Charvet Storm woke with a start to the sound of crashes and distant screams. His heart pounded as he shot up from bed, confused by the noise. Rushing to the window, he froze in shock.
The streets outside were chaos. People were running in every direction, and monstrous creatures—grotesque, twisted versions of humans—stumbled through the crowd. The city was in utter disarray. The air was thick with panic.
Charvet's mind raced. What was happening? He reached for his phone, but the screen was dead. The power was out. His stomach sank. Something was terribly wrong.
Before he could think more about it, a loud crash echoed from downstairs. Something was coming. He couldn't stay here.
Grabbing the nearest weapon—an old sword he'd kept as a decoration—Charvet rushed down the hallway. The sword felt heavier in his hands now, as if it had suddenly gained real weight, like it was meant for more than decoration.
In the kitchen, he saw it—a zombie. Slow, stumbling toward him, its face twisted and decayed. Charvet's heart skipped a beat, but his instincts kicked in. He'd spent years playing MMORPGs, fighting virtual monsters, and now, it seemed those skills might actually help him survive.
Without hesitation, he raised the sword and swung. The blade sliced cleanly through the zombie's neck, and it collapsed to the floor with a sickening thud.
Charvet stood still for a moment, staring at the fallen creature. He was still processing what had just happened when suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind.
System Notification: You have killed a Zombie.
Level Up!
Charvet blinked, his mouth dry. What? Was this a joke? He looked around, but everything seemed too real. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was no game.
Before he could gather his thoughts, the voice returned.
System Notification: Please choose your player name.
Charvet stared at the floating text, stunned. Player name? He wasn't sure what was happening, but it seemed like the system wanted him to decide on a name.
Without much thought, he typed: Stormbringer.
The system flashed the character interface before him.
Character Interface:
Player Name: Stormbringer
Level: 2
HP: 100/100
MP: 50/50
Skills: None
Items: None
Stats:
Strength: 5
Dexterity: 5
Intelligence: 5
Endurance: 5
Stat Points: 1
Charvet's eyes widened as he saw his stats and the experience bar. This couldn't be real, but the interface was right in front of him. He had no time to dwell on it, though. Another crash from the hallway snapped him out of his stupor. He had to keep moving.
Charvet tightened his grip on the sword. This wasn't just some crazy dream or game. It was real, and if he wanted to survive, he needed to be ready.
He stepped forward, only to be met by another zombie. This one was faster, more aggressive. Charvet swung the sword, his instincts guiding him. The battle felt strangely familiar, and with one clean strike, the second zombie collapsed.
System Notification: You have killed a Zombie.
Experience gained: 10
Charvet gritted his teeth. It felt like the stakes were higher now. The system's voice chimed again, but he barely registered it. More zombies were coming. Charvet could hear them.
He fought through the hallway, cutting down zombie after zombie. With each kill, the system's notifications filled his mind, tracking his progress.
Finally, after the fifth kill, another notification appeared, this time with a new reward.
System Notification: Quest Complete.
Level Up!
Objective: Kill 5 Zombies
Reward: Random Skill Book
Do you wish to learn the skill? Yes/No
Charvet's eyes widened as a book appeared in his hands, glowing faintly. He could feel its power. The system seemed to be offering him something valuable. He quickly touched the book, and the details flooded his mind.
Skill Book: Basic Swordsmanship (Passive)
Effect: Increases proficiency with swords. Can be upgraded through practice.
Charvet's heart raced as he processed the information. A skill? This was more than he could have imagined. Without a second thought, he selected Yes to learn the skill.
System Notification: You have learned Basic Swordsmanship (Passive).
New Skill: Basic Swordsmanship
Effect: Increases sword proficiency. Can be upgraded through practice.
He had gained 2 stat points from leveling up. Charvet immediately allocated them into Dexterity, bringing it up to 7. He had a feeling that being faster and more precise would help him survive longer in this new world. His instincts, honed from years of playing MMORPGs, told him that agility would be more useful than brute strength for now.
Charvet could feel the change almost immediately.
He was now Level 3. He felt stronger, faster, like something inside him had shifted. The glow of the system faded, and Charvet instinctively opened the character interface to check his stats.
Character Name: Stormbringer
Level: 3
HP: 100/100
MP: 50/50
Basic Stats:
Strength (STR): 5
Dexterity (DEX): 7
Intelligence (INT): 5
Endurance (END): 5
Skills:
Basic Swordsmanship (Passive): Can be upgraded by practice.
New quest available: "Survive the Night"
As he prepared for the next wave, Charvet realized one thing: this world, this new reality, was nothing like the games he used to play. It was raw, dangerous, and filled with uncertainty.
But now, with the system's help and the swordsmanship skill, he might just have a chance.
Charvet stood in the hallway, catching his breath after the fight. The sound of footsteps outside reminded him he couldn't stay here for long. The chaos in the streets was getting worse.
He quickly checked the house to make sure it was secure, then went back to the living room. His apartment wasn't anything special, but it had always been enough for him. The small space was filled with the things he loved—posters on the walls, his gaming desk with multiple screens, and shelves packed with gaming gear.
Charvet glanced toward the front door. The chaos outside was still, but he knew it wouldn't stay that way for long. He locked the door, the sound of the latch echoing in the quiet room. Then, he headed to the bathroom. He needed a moment to clear his head, to make sense of everything happening around him.
The cold water hit him when he stepped into the shower, but it didn't matter. He had to focus. As the water ran over him, he let his mind race. How did things get like this? What was going on with the apocalypse?
