Chapter 6 - Growing Numbers

I feel a bit dizzy as I look over the quest details. "It hasn't even been more than 15 minutes since it started… So what the hell?!"

[ 10/30 monsters slain ]

[ Every 500 user deaths will add 10 more monsters to the completion total. ]

'At least 1,000 people have already died,' I wonder, nausea flooding my body. I don't throw up the few bites I had taken, but I wasn't hungry anymore, shoving the rest of the bar back into a floating screen in front of me containing the contents of my Inventory.

As I look at it, a small ding sounds, and the numbers change again.

[ 10/40 monsters slain ]

"So 1,500 people have died on this quest…"

[ More than 1,500 people have died. "Users" refer to those who were chosen by the Evolving System. As for normal civilians, the number of dead in the LA region is almost 1,000,000. ]

This time, the half of the protein bar in my stomach tries to jump back out my mouth, and I clap a hand over it. "Why wouldn't you just give everyone a system? Why choose??"

[ That would be an excessive waste of energy for a recently created entity such as the System. Even so, the System is still learning, as evident by only a 73% survival rate for the LA region. Some regions were even lower; the Sacramento region had a 59% survival rate, and the Las Vegas region only had a 51% survival rate. ]

"What the fuck?!"

Knowing how badly people were dying didn't exactly boost my morale, and I stare down at my trembling left hand rather than keep reading the message over and over. I had been so focused on my own survival, I hadn't even stopped to consider how anyone else might be doing. I mean, it wasn't like I was close to anyone at the store, and I hadn't talked to anyone in my family in three years.

I relax my hand, not realizing I had been clenching so hard that if I didn't have the Durability buff, I would have split the skin on my palm. I take a long breath to soothe my nerves. 'Focus.'

People who I likely didn't even know weren't my priority. I need to keep my own survival in mind. Besides, the ones that died were probably weaker than I was now, especially since I was going to keep on growing the longer this quest went on.

"Stats."

[ Name: Kieran Bright ]

[ Grade: E Race: Human Lv: 1{30%} Class: Adaptability ]

[ HP: 97/120 MP: 173/185 FS: 110/110 SP: 187/200 ]

[ Skills: Lv1 Gluttony's Mark {6.25%} ]

[ STR: 25.8 (E) VIT: 13 (E-) END: 11 (E-) SPE: 36.2 (E+) INT: 50 (D-) CHA: 26 (E) LCK: 21 (E) STL: 3 (F) ]

I nod, making sure my sword is properly secured. The sooner I can finish this quest, the safer I'll be. I mean, there was the Safe Zone unlock, as well as some kind of map.

I feel myself wavering as I head for the doors, but I don't dare slow down as I march right out the doors, beelining for the flaming remains of the gas station. My wallet was probably useless in this new world, but my apartment key could come in handy.

'Just get through this quest, and worry about anything else later,' I tell myself, pleased to find that the break room was still partially intact. I hop over some fallen rubble, spinning the lock as fast as I could to unlock my dented locker. Thankfully, I get it right first try, and snag my belongings — which only consists of a change of clothes, my wallet, keys, a swiss army knife, and my cheap, full-face biker helmet. I shove it all into my Inventory, checking to make sure it was all there. Once satisfied, I began what would be a long journey to my apartment, seeing as the old motercycle I bought for a little over a thousand dollars had exploded along with the majority of the gas station.

— — — — —

What was a 5-minute ride proved to be a 50 minute journey by foot, mostly due to the numerous monsters. If my counting was right, I had killed 12 Prowlers, 5 wolflike monsters named Chasers, and 3 round, orange blobs with 6 stubby limbs that would be as cute as a pug if they didn't have huge mouths chock full with sharp teeth, or if they even had anything other than just the terrifying mouth and legs. They were accurately named Chubbs.

Still, I had netted a Stealth point and a Strength point, so I was somewhat satisfied. I had also built up 4/10 of a point for Speed, 3/10 for Endurance, and another three for Vitality. 'A decent spread for now.'

I had also leveled up, but nothing had happened aside from the system telling me I had moved to Level 2. 'Maybe I can equip higher-grade stuff now?'

Not only that, but I had seen a few small groups on my way as well, but I made sure to steer clear of them. I had seen enough zombie and other apocalyptic movies to know how unpredictable humans can be in situations like this.

Still, it was almost eerie how quiet the hollow square building of my apartment complex was, seeing as just yesterday there had been kids running and screaming by the front doors, and seniors walking the small path in the open middle. I try to shake the ominous feeling off as I jog up the steps to the second level. The shutters of the room closest to the stairs clatter as someone clearly moves away, but I move on, uninterested in any apartment besides my own. I soon arrive at my door, drawing the keys from my Inventory and fumbling with them until I get to the one for my door.

'… It's bent.'

Most of my belongings had survived just fine after the explosion; the locker had still been intact. So, most likely…

"I did it last night when I left," I sigh, grabbing the end of it. I had only been half awake when I stumbled out of my apartment and rode to work, and I distinctly remember clumsily falling on my side when dismounting my bike. At least it was only slight; I could just bend it back.

Yet, I had forgotten that I had gained a few points Strength. So, when I go to force it back into place, pressing as hard as I can, a horrifying snap suddenly sounds from between my fingers.

I open my hands in shock to see the key in pieces in my palms, the thin metal shattered by my accidental showing of brute strength. They jangle as my hands tremble, but I force myself to calm, taking the intact piece of the key that goes in the keyhole and shoving it all the way in. It was never coming back out, but if I could just turn the door…

I use my fingernail to try and turn the lock, to no avail. After a few minutes, I get fed up and draw my sword. Surprisingly, it actually works first try, and a lock click signifies the door can now be opened — which I immediately do. I slip inside, closing and locking the door behind me. Well, I wouldn't call it a lock now. More like a minor inconvenience to get past, but oh well.

My bleak living surroundings greet me, as they always do when I come home. No decorations sat anywhere; not on the wall, nor on any table. In fact, I only had four tables total in the apartment. The dining table, coffee table, a small corner table next to the old gray couch, and one next to my bed.

I shake off the thoughts of how depressing my space was, starting to tear through a few piles of organized chaos. The apartment was mostly clean, though near the corners of the walls were a handful of barely-stacked towers of random items that I easily tore through, looking for anything of use. However, unless I could draw my way to survival, or soccer or volleyball it, there was nothing useful.

Even my kitchen wasn't helpful; there was barely any food, but I took what I had — some leftovers, and a few cans of beer. I also grab a kitchen knife, just in case. Then I dart to my room for the things I truly came for — clean clothes. I grab as many clean clothes as I can, about enough for two weeks' worth. Once that is satisfied, I look about my room for anything else.

The bedroom is the messiest place of the apartment, with the most piles of stuff thrown about. It's also the most bare, consisting of only the bed and small table. I contemplate taking my charger, but I wasn't even sure if my phone would be useful in the first place.

I sigh, walking over to the window to peer at the street pensively. A trio walking into the street greets me, and something in my senses seems to be going off with two of them.

One has clothes that look like a priest, but the boy wearing it looks my age, so I doubt he actually was one. Well, the one in churches and stuff, anyway.

The two that set something in my head off were completely different in contrast, one wearing dark leather armor and the other in heavier steel, though it still looks flexible. Accents of a blueish-green are also etched into it.

They are all smiling and talking, but a few glances being passed don't ease me any.

'Oh God, what am I doing,' I wonder flatly as I pull open my window, peeling the screen off easily.

— — — — —

[ STL: F ]