Dean didn't waste time asking questions. The moment the man in the tactical vest disappeared through the steel door, he was on his feet, fingers tightening around the tablet. The screen flickered again, lines of text rearranging themselves like they were responding to his pulse.
**STATUS SCREEN**
**Name: Dean**
**Origin: Earth-1218 (Baseline Human)**
**Current World: ???**
**Abilities: NONE**
**System Points: 0**
A cold laugh escaped his throat. "Baseline Human." Like he was some fucking NPC. He swiped sideways, and the screen shifted, revealing a new section:
**AVAILABLE WORLDS (LOCKED)**
**Harry Potter - 1000 SP**
**Marvel Cinematic Universe - 5000 SP**
**Hunter x Hunter - 3000 SP**
Dean's breath hitched. So that's how this worked. He'd read enough litRPG to know the drill—earn points, unlock worlds, survive. But right now, he had zero points and zero abilities, and whatever the "first wave" was, it was coming fast.
The room had no windows, just a single exit. Dean moved toward it, pressing his ear against the cold metal. Distant screams echoed down the hallway, followed by the unmistakable sound of gunfire. He exhaled sharply. No way out but through.
The door hissed open on its own, revealing a corridor lit by flickering emergency lights. The walls were streaked with something dark and wet. Dean didn't need to touch it to know it was blood.
A shadow moved at the far end of the hall—too fast to be human. Dean ducked back instinctively, but it was too late. The thing's head snapped toward him, glowing red eyes locking onto his position.
"Fuck."
It lunged.
Dean barely had time to react before the creature—some twisted hybrid of man and machine—slammed into him, claws raking toward his throat. He twisted, feeling the air whip past his face as the claws missed by inches. His back hit the wall, and the tablet clattered to the ground, screen still glowing.
**STATUS SCREEN UPDATE**
**Combat Engaged: Survival Mode Activated**
**Temporary Ability Unlocked: [Adrenaline Surge]**
Dean didn't have time to process the words before his body moved on its own. His fist connected with the creature's jaw, sending it stumbling back. The impact shouldn't have been possible—his knuckles should've shattered—but pain didn't register. Only the pulse of raw energy flooding his veins.
The creature hissed, shaking off the blow like it was nothing. Dean's eyes darted to the tablet, now flashing red.
**WARNING: FIRST WAVE INBOUND**
The walls shook. Somewhere, an alarm blared.
Dean grinned.
This was going to be fun.