As the sixth hour arrived, all four of them received the notification they'd been waiting for. In an instant, the system unlocked each of their class abilities, transforming their potential into real power.
Eric practically burst with excitement as he reviewed his new skills. He had unlocked three basic elemental spells for two elements—fire and water.
His grin was infectious as he raised his hands and tested them out, tiny flames sparking at his fingertips before he shot a small jet of water across the rooftop. "This is it!" he laughed, looking at Laura with exhilaration in his eyes. "I'm going to be the strongest there is!"
Laura watched him with a small smile, his enthusiasm momentarily lifting the somber mood. "Just don't let it go to your head," she replied with a teasing smirk. "Power's good, but control is better. You'll need both."
Miara, the team's Healer, unlocked two basic healing spells. Though she was still a low-level system user, these abilities gave her something more concrete to contribute. Her hands glowed with a soft green light as she tested her healing aura, excitement mixed with nervousness on her face.
"It's a start," Laura told her, nodding in approval. "Use every chance you get to practice. Healing is one of the most valuable skills anyone can have out here."
Miara nodded, her confidence bolstered by Laura's words. She knew that staying alive was going to be tough, but now she had a purpose—to keep her new allies safe.
Essei, the Archer, had gained two abilities as well: Target Lock and Basic Aiming. Although she was still inexperienced in archery, these skills would give her a foundation to build upon. She was already practicing drawing her bow, her focus sharpening as she used Target Lock to single out points in the distance. The small improvements from these abilities were noticeable, and Laura observed her critically, making a mental note to help train her further.
"Keep practicing," Laura said. "Target Lock and Aiming will be your best friends. Archery's about precision—every shot needs to count."
Essei gave a determined nod, her initial anxiety replaced by newfound determination. She knew she had a lot to learn, but Laura's guidance gave her hope.
Then there was Laura herself. Her Summoner class unlocked four basic summoning skills, each one calling forth a different type of creature. She tested them out one by one, summoning small, spectral forms that floated around her—a winged wisp, a sleek wolf, a stone-scaled serpent, and a flickering shadow creature. The creatures, though small, brimmed with potential and versatility, and she couldn't wait to explore each one's abilities further. She knew her Summoner class was powerful, and these basic skills were only a glimpse of the strength it held.
Beyond the skill unlocks, another notification appeared for both Laura and Eric—a reward for their performance during the first two waves.
Laura's Rewards:
[+50 unallocated points, Necklace of Stark the Bold, +100 Apocalypse Cents]
[Unallocated points: They are points rewarded to a system and aren't assigned to a specific attribute. The system user can then allocate these points to whatever attribute they so wish.]
[Necklace of Stark the Bold (Rare-ranked Necklace): A rare piece of magic item with owned by the Great Stark, it allows the wearer to boost their attributes by 5%. An invaluable asset as there's only one of its kind.]
[Apocalypse Cents: A type of currency that is usable in the system's Shop category. It can be transferred between system users as well.]
Eric's Rewards:
[+30 Unallocated points, New Skill: Steam Blast.]
[Steam Blast: This skill is a basic elemental attack that combines both fire and water abilities, to create a steam-like burst capable of disorienting enemies and also act as a smoke screen.]
Eric looked as if he'd just won a prize. "This is perfect!" he exclaimed, thrilled with his new capabilities.
After a few minutes, Laura called the group together. "Alright, now that we've all unlocked a part of our skills, it's time to put them to use. This rooftop is our temporary base. Although I said it's safe, that only applies to humans, but it's vulnerable. Vulnerable to the creature of the apocalypse who continue to walk around."
"We'll need to fortify it like I stated earlier today. Set up defenses, and organize a watch rotation. We can't take any chances."
Eric was still buzzing with energy, his mind racing with ideas for his new spells. "Laura," he asked eagerly, "should we start setting traps with my fire and water spells? Maybe I could even create some steam barriers to throw off any creatures that try to come up."
Laura nodded thoughtfully. "Good idea, Eric. Steam might disorient them, and if we combine that with some physical barriers, we can keep most creatures at a distance. Start testing it out but don't use too much mana at once."
She then turned to Miara. "Miara, I want you to stay close to Eric—practice using your healing spells whenever you can, especially if he gets worn out."
Miara nodded, her gaze flickering with newfound confidence. "Got it."
Laura then turned to Essei. "For you, Essei, I want you focused on scouting and precision. Start practicing with Target Lock at various distances, and familiarize yourself with the rooftops around us. You'll be our lookout, and those skills will help you take down threats from afar before they get close."
Essei straightened, her expression serious. "Understood."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a dark orange hue over the ruined city, the group got to work, each of them contributing to the defenses and preparing for what lay ahead.
They blocked off stairwells with debris from the building, stacked makeshift barriers near entrances, and marked areas where Eric could set up his steam traps.
Finally, as the last light faded and night fully embraced the city, Laura called them to gather around. "We've done well so far, but this is only the beginning," she said, her voice steady but carrying a note of caution.
"The apocalypse will only grow more difficult, and we need to be ready for anything. Ration your energy and food, keep your minds sharp, and trust each other. Together, we can survive this."
The group nodded, a sense of unity forming among them. They were no longer four strangers thrown together by chance—they were a team, bound by purpose and survival. And with each new skill, each strategic choice, they were taking steps toward mastering the chaotic world that had descended upon them.
As they settled in for the night, keeping watch in turns, a cold wind swept across the rooftop.
Awwooooooo!
Roooaaaarr!!
The distant sounds of creatures echoed through the broken city.