System Rebirth: Lucas thrives in the Endless Winter

3. The lucky numbers

Amid the drama in the Vales mansion, he had almost forgotten about the system. Although he wondered how he got it, he had to admit it was cool. It was like he was a robot or wearing one of those interface glasses. The screen was translucent, so he could see what was in front of him just fine.

There were lots of interesting things about the quests, especially the rewards, but one thing deeply worried Lucas.

‘Four days and thirteen hours? Is that how much time I have left before the apocalypse begins?’

[Yes. The winter starts at this time.]

Lucas shuddered. The apocalypse was really coming. He recalled when the winter started in his previous life. Scientists and weather experts claimed it was just a temporary change in the climate and no one should panic. But the winter never ended. Life eventually became difficult for normal citizens since no one prepared for the sudden weather change.

But as if that wasn't enough, a zombie infection started spreading and plunged the world into an apocalyptic mess. More than half of the country's population became zombies.

Lucas, being among the few survivors in his previous life, was still haunted by memories of the hardships he faced. He had to learn extreme survival skills and develop the courage to face the zombies, or else he wouldn't have survived long enough to the time he was killed.

And according to his system, all of this was happening again in approximately four days. He better get started with the quest.

There was just one problem.

Lucas cringed as he checked his bank account on his phone. His family hardly gave him any allowance, and when they did, it was always so little. He got most of his money from doing part-time jobs.

But he needed a lot of money to complete the quests. Getting a fortified shelter alone should cost a lot of money. Was there any way he could earn so much in a short amount of time?

As if the universe could hear his thoughts, a notification popped up in his phone. Lucas initially threw a mere glance at the notification and caught sight of one word, ‘lottery’, before looking away. Then his eyes widened, realizing what it meant, and he checked his phone again.

It was a reminder from a News app that the state lottery draw was starting in fifteen minutes.

Lucas remembered there was a lottery happening today with a jackpot prize of twenty million dollars. In his previous life, a man won the jackpot and didn't stop yapping about it on TV interviews. He didn't watch the draw, but the winner said it on the TV numerous times that Lucas memorized it. It wasn't hard to remember—zero, six, one, six, two, six (0, 6, 1, 6, 2, 6).

Lucas smiled. If he won the jackpot prize, twenty million dollars should be more than enough to prepare for the apocalypse.

Wait, didn't the notification say the draw was happening in fifteen minutes? But he hadn't gotten a ticket yet.

Lucas's smile vanished. Without wasting more time, he started running to the nearest lottery shop. Lucky for him, it wasn't far.

He nearly bumped into people who yelled at him, but he didn't slow down until he reached the shop. Lucas burst through the lottery shop, panting and sweating.

Seven minutes before the draw started.

He stopped at the counter and dropped the last five dollars in cash he had.

“One ticket. "Zero, six, one, six, two, and six,” Lucas said, holding onto the counter to catch his breath.

The seller chuckled. “Forgot about the draw, huh? Been there. You're lucky you got here on time.”

Lucas had to agree. He could have lost this opportunity if he hadn't remembered in time. What other opportunity would he have to get twenty million dollars? His ticket was ready in a minute. He took it and sat in the shop with other people.

It was time for the draw. The TV turned on. The shop became silent as everyone prayed for some luck.

Lucas squeezed the edge of his shirt. This moment would decide his chance of surviving the apocalypse. What if he got the numbers wrong? Lucas couldn't help but worry.

The announcer began calling the numbers. Lucas held his breath, his heart hammering.

To his utmost relief, the numbers were correct. Lucas let out a big exhale, suddenly feeling as if a great burden had just been lifted from his shoulders.

“Meh, come on. What kind of draw is this? How are all the numbers single digits?” One of the men in the shop complained.

“You can never predict the draw,” another one commented.

Lucas smiled. Not if you were reborn, he wanted to say to the man.

Twenty million dollars won just like that. All he had to do was go to the headquarters and verify his ticket, and the money would become his.

It was twilight when he was ready to leave. But he needed somewhere to stay, and over his dead body was he going back to the Vales mansion.

Luckily, he knew the best person to ask for help. He took out his phone and searched his contacts for the name, Oliver.

***

By the time the moon rose, Lucas had arrived at Oliver's rented apartment and walked in.

The apartment was cozy with three rooms, big enough to accommodate two people. The walls were decorated with posters of top basketball players in the country, motivational gym quotes, and anime characters—all of Oliver's interests. The scent of curry and pepper filled the room, although the ceiling fan did its best to disperse it.

Oliver came out of the kitchen, wearing a tank top and black shorts. His hair was damp, as if he had left the bathroom not long ago.

“Hey. Sorry about the spicy aroma. I'm making spaghetti,” Oliver said.

Lucas's heart clenched as he stared at his best friend. In his previous life, Oliver died. He remembered that moment vividly.

He and Oliver were searching for food in a supermarket when a horde of zombies broke in and came after them. They barely managed to escape. Unfortunately, Oliver was bitten. Not wanting to become one of the zombies, he ended his own life after bidding Lucas goodbye.

Seeing him now, Lucas realized how much he missed Oliver. Oliver was the only true friend he had in his life.

‘You won't die this time, Oliver. I’ll help you,’ thought Lucas.