Rise In The Apocalypse

Chapter 6: Underground

Max’s eyes widened as the vibration beneath his boots grew stronger.

Crank!

A loud scrape of metal against metal echoed through the scrapyard, and a section of twisted debris shifted.

He immediately pivoted toward the sound and froze.

"Ahhh..." Max’s breath hitched. Something was moving.

A massive pile of junk that had seemed immovable moments ago revealed a hidden secret: a hatch cleverly concealed beneath the mess. Barbed wire slid aside as it creaked open, only ten meters away.

Max instantly dropped into a combat stance, tightening his grip on the hatchet while drawing the revolver.

He wasn’t an expert, but years of airsoft practice counted for something. Now, it mattered more than ever—though the bullets were real.

Still, he reminded himself: the system had said enemies couldn’t enter his Beginner Protection zone. Anyone here was likely neutral—or at least not immediately hostile.

So I’m not alone, huh…

The system had promised a starter region, but it had never said he would be the only one here. The thought sent a chill down his spine.

From the hatch, a man emerged slowly. His lower body remained in the steep stairwell below while his upper half leaned cautiously into the open air.

Max noticed the man’s matted hair and grimy skin immediately. But what caught his attention most was the peculiar eyepiece strapped over the man’s left eye, like a jeweler’s loupe.

The man’s gaze fixed on Max—not hostile, just curious.

"So… another survivor, huh?" the man said. "Where the hell are you coming from? Doesn’t matter. Since you’re human, come on… before the drones sweep this area. They’ve got heat sensors."

Max hesitated, revolver still in hand. The stranger didn’t flinch, though; his voice carried urgency, not threat.

Cautiously, Max lowered the revolver a little, keeping the hatchet ready in his other hand. He studied the man as he stepped closer.

The lower body remained hidden in the stairwell, revealing only how steep the descent really was.

"Don’t freak out," the man said. "This is one of the human shelters left after the A.I. took over. We need people who can work. You help, you eat. Nuts mostly. Don’t expect gourmet meals."

Max’s mind raced. Slowly, it clicked into place: this starter region wasn’t just a random drop zone—it was a hidden shelter.

Anyone who had picked this Apocalypse during Selection might have been sent to scattered human refuges.

Max exhaled and decided to follow—for now.

"I’m Corin," the man said casually as they began descending the stairs.

Max nodded, keeping his hatchet in hand. He watched as Corin closed the hatch behind them, turning the knob smoothly.

The stairwell was narrow, steep, and constructed from scrap metal. About five meters down, each step creaked under their weight but held firm.

The deeper they went, the cooler and damper the air became. The stench from the garbage above faded, replaced by a faint metallic smell.

At the bottom, Corin gestured for Max to follow along a steep, winding path.

Oh… they have electricity.

Max’s eyes brightened at the sight of small bulbs fixed along the walls. Steel beams reinforced the corridor, and though debris littered the floor from years of repairs, it was passable.

"This way," Corin muttered. "The main shelter’s further down. We’ve been trying to make it livable."

Max followed quietly. Most bulbs flickered, barely illuminating the path, forcing him to watch each step carefully. But ahead, he could make out the shelter opening.

Corin spoke as they walked, almost narrating to himself.

"Just so you know, this isn’t just a hideout. It’s a proper shelter. Four people arrived here a few minutes ago. I had to check all entrances, make sure no one got left behind… that’s when I found you."

Max nodded. "Other entrances?"

Corin chuckled. "Of course. We needed multiple escape routes—hidden stairwells, trapdoors, tunnels… some even reach the city, but that’s suicide. As long as you pull your weight, you can survive here a long time."

It was a lot of information, but Max appreciated it.

"Thank you, Mr. Corin… Does this place have a name?"

Corin nodded. "It’s called The Ark. Don’t ask why. Everyone just calls it that."

Max blinked. "The Ark… alright. But… why all this? Who’s running it?"

He asked cautiously, seeking answers.

Corin shrugged, unconcerned.

"Doesn’t matter who. The past doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter whose kid you were, or what you did. Survive, that’s it. But…"

He glanced down the pathway, then back at Max.

"This isn’t just waiting to die. We’re trying to get stronger…"

That caught Max’s attention. With the Mech Siege looming, a shelter of people willing to fight was exactly what he needed.

"How many people?" Max asked.

Corin gave a grim smile. "Before you and the four new arrivals? Forty. Now… forty-five."

"Forty-five people… all underground?"

Corin nodded. "Yep. And each one has a reason to be here. Doesn’t matter who they were, what they did. Inside, it’s all about survival. You work, you eat. You don’t… well, hope you figure it out fast."