The abandoned fairgrounds are where mainly the fair was displayed a few years back then in the outskirts. As a kid, I adored the rides, games, and food.
Despite all those things, the entry to get in was extremely expensive, sixty dollars per person.
Mother and Father, unfortunately, wouldn't let us continue visiting genuinely because we didn't have enough money back those few years.
I don't exactly remember how many times I've gone there, but I do miss it dearly. The last time I remember going is when I won myself those small goldfish you receive if you catch one in with a net, one could easily win.
The years go by fast.
Step.
The entrance was still a bit ahead of me. While I continued walking and glanced towards the side. My heart turns into cold stone. The memories of my childhood were being crushed like a boulder pressing against them.
The fair, just by the other side of the gates, which was once the source of joy and excitement for the community, had long since fallen into disrepair. Its once colorful and lively attractions now lay in ruins, covered in layers of dust and rust while casting an eerie shadow over the desolated landscape.
Step. step.
And the entrance gates, once filled with vibrant flags and cheerful signage, now creaked and groaned with neglect as they swayed in the wind as I opened the galvanized gates. Furthermore, the paint has long faded as I gradually stepped inside, leaving behind a ghostly reminder of its past splendor. The ticket booth, now abandoned and covered in cobwebs, stood as a sentinel of emptiness.
Step.
Nature had also begun to reclaim its territory. Weeds and vines made their way through cracked pavements, retrieving the land that had been borrowed from humans. The once-manicured lawns were now overgrown, transforming the once-merry place into a labyrinth of forgotten paths.
Walking through this abandoned fair, one couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy. The remnants of joy and laughter that once filled the air had been replaced by a heavy air of desolation. The dilapidated attractions, the peeling paint, and the empty echoes created a haunted atmosphere, leaving visitors with a lingering sense of sadness and nostalgia.
Step…
I stopped as my feet came to a halt. I glanced around, standing in what I believed was in the middle of the fairground, bringing my whole body to have a sense of regret. I felt sick.
"I guess it doesn't matter where I insert this key. Uh…let's see." I took the dungeon key from my pocket. A message popped up from it.
[Will you like to use the Key to the Apocalypse's Battleground to enter?] (Yes/No)
I answered yes and just like the last time, like inserting a regular key, a portal was opened.
Zzzzt. Wuuuu….
"Fuuuu, alright…" I placed my foot forward, then the next, fullying stepping into the other dimension. "Hm? Is this the dungeon? Nothing really has changed."
The surroundings of the fairgrounds haven't changed, except for some parts that were already torn apart and old. "Maybe the outside didn't change as well."
Creeaak…
The rusty old galvanized gates make a squeaky noise. When my eyes glanced at the outside outskirts of the city, I was perplexed as my eyes widened. "This ….what the hell happened here…"
Upon the reveal of the town's locale area, only the winds of silence engulfed while trees were torn apart. To be exact, it was a ghost town.
"The cars, houses, and trees. They've been dismantled. Has the start of the apocalypse already commenced before my arrival?" When you hear the word apocalypse, you'd instantly think of the end of the world. Zombies or any mutant creatures would bring the human race toward extinction. '...Blood?'
[2.5/100]
It was then, a notification message was alerted.
'What the?'
[A new quest is available.]
'A new quest, how about that.' To an extent, it wasn't eccentric if it was, since I mostly receive quests like my daily routines and nothing else. It wasn't a bad thing, but this doesn't seem just a regular quest….
"Confirm." Then, information on the quest appeared before me.
Tti-ring.
[Normal Quest: Collect the following items to complete the dungeon]
The apocalypse has arrived on the planet which turned everything into chaos. A virus that the people of this world call "Crestfallen", turns people into real-life brainless creatures. The virus has killed 50 million people across the world leaving despair and loss of hope. Nobody knows how it all started. The people cry for your help.
Quest Proceeding condition:
– Entry Level 1
Quest clear conditions:
– Bracelet of Devotion
Rewards:
1. One free available item of your choice
2. One special effect of your choice
3. 15+ bonus Stat points
'Holy sh*t, the rewards are better than the penalty.' Was I excited, of course. These rewards were just exactly what I need at the moment. However, what does the quest mean by saving this world? I'm not a hero.
