As night fell, the city transformed into something out of a nightmare. From his vantage point on the second floor of the decrepit office building, Max peered cautiously through a broken window. The world outside had grown still in the late hours, the kind of silence that made every creak of the building feel amplified. But as the moon climbed higher, the streets began to stir.
They came shambling from the shadows, their twisted forms illuminated by the pale glow of the night. Walkers. Dozens of them. Their low, guttural groans filled the air, mingling with the distant sound of glass crunching underfoot and objects being knocked over. Max gripped his makeshift weapon—a broken chair leg—with white-knuckled intensity.
His pulse quickened as he watched the horrifying scene unfold. In the dim light, he could see their faces: decayed, hollow-eyed, and slack-jawed, each one a grim reminder of the world he now lived in. *They're everywhere,* he thought. *Why are there so many now?*
During the day, the streets had been eerily empty, with only the occasional walker dragging itself aimlessly through the debris. But now, the city seemed to come alive with them, as if the cover of darkness granted them new energy. Max's stomach churned. He had planned to wait out the night here, but the building's creaking walls and shattered windows now felt like a flimsy barrier against the horrors outside.
---
The familiar glow of the system interface interrupted his thoughts, hovering in the corner of his vision.
---
**New Quest: Gather Supplies**
- *Objective:* Locate and retrieve essential resources: food, water, or medical supplies. Avoid unnecessary combat.
- *Reward:* Starter Supply Pack.
---
Max exhaled sharply. Of course, the system would choose now to issue a task. His stomach twisted at the thought of venturing out into the night with the walkers prowling the streets. But he couldn't ignore the reality of his situation. He was unarmed, unprepared, and running dangerously low on energy. Without food or water, he wouldn't last long.
*No choice,* he thought grimly, gripping his chair leg tighter. *I've got to move.*
---
The office building groaned under the weight of the wind as Max crept through its darkened halls. He moved cautiously, his footsteps soft against the dusty floor. Every shadow seemed to shift, every creak a potential threat. The tension was suffocating. He reached the stairwell and peered down into the abyss below. The lower floors were pitch-black, the flickering remains of a streetlamp outside casting faint, shifting patterns on the walls.
Max descended slowly, his muscles taut. Each step felt like an eternity. When he finally reached the ground floor, he paused to listen. The front doors were still slightly ajar, the cool night air wafting in. Through the gap, he could hear the faint groans of walkers nearby.
He took a deep breath and surveyed his surroundings. Across the street, he spotted what appeared to be a convenience store. Its windows were shattered, and the shelves inside were partially visible, silhouetted against the moonlight. The place looked ransacked, but there was a chance it still held something useful.
---
Max crouched low as he slipped out of the building and into the shadows of the street. The cold air hit him like a wave, carrying with it the faint stench of rot. He kept close to the wall, his movements deliberate and silent. His eyes darted to every corner, watching the walkers shuffle aimlessly nearby.
Seven of them. Too many to risk a direct confrontation.
He slipped into an alleyway, his heart pounding. The darkness felt oppressive, every sound amplified in the silence. He scanned the area for a way into the store. The front entrance was out of the question—it was too exposed. But the alleyway led to a side door, its metal surface scratched and dented.
Max tested the handle. Locked.
---
His eyes darted to the ground, where a loose brick caught his attention. He picked it up, wrapping his shirt around it to muffle the sound. With a quick, forceful swing, he smashed it against the lock. The metal groaned, and the door creaked open. He froze, listening for any reaction from the walkers outside. The groans remained distant.
He slipped inside, his breath shallow. The interior of the store was a mess. Shelves were overturned, and the floor was littered with debris. But there were still supplies to be found.
Max moved quickly, scanning the shelves. His hands closed around a half-full box of bottled water and a few cans of food. He stuffed them into his shirt, creating a makeshift bundle. His heart raced as he worked, each moment feeling like an eternity.
---
A sudden crash shattered the silence.
Max froze, his eyes snapping to the front of the store. A walker had stumbled through the broken window, its cloudy eyes locking onto him.
*Damn it.*
The walker let out a groan, loud and guttural. The sound echoed through the store, a beacon for any nearby undead. Max cursed under his breath, tightening his grip on the chair leg. He had no time to think. The walker lunged, its decayed hands reaching for him.
Max sidestepped, his Agility saving him from the clumsy attack. He swung the chair leg with all his strength, the wood connecting with the walker's skull. The creature stumbled but didn't fall.
He swung again, this time aiming for its temple. The blow landed with a sickening crunch, and the walker collapsed in a heap. Max stood over it, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
The victory was short-lived. More groans sounded from outside, growing louder.
---
**Quest Update: Escape to Safety.**
---
Max bolted for the back door, clutching his supplies. He slipped into the alleyway, his heart pounding. The groans were closer now, the walkers closing in from all sides. He scanned his surroundings desperately, his mind racing.
Up ahead, he spotted an open manhole cover. Without hesitation, he climbed down into the sewer, pulling the cover over him just as the walkers reached the edge.
---
In the suffocating darkness of the sewer, Max collapsed against the damp wall, gasping for air. The sounds of the walkers faded above him, their groans growing distant.
---
**Quest Completed: Gather Supplies**
*Reward: Starter Supply Pack received.*
---
The system's notification appeared, and a small bag materialized beside him. Inside, he found a flashlight, a basic first-aid kit, and a sturdy hunting knife.
Max gripped the knife tightly, his resolve hardening. The city was a waking nightmare, but he wasn't going to let it break him. Tomorrow, he would be stronger. He had to be.