[ Chapter I (1): "GAME START!" ]
[ "Shit's absolutely crazy... Heh." ]
After finding the school restroom, Elias immediately entered and locked himself into one of the stalls. Tapping his feet impatiently, he wonders what the System has in store for him.
So after looking at hundreds of names, after passing by classrooms and even knowing a tinge bit about each and every single of their personal life— like for example his math teacher's life, he was already able to see a glimpse of the System's powers...
And at the moment he is ready to learn more, as he in real-time tries to remember all the information he could gather from thousands upon thousands of novel he had read before the Apocalypse.
[ "System, open Inventory." ]
[ "System, open Stats." ]
[ "System, open my Mission Tab." ]
All of which weren't responded by the System at all. As the said big 3, the basics of what a normal protagonist System would have, instead gets ignored.
To his outright dismay and confusion, the System that he had just recently acquired is either faulty at best, or just plain useless to even not have the basics of the bunch.
Scratching his head in worry, he was ready to try other promots. But apparently he doesn't need to do so, as seconds later he gets a response from the almighty System.
[ "Oh, so it wasn't broken." ]
[ FEATURES: "INVENTORY", "STATUS WINDOW", AND "MISSION LIST" HASN'T BEEN UNLOCKED BY THE PLAYER! ]
But contrary to his expectations, the reply he received wasn't a positive one. Causing him to question the usefulness of the so-called Ultimate System.
[ "W-wait, why do I even need you then?" ]
Perhaps as a direct response to his question, the System's floating tab flickered out of existence and flickered back. This time with other words written, and thankfully this time it is a positive one.
[ AVAILABLE FEATURE: "DAILY MISSION" ]
[ "That's... that's actually great. Uhh- System, activate that." ]
Though confused why he only has one prompt at the moment, and why it's separate from the Mission List function. He instead tries his best not to question with it, and continue investigating.
Ready to do some minial task at best. Like for example preparing for the Apocalypse, exercise like that one bald guy or run around to have endurance training.
If not that, then perhaps to study modern weapons, how to make one and such, in preparation for the Doomsday. But no, to his surprise the Daily Mission seems to be different than he expected.
[ DAILY MISSION STARTING! ]
[ GAME START! ]
[ "Game what now- ohh... OH SHIT!" ]
Not knowing what's happening, he then screamed his lungs out when he spotted a vortex of some sorts. Which suddenly appeared in place of the System.
This said small vortex in the blink of an eye became bigger and bigger, until then it was big enough to encompass and swallow the body of Elias whole.
On the other hand, the neighbouring stall which has another student in it. One that is taking a huge dump could be seen shaking his head in disgust and judgement.
A tinge bit of his worried for the mental state of the person besides the stall that he is in. As in having heard of everything from beginning to end, it was reasonable.
Nonethewiser to what was the fate of the man besides his stall, he then instead prompt not to investigate. As he minded his own business, as he continues scrolling on his phone— about... biology.
[ "What a weird guy." ]
[ "Must be playing a weird game, or constipated..." ]
[ "Meh whatever, not my problem." ]
...
[ "A-AHHH!" ]
Elias' side on the other hand. He could be seen free falling from the sky, even though he isn't at the same time. The surroundings to him felt... abnormal.
As everything around isn't normal— nothing actually, nothing but the bleak darkness of the void. The space which doesn't have stars, planets, or even any heavily body in it.
He doesn't even know which-is-which at this point, as he felt dizzy. He feels like he is falling, but not at the same time. He feels like he is out of breath, but not at the same time. He feels like he is both far and short sighted at the same time.
He doesn't know. But what he does know is that, he is indeed screaming both outward and inward— of mouth and mind, as he panics and questions himself.
[ "AHHHHHH- s-shit!" ]
[ "W-what the hell is happening to me?!?" ]
He wonders. Is he unlucky? Because hours back due to a poor leadership from a random no-named he doesn't know about, he and the other reluctant Survivors died. Nothing but cannon fodder.
After his painful death of being crowded by all types of monsters from 10 sides, he then woke up. Apparently regressed before things go bad— in his old school with his best friend. Then he acquired a game-like existence called the System.
Then now... He could be seen swallowed by a random vortex, in a void. Is the word perhaps finally correcting itself? All because Elias was supposed to originally be dead.
Perhaps his past body gets retaken by his past consciousness, the original owner of the body. As his consciousness at the moment doesn't have a place to belong, with it already having lost it's body.
Sure that could be the case... So why isn't he a ball of light, or darkness, or green-thing. And instead he still has his regressed school uniform body at hand while falling.
[ "S-shit's doesn't make sense!" ]
After free falling for what felt like eternity. Finally, he felt land appeared under him, albeit suddenly. This caused him to stumble forward, then falling face flat on the ground due to the abrupt transition.
Contrary to expectations, he wasn't mad at all, even though his pride is bruised. Instead he was happy to feel land again, as he then practically worshipped it.
[ "I-I'm alive!" ]
[ "Holy, holy. I'm not dead!" ]
About to kiss it even, he paused as he noticed that the ground is a road. And that it is dirty.