Becoming that…is something I'm not fit for. Not anymore
I scratched my head. 'It's not like I have a choice either way. If I don't clear this dungeon I'll be stuck here forever.'
My dilemma didn't last long and resumed on my way toward the strange territory. This place wasn't Earth, it was similar but the street names and atmosphere give a completely different feeling. This place was created by the system, but it feels off.
In the far-off distance, in the direction where I supposedly was heading just at the opposite, there stood a massive crunch of ripped-off concrete that was mushed together, creating a large compound dyed with red color.
As I further walked in that direction, more and more similarities of those large compounds were revealed. It felt eerie.
"Is there anybody still at this place?" The place looked more towards sci-fi. Its domain was a bit tricky to experience so I made sure to memorize the surrounding area of it, in case I get lost on the way. Soon, however…
My steps come to a stop not long after. My ears started to pick on something.
"Bullets? ….Machine guns….yelling." I could recognize the sounds of weapons firing but I couldn't yet confirm if the yelling was real.
I shook my head in disbelief after what I just thought. 'I think the previous dungeon left me feeling a bit anxious.'
Even so, I can't just be here to conundrum myself.
Right away, I started speeding my way toward the sounds.
Swoosh!
It wasn't before long I arrived and quickly hid myself behind one of the demolished buildings. I peeked my head and soon could identify five to ten individuals who were fighting off something. 'Is that….'
[Incomplete Low-Ranked Crestfallen]
[Incomplete Junior-Ranked Crestfallen]
Kieeek!!
Crrieeeakk!!
Boom, boom Boom!!
An explosion occurred, aside from their hand-made weapons, I could smell gunpowder where I hid. My sense must've gotten sharper.
Even so, judging some of their artillery they possessed. The battle seemed ferouscis as their sense of courage dropped immensely. I could sense their feelings and breathing seemingly getting tired and nervous just by fighting these creatures.
It was a pain in the ass just sight seeing this. It got me infuriating just watching them fight off those monsters.
My body shook in urgency. Are these symptoms of getting addicted towards leveling? It must be.
'Tsk…. what a pain." I took my revolver in possession. 'At least this should help them a little.' Even so, I wasn't planning on stepping in the fight since the start. While the quest did say this world needs help and because I need to quickly level up, I really don't plan on fully helping those in need.
[6/100]
But, for a small favor, injuring both creatures should do the trick.
I concentrated my energy on my revolver and I tried to maximize as low as possible. I only wanted to injure them a little, not instantly kill them. If I were just to shoot instinct without the propers of my mana, those magical creatures would already be dead. I don't wanna attract some awareness for the time being at least.
[You have learned the skill 'Tranquility Suppressor'.]
'A new skill. What a generous day it has been. I guess this isn't so bad.'
Pew, pew!
Kiieek?
Crriiiiieeek?!
The two seemed to notice my attacks. My bullets slightly pierced into their skin. Unfortunately for them, they were instantly bound to fall by their opponents because of their carelessness looking away from their enemy.
Shing!
Bang, bang!
Kwajeeck!
Burururururururu!!
Their weapons pierced deeply into their opponents while their blood gushed out like heavy water, leading them to victory.
[You have leveled up!]
***
Lina POV:
It was around a decade. Years before everything had fallen.
On a spring day on Wednesday evening at exactly 1:15. School still was in session, but lunch was just right around the corner. The bell had just barely ranged and everybody in class left class while we waved goodbye towards our teacher. At the time, I never thought that it would be our last goodbye to her.
"Hey, hey, Lina! Let's get lunch at Kalmart! Please~ I don't wanna go alone."
"Itzel, please don't cling on me, you're gonna break my arm one day."
"Hmph, don't wannaaa~"
Itzel, one of my best friends since our elementary years. We had our fair shares, I mean, ever since the start of the apocalypse, we both stuck together in this world for our survival.
I just wished we could at least have a few more years to see this happening.
