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In an apocalypse

Authorsan
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Synopsis
Lewis Hamilton, an awkward bookworm and self-proclaimed nerd, steps out of the library one ordinary evening, only to awaken in a world that’s anything but ordinary. Rats the size of small dogs gnaw at his toes, the air reeks of decay, and the remnants of a crumbling town loom around him. He quickly realizes he’s not in his familiar world anymore. A strange message appears before him, informing him he’s been “selected” and transported to Sector Silva, an apocalyptic wasteland ravaged by centuries of darkness and power struggles. As he navigates this broken world, an ancient and mysterious being known as the Archivist oversees his every move. It offers him a lifeline: complete quests, earn points, and unlock skills to survive. Lewis’s abilities are now tracked as “stats,” just like in a video game, and he’s tasked with building his physical and mental resilience. Armed with his intellect, a plank of wood, and a digital system displaying his strengths and weaknesses, Lewis faces monsters, uncovers secrets, and encounters both friend and foe. Lewis, an introvert who’s always hidden his intellect, must now rely on his quick thinking and the survival skills he never thought he’d need. With each step, he earns Survival, Knowledge, Social, Mental Fortitude, and Exploration Points—each a building block toward his adaptation in this strange new world. But the Archivist’s intentions remain unclear. Why was Lewis chosen? And what ultimate test does the Archivist have in store? In Lone Scholar in Sector Silva, Lewis battles not only mutated creatures and harsh terrain but also his own limitations as he transforms from reluctant outsider to a force capable of thriving in this dystopian land.

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Chapter 1 - Waking up in apocalypse. Prologue

"Grrr…"

A low rumble and a sudden jolt of pain pulled me back to consciousness. I blinked groggily, my head pounding, only to see several rats the size of my palm nibbling at my toes.

"Ugh!" I scrambled back in horror, but the rats moved closer, undeterred. They had the strange, glinting eyes of creatures long-starved. My gaze darted around until I spotted a plank of wood nearby. Grabbing it, I swung to shoo them away—but instead of retreating, the rats surged forward, their movements growing more frenzied. One lunged, and I smacked it with the plank, but then the others leapt. Panicked, I swung wildly, stumbling backward before finding my footing and breaking into a desperate run.

After what felt like an eternity, I slowed, my breath heaving as reality sank in. My last clear memory was walking out of the library after returning a book, and then… nothing. Now, I was standing in what looked like the ruin of a once-bustling town, every building around me shattered and bleak. The air reeked of decay, and a heavy silence wrapped the place, broken only by the faint squeak of distant rats. My stomach twisted. This wasn't home. This wasn't anywhere I knew.

Get it together, Lewis. First, shelter. I cast a wary glance back toward the shanty store from which I'd just escaped. At least I knew what to expect there. Better the devil you know, right?

I picked up the plank, steadied my breath, and crept back to the store for round two. Peeking through a broken window, I searched for any sign of the rats, but the place seemed empty. The chittering of unseen pests echoed, but the swarm that had attacked me was gone.

"Strange…" I murmured, swallowing a knot of nerves as I cautiously stepped inside. Just then, a soft clink sounded from somewhere nearby. I jumped, and a translucent screen flickered into view in front of me.

Connection to System Archivist #0##210#8 established.

"Greetings, transmigrator from another world."

I froze, glancing around for a speaker or camera. "Hello? If this is a prank, you're in serious trouble. I swear, I'll sue you."

The screen reappeared, scrolling text in eerie silence.

"As I was saying, welcome to Sector Silva. Due to… unfortunate circumstances, the entire sector has spiraled into an apocalyptic state for hundreds of years. However, you've been selected—"

"Who's out there?" I yelled, the tremor in my voice betraying me. "Stop messing with me! I have an exam tomorrow!"

The text froze. Then, with a jolt of electricity, a new message seared onto the screen.

"Listen closely. You're no longer on Earth. You've been chosen for a trial in Sector Silva. Your task: survive, adapt, and complete quests to uncover your purpose here. Do you understand?"

Heart pounding, I couldn't decide whether I was more terrified or just plain annoyed. "So… this is real?" I muttered, feeling a chill as my surroundings seemed to grow sharper, more oppressive. There was no comforting rationalization, no easy escape.

The screen scrolled again:

"As I was saying, various individuals from different sectors, including your Sector Veridian, have been selected. You'll receive paths and powers to assist you in this realm. But beware: choose wisely, or your foolishness will lead to certain death."

The text faded, and suddenly, a new display materialized:

System Online

[Name: Lewis Hamilton (Rename chance: 1)]

Species: Bipedal Sapient

Traits: {Intellectual} {Introverted}

Stats

• Constitution: 4 (Low stamina; prone to exhaustion but capable of building endurance over time)

• Strength: 3 (Weak physical strength; struggles with lifting or intense physical exertion)

• Endurance: 5 (Average resilience; can handle moderate challenges but tires quickly under pressure)

• Dexterity: 6 (Moderate hand-eye coordination; decent at tasks requiring precision but lacks speed)

• Agility: 5 (Average speed and reflexes; can dodge or run short distances, but not very quick)

• Intelligence: 9(High intellect; excellent at problem-solving, analyzing, and strategizing)

• Wisdom: 7 (Above-average judgment; cautious but quick to grasp new concepts)

• Perception: 6(Slightly above-average awareness; tends to notice details but can miss subtle cues)

• Willpower: 8 (Strong mental resilience; capable of focusing under pressure and enduring hardship)

• Sanity: 7 (Stable mindset; adaptable and can handle stress, though prolonged trauma may impact stability)

XP-34800

XP Store

{Survival skill-60

Survival manual-30

Tracking skill-50

Tracking manual-20

….

….

….

Combat skill-1500

Combat manual-600

Water bottle-2

Dry Ration-2

Butter knife-25

Strong bones-2400}

The overwhelming absurdity of it almost made me laugh—stats? Abilities? Like a character sheet in a video game? Yet, here it was, stark and undeniable. And somewhere in this hellscape, some "Archivist," an entity ancient and unfathomable, was overseeing it all.

I clenched my fists. I was no hero. Just a quiet guy who preferred books to people. But here, there were no excuses, no way to retreat to the familiar. I was alone, and if I wanted to live, I'd have to adapt fast.

For better or worse, my life as I knew it was over.