Nexus: The Rise of the Administrator

Chapter 5: The First Level and the First Ally Part 1

Xander climbed the stairs of the Riverview building with silent, controlled steps. His body, which less than two hours ago had been that of a scrawny, Force 4 nerd, now responded with almost instinctive precision. Each step was taken with economy of movement. The Nexus rookie sword, still stained with black, viscous blood, rested in his right hand as if it had always belonged there.

He had cleared floors 6, 5, and 4 almost completely. The counter of dead monsters already showed 9. He only needed one more to complete the daily mission, but he couldn't stop. The thirst for experience, for power, fortrialThe feeling that he was no longer the weakling he once was now throbbed in his chest like a second heart.

[Level 2 → Level 4]

The levels had risen rapidly after the massacre on the 4th floor. Each fight taught something new. His attributes grew. His confidence too. The fear still existed—latent, like a caged animal—but now it was dominated by the calculating coldness that the System seemed to be injecting directly into his mind.

He stopped on the landing between the 8th and 9th floors. The air was heavier there. A smell of copper, sweat, and something too sweet, like burnt flesh. A rhythmic noise came from the 9th-floor hallway: the unmistakable sound of something being struck repeatedly, followed by growls and an exhausted female voice.

Xander activatedOmniscient AnalysisWithout uttering the words. The ability was now responding to thought.

Three bright red lights at the end of the corridor. Two[Blood Leech Hound – Level 6]and a[Hybrid Drone – Level 7]It's a light blue, human signal, with vitality rapidly declining.

He gripped the sword's hilt.

Time to see if I can save someone before the building turns into a cemetery.

He walked down the dark hallway. The emergency lights flickered erratically, painting the blood-stained walls with intermittent shades of red. Apartment 904 had its door ajar. From inside came the sounds of a struggle.

Xander pushed the door open with his shoulder and went inside.

The scene he encountered was chaotic and brutal.

A young redhead was pinned against the living room wall. Her body was athletic, defined by years of training—broad shoulders, toned arms, a slim waist, and long, strong legs. Her tight black running shorts and gray sports top were ripped in several places, revealing pale, sweaty skin marked with scratches. Her intense red hair, almost the color of liquid fire, was tied in a high ponytail, but several strands had come loose, sticking to her face and neck due to sweat and blood.

It was Lira Voss.

Xander knew her by sight. Her neighbor on the 9th floor. 22 years old. A former archery athlete—he remembered seeing trophies when she helped carry boxes into her apartment months ago. She had always been polite, but distant. The kind of woman who seemed to belong to a completely different world from his.

Now, she was fighting for her life.

In her hands was an improvised bow—probably hastily made from wood from a bookshelf and a guitar string. The arrows were a pathetic mixture of sharpened broom handles and tied-together kitchen knives. Even so, she shot with impressive accuracy.

An improvised arrow struck one of the Blood Leech Hounds in the eye, causing the creature to howl and recoil. But the second dog leaped onto her left leg, sinking its teeth and a tentacle into it. Lira screamed in pain, but didn't fall. She drew a hunting knife from her waist and repeatedly plunged it into the monster's skull.

The Hybrid Drone — a half-human, half-insect aberration with elongated mandibles — was approaching from behind, ready to deliver the final blow.

Lira didn't see him.

Xander felt something awaken within him. It wasn't pity. It wasposseThe first person he'd seen truly fighting since the apocalypse. Strong. Determined. Beautiful in a wild and raw way.

He decided in that instant: she would be the first.

Not a victim. An ally.

One share.

With a fluid movement that surprised even himself, Xander advanced.

[Basic Sword Mastery (Level 1) activated automatically due to repeated use.]

The skill manifested itself as an instinct. His strikes became cleaner, more economical. The sword traced a perfect arc.

SLASH!

The blade severed the Hybrid Drone's neck with a critical blow. The creature's head flew off, spraying black ichor across the room. The body fell at Lira's feet.

The two remaining Blood Leech Hounds turned to him immediately, abandoning the redhead.

Lira looked up, breathless, her bow still raised. Her green eyes—intense, almost emerald—widened at the sight of him.

"Xander…?" Her voice came out hoarse, incredulous. "You…?"

He didn't respond with words. Instead, he charged at the two monsters with a presence that filled the room.

His aura had changed.

It was no longer the nerd hiding under the bed. It was something denser. More oppressive. TheTitle: The Sole AdministratorIt pulsed subtly, releasing a psychological pressure that made the monsters hesitate for a fraction of a second.

He spun, slicing the first Hound in mid-air before it could leap. The second tried to use its tentacles. Xander grabbed one of the tentacles in mid-air with his left hand—his Strength of 34 was now sufficient for this—and pulled the creature toward him, plunging his sword straight into its chest up to the hilt.

[You killed Blood Leech Hound (Level 6) x 2]

[You killed Hybrid Drone (Level 7)]

[XP Total: 1.340]

[Level increased to 5!]

[Level increased to 6!]

[Level increased to 7!]

A powerful wave of pure energy surged through his body. His muscles expanded slightly. His vision became clearer. The pain from the minor injuries he had accumulated almost completely disappeared.

Xander pulled the sword from the last monster's chest with a swift movement. Black blood dripped down the blade.

He turned slowly to Lyra.

She was leaning against the wall, breathing heavily, her left leg bleeding profusely where the tentacle had sucked. Her eyes were fixed on him—no longer with disbelief, but with something close to reverent shock.

Xander walked towards her. Each step was deliberate. Dominant.

He stopped less than a meter away. He looked her up and down. Even wounded and exhausted, Lira was tall—almost 1.78 meters. But at that moment, he seemed much taller.

"You're bleeding," he said, his voice deeper than he remembered. There was a natural authority there now.