It was late afternoon, but already dark outside.
I leaned against the cold bus window, fighting sleep. Two hours every day on this rust-bucket after a ten-hour shift it was a miracle I was still awake. The only reason was the cold. Even wrapped in my torn leather jacket, I was freezing.
Boredom gnawed at me. Out of habit, I started watching the other passengers. I'd done it since middle school observing people, wondering if their lives were as dull as mine. They never were.
Today, there were only three other passengers: a group of guys who had gotten on a few stops ago. Loud, careless, dressed the same puffer jackets worth nearly two hundred, shiny sneakers, brand-name jeans.
I glanced down at myself. Dirt-stained clothes, patched-up pants, leather jacket fraying at the seams. We didn't live in the same world.
I pulled one earbud out and listened in.
"So, guys, when are we going to that loser's house?" one of them maybe fifteen asked. "Can't believe he lets us use his place as a party spot. How'd you even pull that off, Kaen?"
A taller one with dirty blond hair and blue eyes smirked. Definitely the leader.
"He thinks we're his friends. When his parents are out of town, he invites us over. Just needed a little persuasion."
"Don't bother bringing money," Kaen added, his tone dripping with arrogance. "The fool's the host. He pays for everything. And once he's passed out… we take whatever's valuable."
I froze. That wasn't a joke.
The smallest one frowned. "But Kaen, how's he gonna pass out? He's not just gonna—"
Kaen pulled a brown glass bottle from his jacket. Liquid sloshed inside.
"You know me. I always have a solution."
I clenched my jaw. Rowdy teenagers, sure but drugging a classmate? That was beyond stupid. Still, I slipped my earbud back in. I didn't hit play. Curiosity held me.
---
A notification lit up my phone.
**[Lune: Hey, how are you? Sorry, I just woke up. I was so tired after school.]**
**[Lucius: Hi. I'm good. How are you? Sleep well?]**
**[Lune: Kind of. Got a headache, but it's fine. Don't worry.]**
**[Lucius: I'll be at your place in 30 minutes. I've got painkillers in my bag.]**
**[Lune: Thanks, but really, it's no big deal.]**
I smiled faintly. Then something flickered in the corner of my vision.
A window. Floating.
**[Click to see profile]**
…What?
I hesitated, then raised a finger. The moment I touched it, cold metal ran down my skin. The window shifted.
---
[Profile Summary]Name: Lucius Thorn Level: 1 Race: Human Class: Undefined Titles: None
[Stats]Strength: 6Dexterity: 4Vitality: 5Intelligence: 7Wisdom: 8Charisma: 3Luck: 4
[Skills]
Hollow Braveheart: Effects unlock after first use.
Fighting Experience Lv.1: When fighting a race you've faced before, gain +1 Strength, Dexterity, and Vitality. (Races fought: Humans)
---
I stared. Confused. My stats didn't seem high… Should I ask the others? No if their numbers were higher, they'd crush me.
Before I could think further, my phone buzzed again.
**[Lune: Lucius, what the fuck do you have this system too?!]**
**[Lune: What is this? How can it even exist?]**
**[Lune: News is going crazy. No one knows where it came from. In some places, beasts have appeared.]**
**[Lucius: Is it worldwide? Does everyone have it?]**
**[Lune: Yeah. That's what they're saying.]**
---
**BANG!**
The bus slammed into something. My body lurched forward as brakes screeched. Somehow, the old machine managed to stop fast.
"Hey, how dumb can you be?" Kaen shouted. "I hit my head!"
The driver ignored him, face grim. He grabbed his phone and stepped out, shining a weak flashlight under the bus.
I shifted in my seat, unease crawling up my spine. This didn't feel right.
Then
**CRUNCH.**
The sound of bones snapping. Flesh tearing.
Something yanked the driver under the bus. Blood sprayed across the asphalt.
And then I saw it.
A beast. Wolf-shaped, but larger, wrong, monstrous. Its teeth were too long, claws like blades. And its eyes burning red, staring straight through the front window at me.
My stomach dropped.
A notification flashed before my eyes.
[System Notification]A Hound has used Primal Fear on you.
All stats reduced by 2.
Fighting skills below Level 5 or rarity B are disabled.
My body trembled. Breath caught in my throat. It wasn't just looking at me it was breaking me.
The Hound Walked torward the bus door and took a few steps back and then
**SLAM SLAM SLAM**
It began to Tackle itself against the bus door in an atemped to force them open
I look the the Group of guys sitting a few meters infront of me
Two of them cowered behind seats on terror covering there eyes and ears but the third one. The tall one with dirty blond hair and blue eyes Kaen he didn't look scared he looked like he waited for something like this to happen something to make his life more exiting
Maybe he is more like me than i thought
i stand up from my seat , take my backpack and say to Kaen" Hey i think i know a way out of here come with me"
I search the area for anything usefull maybe something i could use as a weapon but i only see a safety hammer and a broom
i take the broom and twist the head off so im only left with the staff, i turn back where i was sitting and take the safety hammer of the wall and put it in my pocket
i turn torward the front of the bus again and i see Kaen looking back at me with an questioning expression on his face
"and who are you if i may ask" he says while moving torwards me
"i am Lucius Thorn nice to meet you" i say while extending my hand
His eyes are scanning me then he looks at my hand and says" I am Kaen, tell me what your stats are"
i think its better if i dont tell him my real stats what if he sees me as a threat i think a 5 and 6 isn't too high
"There all between 5 and 6.What about you?' i answer to him
he turns around in shock as the bus starts to shake again
The Hound pushes his Claws between the bus doors and tries to pry them open
The hound's red eyes gleamed. The doors bent further. Its head forced through the gap, fangs dripping with blood.
I gripped the staff with both hands. Knuckles white.
i start to shiver i don't know if its the cold or out of fear
This is really the end of the world.