Chapter Three: The Path of Choice
The city burned like a fallen star.
Fires crawled up shattered buildings. Sirens wailed and died. The sky still hung open—split by cracks of gold light that pulsed like the heartbeat of a wounded god.
Aiden stared at the floating blue window before him.
[CHOOSE YOUR NEXT QUEST]
1. Seek shelter in the abandoned hospital
2. Search for surviving family
3. Investigate the Heavenly Rift
Behind him, Dara sat on the sidewalk, pressing a torn shirt against a cut on his arm. His remaining gang huddled around him—battered, shaken, and very, very quiet.
Aiden exhaled slowly.
Everything felt unreal.
His hands were still glowing from battle.
He looked at the choices.
He knew option 2 instantly tugged at him.
His mother. His little sister.
He clenched his jaw.
Before he could speak, the System chimed again.
[RECOMMENDATION: Quest 2 increases Host survival rate by 38%]
"That settles it," he muttered. "I'm going home."
Dara pushed himself up with a wince. "We'll come with you."
Aiden blinked. "You? Helping me?"
Dara looked away, ashamed. "You saved my life. Twice. And…"
He glanced at the growing horde shambling at the end of the street.
"Sticking together seems… smarter now."
Aiden hesitated—but the System whispered:
[Party formation increases XP gain by 15%]
"…Fine," Aiden said. "But if anyone tries anything—"
"No tricks," Dara promised. "Not anymore."
Aiden nodded. "Then let's move."
---
The Streets of Neo-Lagos
The group moved through the hushed, corpse-strewn streets.
Zombies wandered aimlessly, sniffing the air for life.
Sparks flew from fallen power lines.
Billboards flickered with static, showing the last seconds of normal life.
Dara whispered, "How strong do you think you are now?"
Aiden frowned. "I… don't know. The system is still unlocking things."
"Show us the status window?" one of the gang members asked.
Aiden shrugged. "Guess I can try."
He willed the window to appear.
A bright panel popped up.
---
[STATUS WINDOW — AIDEN KURO]
Rank: SSS (Celestial)
Level: 1
Heavenly Energy: 40/40
Skills:
• Heavenly Strike (Lv. 2)
• Celestial Step (Lv. 1)
Passive:
• Divine Compatibility — Heavenly abilities grow faster than normal systems.
Blessing:
• ??? (Locked — Requires Level 10)
---
Dara's eyes widened.
"SSS-Rank… You're basically a walking cheat code."
Aiden sighed. "Wish it came with a guidebook."
They turned a corner—and froze.
The street was blocked by twenty zombies, all clustered around… a crashed bus.
Inside the bus, someone was screaming.
"Help! Somebody—please!"
Aiden's heart lurched.
A child's voice.
Dara whispered, "We can go around—avoid them."
But Aiden was already stepping forward.
Dara hissed, "Bro! That's suicide!"
Aiden lifted his fists.
"No. That's my sister's voice."
The System pulsed.
[SIDE QUEST TRIGGERED]
Rescue the Bus Survivor
Difficulty: B
Reward: Skill Unlock
The zombies noticed him.
Their heads snapped in his direction—
Their jaws opened—
And the entire horde surged toward him like a wave.
Aiden braced himself.
"Dara! Get your people behind cover!"
Dara obeyed instantly, pulling his gang behind a flipped car.
Aiden centered his breath.
He let the heavenly energy flow from his chest to his limbs.
The system buzzed.
[COMBAT MODE ACTIVATED]
The first zombie leapt—
Aiden dodged with Celestial Step, reappearing behind it.
Crack!
He smashed its spine.
Three more lunged—
Aiden spun, golden fist bursting like a shockwave.
BOOOOM!
Zombies scattered.
The sound echoed down the street.
The gang stared, speechless.
Dara whispered, "He fights like an anime protagonist…"
More zombies closed in—from every direction.
Aiden narrowed his eyes.
He felt energy coiling inside him—
Stronger than before—
As if something divine was waking up.
[WARNING: Host approaching skill threshold]
His fist glowed brighter—
Brighter—
Until it almost blinded him.
[SKILL EVOLUTION AVAILABLE]
Evolve Heavenly Strike?
Aiden whispered, "Yes."
The light surged.
[HEAVENLY STRIKE → ASCENDED HEAVENLY STRIKE]
• New Effect: Create small shockwaves with each hit.
• Damage Doubled.
Aiden grinned.
"Now we're talking."
He launched himself into the horde.
Every punch created ripples—
Every hit blasted zombies off their feet—
Every strike lit the street with flashes of gold.
Within thirty seconds, the horde was nothing but corpses.
Aiden panted, sweat dripping, hands still glowing.
"Kid! Are you safe?" he shouted, running to the bus.
He ripped the door open—
Inside sat a girl around nine years old, trembling, clutching a school bag.
Her eyes widened with recognition.
"A… Aiden…?"
Aiden froze.
"…No way."
It was his sister.
Maya.
"Aiden!" she cried, leaping into his arms.
He held her tight, shaking with relief.
Dara and the gang approached slowly, stunned.
Aiden whispered, voice breaking:
"I'm here, Maya. I'm here."
The System chimed softly, almost… warmly.
[SUCCESS: Family Member Found]
Reward: +20 Heavenly Energy
Bonus Skill Unlocked:
• Guardian's Resolve (Passive) — Strength increases when protecting loved ones.
Aiden inhaled deeply.
Holding Maya in his arms…
Seeing the burning city…
Feeling the weight of his new power…
He knew.
There was no going back.
This was the new world.
And he was going to survive it.