100 Days Before the Apocalypse: My Survival System

Chapter 5: Countdown Begins

Arjun stood in the middle of the warehouse, staring at the glowing countdown floating before his eyes.

71:57:21

Seventy-two hours.

That single announcement had changed everything.

In his previous life, the apocalypse had arrived exactly one hundred days after he graduated from college.

Now...

The timeline had shifted.

Someone—or something—had accelerated the end of the world.

He clenched his fists.

"So my actions changed the future..."

That wasn't supposed to happen.

He had expected to follow the memories of his previous life, gathering resources and growing stronger before the first gate appeared.

Now those memories could no longer be trusted.

The future was no longer fixed.

A mechanical chime interrupted his thoughts.

Ding!

Emergency Mission Updated

Reason: Timeline Changed

Objective: Leave the hidden warehouse alive.

Reward: 1,000 Survival Points

Bonus Reward: Random Skill Scroll

Failure: Death

Arjun frowned.

"The System has never given me a mission like this before."

Suddenly—

A faint groan echoed behind him.

One of the unconscious soldiers was waking up.

Arjun immediately grabbed the rifle lying beside him and pointed it at the man's head.

The soldier slowly raised both hands.

"Don't shoot."

His voice sounded weak.

"I'm not your enemy."

Arjun didn't lower the weapon.

"People who arrive with guns usually aren't friends."

The man gave a bitter smile.

"Fair enough."

Blood trickled down his forehead as he leaned against the wall.

"You already took the crystal, didn't you?"

Arjun remained silent.

The soldier sighed.

"So we were too late."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then the soldier suddenly asked,

"Have you ever heard of the organization called Eclipse?"

The name hit Arjun like a bolt of lightning.

Eclipse.

In his previous life, it had become the strongest organization on Earth.

No one knew who founded it.

No one knew where it came from.

By the time ordinary survivors heard its name...

Half the world had already fallen under its control.

Arjun narrowed his eyes.

"So you work for Eclipse?"

The soldier laughed.

"I wish."

"They're the ones hunting us."

Arjun's grip tightened.

"What do you mean?"

"We were sent here to keep the Evolution Crystal away from them."

"If Eclipse gets enough relics before the apocalypse..."

He stopped, coughing violently.

"...humanity won't even survive the first month."

Arjun studied his face carefully.

The fear in the man's eyes didn't look fake.

Before he could ask another question—

The warehouse lights suddenly flickered.

Once.

Twice.

Then everything went dark.

A deep vibration shook the underground tunnel.

Dust rained from the ceiling.

The soldier's expression instantly changed.

"No..."

"They found us."

Boom!

The steel entrance door bent inward as if struck by a truck.

Another impact followed.

Boom!

The thick metal door twisted violently.

Something outside...

Was trying to break in.

The soldier whispered in terror,

"They're here."

Arjun looked toward the entrance.

A third impact exploded through the warehouse.

The steel door flew across the room like a piece of paper.

A cloud of dust filled the air.

Heavy footsteps echoed from the darkness.

One...

Two...

Three...

A tall figure slowly walked into the warehouse.

He wore a long black coat despite the summer heat.

A silver mask covered the upper half of his face.

In his right hand, he casually held a sword made of black metal.

The masked man looked around the warehouse before his gaze stopped on Arjun.

Then he smiled.

"So..."

"You are the one who awakened the SSS-Rank Talent."

Arjun's heart skipped a beat.

How could this stranger know about his talent?

The masked man raised his sword.

"Hand over the relic..."

"Or I'll take your head instead."

To Be Continued...