100 Days Before the Apocalypse: My Survival System

Chapter 6: The Masked Swordsman

The warehouse fell into complete silence.

Arjun's grip tightened around the rifle.

The masked man stood motionless at the entrance, his black sword resting casually on his shoulder. He didn't look like someone preparing for a fight.

He looked like someone who had already won.

"You've got five seconds," the masked man said calmly.

"Hand over the relic."

"One..."

"Two..."

Arjun didn't move.

Instead, he quietly opened his status panel.

Name: Arjun Mehta

Level: 3

Talent: SSS – Absolute Adaptation

Skill: Eagle Eyes (F)

Survival Points: 1,500

Not enough.

He was still far too weak.

The masked man chuckled.

"So you've chosen death."

The next instant—

He disappeared.

Arjun's pupils shrank.

"Too fast!"

Instinct took over.

He twisted his body just as a black blade sliced through the air.

Slash!

The rifle in his hands split into two pieces.

Cold sweat rolled down Arjun's forehead.

If he had reacted a fraction of a second later...

His body would have been cut in half.

The masked man smiled beneath his silver mask.

"Interesting."

"You can actually see my movements."

Arjun didn't answer.

Instead, he kicked a nearby steel shelf.

Thousands of bullets, canned food, and metal boxes crashed to the floor.

The warehouse erupted in chaos.

Using the distraction, Arjun rushed toward the emergency exit.

But the masked man was already there.

"Too slow."

His sword flashed again.

Arjun blocked it with the steel combat dagger.

Clang!

The impact sent him sliding several meters across the concrete floor.

His palms went numb.

"So this is the difference..."

The masked man wasn't just stronger.

He was experienced.

Every movement was precise.

Every strike was aimed to kill.

Arjun suddenly remembered something.

In his previous life, survivors often spoke about a mysterious killer known as...

The Black Reaper.

No one had ever seen his face.

No one who fought him survived.

Could this be him?

Before Arjun could think further—

The masked man charged again.

This time, Arjun didn't retreat.

He activated Eagle Eyes.

The world slowed.

He could clearly see the sword approaching.

Left shoulder.

Neck.

Heart.

Three possible attacks.

"So that's your pattern..."

At the last second, Arjun stepped sideways.

The blade missed him by barely an inch.

Without hesitation, he drove his dagger toward the man's ribs.

The masked man blocked it effortlessly.

But for the first time...

He looked surprised.

"You learned my attack after seeing it twice?"

Arjun smiled.

"No."

"You taught me."

The masked man's eyes narrowed.

"You're dangerous."

He suddenly jumped backward.

Then he pulled a small black cube from his pocket.

The moment it touched the floor—

Crack!

The cube shattered.

A strange purple light spread throughout the warehouse.

The temperature dropped instantly.

Even breathing became difficult.

Arjun felt an invisible pressure crushing his body.

Ding!

Warning!

A Dimensional Gate Fragment has been activated.

Monsters will emerge in...

00:00:30

"What?"

Arjun stared at the countdown.

Thirty seconds.

The masked man laughed.

"I never planned to kill you."

"I only needed someone to activate the gate."

Realization hit Arjun like lightning.

"The crystal..."

"It wasn't the real objective."

The masked man slowly walked backward toward the tunnel.

"When the monsters arrive..."

"Try to stay alive."

"After all..."

He looked directly into Arjun's eyes.

"I'll need a worthy opponent."

With those words, he disappeared into the darkness.

The countdown continued.

10...

9...

8...

The warehouse began to shake violently.

Cracks spread across the floor.

A low growl echoed from beneath the concrete.

Arjun slowly tightened his grip on the dagger.

"This..."

"The apocalypse has started."

The concrete exploded.

A massive claw burst out from the ground.

To Be Continued...