Reya slipped through the shattered door of the grocery store, her pack heavier with supplies. The system's rewards pulsed warmly within her, giving her a sense of vitality she hadn't felt in ages. She knew night would fall soon, and with it, the dangers of this new world would multiply. Her system pulsed again, bringing up a new message in her mind.
New Quest: Locate Shelter Before Nightfall.
Reward: Enhanced Night Vision.
The mention of night vision sent a thrill through her. She'd had her eye on a nearby office building that might hold up for the night, but it would be a risk—she wasn't sure who, or what, was lurking inside.
Just as she turned down a side street, she heard voices. They were faint but unmistakable, carrying in the eerie silence of the empty city. Her instincts urged her to ignore them; other survivors could be dangerous. But a small part of her was curious. She stepped closer, her knife at the ready.
Around the corner, she saw them—two figures crouched by a small storefront, one clearly tending to the other. The first figure was tall and lean, with watchful eyes that flicked over their surroundings. The second figure was slumped on the ground, clutching his arm, a dark stain spreading across his sleeve.
The tall one spotted her immediately, his eyes locking onto her with a wary intensity. "Hey," he called, his voice rough but calm. "I know you're there. We're not looking for trouble."
Reya took a deep breath and stepped into view, her knife in hand but held low. "I'm not either. Just… trying to survive."
The man nodded toward his companion. "My brother got hurt. Do you… have any medical supplies?"
Reya hesitated, her gaze shifting to the injured boy—no older than nineteen, his face pale and sweating. She had some bandages in her pack, but she didn't know if it was worth the risk. Still, the system pulsed in her mind, as if pushing her forward.
Side Quest: Aid the Injured.
Reward: Temporary Strength Boost.
With a quiet sigh, she reached into her bag and pulled out the first-aid kit. "Hold still," she murmured, kneeling beside the injured boy, who introduced himself as Ollie. She cleaned the wound as best as she could, then wrapped it tightly with gauze. Ollie looked up at her, his expression a mixture of gratitude and relief.
"Thank you," he mumbled.
The tall man, who introduced himself as Jax, offered her a nod. "You didn't have to help us. Thank you."
Reya shrugged, feeling a strange warmth pulse through her as the system granted her reward. She clenched her fist, feeling the temporary strength boost take hold—a subtle power that made her feel stronger, faster.
"You two looking for shelter?" she asked, nodding toward the darkening sky. "There's an office building nearby. Should be sturdy enough for the night."
Jax and Ollie exchanged a glance, then nodded. "If you're willing to let us tag along, we'd be grateful."
"Alright," Reya said, "but stay close."
They moved quickly, keeping to the shadows as they approached the office building. The entrance was littered with debris, but the structure itself seemed stable. Inside, they found a small, empty office on the top floor, overlooking the city.
As they settled in, Reya's system pulsed again.
Quest Completed: Locate Shelter Before Nightfall.
Reward Unlocked: Enhanced Night Vision.
Reya's vision adjusted instantly, allowing her to see each detail in the dim room. It was an exhilarating feeling, one that made her believe, just for a moment, that she might have a real chance.
Jax gave her a quiet nod. "Thank you again," he murmured. "I don't know how we'd have made it without you."
Reya glanced at the dark city below, her mind racing with the possibilities. She didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but tonight, she knew one thing for certain: with the system at her side, she was ready for whatever came next.