[ "Oh hell no, I'm not." ]
He then got up, wiping the dirt that had gotten into both of his hands and school uniform. Primarily because he doesn't want to dirty his clean clothes, something which he hadn't experienced for years now.
Scanning the ground, he could quickly noticed that something is amidst, the abnormality of the surroundings. He could see dirt actually forming the road he is standing on, so he looked around.
[ "This is...?" ]
And noticed that everything is being overtaken by both nature and wildlife. To be more precise, the city he is in, is now one with nature itself.
With each every single square of it, each ground, each building and land. Nothing was left untouched by the veins, by the trees, by nature that is.
[ "Where am I...?" ]
This is not the city that he knows, one that he grew up in. Primarily because he knows that the signs around aren't written in either English or Tagalog, both language he speaks and use day-to-day.
He could be racist and takes things as what they appear to be, and say that the signs around are either written or Korean, or Chinese. But in not knowing both language extensively, he doesn't know which-is-which.
Especially because he doesn't have any experience of trying to speak, learn, or even understanding either of the two language. Their difference or similarities. So he couldn't really tell what is written on the signs all-around him, all-around the city.
[ DAILY MISSION: ]
[ GOBLIN HUNTING (COMMON) ]
[ DESCRIPTION: IN THE DESOLATED CITY OF KITAKYUSHU, JAPAN. HUMANS NO LONGER REIGN SUPREME, AS A NEW SPECIES EMERGED AND MADE IT THEIR NEW HUNTING GROUND— THE GOBLINS ]
[ OBJECTIVE: HUNT DOWN AND KILL 100 LOW-TIER GOBLINS AND SURVIVE. OR PERISH LIKE THE FORMER INHABITANTS ]
[ "Oh..." ] To answer his question, it was apparently none of the above. As he gets enlightened by the System from the description. That is the good news.
[ "No..." ] The bad news on the other hand is what the rest of the panel said, which made him paler and paler in reading— white as a ghost that is that is.
Realizing quickly that the said Mission given by the System is literally impossible to complete. Especially with him not having any weapon at hand;
Any would do. A basic sword used for training would be great, or a pistol. If lucky then a nuke would be great...
I said a weapon would be great...
...
...
...
Okay, no, so his protagonist powers doesn't work that way. He thought that thinking about needing a weapon in hand would do. But no, he gets slapped and put back in his place. As the System doesn't do handouts.
No gift packs, no training, no-nothing. As the System he apparently gotten is either a tyrant or a sadist. Both of which being bad. As he doesn't get a weapon either way.
So he tries being optimistic, and waited for a few more seconds. But the longer he did so, the more he realizes that the System is indeed pretty stingy to users.
The System isn't giving him a nuke, which is pretty reasonable actually. But in it not giving him anything at all, it caused him to slightly detest and question the usefulness of the System in survivalism.
Ultimately leading to the conclusion that the Mission given to him is borderline impossible without a weapon, and that he will die indeed no questions ask.
[ "Hah hah. I am for sure gonna die..." ]
[ "Damn it, what a lovely luck." ]
[ "What a lovely luck...!" ]
He died. He regressed. He was able to meet his best friend that died. He then acquired a supernatural System... Then now what? Does he have to die again, for good this time? All happening under an hour.
Should Elias truly consider himself lucky, as the son of heaven and earth. Or very-very unlucky at that. Because the thing that had been happening to him, it's actually bad for his mental health which is already shit.
Trying his best not to grumble and curse the deities above. Whoever it is. He instead focused his best on not dying.
[ "Goblins...?" ]
He tries to remember all the information he has on on them. Those low-level pesk, meat eating monsters that could easily be killed by a swat of a weapon.
He knows first-hand that they hunt in groups, either small or large, doesn't matter. As they are always either paired, never alone. Because they are nearly useless in hunting when alone.
Those said premative monsters, yes. In Elias eyes, he could easily kill one even without a weapon. But preferably having a weapon like a Baseball Bat would do.
[ "I need a weapon." ]
Something which he doesn't have, and no matter where he looked. He couldn't find a single piece of metal, a rogue bow, or anything like that. Nothing, his son of heaven and earth luck is unlucky like that.
[ "Kekeekee!" ]
About to continue his search for a weapon, on the pile of rubble nearby. He then stopped when he heard something that he recognizes. [ "Goblins...!" ]
Goblins that is, the iconic high pitch but somewhat low grumbling noise that they make is practically unique to them. With the Mimick being the only monster to replicate it near-perfectly.
So as quickly as he heard it, as quickly as he also hid. Behind an alleyway. As he doesn't want a single bit of trouble at the moment. Primarily because he is defenseless against their arrows, and also because he doesn't know how many there is at the moment
[ "What a luck...!" ]
The Goblins if in a group, let's say a small hunting party of 5 or even 6 do appear. Then he'll most definitely die, no questions ask. Even though they only wield basic, primitive weapons.
