Above the chaos of the city, the sky rippled with a strange energy. A tear in space and time began to form high above one of the tallest skyscrapers. The world seemed to shred like paper and revealing a dark void. From this rift a figure emerged. She descending slowly toward the rooftop below.
As she appeared her form became clearer. She was an impossibly beautiful woman with a body that seemed sculpted to perfection. Her curves were accentuated by a tight black gown that clung to her like a second skin. Her skin was so fair, contrasted with the darkness of her attire. Her long, raven-black hair flowed behind her as she descended and her crimson eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement.
She landed smoothly on the roof. For a moment she stood while surveying the destruction that spread out before her. A satisfied smile spread across her lips and she closed her eyes inhaling the air deeply.
The scent of blood, smoke, and fear filled her senses and she let out an almost purring sigh of pleasure.
"Wonderful..." she murmured to herself. "This world has finally embraced its true nature. Let the human feel what they deserve."
She opened her eyes and looked down at the streets below where the monsters continued their rampage, tearing apart anything in their path. She watched with interest as the abominations slaughtered the human and splattering theeir blood like crimson rain.
But her excitement wasn't solely for the carnage. Her eyes scanned the cityscape searching for a presence that worth to look at.
"There must be someone here... someone worth my attention," she said softly, her voice laced with anticipation.
Among humans, there are always a few who are exceptional. Those with personalities that are twisted or different enough that they don't fit in with normal people. And in this kind of chaos, it's precisely these individuals who will survive and thrive.
She raised a hand and from her back a pair of black wings unfurled. The feathers were dark as midnight and each one shimmering with a faint glow of their own. With a single powerful beat she lifted off the rooftop soaring into the sky with effortless ease.
As she flew above the city her eyes continued to scan the chaos below. "Where are you, little one?" she whispered. "Where is this one of the filthy mortal who can truly entertain me?"
---
Myles stepped out of his apartment. The door creaking as it shut behind him, sealing off the remnants of his old life. The corridor stretched ahead. The distant sounds of chaos from the streets outside breaking the stillness.
He moved cautiously and putting his senses on high alert. He have the knife in his hand and another knife was tucked into his belt.
His heart pounded with a mix of fear and anticipation. He knew that those zombies, mutated humans, or whatever these things were that had emerged from the apocalypse is waiting to kill him. Myles now stepping into their world instead of hiding. To hunt them to make himself stronger so he can survive. At this stage, those monsters will be weaker than latter so he have to make use of this chance.
The silence was shattered by a sudden noise. A door opening abruptly right in front of him.
Myles stopped and his grip tightening on the knife. He see a young man burst out from the apartment across the hall. Twisted jagged horns had sprouted from his skull and his eyes glowing with madness and hunger. Just like Emily earlier.
The man's gaze locked onto Myles and with a snarling roar he lunged forward without wasting any time. His speed and ferocity will be enough to send most people into a panic.
But Myles remained calm. He didn't flinch. Instead, he raised his hand and summoning a fireball with a thought. He aimed and released the fireball.
BOOM!
The fiery orb struck the man square in the face and threw him backward. His head engulfed in flames. He screamed in agony as the flames devouring his flesh but Myles didn't hesitate.
Myles charged forward. He leaped into the air and raised his knife then brought it down with brutal force. The blade plunged into the man's skull cutting through bone and brain with a sickening crunch.
Myles didn't stop there; he stabbed again and again, ensuring the man was dead beyond any doubt.
Finally, after several brutal thrusts Myles stopped. He breathing heavily and pulled the knife free, wiping it on the man's scorched clothes.
[You have successfully defeated a Rank F-Mutated Soul.]
[You gained 10 EXP.]
"When I first killed these creatures I got the System, now I get EXP. This System does not activate by itself once this apocalypse starts like in novels but one has to kill first before they can get it. If that's the case, maybe many people won't know that they can get this System."
Myles stood up while steadying his breath. He looked down at the body then look for it and found another sharp object in the man's chest.
But not only that, Myles knelt down and reached into a small orb clear object beside the man's body.
As he held it a new notification appeared in his vision.
[Item: Lesser Mana Core]
- Rank: F
- Description: A small, low-grade mana core harvested from a creature or human that have been mutated. Can be absorbed to restore a small amount of mana or used in crafting.
- Effect: Restores 20 Mana when absorbed.
Myles's lips curled into a satisfied smile. Turns out, there is something that he don't need to stab into his heart to get.
He pocketed the Lesser Mana Core, knowing it would be useful later.
Next,he pulled the sharp object from the man's chest and stab it into his heart.
[Skill: Minor Regeneration]
- Rank: F
- Description: Grants the ability to regenerate minor wounds over time. Does not require mana to activate, but the process is slow.
- Effect: Heals 1% HP every minute when get hurt.
Myles's eyes nodded and at the same time grimacing in pain. It wasn't flashy or powerful, but it was something.
He stand up again and get ready to kill more.
But before he could walk far, he heard something humming few meters in front of him. He stopped instantly, listening. Then his eyes opened wide.
Wasps. There was a wasps nest in the entrance of this apartment.
---