A while, just after our lunch purchase, when we were walking back, talking and laughing, the sky, which was once a colorful blue with very textual clouds, suddenly turned orange. The clouds turned dark and the skies roared.
Itzel's arm clinged towards mine, probably because she was paranoid. She easily gets scared.
"Lina...I don't like this. L-let's go back quickly, staying here is making me feel uneasy...."
I nodded and we both started jogging our way back. Itzel couldn't run as fast as I could, her fatigue body isn't fit to become athletic.
I'm in the same situation myself, however I wasn't struggling as much as Itzel since I took cross country last year sophomore.
"Haah….haah…hurry Itzel, we're almost there!"
Iztel struggled. Rather she took more deep pants than me.
"Haah, haah, haaah….."
"Almost there, still a little…..more….."
I stopped and loosen Itzel's palm. Noticing my weird behavior, she asked.
"Lina…. W-what's wrong?"
I couldn't say anything. My eyes were wiped open and my chest bumped out hard. I couldn't answer Itzel's question. Probably because I was struck by pure shock and disturbed by the scene.
I pointed my finger towards the school.
To her horror, she covered her mouth in disgust and fright as her legs gave in and fell.
Tears started to form her eyes. Our school campus.
At one point where you hang out with your friends, fool around, get in trouble and get yelled at for the dumbest reasons. Has turned into hell.
Fire engulfed the school, burning everything in sight. The classrooms were packed with smock and the screams of young teenagers.
The screams of my classrooms yelling for help and calling out for anybody.
Others were running away while some were holding on to their near dying companions in their arms sobbing uncontrollably.
Itzel cried. I wanted to cry too, but staying here and sobbing isn't going to make things better.
I wiped my tears and hurriedly grabbed onto her arm. "Come on, we have to get out of here!"
Itzel looked at me with a short pause and soon turned furious. "Leave? Leave!? A Lot of our friends are still trapped in our school while they're being burned alive or have no way out! And you want us to leave!?!? How incompetent can you be as a friend?! We've got to save them!"
I replied back in anger as well. "This may look like I'm an incomplete heartless person. But I know damn well some of them are still in there! I'm doing this for the two of us! The safety of both of us! But we can't do anything at the moment! Nothing Itzel!!"
She got, probably for me to hear her voice towards mine. "Nothing? Nothing!!? We CAN do something!!?" She hurriedly looked around to see options for aid. "W-we can get them out of the window! Y-yes we can do that, right Lina…? Lina…."
She looks at me with desolated eyes. The sparkle in her eyes that shined brightly were now gone. Leaving her eyes pure black.
She clutches on my clothes and presses her whole body towards mine. "....Please tell me we can save them…."
Finally, she bursts into tears. I couldn't watch this sight of her. It makes me want to cry as well.
BOOM!
Suddenly an explosion occurred. It disseminated a few classroom buildings while glass shattered reaching towards our direction. I quickly covered Iztel's body for her safety. She shrieked.
'At least let me protect you.' Her words were hurtful. I guess she was right. Perhaps I am a heartless person. I didn't want to get into any danger towards myself and Itzel.
Maybe I only wanted to prioritize my safety first above everybody else.
But my friends are dead and I don't have anybody else besides Itzel.
'Itzel…' At least let me protect you, to prove that I am someone who helps those in need.
Overwhelmed by fear, I closed my eyes, afraid that glass would pierced my body effortlessly without disregard. Nothing happened.
I peeked through my eyelids a little and my face lit up in surprise. Lucas, one of the boys in our grade, appeared before me with his arms in the air, lifting up the glass in the air?
He turned towards us. "You girls alright!?"
I nodded and turned my head towards Itzel. She passed out, probably from shock and traumatized by the deaths of our classmates.
"H-how d—"
Lucas cut me off. "I'll explain everything soon, but for now please go towards a safer place. My arms are starting to hurt, please!"
Struggling to pick up Itzel with both arms, I quickly left the scene and headed towards a safer area. I glanced back again.
"Go, go!" Lucas shouted.
I bit my lips. The bitterness of blood I tasted made me sick.