Even though they have physically weak bodies that could easily be crushed. They also have a very quick decision making mind, very quick also on their feet, and are cunning like humans.
And also because they have weapons— the last which Elias doesn't have at the moment. Because of which, he heavily relies on those in the end times.
So after hiding for a little bit, he tries to steel his nerves and make himself move. He didn't try to think much about the what ifs, as he then instead peek out and plan his route to get near the said monster.
[ "Kekeekee!" ]
He glanced at the littered vehicles around, metal of which is being taken by nature. So he could use that. But in case of being ambush, he then tries to look for any other entrance point for monsters.
But no matter what he dies, he couldn't seem to find any spot where they could be in. Not even any signs of theirs being there.
Grinning to himself, he couldn't believe his luck. To make sure, he then doubled checked the surroundings. But apparently the evidence is there. The monster is a lone ugly, greenskin, short statured wooden club wielding Goblin.
That low-level monster that everyone usually fears a week in the Apocalypse, is actually alone. Which surprised Elias who had been dealing with them for years..
[ "Only one...?" ]
[ GOBLIN LVL. 2 ]
He kept watch, in disbelief as a System panel appeared right above the said monster's head. But unlike the humans, no such brief or long description of their life appeared beside the panel.
No, he wasn't in disbelief due to the System's panel. To sone degree using his knowledge of novels, he to some extent understands the System.
Instead what he was surprised about is that the Goblin is actually alone. As a social monster it shouldn't be alone... There is no case of it being alone from his experience and knowledge, not unless it's kin was killed in an raid or ambush.
That shouldn't be the case, as from what the System said. The Goblins reign supreme, and that no humans are alive in this wide spread city of... Kitakyushu that is.
He easily got confused by the lone Goblin which isn't worried about any dangers, and could be seen carefree without worries at all. The only conclusion he has is that.
[ "Is the monster... Is it perhaps a retard?" ]
Abnornal monster. Perhaps the thing was an outcast from it's tribe, or even group. The behaviors of this one Goblin goes against every single thing that they would have normally do, so he became worried.
But after some time of waiting, Elias was finally able to gather enough courage and steel his nerves, as he then tried to as sneakily as he could to get close to it.
[ "Kee?" ]
Hiding behind a vehicle, which is filled with both moss and veins. He then waited and waited for a while, for the said monster to stop looking at his direction.
You see, monsters lime Goblins doesn't have a great sense of smell, great sense of taste, or even any sense at all. As they, the low-level variants at that are somewhat idiotic without any self-preservation.
The only thing good about the low-level ones are that they have stamina comparable to that of human, and that their cruelty exceeds that of any other. As they resort to cannibalism if they could.
As they eat any and all things they could find, raw meat, flies mutated by the monsters. Or even monster corpse either foreign or not.
They have such a strong appetite for meat in fact, that they could eat Zombies and actively hunt them if they could. That is of course countered by them, when dying would turn into one— a Zombie Goblin.
But that is another story for another day, as these said Goblins are pretty much the unpaid, enthusiastic meat cleaning crew of the streets.
Primarily due to that ability of theirs, to be able to eat anything organic and not die. Others who are rich, influencial, or powerful enough actually uses them as garbage disposal. Which is funny to some degree, but terrifying to other humans.
Some even actively cultivate those said Goblins and take care of them, similar to how one would take care of a pet.
So Elias didn't fear that much in being spotted by the lone Goblin, even if he makes noise, he wouldn't be heard. And also because they are easily squashed, dead. He knows, he kills monsters for a living, Goblins are one of the basics.
[ "Ke?" ]
[ "Kee?!" ]
[ "Keee!!" ]
So after moving closer, then hiding whenever the monster gets suspicious. Elias was finally able to get vlose enough for hom to drag the daid small monster by the head.
[ "Come here you little shit...!" ]
Thanks to the size of the Goblin being small, which is actually comparable to that of an 8-year-old child, he was able to easily drag it around with not much resistance.
[ "You are one annoying oger!" ]
The streets even though empty, isn't particularly safe enough for Elias to butcher a small monster in. So he dragged the said child-sized monster back to the alleyway, where he previously hid in.
In the process, actually grabbing the weapon of choice for the said grenchkin— a Wooden Club of which has a small floating tab in it.
[ GOBLIN WOODEN CLUB (COMMON) ]
Though common, and have a low rank in the eyes of the System. To Elias this thing is a treasure, as he would be using it to bash the small heads of 100 Goblins.
[ "No-no, don't scream." ]
[ "Shh-shh!" ]
[ "KEKEEEE-!" ]
About to use it's ability to release an ear piercing shreak. He then immediately became worried, as he doesn't want any other Goblins to find him.
And also because he doesn't want for his ears to bleed, as the noise that this little things make... Is actually abnoxious and extremely dangerous to humans.
As he then grabs the weapon nearby, clutch it in hand as hard as he could. Before then striking it down to the Goblin's head, as strong as he could using his healthy body.
[ "Shut up!" ]
[ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ]
[ 06/30/2025 ]
[ 07/01/2025 ]