Chapter 5: First Ally
Jax Ryker trudged through the dense underbrush, his boots crunching on the brittle, dead foliage that had once been lush green. The battle with the Mutant Wolf had taken its toll. His muscles ached, and every step was a reminder of the brutal encounter. But more than that, the introduction of the profession system had his mind racing. Combat Specialist—it had felt right in the heat of battle, but now, in the cold aftermath, he was left wondering what else the system had to offer.
The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the world was bathed in a dim twilight. Jax knew he needed to find shelter soon. The nights were colder now, and the creatures that roamed after dark were far more dangerous. His spear, still stained with the wolf's blood, felt heavy in his hand.
Just as he considered setting up camp, a faint sound caught his attention—a rustling in the distance, followed by muffled voices. Instinctively, Jax crouched low, his senses on high alert. He moved silently, slipping through the shadows until he could make out the figures ahead.
Two people, a man and a woman, were huddled around a makeshift fire. They looked rough, like they'd been on the road for days, but they were alive and talking—arguing, more like.
"We can't stay here, Alina," the man was saying, his voice tinged with frustration. "The fuel's running out, and we're sitting ducks if anyone or anything decides to attack."
"I know, Marcus, but where do you suggest we go? It's not like we have a map with 'safe zone' marked on it," Alina shot back, her tone equally sharp.
Jax studied them from his hiding spot. They didn't seem like a threat, but in this world, appearances could be deceiving. He decided to listen a bit longer before revealing himself.
Marcus was pacing now, clearly agitated. "I just think we should move while we still can. We've been lucky so far, but luck runs out. And you know we can't trust anyone out here."
Alina sighed, rubbing her temples as if trying to stave off a headache. "Maybe you're right. I just… I'm so tired, Marcus. We haven't had a proper rest in days."
Jax could see it—the weariness in their faces, the desperation in their voices. They were like him, just trying to survive in a world that had gone to hell. He made his decision.
Stepping out from the shadows, Jax spoke up, keeping his voice calm but firm. "You two aren't going to make it out here on your own."
Marcus spun around, a knife in hand, while Alina grabbed a nearby metal pipe. Jax raised his hands in a non-threatening gesture, though he kept his spear close.
"Easy," Jax said. "I'm not here to hurt you."
"Who are you?" Marcus demanded, not lowering his knife. "And why are you sneaking around like that?"
Jax kept his voice steady. "Name's Jax. I heard you talking, and it sounds like you're in need of some help."
Alina narrowed her eyes, clearly not convinced. "How do we know we can trust you?"
"You don't," Jax replied bluntly. "But I'm not looking for trouble. I've been out here long enough to know that we've got a better chance of surviving if we work together."
Marcus and Alina exchanged a glance. It was clear they were weighing their options. Finally, Marcus lowered his knife slightly, though he didn't put it away. "What's your angle, Jax? Why help us?"
"No angle," Jax said with a shrug. "I'm just trying to make it through the night, same as you. But if you'd rather take your chances alone, that's your choice."
There was a tense silence as Marcus and Alina silently debated their next move. Jax stood still, waiting for their decision.
Finally, Alina spoke up, her voice softer than before. "We're not going to last much longer on our own. Maybe… maybe it's worth taking the risk."
Marcus hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, Jax. You can stick around. But any funny business, and you're on your own."
"Fair enough," Jax said, lowering his hands. "Let's just focus on surviving the night."
With the immediate tension defused, Jax joined them by the fire. Marcus kept his knife close, still wary, but Alina seemed to relax slightly. They shared some of their food—canned beans and a stale loaf of bread—and Jax reciprocated with some of the meat he'd managed to salvage from the Mutant Wolf. The meal was far from gourmet, but in this world, it was a feast.
As they ate, Jax learned more about his new companions. Marcus was a scavenger, skilled at finding resources in the most unlikely places. He was also a decent shot with a rifle, though ammunition was scarce these days. Alina, on the other hand, had been a medic before the collapse. She still had some medical supplies, and her knowledge of first aid was invaluable.
"So, Jax," Alina said after they'd finished eating. "What's your story?"
Jax leaned back against a tree, the warmth of the fire easing the tension in his muscles. "I was an engineer before all this. Worked on some big projects, tech stuff mostly. But when everything went to hell, I had to adapt. Now, I'm just trying to survive, same as everyone else."
"And the spear?" Marcus asked, nodding to the weapon at Jax's side.
"Made it myself," Jax said with a small smile. "It's not much, but it gets the job done."
Alina seemed intrigued. "You're good with your hands, then? That could be useful."
Jax nodded. "Yeah, I can build, repair, and salvage just about anything. And with the profession system that just unlocked, I've got a few more tricks up my sleeve."
"Profession system?" Marcus asked, frowning. "We saw something about that, but we didn't really get it."
Jax explained what he knew about the system, how it had appeared during his fight with the Mutant Wolf, and the options it presented. Alina listened intently, while Marcus seemed skeptical.
"So you're a Combat Specialist now?" Marcus asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Jax confirmed. "Gives me an edge in a fight, but I'm still figuring out the rest. There's more to it than just combat, though. You should both have options too."
Alina's eyes widened slightly. "You think I could become a Medic again? Like, officially?"
"Could be," Jax said. "It's worth checking out. The system seems to adapt to what we're already good at."
Marcus nodded slowly, finally lowering his knife. "If this system can give us an advantage, we'd be stupid not to use it."
With that, the conversation shifted back to survival tactics and their next move. They decided to set up a rotating watch, with Jax taking the first shift. As Marcus and Alina settled down to rest, Jax kept his spear close, his mind turning over the events of the day.
He hadn't expected to find allies out here, but he wasn't complaining. They were cautious, which was smart, but they weren't hostile. And in this world, that was more than he could ask for.
As the night deepened, Jax kept his eyes on the shadows, listening to the faint sounds of the world around him. The profession system still loomed large in his thoughts, but for now, he was focused on the present—on keeping his new allies safe and making it through another night.
For the first time in a long while, Jax felt a small spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to survive together. And if they did, well… that would be the real test.