Vance opened his eyes and found himself in an unfamiliar place.
He sat on the bed and looked around. It looked like an office, but it had a bed, which he was currently sitting on.
"Where am I?"
Without warning, gold screens began to pop up in his face.
"What's this? Why are there so many screens popping up? Damn it, so annoying."
[So, you're awake?]
"Oh, System. Why did so many screens pop up?"
[Well, what did you expect? You've killed hundreds of zombies, so it's only natural that you'll level up, right? Do you want me to filter it out?]
"Please."
One by one, the golden screens that filled Vance's face began to disappear, leaving two screens left.
"What's this?"
_____________
You have gained an Achievement!
You finished the First Wave without any assistance.
You have obtained the following rewards: 10GP and a Longsword (Low).
_____________
_____________
You have killed a hundred zombies in a span of a minute!
You have gained the title: Zombie Slayer.
_____________
Vance looked strangely at this screen.
"An Achievement? When did you have this function, System?"
[I just remembered it right now. Achievement is an exclusive function of a personal system. It looks at the records of the achievements that you have done and analyzes if it's worthy of giving a reward for it.]
"I haven't heard of a Zombie Slayer title before. Well, I don't think anyone can solo kill a zombie wave at the beginning stage of the Apocalypse either. Is the title just an ornament?"
[No, it has a certain effect. You can see it by uttering the title.]
"I see, then Zombie Slayer."
Right after saying the title, a golden screen popped up.
_____________
Zombie Slayer
- 10% increased damage to zombie-type monsters.
_____________
"10% increase, huh? This will definitely be useful when fighting high-level zombies. Let's look at the rewards next."
"Hm? GP? Is it different from the Points currency from the normal System?"
[Yes, GP or Gold Points is used as the currency for the Shop in a personal system.]
"I see. Well, I can't use Points before the Fifth Wave, so I'll let it pile up for now. Next is the second reward, a longsword."
"My main weapon is a spear, so it'll feel a little uncomfortable to use it, but I can't keep using that metal pipe either. It will easily break against low-ranked monsters. I'll just get used to it, I guess."
"The main question is… where's the longsword?"
Vance looked around him, but no matter where he looked, he couldn't find it either.
Items that are dropped are normally generated beside the person who completed a quest. Vance assumed that was also the case after completing an Achievement.
"Wait... If I achieved the Achievement right after killing all the zombies, then the longsword should appear at the place where I achieved it… then did I leave it at that building?"
[No, you didn't leave it. It's in your Inventory.]
"Inventory? Now that's the second unfamiliar thing I heard today. The Achievement being the first."
[I was also quite surprised. You can check your Inventory by also uttering it.]
"Then, Inventory."
A golden screen with a 4-by-4 square in it appeared. Two of the squares had a picture on them. One was a longsword that came from the reward, and the other was a spear, but this spear was too familiar to Vance.
"This spear… Isn't this my spear, Blood-Thorned Spear!? How did it come here? I thought I left it behind on that day!"
[It seems like your spear is a soul-bound one. That's why it was able to come with you even after time traveling.]
"Soul-bound? Doesn't that need a soul contract? I do remember offering a soul contract to my spear, but the contract just kept being destroyed every time I offered it."
[Soul Contract isn't the only way to have it soul-bound with you. If the weapon is with you ever since its birth, then it's possible to naturally form a soul-bound connection.]
"I obtained that spear in the ruins though. I shouldn't be able to form a soul-bound connection... Ah! I do feed my blood to it every day."
[...]
"What's wrong? Why are you quiet all of a sudden?"
[Huh!!? You're asking me what's wrong!? I should be asking that! Why would you feed your blood to a spear every day!?]
"Well, it's always soaked in my blood every time I'm in a battle. Because of its special attribute to absorb blood, I just let it absorb my blood... Wait, why do I feel like being pushed back here? I'm the master."
[Who even cares about that!? Listen, you must never, never feed your blood to this spear again, nor anyone, nor anything else! Got that!?]
"Uh... okay, okay. Do you have to shout like that?"
[I feel like you don't get it, so I'll explain it to you carefully. Your blood right now has Divine Energy flowing with it. It is the purest thing in this universe. If someone gets their hands on your blood, even the tiniest bit of it, all hell will break loose. That's why you have to be careful. Do you understand?]
Before Vance could answer, a knock was suddenly heard from the door.
Knock! Knock!
However, Vance didn't get up yet to open the door. He just stared at the System.
[...]
He closed his eyes after a short while and sighed, then he stood up but didn't go to the door yet.
"I don't know what will happen since you seem to not want to talk about it, but fine, I won't use the Blood-Thorn Spear. I can't use it with the level restriction anyway."
[I'm sorry. I can't tell you anything yet.]
Vance smiled and shook his head. "It's fine. I'll go get the door."
He went to the door and opened it. On the other side was a young woman wearing a maid uniform.
"A maid...?"
Seeing Vance, the maid smiled and bowed to him, saying, "Good morning, Young Master. Did I disturb you just now?"
"No, you didn't. Wait... morning? How long did I sleep for?"
"I believe you slept for a whole day, Young Master."
"For a day!? I can't believe I slept for that long. Right, do you mind me asking? Where are we right now?"
Vance asked the maid, although he pretty much already knew the answer.
"We are at the Techno Company Building right now, Young Master."
Vance thought as much. He just wanted to make sure.
"Ms. Maid, isn't it about time you state your reasons for coming here?"
"Ah... Yes. The President asked if he could meet you right now. He also said that you don't have to if you have other business to attend to." The maid said stiffly.
"No, I'll go right now. Lead the way."
The maid smiled and bowed. "Of course."
The trip was short since Vance's room and the President's office were on the same floor.
But on the way there, Vance noticed something strange. Every person they encountered immediately bowed and gave strange respect once they laid their eyes on him.
They've figured out that I was the one who made that huge hole. I guess this will not go the way I want it to, huh? How did they even find out though?
In the past timeline, Vance was a young man desperate to survive. He didn't have the strength that he has right now.
Just when he was about to be eaten by zombies because of his mistake, the President rescued him and invited him to their shelter. Then, over time, they built a relationship that was strengthened by hardships.
In fact, he even treated the President as his father more than his own.
Vance just sighed exhaustedly.
"We have arrived, Young Master. Please go ahead inside."
The young maid's voice woke Vance up from his reminiscing of the past.
In front of them was a large wooden double door with very intricate carvings.
Vance opened the door and entered the room.
The room was very bright because of the light that pierced through the two side see-through windows. There was a desk and a chair where the President was seated.
In front of the desk were two sofas facing each other with a glass table in the middle. At each middle end of the table was an armchair.
There were five black-suited men in the room, each with a handgun hiding behind their backs. They were staring intensely at Vance.
They're really being cautious. One wrong move and they'll point their guns at my head without hesitation.
In a second, Vance figured out the mood in this room. The result was: Too Stiff.
Now, how should I handle this situation?