The world outside feels like it's unravelling, but I keep my cool. It's chaotic, sure, but I've got bigger things to focus on. There are monsters out there. There are people with powers—awakeners—freaking out, and it's a race to see who can adapt the fastest. And me? I'm just trying to stay one step ahead.
I watch the neighbours hustle about, barricading windows, locking doors, making sure everything's secure. Some are starting to realize the scale of what's going on, others still act like this is just some bad dream. The first few hours of this chaos have passed, and now everyone's scrambling to adjust. It's not easy, though. People aren't used to *this*. And I can't blame them.
A group of low-level awakeners is working on the other side of the street. One of them is creating barriers of force, solid energy walls popping up with every snap of his fingers. He's getting the hang of it, moving with a confidence that tells me he's done this before, even if it's only in the last few days. Next to him, another guy is trying to lift a car with his telekinesis, but it's shaking in the air, unsteady, as if his control is more instinctive than refined. Still, the car's off the ground, and that's something. It'll get better. It has to.
I can't help but admire how quickly they've adapted. Sure, they aren't experts, but they're *trying*, and that counts for something. These aren't soldiers or elite fighters. They're regular people who suddenly have abilities, and they're making the best of it. I respect that.
I turn my attention away and glance at my phone when it buzzes. It's her. I can almost hear the concern in her message. She doesn't need to say it out loud, but I know what she's thinking. She wants me to stay safe. She wants me to check in, and make sure I'm okay.
I sigh and text back, *"I'm fine. Keeping my distance. Don't worry."*
She's always worried. Doesn't matter what's going on. I get it. This world's changing fast, and no one knows what's next. I've been getting stronger every day, but I'm not dumb enough to think it's going to be smooth sailing. The things that I've been coming out of these dungeons? Those are no joke. I know enough to keep my head down, stay calm, and keep improving. I don't want to add to her stress, so I'll call her in a bit, once the streets calm down.
The real issue right now is staying sharp. I step outside the house and take a deep breath, ignoring the distant sounds of panic, the rush of feet running and doors slamming. The air smells heavy with smoke from nearby fires—probably some of the damage from earlier today. Things aren't looking good. It's a mess, but I've been in worse.
The question on my mind now is training. *Physical training.* The dungeon isn't the only place to improve. Sure, the monsters are a good test of power and skills, but it's just as important to stay sharp in the real world. I don't need to be a hero, but I sure as hell don't want to be a victim either.
I spot a few makeshift training areas—people hitting punching bags, sparring with one another, or practicing their sword skills. I nod to a guy in the distance who's swinging a blunt sword, still clumsy with his footwork. He's not getting anywhere near mastery yet, but his movements are getting more natural, and more fluid. That's progress.
For a second, I'm tempted to join in, but I keep walking. I'll get my training done in my own way. I pull up the system interface in my mind, checking my progress. My jujitsu skills have improved with every fight, my swordplay's better, and hell, even my ability to notice weaknesses in opponents is sharper than it used to be. It's all coming together, and I don't plan on slowing down.
The world around me is in chaos, but I've got time to prepare. The more I see these awakeners stumbling around, trying to help out, the more I realize how lucky I am to have a plan. I've got my focus, my strategy.
But even then, I can't deny that there's still a part of me that wonders—how long until it's not enough?
Sure! Let's shift to a first-person perspective and keep the tone consistent with the previous style.
---
I stare at the phone, still warm from the call. Her voice lingers in my ears, a mix of concern and care that I can't quite shake off. I wish I could just hold her right now, and tell her everything's going to be okay, but it wouldn't make any sense. Not with the towers looming over us, and certainly not with everything that's happening right now.
I take a deep breath and hit *end call*, slipping the phone back into my pocket. The streets are eerily quiet now, with only the occasional distant shout or the sound of boards being nailed into windows breaking the silence. Everyone's trying to barricade themselves in—neighbours helping each other, some still unsure of what to make of the situation. I think about what she said, her voice pleading, as if I could somehow avoid all this chaos.
*Stay safe, don't do anything reckless...*
I want to laugh. In a world where giant towers suddenly appear out of nowhere, where the dead come back to life and monsters spill out of every crack, what exactly is "safe" anymore? But I don't laugh. Instead, I clench my fists.
She doesn't know about the system. The *real* system. How I've already fought and survived things that would make any sane person run for the hills. She doesn't know that I've got access to abilities that could tear these monsters apart if I had to. But that doesn't mean I'm invincible. That doesn't mean I'm immune to the fear, to the worry.
I can't be reckless, not with her heart on the line.
I push the thought away and turn my attention back to the neighbours I'm helping. There's an older couple struggling with some heavy furniture, trying to move it against the door. I step forward, grabbing one end of the wardrobe, and together we shove it into place.
"Thank you," the woman says, her voice trembling. "You're a good boy."
"Just doing what I can," I reply, offering a small smile.
I move on to the next house, observing the others. A couple of young awakeners—still trying to get the hang of their powers—are reinforcing a barricade with some homemade weapons. They're not much, but it's something. I can't help but notice how many people around here have started to wake up to their abilities.
Jujitsu combat, and swordplay—these are the basic things everyone is trying to level up. It's practical. It makes sense. People are training, and learning the ropes. I've seen a few awakeners sparring with makeshift weapons, honing their reflexes. But none of them seem as focused as me.
I've been in the dungeon, and seen the monsters with my own eyes. I've killed goblins, zombies, and worse, all while learning from every encounter. They call me "lucky" for surviving my first dungeon dive, but luck isn't what keeps me alive. It's the training, the focus, the systems I'm developing in the heat of battle.
But today isn't about dungeon runs. Today, it's about helping where I can, being there for the people who don't have the time or the resources to dive into these towers and fight. They need to know someone's got their back, even if that someone is just a guy with a few extra skills in his back pocket.
I pull out my phone again, ready to check on the situation. I promised her I'd be careful. I promised I wouldn't do anything reckless. But that doesn't mean I can't keep preparing, and levelling up my skills when I get the chance. I've already started training with the sword, and every fight in the dungeon is a step closer to mastery. *I can't afford to stop now.*
My mind shifts back to the phone call. It felt good to hear her voice again, even with all the tension in it. I owe it to her to be smart about all of this. I may be diving into dungeons and facing monsters head-on, but I'm not alone in this. Not when she's out there, worrying about me.
I'm going to survive this, and when it's all over, I'll make sure she knows it was all worth it.
Hidden Objective Completed: Help neighbors prepare for the crisis. Reward: 200 EXP, 500 Euros, and Rare Skill: Community Aid – Boosts effectiveness of helping others and grants minor healing over time.
i looked at my screen, minor healing huh? nice
I can't help but feel a bit uneasy about what to do next. Mom is with Dad and Uncle Mark right now, checking on the shelter news from the city. I really hope they come back safely and without any trouble.