The sun was just peeking over the horizon as Marcus stepped outside, his backpack slung over his shoulder. The world still seemed normal, but he knew better. His encounter with the walker in the alley replayed in his mind—a grim reminder that the infection was spreading, even if most people were blissfully unaware.
Today's goal was clear: he needed knowledge. Books would be crucial in developing the skills to navigate the apocalypse. Medicine, mechanics, engineering, survival tactics—anything that could give him an edge.
But first, he had another priority.
The First Walker in King County
On his way to the local library, Marcus decided to take a detour through a quiet residential street. The houses were picturesque, their lawns neatly trimmed. But as he turned a corner, his breath caught.
A man was staggering in the middle of the road, his movements erratic and unnatural. His skin was pale, and dark veins marred his face.
Another one.
Marcus scanned his surroundings. The walker hadn't noticed him yet, but a woman across the street was stepping out of her house, holding a trash bag. She was oblivious to the danger.
"Ma'am!" Marcus called out, jogging toward her.
The woman looked up, startled. "What is it?"
"Get back inside!" Marcus urged. "Now!"
The walker turned at the sound of his voice, its cloudy eyes locking onto him.
Here we go again.
Marcus reached for the crowbar tucked into his backpack. As the walker lurched toward him, he swung with practiced precision, aiming for the skull.
Close-Combat Skill Progression Increased
Walker Neutralized: +10 XP
The walker collapsed with a sickening crunch. Marcus turned to the woman, who was staring wide-eyed.
"What… what was that?" she stammered.
"Something bad," Marcus said, keeping his tone steady. "Stay inside. Lock your doors. Don't open them for anyone acting strange."
The woman nodded, retreating into her house. Marcus wiped his crowbar clean and moved on.
This is just the beginning.
The Library Raid
The library was eerily quiet when Marcus arrived. He didn't mind—fewer people meant fewer questions about why a teenager was gathering an armful of survival manuals.
Marcus moved systematically through the aisles, pulling books on:
First Aid: Guides on treating wounds, handling infections, and performing CPR.
Engineering: Manuals for repairing vehicles, constructing shelters, and basic electrical work.
Hunting and Foraging: Identification of edible plants, trapping techniques, and butchering methods.
Combat and Weaponry: Texts on self-defense and weapon maintenance.
He placed each book in his system's inventory, a faint glow marking their transfer.
Skill Progression: Knowledge Accumulation
New Skills Unlocked:
Basic Medical Knowledge (Novice)
Basic Engineering (Novice)
Basic Survival Foraging (Novice)**
The librarian, an older woman with sharp eyes, finally approached him. "Studying for a big project?"
Marcus smiled innocently. "Something like that."
She raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.
A Growing Awareness
On his way home, Marcus noticed more subtle signs of unrest. A car was abandoned on the side of the road, its driver nowhere to be seen. At a small convenience store, a man was arguing loudly with the cashier, his face flushed with frustration.
The world was unraveling, and no one realized it.
When Marcus reached his house, Jeffrey was in the garage, tinkering with his car.
"Hey, Dad," Marcus called, setting his backpack down. "What would you do if there was no gas?"
Jeffrey frowned, glancing at him. "What kind of question is that?"
"I mean, what if you couldn't go to a gas station? Would you know how to make fuel or fix the car if it broke down?"
Jeffrey chuckled. "Sounds like you've been reading too many adventure stories."
Marcus shrugged. "Maybe. But it doesn't hurt to be ready."
Jeffrey shook his head but seemed thoughtful.
Testing New Knowledge
That evening, Marcus retreated to his room to review the books he'd collected. He started with a first-aid manual, flipping through pages on wound care and infection prevention. As he read, his system interface activated:
Skill Mastery in Progress: First Aid
Knowledge Assimilation: 40% Complete
Marcus marveled at the efficiency of his Instant Mastery skill. He focused on absorbing every detail, knowing that medical knowledge would be critical in the coming months.
By the time he finished, his system pinged:
Skill Mastered: First Aid (Intermediate)
Bonus Unlock: Minor Infection Treatment
Satisfied, Marcus moved on to a guide on vehicle repair, practicing mental exercises to retain the concepts.
Dinner with the Family
At dinner, Marcus observed his father, Rick, and Lori closely. Jeffrey was chatting about work, while Rick discussed a recent argument with Shane. Lori seemed distracted, her eyes flicking toward the windows as if sensing the tension Marcus felt.
"Uncle Rick," Marcus said, breaking the conversation. "Have you thought about what you'd do if you couldn't call for help? Like, if the phones didn't work?"
Rick frowned. "Why do you keep asking these questions, Marcus?"
"I don't know," Marcus said, feigning nervousness. "Just… things on the news seem scary. I thought it might be smart to have a plan."
Rick leaned back, considering his words. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to go over some emergency drills."
Jeffrey laughed. "Now you've got Rick worried, too."
But Marcus caught the flicker of concern in Rick's expression.
System Check-In
That night, Marcus summoned his system for a detailed review:
Name: Marcus Grimes
Strength: 3
Agility/Dexterity: 3
Endurance: 2
Intelligence: 4 (+1 from reading)
Wisdom: 3 (+1 from real-world observation)
Luck: 10 (Locked)
Skills:
Basic First Aid (Intermediate)
Basic Mechanics (Novice)
Close-Combat: Walker Neutralization (Intermediate)
Survivalist Knowledge (Novice)
Inventory Management (Novice)
Marcus closed the interface with a nod. He was making progress, but there was still so much to do. The walkers were coming, and soon, his family would need to rely on him more than ever.
"I won't let them die. Not this time."