After he finished showering, he wiped the fog from the bathroom mirror and looked at his reflection.
The face that stared back at him was the same as always—sharp features, defined jaw, and a handsome face that he had never paid much attention to. His eyes were dark brown and serious, reflecting the weight of everything happening outside. His long black hair, reaching all the way down to his waist, was messy but well-known to him. He had never had to cut it. As a gamer, his appearance didn't matter.
Charvet stared at himself for a few moments, trying to process everything. This was real. No more virtual world—he was stuck in this nightmare. The apocalypse. Zombies. The system that had appeared out of nowhere. It felt like a game, but it was far too real.
He quickly turned away from the mirror. He didn't have time for doubts. He needed to move forward, to find answers. The world had changed, and he needed to keep up.
His mind went through his next steps. The system had given him a way to level up, gain new skills, but this wasn't like any game he'd played before. Every decision now mattered.
He needed more weapons, better gear, and answers about how the system worked. But more than that, Charvet had to find his friends—his old teammates from the MMORPGs—and his little brother, who had been adopted by a rich family years ago. The thought of him brought a wave of urgency. He didn't know where to start, but he couldn't just leave things to chance.
Charvet glanced back toward the living room. The world outside was waiting, and he couldn't afford to hesitate any longer.
This was his new reality now. And there was no turning back.
After a quick shower, Charvet made his way to the kitchen. The familiar hum of the refrigerator greeted him as he opened it. Canned beans, some leftover rice, and a half-eaten sandwich were all that remained. It wasn't much, but it would have to do for now. He heated the food quickly, sitting down at his small dining table.
As he ate, his mind raced. The apocalypse, the zombies, the system—it was all overwhelming. Charvet chewed slowly, trying to calm his thoughts, but the silence of his empty home only added to the tension.
Finishing his meal, Charvet stood up, glancing toward the window. The apartment complex outside was eerily quiet. It had always been a place where neighbors came and went, where kids ran through the halls, and people bumped into each other in the stairwell. But now, it felt deserted.
He didn't know anyone in the building—never really made the effort to. His life had always been focused on his gaming, and he'd never spent much time getting to know his neighbors. They were friendly enough, but Charvet kept to himself. Now, he couldn't help but wonder if anyone had survived—or if anyone was still out there. But even if they were, could he trust them?
Charvet turned away from the window and moved toward the electrical panel. He flipped the switch, and the lights flickered on. At least the power was still up. For now. He checked his phone, hoping for some answers, but there was no signal. No internet.
Sighing, he walked back into the kitchen and opened the pantry. The remaining food wasn't enough to survive long, and he wasn't sure when he'd be able to get more. He'd have to ration what he had carefully.
The silence outside was broken only by the occasional crash in the distance, a constant reminder that the world had changed overnight. Charvet took a deep breath. He needed to move, find a way to survive. His little brother, his friends—he had to find them. But first, he had to figure out how to stay alive. And trust no one.
With that thought, he locked the door behind him, grabbing his sword.
Charvet tightened his grip on the sword and stepped out of his apartment. The hallway was quiet, too quiet. He couldn't stay in his apartment forever. He needed to find supplies—and maybe even other survivors.
As he moved down the hallway, his footsteps echoed off the walls. The silence was unnerving, but he forced himself to keep going. Reaching the stairs, Charvet made his way down carefully, always on alert. When he reached the first floor, he headed toward the front door.
Just as he reached it, a shuffling noise made him freeze. Turning around, he saw a zombie stumbling down the hallway toward him. It looked slow and decayed, dragging its feet with a hunger in its eyes. Charvet didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he charged and swung his sword. The blade sliced clean through the zombie's neck, and it collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.
Before he could catch his breath, he heard another shuffle. This time, the zombie was closer. Charvet quickly turned to face it. He raised his sword just in time to block its claws, then swung upward, slicing through its chest. The zombie fell to the ground, twitching.
The system's voice suddenly buzzed in his head.
Charvet didn't stop to check the notification. He had more important things to focus on. He stepped over the fallen bodies and moved further into the apartment complex, hoping to find supplies.
He reached the next door and peeked inside. It was another apartment. Empty. But the kitchen shelves were stocked with canned goods and bottled water. It wasn't much, but it would last him a few days. He grabbed what he could, stuffing it into his arms.
Just as he turned to leave, a noise came from the back room. Charvet's senses went on high alert. He slowly approached, sword at the ready. To his surprise, a zombie was sitting in a chair, staring at him. It seemed almost lifeless, waiting for its next victim.
Charvet didn't waste time. He moved quickly, slicing through the zombie's throat before it could react. It collapsed in a heap, and he breathed a small sigh of relief.
He quickly searched the rest of the apartment for anything useful. There were a few more cans of food and some bottled water, but nothing else worth taking. Charvet moved on to the next apartment, determined to find more supplies.
As he walked down the hall, another zombie appeared at the end of the corridor. It was bigger than the others—its body bloated with decay. Charvet's heart raced as he gripped his sword tighter. This would be a tougher fight.
He waited until it was close enough and then charged, slashing at its throat. The zombie stumbled back, but Charvet followed through with another strike. This time, the blade went deep, and the creature collapsed at his feet.
Charvet was starting to get used to the rhythm of the fight. He took a deep breath and wiped his blade clean. Only one more to go. He headed toward the last apartment, determined to find the supplies he needed to survive.