The acrid stench of smoke and decay filled Adam Reyes' nostrils as he blinked awake. His body ached all over, his throat dry as sandpaper. He didn't recognize the place he was in—a crumbling building with its ceiling partially caved in and walls covered in soot. Outside, faint screams mixed with distant explosions painted an atmosphere of chaos.
He pushed himself up from the cold concrete floor, wincing as pain shot through his limbs. His last clear memory was of lying on his couch, scrolling through his phone, ignoring the warnings of an impending disaster. Now, everything felt like a fever dream.
A sharp, mechanical voice broke the silence.
> "System initializing… Welcome, Commander."
Adam froze, his heart pounding. "Who said that?" he rasped, his voice echoing in the empty space.
> "I am the Omega Command Interface, a military-grade system designed for survival and combat. You have been designated as the primary user."
"Military system? What the hell are you talking about?"
> "Global status: Collapse. Cause: Unknown. Omega Protocol activated. Commander, you have access to military resources. Newbie Gift Pack available. Claim now?"
Adam staggered to his feet, his mind racing. Was this a hallucination? Some kind of experimental tech implanted without his knowledge? He stumbled toward a broken window and pulled back the tattered curtain.
What he saw made his blood run cold.
The Manila skyline was a skeleton of its former self. High-rises burned in the distance, their glass windows shattered. Streets that once bustled with jeepneys and pedestrians were now deserted, filled instead with overturned cars and debris. Thick black smoke curled into the orange-tinged sky.
This wasn't a dream. This was a nightmare.
> "Claim Newbie Gift Pack? Yes or no?"
Adam swallowed hard. He had no idea what was going on, but if this system was offering help, he wasn't in a position to refuse. "Yes."
A pulse of energy filled the room, followed by a faint glow. In front of him materialized a folded military uniform, boots, a rifle, three magazines of ammunition, a neatly packed satchel, and a glowing skill book.
> **"Newbie Gift Pack claimed. Contents delivered:
>Standard Military Uniform
>5000 Gold
>Basic Rifle (x1)
>Ammunition (3 magazines)
>Level 1 Infantry Squad Voucher (x1)
>Basic Shooting Skill (Level 1)."**
Adam stared at the items, his mind struggling to process the absurdity of the situation. He cautiously picked up the uniform. It was light but sturdy, made from a fabric he didn't recognize. Without hesitation, he stripped off his torn clothes and put it on.
It fit perfectly, the boots snug and the gear comfortable against his skin. He felt oddly secure, as if the uniform itself carried an aura of strength.
"Gold? Skills? Vouchers? What is this, a video game?"
> "Commander, would you like to review your status information?"
Adam paused. "Fine. Show me."
The air shimmered, and a glowing blue screen appeared in front of him:
---
Status Information
Name: Adam Reyes
Level: 1
XP: 0/100
Gold: 5000
Skill Points: 5
Skills:
Basic Shooting (Level 1)
Shop: Locked (Unlocks at Level 5)
Resources:
>Infantry Squad Voucher (x1)
>Basic Rifle (x1)
>Ammunition (3 magazines)
---
He stared at the display, his mind reeling. "XP? Skills? This really is like a game."
> "Correct. As you gain XP, you will level up, unlocking additional features and skills. Skill points can be allocated to enhance combat, leadership, or logistics."
Adam frowned. "Why me? Why do I have this system?"
> "System origin: Unknown. Activation linked to environmental collapse. Commander designation is based on compatibility."
He shook his head. "This is insane."
> "Level 1 Infantry Squad Voucher detected. Deploy now?"
Adam hesitated. The rifle leaned against the wall, a cold reminder that he was stepping into something far beyond his control. He had no idea if this system would truly help him survive, but he wasn't about to go it alone.
"Deploy."
The ground trembled slightly as a shimmering blue portal appeared before him, crackling with energy. One by one, five soldiers emerged, each clad in black tactical gear. This time, they carried rifles slung over their shoulders and spare ammunition strapped across their chests.
The one in the lead stepped forward and saluted. "Commander, Infantry Squad reporting for duty. Awaiting orders."
Adam blinked. "Orders? I don't even know what's going on out there."
The soldier's voice was calm and professional. "Our primary mission is to ensure your survival, sir. Recommend securing resources and establishing a defensible position."
Adam nodded slowly, the weight of his newfound responsibility settling over him. At least these soldiers came armed; it was one less problem to worry about.
"Stick close to me. We move together," Adam ordered, feeling a strange surge of authority as the squad fell into step behind him.
The ruined streets of Manila stretched before them, a maze of devastation and danger. Adam clenched his fists, his determination solidifying. This might not be a game, but he was going to play to survive.