Shen Mu's mind was focused, but his pulse quickened as the system's warning flashed through his thoughts. Hostile faction detected nearby. The message was curt, a mere statement of fact, but Shen Mu knew better than to ignore it.
Hostiles?
He could feel the unfamiliar weight of anxiety settling in the pit of his stomach. The warehouse was only a few blocks away, but with the approaching threat, it seemed as if every step he took was leading him closer to a dangerous unknown.
He glanced at the stranger, who was still walking beside him. There was no obvious sign of fear in their eyes—no hesitation in their step. The stranger's confidence only seemed to reinforce Shen Mu's sense of urgency. If this person was willing to walk into danger like this, maybe they weren't as inexperienced as they appeared.
"Do you feel that?" Shen Mu asked quietly, keeping his voice low. He didn't want to alarm the stranger, but the tension in the air was palpable.
The stranger nodded, their eyes scanning the desolate streets around them. "Yeah, I've got the feeling we're not alone. It's only a matter of time before they show up."
Shen Mu didn't need to ask who "they" were. He could already tell that the system's warning was serious. Whoever was out there wasn't just another group of survivors—they were a faction, and factions were dangerous. Especially in this new world where survival was no longer a guarantee, and every group fought for dominance.
He motioned for the stranger to follow him as he slipped into a narrow alley between two dilapidated buildings. It was a more direct route to the warehouse, but it would also shield them from view. If he was going to survive this, he had to stay one step ahead.
"Proceed with caution," the system's voice echoed in his mind again, its tone far less neutral now, almost like a warning from a concerned ally. Shen Mu appreciated the guidance, even though he knew it couldn't do everything for him. The system could only show him the way, but the decisions would always be his.
The alleyway was a tight squeeze, the walls of crumbling concrete and rusted metal nearly closing in on them. Every step echoed in the narrow space, making Shen Mu more aware of how vulnerable they were. He gripped his knife tighter, his instincts sharp, attuned to every sound, every movement. The air felt thick with anticipation.
As they neared the end of the alley, Shen Mu halted. He didn't need to turn his head to sense the presence approaching. The system was practically vibrating in his mind, alerting him to the proximity of danger.
"Hostile faction: 10 meters ahead. Prepare for engagement."
His thoughts were interrupted as the stranger spoke again, voice barely above a whisper. "They're close. Stay low."
Shen Mu nodded, signaling for them both to crouch behind a stack of abandoned crates. The seconds stretched into minutes as they waited, barely breathing.
Shen Mu's mind raced. He had no idea who these people were or what they wanted, but he couldn't afford to be caught off guard. Do I fight? Do I negotiate? I can't take too many risks.
Through the narrow gap between the crates, he spotted figures moving along the street. The soft glow of firelight flickered in the distance, illuminating the shapes of men and women with weapons in hand. They were heavily armed, their clothing mismatched and patched, but their movements were practiced, as if they had done this countless times before.
A faction, for sure. Shen Mu clenched his teeth. They weren't just survivors trying to live—they were looking for control.
The stranger beside him tensed, their hand hovering near the hilt of a dagger. They seemed ready for a fight, but Shen Mu could feel their uncertainty, their hesitation. They weren't used to these kinds of confrontations, but they would need to be.
"I'll take the lead," Shen Mu whispered, more to himself than the stranger. "Follow my lead. Stay quiet."
The stranger nodded, though their eyes betrayed an underlying doubt. Shen Mu didn't blame them—this was uncharted territory for both of them.
As the enemy faction grew closer, Shen Mu took a deep breath and focused on his senses. The system's presence was like a steady pulse in the back of his mind, urging him to make a decision. Now. Strike first.
With a mental command, the system activated his basic combat training, enhancing his reflexes just enough to give him an edge. His body moved before his mind could fully process the motion, sliding forward with stealth.
The first enemy was an easy target. Shen Mu lunged from his position, his knife cutting through the air with precision, and before the man had time to react, he was incapacitated—tackled to the ground and swiftly silenced.
Shen Mu's mind registered the sounds of struggle behind him, and he spun to see the stranger engaged with another of the hostile faction's members. They moved quickly, their dagger flashing in the dim light, but the opponent was bigger, stronger.
Shen Mu didn't hesitate. He charged at the attacker, slamming into them with all his force, knocking them to the ground. The two survivors worked together swiftly, each of them efficiently taking down the remaining enemies one by one.
Is this what it feels like to fight with power? To fight with purpose?
Shen Mu's thoughts were interrupted by the system's voice: "Hostile faction neutralized. Objective completed: Secure the warehouse."
The sudden calmness in his mind was strange. It was as if the world had fallen back into place, the immediate danger dissipating.
The stranger stood up, wiping the blood from their blade with a grim expression. Their eyes flickered to Shen Mu, their wariness gone. "That was… impressive," they said, a note of admiration in their voice.
Shen Mu gave a small nod, though the weight of the encounter was still heavy on his shoulders. "We need to keep moving."
With the immediate threat neutralized, Shen Mu led the way to the warehouse, pushing through the final stretch of the alley. His mind was already calculating the next steps—more enemies could be on the way, and there was no time to waste.
As they reached the warehouse, the metal doors loomed ahead. They were rusted and partially closed, but it looked like there was enough of an opening to slip through.
"Ready?" Shen Mu asked the stranger.
The stranger nodded, their face steely with resolve. "Let's get what we need. And stay sharp."
Together, they slipped through the gap in the doors, entering the dark, quiet warehouse.
This is it. This could change everything. Shen Mu's mind raced, the system guiding his thoughts as he focused on the new objective.