The sky tore open exactly ten minutes ago, and Bastian Falk is still hiding on the dirty floor behind the stainless steel prep counter of his failing diner.He clutches his standard eight-inch chef’s knife so hard that his knuckles ache, and his hands refuse to stop shaking, no matter how much he tries to steady his breathing.He invested every single penny he owned into this small restaurant, and now he is forced to watch his life's work turn into a horrific war zone.His landlord threatened to evict him just yesterday because he was late on rent, but he figures the man will not be collecting any money this month.He keeps muttering panicked curses under his breath because he does not know what else to do while the world outside falls apart."Damn it, what the hell is happening out there?" Bastian whispers to himself while pressing his sweaty back against the cold metal cabinets.The terrifying sounds of screaming and tearing metal echo through the thin walls of the building, and eve

The gruff man takes a cautious step through the swinging wooden doors with his heavy metal pipe raised in defense, and he scans the dark shadows of the kitchen to locate the person who just spoke to him.Bastian tightens his sweaty grip on his bloody chef's knife while remaining crouched behind the stainless steel prep counter, because he still does not know if he can trust these desperate strangers."We are not here to rob you or cause any trouble, so please just let us hide in your back room until the monsters leave the streets," the younger survivor pleads as he peeks over the gruff man's broad shoulder.Bastian slowly stands up from his hiding spot to reveal himself to the two frightened men, and he lowers his sharp blade slightly to show them that he is willing to have a peaceful conversation.He opens his mouth to offer them a safe place to sit near the basement pantry, but a deafening and horrific squeal suddenly echoes from the ruined dining room right behind the two survivors

"It smells like a sewer exploded inside a toxic chemical plant," Marcus agrees while wiping sweat from his forehead with a dirty sleeve."Just mind your own business and keep working on that barricade before something else finds us," Bastian snaps as he focuses his attention back on the raw cut of boar.He reaches into his spice rack and grabs some basic sea salt and cracked black pepper, hoping the familiar ingredients will help mask the awful taste of the monster.He turns the dial on the portable stove until a small ring of normal orange flames springs to life under the iron burner.He closes his eyes and focuses on the strange warmth resting inside his palms, hoping the magical system interface did not lie to him about the new fire skill.[PURIFICATION FIRE ACTIVATED,] the blue text announces in his mind as a sudden rush of energy travels from his chest down to his fingertips.He holds his hands over the portable stove, and the normal orange flames instantly shift into a bright an

The savory flavors explode across his tongue, sending a sudden rush of warmth down his throat even as his vision begins to grow dark around the edges.Bastian swallows the large bite of food, and a sudden jolt of electricity courses through his veins like a runaway freight train.[STAMINA BUFF ACQUIRED,] the system text flashes brightly across his vision while the rabid man continues to thrash blindly against him.The heavy exhaustion that had been weighing him down vanishes instantly, replaced by a massive surge of raw energy that makes his muscles feel incredibly dense.The sharp pain in his battered ribs fades away into a dull ache, and his vision clears up with a vibrant focus that he has never experienced before.He looks at the corrupted survivor pinning him to the wall, and the man's previously overwhelming strength suddenly feels like the weak grip of a small child.Bastian reaches up and easily peels the man's filthy fingers away from his throat, taking a deep breath of air n

Bastian ran to the opposite wall and grabbed the last intact wooden booth, pushing it forward as fast as his burning muscles would allow.The magical energy in his blood was incredible, but he could feel a deep and underlying exhaustion threatening to break through his adrenaline rush."They are crossing the street!" Leo shrieked while pointing a trembling finger at the dark mass of bodies swarming over the abandoned cars outside.The rats looked even more horrifying up close, their jagged yellow teeth snapping at the air as they followed the delicious scent of the cooked meat.Bastian shoved the final booth into place, trapping the refrigerator between the heavy wooden structures and effectively sealing the front of the restaurant."Stack anything you can find behind the booths to reinforce the weight," Bastian ordered while grabbing a broken table leg to use as a makeshift club.Marcus threw the heavy cash register onto the pile of chairs, and Leo tossed several thick bags of garbag