Chapter 4: The Raffle of Fate
Kael Draven reclined on a leather chaise in his bunker, the faint hum of the solar-powered lights blending with the distant drip of water from the hydroponic system. Thirty days until the apocalypse—his empire was taking shape, a fortress of supplies and steel beneath the oblivious sprawl of his family's estate. The surviving staff—Grayson, Lena, and Clara—moved like ghosts, efficient and fearful under his new Ruthlessness Aura. He could feel it radiating from him, a quiet pressure that made their eyes dart away when he spoke. The system had molded him further, and he reveled in it.
Then, mid-sip of a cold energy drink, the air shimmered. Golden text flared across his vision, brighter and bolder than before:
[System Upgrade Initiated: Apocalypse Tyrant System V2.0]
[New Feature Unlocked: Raffle of Destiny – Spin for 5 Prizes]
[Reward Potential: Resources, Abilities, Global Effects]
[Spin Available Now – Cost: None]
Kael sat up, a grin tugging at his lips. "A raffle? You're spoiling me now." The system had been generous—strength, stamina, charisma, ruthlessness—but this felt like a jackpot waiting to happen. He didn't hesitate. "Spin it."
The interface shifted, a holographic wheel materializing in his mind's eye. It spun with a rhythmic click-click-click, glowing symbols blurring past—swords, coins, a storm cloud, a crown. Kael leaned forward, pulse quickening, as it slowed. One by one, the prizes locked into place:
[Prize 1: Armored Transport Vehicle – Common]
A rugged, bulletproof truck materialized in his bunker's garage, stocked with fuel and spare parts. Useful, practical. He nodded approval.
[Prize 2: Infinite Ammo Cache – Rare]
A crate shimmered into existence beside his weapons rack, its lid engraved with a looping infinity symbol. He popped it open—bullets, clips, grenades, all gleaming and endless. "Now we're talking," he muttered.
[Prize 3: Enhanced Perception (Major) – Rare]
A jolt ran through him, sharpening his senses. He could hear Clara's nervous breathing two rooms away, smell the faint tang of gunpowder lingering from yesterday's cull. His grin widened.
[Prize 4: Global Power Awakening – Legendary]
The text pulsed, and a wave of energy rippled outward, invisible but heavy. The system elaborated:
[Effect: When the apocalypse begins, all surviving humans gain a chance to unlock powers. Categories – Common (70%), Rare (25%), Legendary (5%)]
Kael froze, then laughed—a sharp, delighted sound. "You're turning the end into a goddamn lottery. Chaos is my playground now."
[Prize 5: Mythical Power Seed – Exclusive to Host]
A glowing orb, no bigger than a marble, appeared in his palm. It pulsed with a deep, iridescent light—reds, blues, golds swirling within. The system chimed:
[Mythical Power Seed: Unique to Kael Draven. Activate at apocalypse onset to unlock a power beyond Legendary rank. Potential unknown.]
Kael stared at the orb, his reflection dancing in its surface. "Mythical," he whispered. Common powers might be speed or strength—basic, boring. Rare could be telekinesis or fire conjuring. Legendary? Maybe time manipulation or invulnerability. But Mythical? That was his alone, a trump card no one else could touch. He closed his fist around it, feeling its warmth seep into his skin, and tucked it into a hidden pocket. He'd wait—activate it when the world broke.
"Grayson!" Kael called, striding out of the bunker. The butler appeared, impeccable as ever, though his eyes flickered with the unease Kael's aura now inspired. "We've got a new toy in the garage. Check it out—armored truck. Make sure it's ready to roll."
Grayson nodded. "At once, sir." He paused, then added, "May I ask about the… sensation earlier? The air felt strange."
Kael smirked. Grayson's instincts were sharp—another reason he'd survived the cull. "Just a little gift I've given the world. You'll see soon enough." He didn't elaborate. Let the butler wonder; the apocalypse would reveal it all.
Back in the mansion, Kael tested his new perception. He caught Lena whispering to Clara in the kitchen—"He's different, scarier"—and pinpointed a squirrel skittering across the roof three floors up. It was intoxicating, this clarity, like the world had snapped into high definition. The infinite ammo crate was a godsend too—he'd never run dry mid-fight again.
But the real prize was the global awakening. He imagined it: survivors clawing through the ruins, suddenly sparking with powers—some hurling rocks with their minds, others sprinting faster than cars. Most would get scraps, a few would shine, and a handful might rival him… until his Mythical power crushed them all. It'd turn the apocalypse into a battlefield of gods, and he'd be the apex.
That night, Kael stood on the mansion's balcony, the armored truck gleaming below, the city lights still blissfully ignorant in the distance. Thirty days left. The system's voice murmured in his mind:
[Task Update: Prepare for Power Awakening – Ensure Dominance]
[Suggestion: Train with new abilities. Expand influence.]
"Expand influence," he mused. The cheerleaders, the staff—he'd already bent them to his will. Soon, he'd need more. Survivors to command, rivals to crush. The raffle had upped the stakes, and he loved it.
He tapped the pocket where the Mythical Seed rested, a secret promise of supremacy. "Let them have their powers," he said to the night. "I'll take everything."
The wind carried his words away, and somewhere, deep in his core, the tyrant roared.