The rain had finally stopped, but the city still bled.

Smoke curled from shattered buildings, and the wind carried the stench of decay—old blood, burnt plastic, and something fouler, something monstrous. Derek stood atop the rusted skeleton of a half-collapsed mall, his blades dripping with gore, breath fogging slightly in the cooling air.

Below, the street was lined with bodies—some human, some not. He'd gotten faster. Meaner. Deadlier.

"Safe zone's three blocks west," he told the trembling woman behind him. She was clutching a small boy, blood on her sleeves—not hers, he hoped. "Stick to the walls, don't stop for anything. There's a barrier at the entrance."

She nodded, too afraid to speak.

Derek tossed her a pack of crackers and a small vial of glowing blue. "Eat slow. He drinks half, you drink the rest. That'll keep the fever down."

They ran. Derek didn't follow. He didn't watch. There was no time to waste on relief or gratitude—not anymore.

He turned back to the street, where the fires still burned and the shadows writhed like they were alive. They were actually a close look, one would see the shadows of a myriad of monsters lurking. After being in the city for a while, these monsters had become smarter, they could tell that Derek was not an easy opponent and only watched from the shadows.

Another ping echoed on his HUD—sharp, urgent. A call for help from the old subway line, where the tunnels had collapsed and the darkness had teeth. More civilians trapped. More monsters are nesting beneath the concrete. He didn't pause. He didn't breathe.

He simply moved.

Every step carried the weight of too many things he hadn't said. Too many people he hadn't saved.

The System's voice returned—not the strange softness from before, but its usual clinical monotone. Distant. Unfeeling.

[Side Mission Complete: Rescue & Supply]

Civilians evacuated: 149

Healing potions dispensed: 19

Remaining potions: 101

Reward: +80 System Credits

Reputation in Paleview City: Slightly Increased

Note: Rumours of a masked-suited warrior aiding civilians have begun circulating in the Safe Shelters.

He stared at the notification for a moment, eyes narrowed.

Masked warrior. That's what they were calling him now.

They didn't see the blood under his fingernails. The bodies were piling up behind him. The cost of every life he managed to save.

Overcoming the apocalypse had barely been just another system mission. That was how it started: a task, a timer, a cold set of numbers ticking toward the end of the world.

But now? Now it was personal.

Whoever had orchestrated this—the ones behind the chaos, the ones who thought the end of the world could be measured in data and objectives—they had made it his responsibility.

They had made it his.

And whoever they were, they would pay for it—every last one of them.

No matter how far he had to go. No matter what it took.

He kept walking, blade in hand, toward the next alert.

The system had returned to its usual coldness.

Efficient. Calculating. Like the kindness it showed earlier was nothing but a temporary glitch in a program designed for survival, not sympathy.

[New Mission Assigned: Urban Sweep - Zone 4c]

Objective: Eliminate all Class-C threats in the vicinity of the Elden Square Subway.

Bonus: Rescue survivors.

Reward: +1200 Credits | +S rank Item | +2 Skill XP

Estimated Threat Level: High

Recommended Approach: Lethal Efficiency

It didn't ask if he needed rest. It didn't acknowledge the ache in his limbs or the ghosts behind his eyes. It was simply calculated, then sent him off to kill.

That was the system he knew.

And strangely… he preferred it that way.

Because if the system ever started caring again, that meant something worse was coming. HE OPENED THE MISSION PAGE AGAIN

Main Mission Activated

1. Lead the Earth to overcome the Apocalypse

Time Limit: 1 Year

Reward: Unknown

2. Establish a Grade D Base— Reward: 5000 EXP, SS-Rank Item, Item Upgrade Card

Exterminate:

– 1,000 Rank D monsters

– 1,000 Rank C monsters

– 1,000 Rank B monsters

– 1,000 Rank A monsters

Side Mission Unlocked

1. [New Mission Assigned: Urban Sweep - Zone 4c]

Objective: Eliminate all Class-C threats in the vicinity of the Elden Square Subway.

Bonus: Rescue survivors.

Reward: +1200 Credits | +S rank Item | +2 Skill XP

Estimated Threat Level: High

Recommended Approach: Lethal Efficiency

Derek opened his status page.

[Host: Derek Carter]

Level: 22

Titles:

Exorcist King :

Title Description: Efficient at handling corpses, spirits and Nether Creatures. When killing Nether Beasts, your stats will be boosted by 40 per cent. Job Experience: Once, exorcised the ghost king of the Netherworld.

Dog Serial Killer.

EXP: 340000/5,000,000

HP: 1000/10000

MP: 2000/2000

Strength: 609

Agility: 600

Endurance: 619

Intelligence: 620

Perception: 625

Speed: 630

Luck: ???

Available Attribute Points: 100

System Credits: 2,045 990

Lottery Draw ( F-rank ): 23 Free Draws Available

Inventory ( F-rank ):

- Short Sword – Night Fang (E Rank)

- Tempest Walker Mark I( S rank )

-Health Potion (D rank)X 10

-Pocket Toad Alarm.

-Derek's Bone Spear X 9

-Voltfang" (A-Rank)

System Shop: Now available, come and spend those hard-earned credits

Skills:

Appraisal: See more details than your myopic eyes can see.

Adaptive Combat ( F-rank ):

Skill Description: Your body learns through pain, failure, and repetition, especially when you don't have time to think. Each time you're struck in battle, there's a small chance your muscles, instincts, and reflexes adapt to that specific type of attack.

Flash Steps ( F+ rank ):

Skill Description: An improved version of Quickstep. Boosts your speed for a short period, allowing for faster dodging and more fluid movement in close combat.

Mana Echo (F-Rank)

Description: Allows the user to release a delayed mana pulse after using a skill. Can disrupt enemy casting or momentarily stagger nearby targets.

(D-rank - Suppressed Mode)

Description: Ignites your blood to double your strength, and can only be activated when your HP is less than half

Tempest Fury: Convergence ( A- Rank )

Calls down a concentrated lightning surge that detonates on impact, frying enemies in a wide radius. Momentarily boosts speed and reflexes as residual charge courses through the user. Loud, flashy, and about as subtle as a grenade in a library.

Use sparingly. Side effects may include hero complexes and smoking boots.

System Evaluation:

"Shadow strike" is your new official title. How quaint. When the survivors stop shaking in their boots long enough to give you a name, it'll probably be something more fitting like "That guy with the lightning addiction." But you are still weak in the grand schemes of life.

A/N

I am thankful for the Golden Tickets and the power stones. I hope you continue to support my work.

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