With only wooden pillars as support, it should've been collapsing with the earth shattering footsteps outside the basement.
"Hey system, how will you be able to help me out in this situation?" I didn't mean it to be sarcastic. But it came out like it did.
⟨⟨The basement originally served as a military bunker before being repurposed into a residence for civilians. This information addresses the Host's query regarding the basement's structural integrity.⟩⟩
"A bunker..."
⟨⟨Task! Secure weapon
»Rewards:
›+10 EXP
›1 status point
›weapon⟩⟩
"God fucking damn it." I couldn't help but mutter. My words caused the task trigger.
"Bunker...bunker..bunker...." Muttering I looked along the concrete walls. My eyes followed the pipe supplying the dwindling water. Along the walls that supported the pipe; the paint was gradually miscolored and then it turned back into the usual color.
Walking up to it, I curiously followed the lines of a square. I knocked on it with my knuckle and a hallowed sound was heard. "Is this metal?" I knocked again.
⟨⟨I D E N T I F Y I N G... It is indeed metal⟩⟩
The paint was falling apart so it was not that hard to peel off. Though some did get stuck on my nails, I wasn't that bothered by it. The paint came off and it revealed a metal safe. It was screwed shut, it was apparent that something was behind it. It didn't seem like it was for wires, since the one for it was on the other side of the room. And if it is it wouldn't be painted over.
After thinking about it, I decided to test my STR: 10.
"How many percent is it likely that I could break this." I touched the metal safe.
⟨⟨89%⟩⟩
And as I expected the system helped me as I was prompted before.
I clenched my fist and struck the metal. It became unhinged with that one strike, briefly whistling in amazement in my mind. I struck another fist on the metal, due to the slight dull pain in my hands the second punch was slightly weaker than I intended. On the third try, I decided to ignore all the dull aching and went in with all my strength.
A blue glowing mist wrapped around my fingers up to my wrist. And could feel like I can blow up the metal safe without any worries. A thought instantly went up to my mind 'ah so this is mana'.
Within the third punch the metal slab crumbled under my fist. And it was blown over.
⟨⟨MP: 95/100⟩⟩
⟨⟨ Congratulations! You have earned the skill «Mana Fist» ⟩⟩
I raised an eyebrow, the information on the new skill that I got filled my mind. It can now be activated at will depending on how much MP points I was willing to let it eat. In this case, it ate 5 MP points, if I fed it more than that it would have blown up the wall.
Shifting my attention at the now broken safe. I peeked my eyes inside, curious as to what was hidden. To my surprise, I found canned food a water bottle and a harness that had two army knife that doesn't slip (it has gripped feature). I first grabbed the canned food and found out it was expired, grabbed the water bottle and found out it was empty. And then I grabbed the harness that had the knives.
I looked at the white case behind all of the other things, and pulled it out. It was an emergency kit, and inside was two bottles of painkillers that would expire around next year. And some hefty amount of bandages and white wraps.
"It seemed like it was an emergency reserve that was forgotten." I murmured after seeing the sign that was inside the safe.
⟨⟨Task! Secure weapon• Completed!
»Rewards:
›+10 EXP
›1 status point
›weapon⟩⟩
Seeing the window pop up, i opened my mouth curious. "Status."
⟨⟨ Name: Diyana Susas Tuban--» Nadia Romanov
Race : Human
»Lvl: 0
Exp: 20/50
HP›› 50 / 100
MP›› 96 / 100
» STR: 10
» END: 10
» SPE: 10
» AGI: 10
» ACC: 5
» CHA: 6
Skills:
«Mana Fist» Lv: 0
Status points: 1 ⟩⟩
"Mana fist although I can let it eat as much Mana-.. it cannot exceed 5 MP? Is it because it isn't leveled up?" I looked at the skill and realized it. I moved my eyes on the status point, "I should put the SP on accuracy." I watched as the number rose up, and felt how nimble my body suddenly became.
"Looks like attending all those martial classes, and serving the military for 2 years is finally being used." I strapped the harness around my thighs, I adjusted it before securing the belt.
Suddenly the ground shook, and I dropped to the ground for my life. "What the heck was that?" The resounding roar answered my question.
I waited for awhile before I stood up and looked for the entrance of the basement. But not before filling up the empty water bottle with tap water.
The stairs were covered with debris, and the door leading outside was covered with a thick log. After putting my ear on the log and knowing that there are no footsteps outside did I punch a hole through the log.
⟨⟨MP: 77/100⟩⟩
⟨⟨«Mana fist» Lv 0 —› Lv 1⟩⟩
The notification was seen on my peripheral vision. I hoisted my body out of the basement, and outside was my fallen house. Everything was just wood, and more wood. I looked around and found that there were large clusters of wolves. But the more I looked the more I noticed that it was more than your average wolf.
I hid behind the log the covered my whole body. A pack, it was a pack of horned, blood colored, gigantic wolves.
"At this rate staying back in the basement is more tempting than I thought." Biting back my tongue I ducked my head when one of the wolves raised their head from the carcass they were eating. "System what can you do?"
⟨⟨S C A N N I N G....found a human heartbeat within radius.⟩⟩
"I asked for help not for more trouble! god damn it!" I moved my eyes at the same structured house that I have. I briefly remembered that I had a school mate living in my neighborhood. And that person had his room stationed in the basement.
"Fuuuuuckkkk" cursing myself thinking about the impulsive thought that possessed my body. I quickly hid under all the pieces of rubble that was left of my house. Hastily ducking and scrambling across the street, I finally made it to the entrance of my neighbor's basement.
I looked over to the pack of wolves and saw that they had their fill. Some of them were already heading back to the hill that sprouted, it looked like one of the dungeons or spawn points that were mentioned. After all of the wolves were gone I hurriedly knocked on the door of the basement.
Unlike my predicament, this wasn't covered with a log. It was relatively unscathed, and I feel like it had been opened once or twice.
"Oi! Open up!" I Hastily knocked fearing that if I stay outside like this. More monsters would roam around after those packs of wolves. "Open up or I'm gonna punch this open." Although I feel like my voice won't convince the person on the other side. But I was serious about punching my way through.
I heard a noise, and the basement door was swung open. A bat was swung to my head, and my head would've reduced to a mushy state if I didn't duck on time. Crouching, and putting force on my legs I tackled the person who swung the bat. Our center of gravity shifted, and we tumbled on the stairs, the basement door was shut close once again.
Switching our position, the person I tackled crashed back first on the carpeted floor. Trying to swing the bat again, I decisively kicked the person's wrist harshly knocking away the bat. With one hand holding the left wrist of the person, and a leg stomping down on the right wrist. I sat down on the person's chest. I grabbed the army knife that was bare to see from my thigh, and held it up to the person's neck.
"Hello senpai." I blandly stated, not amused at the surprised look the boy under me revealed.