4 Pre-apocalypse

The same unpleasant sensation hits me again. While I regain my senses I start to think about everything that just unfolded. If I remember correctly he said that our planet on the original timeline is on a path towards unpreventable destruction. I silently think about the friends I made over the past couple years. An intense wave of sadness washes over me.

Why did I get chosen? What seperates me from the rest? Heck, why did the apocalypse even happen in the first place? I catch myself. Now is not the time to complain about things I have no control over. I'm not a child. I try to think back on the conversation. What could 'the start of my journey' mean? Before the apocalypse? When I was born? When I first absorbed a crystal?

I realize that this isn't something that I could count on so instead I try to sort out useful information. The apocalypse started 2021 on the 13th of October. Much like myself the world was unprepared. It is suspected that a widespread mutation of the recent pandemic virus was the cause behind the zombie outbreak. It started with people getting high fevers all across the world. A couple of days later they all perished. About twelve hours later they reanimated. Grieving family members and funeral firms were the first that got killed. Of course their death was only temporary. Luckily they had been dead for half a day so their limbs were stale resulting in them moving awkwardly and being unable to run which limited casualties.

While I was busy pondering my senses had gradually returned to me. I find myself in a younger body. About two years younger in fact. Moving around awkwardly I try to confirm the date somewhere until I remember I had a phone. For average survivors like myself electricity was unobtainable and therefore mobile phones became unusable.

August the 13th. Exactly two months before the apocalypse. A little less than what i had hoped for but I guess it'll have to do. The most important things in the early stages are fighting ability, manpower and supplies. Seeing as I don't have enough skill to create trustworthy pawns in two months I guess I'll have to give up on manpower. That gives me two months to work on gathering supplies and improving my physical capabilities. I could join a martial arts dojo but I would get nowhere in just two months and martial arts dojos with weapons are quite rare.

Why dont I just join a bodybased martial arts dojo? If you want to punch, grapple or kick a zombie that can infect you with a single bite then go ahead. I however actually enjoy living so I'll stick with my weapons.

Before I decide on anything though lets check out my 'system'.

[Hello Mark, and welcome to the interface of your system]

Hello, strange etherial voice. Can you tell me about my gift?

[Do you wish to open your gift?]

Yes.