Alexia groaned as she stretched her, her body protesting with aches from training the previous day. She'd spent the last few weeks pushing her limits within the system sanctuary, the lush greenery and tranquil setting acting as her private training ground. A month had passed since Marcus's betrayal, and though the pain of the action still lingered, she was no longer the same Alexia who had stumbled into that warehouse.
The system's voice echoed in her mind, cold and mechanical as always:
[Goodmorning, Host. Would you like to view your current stats and progress?"
"Show me," Alexia said.
A translucent panel appeared in front of her:
[Status: Alexia Kane]
Level: 3
Health:100% [Fully healed]
Upgrade Points Available: 70
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 12 (+ system upgrade, grade c)
Agility: 8
Endurance: 10
Mental Strength: 9
Intelligence: 9
Skills:
Dimensional Storage: (Unlocked at level 1)
Combat Mastery: (Unlocked through training) (Efficiency =12%+37%)
Tactical Awareness: (Unlocked upon completing quest)
Uncompleted Quest:
- Find allies (Reward: Unknown)
- Gather supplies (Reward: Enhanced Perception, 20 Upgrade Points)
Weapons: Machete (Level 1)
Temporary Buffs:
Adrenaline Boost Injection: One time use (30 mins)
Alexia's lips curved into a satisfied smile looking at her Upgrade points. She allocated the upgrade points to her attributes
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 12 +10 (+ system upgrade c)
Agility: 8 +10
Endurance: 10 +10
Mental Strength: 9 +10
Intelligence: 9 +10
She left twenty upgrade points for emergencies, she felt happy looking at her stats now. She was stronger, faster, and more prepared than ever. But she wasn't foolish enough to think she was invincible. The apocalypse had a way of humbling even the most prepared.
"Alright," she muttered, stretching out her arms. "Time to push past Level 3."
For the next few hours, she sparred with the holographic opponents conjured by the system, working on her precision and stamina. The Tactical awareness skill had sharpened her instincts, allowing her to anticipate attacks and respond with brutal efficiency. The system's guidance was relentless, ensuring she capitalized on every mistake she made.
By the time she collapsed on the soft grass, her body was drenched in sweat, but her heart was steady and determined.
Later that day, the system chimed as Alexia sipped water by the stream.
[Host, the unnatural phenomenon previously observed has resurfaced. Shall i display its coordinates?]
Alexia's head snapped up. "The glowing sky?"
[Affirmative. The anomaly is approximately 200 kilometers northeast of your current location. Multiple energy readings suggest it is a significant event.]
Her stomach tightened. She hadn't forgotten the eerie glow that had lit up the sky back at the square. She'd been too preoccupied with surviving at the time, but now, with her training complete, the curiosity gnawed at her.
"Is it near the military base?" she asked.
[Negative. The anomaly's location is several kilometers away from the base. However, venturing towards it may provide valuable information.]
Alexia Mulled it over. She needed to head toward the base regardless, but deviating to investigate the glow could be dangerous and yet, it felt important.
"Mark it on my mental map," she said. "I'll decide once I get closer."
[Understood.]
With her supplies packed and resolve firm, Alexia stepped out of the System Sanctuary. The outside world was colder and harsher than she remembered it--the streets smelled of decay and dust, each step she took was a reminder of what lay ahead.
The system guided her toward a small, abandoned settlement a few kilometers from her starting point, seeing as she had respawned in a different location from the warehouse. She moved cautiously; her machete ready to strike. The streets were eerily quiet, littered with remnants of a life long gone overturned cars, tattered clothing, and scattered debris.
She spotted a grocery store with its windows broken and shelves overturned. The system chimed as she stepped inside:
[Potential Supplies Detected.]
Her tactical awareness kicked in, and she scanned the space for danger. Nothing moved, but she knew better than to let her guard down.
As she approached a shelf stacked with dusty cans, the sound of shuffling footsteps froze her in place. Slowly, she turned, gripping her machete tightly.
A single infected stumbled into view, its movements jerky and unnatural. it green eyes locked onto her, and it let out a low, guttural growl.
"Just one?" Alexia whispered.
The system's voice was calm:
[Combat Strategy: Silent Kill Recommended.]
Nodding, she crept forward, her steps light and deliberate. With one swift motion, she plunged her machete into the infected's skull, silencing it instantly.
Seeing it body drop to the ground; she exhaled sharply and continued scavenging.
[Quest Completed: Gather Supplies.]
Progress: 100%
Reward: Enhanced Perception, 20 Upgrade Points.
Alexia heard the system's voice chime in her head, hearing the reward she felt more at ease. As she exited the store, her bag heavy with supplies, she noticed movement in the distance. A group of people---four men and a woman, emerged from behind a dilapidated building. They carried weapons and their eyes immediately locked onto her.
"Hey!" one of the men called out. "You alone?"
Alexia didn't answer, gripping her machete tightly she eyed them wearily.
"Relax," another said, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "We're not here to hurt you. Just... looking for supplies like you."
Even without her tactical awareness skill, she could sense danger and the skill being activated made the sense of potential danger doubled.
"Keep moving," she said, her voice firm.
The group exchanged glances, and Alexia caught the subtle shift in their stances. They weren't going to let her go without a fight, and she wasn't in the mood to kill a human being.
"Look, no need to be hostile," the woman said, stepping forward. "We can share---"
Before she could finish, Alexia threw a small smoke grenade that she took from the warehouse from her dimensional storage. The street filled with thick, choking clouds, and she bolted, her enhanced perception guiding her through the chaos.
Behind her, she heard shouts and footsteps, but she didn't stop. The system's voice rang out in her head:
[Host is evading pursuit. Agility test in progress... successful.]
When she finally stopped to catch her breath, the group was long gone. Alexia leaned against a wall, her heart pounding.
"Trust no one," she muttered to herself.