Chapter 3: Laying the Foundation

The sun had fully risen by the time Arnold finished his workout, casting a golden light across the city. He felt a renewed sense of purpose surging through him as he stared out of his apartment window. The world outside was still peaceful, unaware of the impending doom that would strike in just a month. But he knew. He knew what was coming, and he was determined to change his fate—and possibly the fate of humanity.

Arnold sat down at his desk, pulling out a map of the city from one of the drawers. He spread it out, the paper crinkling slightly as he traced his fingers over familiar streets and landmarks. Memories of the apocalypse flooded his mind, each one sharp and clear. He remembered the safe zones, the supply caches, and the territories controlled by different factions. He also recalled the areas that would soon be overrun by beasts, the places that would become death traps for anyone caught unprepared.

He needed to start planning, and he needed to do it fast. The clock was ticking, and every second counted.

First, he marked the locations of the supply caches he remembered. These were hidden stockpiles of food, weapons, and other essential items that had been left behind by the government or looted by survivors during the chaos. He knew the general areas where they were located, but finding them wouldn't be easy. Some would be heavily guarded by local gangs, while others would be buried under rubble or surrounded by beasts. He'd need to be smart about how he approached these places.

Next, he identified the safe zones. These were areas that had been fortified by military forces or survivor groups, places where people had banded together to create a semblance of order amid the chaos. Some of these zones would hold out for months or even years, while others would fall quickly to the onslaught of beasts or internal strife. Arnold knew that aligning himself with a strong group early on could be crucial to his survival.

However, trust was a double-edged sword in the apocalypse. He'd been betrayed before, left to die by those he had considered friends. This time, he'd be more cautious. He'd build alliances, but he'd never let his guard down completely. Not until he was strong enough to stand on his own.

As he continued to mark the map, another thought struck him. Technology. Before the apocalypse, there had been reports of experimental weapons and devices being developed in secret government labs. Some of these had been deployed during the early days of the apocalypse, and while many had been lost or destroyed, a few had fallen into the hands of survivors. These weapons were game-changers—powerful enough to turn the tide in a battle, but also dangerous and unpredictable.

If he could get his hands on one of these experimental weapons, it would give him a significant advantage. But the labs were well-hidden, their locations classified. He'd have to rely on his memory, rumors, and whatever clues he could find to track them down.

Arnold leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he processed everything. His plan was coming together, but there were still so many unknowns. The system had given him a second chance, but it wasn't going to hand everything to him on a silver platter. He'd have to work for it, and he'd have to be smart about how he used his time and resources.

With a deep breath, he returned to his notebook and began writing down a list of priorities. The first was training. He needed to continue improving his physical abilities, but he also needed to gain practical combat skills. The [Shadow Boxing] skill he'd acquired was a good start, but it wouldn't be enough when he faced real opponents. He needed to find a way to practice with actual weapons—knives, guns, anything he could get his hands on.

The second priority was gathering supplies. Food, water, medical kits, weapons—these would be essential for his survival. But he couldn't just rely on what he remembered from his past life. The world might have changed slightly in this timeline, and he needed to be prepared for unexpected challenges.

The third priority was information. Knowledge was power, and the more he knew about the situation in the city, the better prepared he'd be. He needed to find out what the government was doing, what the media was reporting, and what rumors were circulating among the public. The internet would be his primary source for this, but he'd also have to venture out into the city, talk to people, and gather intel on the ground.

Finally, he needed to think about allies. Arnold was wary of trusting others after what had happened with Rina and Ralph, but he couldn't do everything alone. There were people out there who would be valuable allies—fighters, strategists, medics. He needed to find them, assess their value, and decide if they were worth the risk of forming an alliance.

Arnold stood up and stretched, feeling the slight soreness in his muscles from his earlier workout. The first step of his plan was clear: continue training. The system had proven itself to be a powerful tool, and he needed to make the most of it.

He decided to test his new [Shadow Boxing] skill more thoroughly. There was an old, abandoned warehouse not far from his apartment, a place where he could train in peace without drawing attention. The last thing he needed was someone asking questions or getting curious about his activities.

Arnold quickly packed a small bag with some essentials—water, a towel, and a few snacks—then headed out. The city was slowly coming to life as people went about their daily routines, oblivious to the danger that was only weeks away. Arnold felt a pang of guilt as he passed by them, knowing what was coming and realizing that most of these people wouldn't survive. But he couldn't afford to worry about them right now. He had his own survival to think about.

The warehouse was exactly as he remembered it—large, empty, and filled with dust and debris. The perfect place to train. He set his bag down in a corner and moved to the center of the room, taking a deep breath as he focused on the task ahead.

"[Shadow Boxing]," he murmured, activating the skill.

Immediately, he felt a change in his perception. The room seemed to shift slightly, the air growing thicker, as if it was charged with energy. He could sense the presence of an imaginary opponent, a figure made of shadows that moved fluidly around him, reacting to his every move.

Arnold began to box, throwing punches and dodging attacks from his shadowy opponent. The skill was more advanced than he had anticipated—it wasn't just a basic combat practice; it was like sparring with a real person. The shadow adapted to his movements, countering his strikes, forcing him to think and react faster.

He pushed himself harder, increasing the speed and intensity of his attacks. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his muscles straining as he tried to keep up with the shadow. The skill was designed to push him to his limits, and he could feel his reflexes sharpening, his body becoming more attuned to the rhythm of combat.

Minutes turned into hours as he trained, losing himself in the flow of the fight. By the time he finally stopped, he was drenched in sweat, his breath coming in heavy gasps. But he felt stronger, faster, more focused.

The system didn't reward him immediately this time—he guessed it wasn't as simple as just completing a quest. He would have to consistently push himself, train regularly, and earn the rewards through hard work.

As he packed up his things and left the warehouse, Arnold felt a sense of satisfaction. He was making progress, and that was all that mattered. There was still a long road ahead, but he was ready to walk it.

As he walked back to his apartment, he noticed the people around him again—laughing, talking, living their lives without a care in the world. It was strange, knowing that in just a month, everything would change. But Arnold wasn't the same person he had been before. He wasn't the clueless college kid who had been used and discarded.

He was different now. Stronger. Smarter.

And this time, he wouldn't let anyone stand in his way.