Strongest In the Apocalypse

Please read the author's note. It can be found in auxiliary chapters. Thank you, and enjoy reading.

...

Prince released a sigh.

The sky was a bright blue, the sun blasting harsh rays of light that casted shadows all around the empty forest around him. Clouds were strewn about, wispy and carefree.

Prince sighed again.

He was hiking through the wilderness on a well-worn trail, wearing nothing but sweatpants and a hoodie that turned his body into a pool. Thinking back, he should've wore something much more baggy. The only reason he was hiking through the mountains with no equipment was because he just wanted to quickly take a walk- a morning jog.

Besides, there was just something refreshing about having nothing but the clothes on your back, alone and untamed.

Prince was 6'2, but he had little defined muscle to intimidate a person. He was well-built, but the little pudge of his belly indicated a relaxed lifestyle. His sharp features would be enough to make him a little handsome to many. 

This place wasn't too far from home either, actually.

Speaking of home, Prince was getting sick of it.

Perhaps he was still in the phase where teens became adults, but he couldn't help but wonder- was this really all there is?

Go to school, go to college, get a degree, work a mundane job?

Some people had their life planned out. What college they would go to- what they would study.

Not Prince.

He never had much of an interest in anything relating to school, actually. He'd quickly decided to study biology in middle school. But the truth is, he never wanted to do that. He never wanted to live a simple, quiet life, then die.

He didn't want to do nothing.

Prince sighed for the third time as his mind went down this well-worn track in his brain.

When is my magic owl gonna come? Prince chuckled to himself for the millionth time.

And then, as if some sick joke, the world responded.

Currently scanning planet...

A blue screen materialized in front of Prince, displaying words. Prince immediately yelped in surprise, stumbling back. The screen followed, unperturbed.

Scan complete!

Planet #2Y-B379, or referred to as "Earth" has Integrated into the Nebula.

Welcome to the multiverse!

Prince gaped at the screens before him. A dream. He concluded. Guess I'll roll with it.

Terraforming complete.

System initiated. Think 'Status' to access your attribute screen.

Creating dungeons...

Status?

Attribute Screen - Prince Collins

Species: Human

Faction: N/A

Class: N/A

Titles: N/A

Grade: F

Level: 1

Strength: 7

Endurance: 6

Dexterity: 5

Vitality: 5

Mental: 7

Wisdom: 5

Free Points: 0

What the fuck? Prince thought. This was too much. Was it a prank? Prince swinged at one of the screens. It phased through. It was as if the screen was on a different layer, simply glued to his vision.

If this was a dream, then my emotions would've woken me up by now... It's like a game.

Prince stared at the screen that quantified his existence in numbers. Was he hallucinating? Prince felt a small sense of relief and excitement. He had played videogames before. If there was a stat screen, then there was magic. 

The world began to shake. It was equivalent to an earthquake, but 10 times worse. Prince immediately lost his footing, landing on his ass as the world seemed to warp. 

What if one of these trees fall on me? Prince curled up into a ball, attempting to protect his head with his hands. Prince closed his eyes.

The System wasn't bothered by such trivial matters.

222,222 dungeons created.

The world stopped quaking. Prince slowly raised his head.

Monster spawning complete.

Monster spawning? Shit, that doesn't sound good...

Prince surprised even himself with how easily he rolled along with this.

Relaying message from the Nebula:

Welcome to the new world. If your world did not contain cultivation and Essence before, now it does. Dungeons and monsters have spawned, and your native animals are being transformed into monsters as well. Get stronger by slaying creatures or deeply understanding the world.

This is not a dream. This is not a hallucination. This is real, and we wish to welcome you into our empire. Embrace it.

The first person to reach D-Grade will be designated as the Planet Lord. The first person to reach the C-Grade will be designated as the Planet Overseer.

An event will occur in 3 months (note: Earth months) where sapiens from other planets will invade yours. Powerful beings will be watching how you natives deal with these invaders. Comprehend even the tiniest bit of the world by then, and many doors will open.

Fall, however, and you will be wiped from the Multiverse.

We wish you luck,

Nebula

You have entered F-Grade dungeon Malevolent Mountain. 

F-Grade Dungeon: Malevolent Mountain. There are three monster groups that must be eliminated. This dungeon is in a conquer or perish mode. There is no leaving.

Objectives:

Slay the Goblin King (0/1)

Slay the Infernal Ape (0/1)

Slay the Whistling Wolf (0/1)

Prince read through the notifications, comprehending only half of what was given to him. Aliens? He thought, narrowing his eyes. The System used game terminology- was that just a coincidence?

Did a dungeon spawn ON me? And I can't leave?

Prince was adapting rather quickly. Through the confusion and fear, he also felt... Relief. This was strange and new, and Prince couldn't wait to explore it.

His vision was getting crowded now. The screens disappeared. Neat.

Prince looked up. The sky didn't seem to have changed. What this dungeon really inescapable?

Prince turned, only to see a man staring back at him.

The man had the stature of a child- if that child had green skin, knife-like ears, sharp claws, and a malicious grin that displayed yellow teeth. It looked like a Goblin. 

Goblin - Level 2

Goblins are the standard monster in any Integration. They are usually used as fodder for a nation to train up its young ones. Goblins are extremely evil and hold no emotions other than amusement and extreme lust.

First monster scan notice! Monsters are beings comprised of complete chaos and hatred. For the safety of its citizens, the Nebula recommends complete extermination.

A honest-to-God goblin. Prince stared at the screens before him with shock. 

Unfortunately, the goblin would not wait for him. 

A clawed hand ripped through the screen before Prince, who backpedaled immediately.

In his haste to avoid the incoming attack, he fell on his ass. His heart thumped wildly.

The goblin giggled. "Kekeke... Weak human!" It lunged for him.

Shit! It can't get on top of me!

The world seemed to slow as Prince's heart pumped blood double time. Adrenaline surged within him- no this wasn't adrenaline, this was something else. 

Like the time in his junior year when he was falling of the stairs. The world had seemed to slow, then, and he angled himself so he bounced down the stairs as harmlessly as possible.

Prince drew his knee back and kicked the goblin, right in the face.

Its nose was crushed easily, crumpling back like paper. It shrieked in pain scrambling back and clenched its bleeding nose.

Prince stood, narrowing his eyes as he scanned the environment for anything to use as a weapon.

No rock, no stick or branch. Nothing on him, except for his phone- an iPhone model, and that shit was fragile.

Prince raised his fists as the goblin finally regained its wits. 

Prince felt a wave of excitement pass through him. Childlike excitement filled him.

He was about to fistfight a goblin.