The gym was quiet except for the sound of heavy punches landing on the bag. Thud. Thud. Thud. Each strike sent the bag swaying back and forth, its chains creaking in protest. Aldrich's fists were covered in thick wraps, his body drenched in sweat. He was no longer the same 25-year-old gamer from the city. The boy who barely scraped by in life. Now, he was stronger, faster. But that wasn't enough, not for the world that seemed to grow more dangerous with every passing day.
He took a step back, breathing hard, his chest heaving. His once slightly chubby frame had slimmed down, muscles now visible beneath the damp fabric of his shirt. His shoulders were broader, and his arms had the kind of definition that came from months of hard work. It had been five months since the fateful fight in the forest, the fight that had changed everything. Since then, Steve had trained him relentlessly, pushing him beyond limits he didn't even know he had.
Yet, as Aldrich stared at the heavy bag, the dull ache in his muscles was a stark reminder that there was still so much more to learn. So much more to become. He wiped the sweat off his brow and looked at the status panel in his mind.
Status Panel:
Health: 100 (+50 from Grasp of the Undying)
Damage: 11
Speed: 16
Armor: 12
Magic Resist: 10
Level: 1
Keystone: Grasp of the Undying
Minor Runes: Conditioning, Second Wind (Locked)
Rune Slots: 3 available shards
Progress. At least there was progress, Aldrich thought. His damage had increased, and his speed was better than ever. His armor was stronger too. It was enough to keep him alive a little longer, but not enough to survive what was coming. The minor runes were still locked, and the shards sat empty. His level remained the same. He wasn't progressing fast enough, but then again, nothing was ever fast enough for the world that was unfolding around him.
He let out a frustrated sigh and pulled the hood of his sweatshirt off. His hair, once messy and unruly, was now more controlled, though still unkempt in that familiar, carefree way. His eyes flickered to the shiny, emerald-colored rune that floated in his mind, pulsing with energy. The Grasp of the Undying. The only thing that had kept him alive since the moment it touched him in the park. But it wasn't enough. Nothing was enough.
As he passed the counter, he heard Steve and Bob talking. Their voices were muffled, but they were talking about how far he'd come. When they saw him approach, Bob, the co-trainer, paused and gave him a scrutinizing look.
"Well, damn, kid. You've grown," Bob said, his tone gruff but not without some admiration. "You're a hell of a lot stronger than when you first walked in here. But I think we've pushed you as far as we can. You're on your own now. We can't teach you anything more."
Aldrich felt a knot form in his stomach. He appreciated the praise, but it didn't feel earned. Not when the world was falling apart. He'd trained so hard to be stronger, but no matter how fast or how strong he became, it wasn't enough to change the fact that they were still waiting for something terrible to happen.
He nodded and half-smiled. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."
Steve gave him a pat on the back as they moved toward the showers. "You've done well, kid. Just... stay focused. Keep training. You're ready for whatever's coming."
Aldrich didn't respond immediately, his thoughts racing, spiraling down darker paths. He didn't know if he was ready. None of them were.
The sound of a news broadcast on the television in the corner of the gym caught his attention. The announcer's voice was strained, as if the news was almost too much to bear.
"The ocean is becoming increasingly dangerous. Scientists are reporting sightings of massive creatures in the deep. And reports from the forest... people have spotted wildlife that has grown larger and more aggressive than before. Even in the desert, lions, hyenas, and meerkats have all been reported as growing stronger. The danger is growing, and it's closer than ever. Stay alert, stay safe."
Aldrich's heart sank as he processed the words. The world was changing—no, it had already changed. The danger wasn't just out there anymore; it was all around them. His chest tightened as he thought of Sham, of the people he cared about. Could they survive it?
He left the gym in a daze, the weight of the news bearing down on him. He knew the answer, even if he didn't want to admit it to himself. No one was ready for what was coming. Not him, not Sham, not anyone.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was a message from Sham.
Sham:
Are you done at the gym?
Aldrich stared at the message for a moment, his heart heavy. It had been five months since everything started. Five months since the fight in the forest that had set everything into motion. Since then, he had moved out of his parents' apartment and into Sham's place. They were training together, trying to prepare for whatever might come next, but the reality of it all weighed on him. They had stocked up on food, but was it really enough? Would it be enough?
He quickly typed a reply.
Aldrich:
Yeah, heading home now. I'll be there soon.
He sent it and slipped the phone back into his pocket, walking the familiar path to Sham's apartment. The streets seemed quieter than usual. People were still going about their lives, but there was a tense undercurrent in the air. Everyone knew something was coming, even if they didn't talk about it.
He arrived at the apartment and stepped inside. The silence hit him immediately. Sham wasn't home yet. He stood in the doorway for a moment, his gaze drifting toward the kitchen. There were some supplies they had stored away—canned goods, water, non-perishables. It should have reassured him, but it only made him feel more hollow.
He moved to his room and collapsed on the bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind was flooded with thoughts—memories of the fight in the forest, of Sham's face as they watched the world change around them. He had promised her he would protect her, that they would make it through whatever came next. But how? How could he protect anyone when he was still struggling with his own fear?
He closed his eyes, running a hand through his hair. The world outside was growing darker, and no matter how strong he became, he didn't know if it would ever be enough. The runes he had gained, the power coursing through his veins—it wasn't enough to stop the storm that was coming.
What am I supposed to do?
Aldrich lay there, lost in his own thoughts, the weight of the future pressing down on him. What if he wasn't ready? What if none of them were?
The sound of the door opening broke through his spiraling thoughts. He sat up, but it wasn't Sham. It was the sound of his own footsteps, echoing in the stillness.
As he stared out the window into the bright morning light, he wondered what tomorrow would bring.