Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End

The morning at Tokyo High School started like any other. The bright sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the classrooms filled with students chatting, laughing, and preparing for the end of their high school careers. Haruto Takeda, a senior at the school, sat near the back of the classroom, half-listening to the lesson while his eyes wandered out the window.

At 18, Haruto was tall and athletic, with an air of calm confidence that made him stand out. His sharp features and dark, messy hair were often the subject of whispers among his peers. He was the pride of the Kendo club, a skilled fighter, and someone everyone admired, though few knew the deeper side of him. Behind his quiet demeanor, Haruto carried the weight of years of military training taught by his father, a former officer in the Japanese Self-Defense Forces who had tragically passed away in an accident when Haruto was just 16.

His father's passing had been the catalyst for his journey into the unknown, leaving him with a powerful set of skills and an unshakable sense of responsibility. Haruto was more than just a handsome high school senior; he was a survivor, a protector, and someone who would one day rise to lead.

As he glanced around the room, his mind wandered. He wondered about his future and what awaited after graduation. What would life be like beyond the safety of school? What would it feel like to step into a world where he could finally start living for himself, instead of simply following in the footsteps of his father?

But the future Haruto imagined would not come to pass. What he didn't know was that in the blink of an eye, everything would change.

A sudden tremor rumbled beneath the classroom, sending a wave of panic through the students. Books tumbled from shelves, desks creaked and groaned, and the floor beneath their feet shook violently. It wasn't the usual small earthquake that Japan often experienced—it was something much worse. Haruto's heart raced as the shaking intensified, and a crackling, metallic sound filled the air.

"Everyone, stay calm!" shouted the teacher, but his voice was drowned out by the roar of destruction outside the window.

Haruto stood up, instinctively grabbing his bag and making his way to the door, his mind already calculating the safest route. In moments like these, he couldn't afford to panic. His father's lessons had prepared him for emergencies, and he had always known that disaster could strike at any time. But this… this felt different.

Suddenly, a flash of light, blinding and intense, surged through the classroom, and everything went dark.

For a split second, there was nothing—no sound, no light, no feeling. Then, with a sharp intake of breath, Haruto found himself standing in an entirely different place.

"System Online. Welcome, Haruto Takeda, to the Apocalypse System."

The voice echoed inside his mind, cold and mechanical. Haruto froze. He had been here before—sort of. This wasn't an ordinary system. He'd heard rumors of virtual reality games, and strange stories, but nothing that made him truly believe. But now, the voice was real. Too real.

He blinked, trying to understand. The world around him was no longer his high school. The air felt heavy, the sky a sickly gray, and the streets outside were empty, eerily so. There was no traffic, no sounds of people walking by. It was as if the city had been abandoned overnight. He walked to the window, looking down at the scene below.

The city of Tokyo, once bustling with life, was now a ghost town.

"Congratulations, Haruto Takeda. You have earned your first achievement: Survive the Apocalypse. System points awarded: 50."

The sudden influx of information made Haruto's head spin. His eyes widened as a small, holographic screen appeared in front of him, displaying a shop menu filled with various items—survival gear, weapons, and upgrades.

Shop Points: 50

Beginner Kit (Gun, Sword, Survival Gear): 0 points

First Aid Kit: 10 points

Emergency Food Rations: 5 points

Water Purifier: 15 points

Basic Armor Set: 20 points

The voice spoke again, cutting through Haruto's confusion.

"You have received your beginner gift. A gun, a sword, and basic survival supplies are now in your inventory. Your journey begins now. Protect yourself, gather allies, and survive."

Haruto's mind raced. He hadn't signed up for any of this. One minute, he was in class, the next he was standing in a deserted city with a mysterious system guiding him through it. He glanced at the items that had appeared in his hands—two weapons and a small pack with essential supplies.

It was clear that things had changed. This wasn't some game, and it certainly wasn't a dream. His father's training, his lessons in combat, marksmanship, and survival… they were no longer just skills to impress at a Kendo tournament. They were his lifeline in this strange, new world.

He quickly made his way to the schoolyard, where a few students had gathered, panic-stricken and confused. Among them were his two childhood friends—Sakura Fujimoto and Miyu Takahashi. Both girls looked shaken, their faces pale, but they were together, and that was all that mattered.

"Sakura, Miyu!" Haruto called out, his calm voice cutting through the chaos. Both girls looked up, relief flooding their faces as they spotted him.

"Haruto, what's happening? Where is everyone?" Sakura asked, her voice trembling.

"I'm not sure," Haruto replied. "But we need to stick together. This city… it's changed. And we're going to have to fight to survive."

"Fight? How?" Miyu asked, her eyes wide with fear.

Haruto took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders. The voice in his head had said it was up to him now. His father's teachings echoed in his mind, and he knew what he had to do.

"I'll protect you both," Haruto said, his voice firm. "We'll find the others, and we'll get through this. Together. Trust me."

The system's voice chimed in again.

"Achievement Unlocked: Lead the First Group. 100 System Points awarded."

The points kept coming, but Haruto barely registered them. Right now, his focus was on his friends—and on the looming uncertainty of what lay ahead.

"Let's move," Haruto said, his voice resolute. "We need to find shelter, figure out what's happening, and plan our next steps. There's no time to waste."

As the group of survivors set out into the unknown, Haruto Takeda, with the weight of the world now on his shoulders, knew one thing for certain: He was their leader. And in this new world, he would stop at nothing to ensure that they survived.

The apocalypse had begun.

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To be continued...