The voice came again, soft and insistent in Zhangi's mind. A pair of options appeared before him:
Yes or No
"Will this help me hide?" Zhangi gasped, eyes frantically searching the ground for something—anything—that could give him a fighting chance
"They're what?!"
Zhangi's heart skipped a beat as the ground shook from the Calamities' approach. He could hear their thunderous steps growing closer. His breath came in sharp, panicked bursts
"Turn it on, NOW! I can't keep running!"
A window materialized in front of him, and Zhangi's eyes widened in disbelief as he tried to take in the strange information
• Name: Zhangi Yu Xin •
Level - 2
Title: N/A
Stats -
Health = F / 150 [+]
Strength = F - [+]
Durability = F [+]
Speed = F [+]
Stamina = D [+]
Skill Points [2 Available!]
Skill List
Other -
Race = Human
Tasks
Store {LOCKED}
System Level - 1
"What the hell is this?!" Zhangi shouted, his voice tight with panic. The Calamities were getting closer, their monstrous shapes looming through the trees. He couldn't focus on the system—not yet. His life was on the line.
Zhangi's mind raced
"Like leveling up in a game? "
"Yes! Yes! One into stamina and one into speed, hurry!"
• System Notification •
Stamina = D ---> D + ~
Speed = F ---> F + ~
Zhangi grinned through his exhaustion
"Holy shit... It works!"
His legs moved faster, and the burning in his chest wasn't as intense. Still, it wasn't enough. The Calamities were too close. They were fast and relentless. But he couldn't stop now. He kept running, not daring to look back
His eyes darted around, searching for a way out. Then he saw it—a dark opening between the trees. A cave. It was his only hope
"Come on..."
He muttered as he turned toward the entrance, pushing himself to run harder
He reached the cave, his heart in his throat, and barely managed to dive inside just as the Calamities' roars echoed behind him. He stumbled into the cool shadows of the cave, sliding along the uneven floor until he was out of sight
He pressed his back to the cold stone wall, panting heavily as the echoing footfalls of the Calamities slowly faded into the distance
He couldn't let his guard down, but for now, he was safe
Zhangi let out a shaky breath and slumped against the wall, trying to steady his heartbeat. He wiped his brow, slick with sweat, and then looked up at the strange window still floating before him
"Do you have a name?" he murmured to himself.
"System…" Zhangi repeated, nodding as if the name brought some kind of comfort
"Okay, System, what now? What is this place? What are those creatures?"
Zhangi absorbed the words, his mind still racing. Valenia, huh? It didn't sound like any place he had heard of before. He had no idea how he got here, and frankly, it was all too much to take in at once. The roar of the Calamities was still echoing in his ears
"How do I survive here? How do I get stronger?" he asked
Zhangi's eyebrows furrowed
"Tasks? Is there any right now?"
Zhangi blinked
"Simple enough"
The absurdity of it all hit him like a ton of bricks. A day. Survive for one day. That's all he had to do. He had no idea how, but it didn't matter. He had no choice
"Alright, System. Let's do this"
Zhangi took a deep breath and stood up, determination flaring in his chest. He couldn't let the Calamities—or whatever else this world threw at him—win. He had survived this far. He wasn't going to stop now
His eyes narrowed as he glanced toward the cave's entrance. The Calamities might be gone, but he knew there would be more dangers waiting. If this system could help him survive, he'd make sure to learn everything it had to offer
He wasn't done yet. Not by a long shot