2026-11-04 21:09:32[Ding! The Ripper System has successfully bonded with its host.]
[Initializing system functions…]
[Initialization complete.]
Marcus stood outside Aurora Tower, staring at the translucent blue screen floating before him.
He blinked several times but the screen remained.
He had already seen enough strange things during the apocalypse to know that the world was no longer governed by common sense. But seeing something like this before the outbreak was still difficult to believe.
"What's going on?" Marcus asks in confusion. Then the system continues.
[Greetings, Host. You have been successfully bound to the Ripper System, a survival based evolution system designed to assist its host in conquering the coming apocalypse.]
Marcus swallowed.
"The coming apocalypse?"
“What are your functions?” he asked.
“The system rewards survival, combat achievements, personal evolution, strategic victories and the defeat of powerful enemies. The greater the achievement, the greater the reward. Available functions include Inventory, quests, Attributes, Abilities and skills.” The system displays.
“Explain better. What's inventory, quest, attributes, ability and skills” Marcus demanded.
“Inventory is a personal storage space for collecting and managing items, quest is a mission that provides rewards upon successful completion, attributes is Information about the host's physical condition and development while ability is a special power that can be acquired through system rewards and skills can be improved and evolved through experience.” The system explained.
Marcus read through the information twice.
A system.
He had heard stories about systems in novels but he had never imagined experiencing something similar.
"Does this mean I can become stronger?" He asked.
“The host can improve physical attributes, unlock abilities and evolve skills through the system.”
Marcus's eyes brightened.
He remembered his previous life.
He remembered struggling against ordinary zombies with nothing but a metal baton. He remembered how helpless he had been when the zombies surrounded him outside Aurora Tower.
If he had possessed even a fraction of the strength needed to protect himself, perhaps things would have ended differently.
"Show me my attributes." Marcus command.
[Ding! ]
[Displaying host information.]
[HOST STATUS]
Name: Marcus Hays
Level: 1,
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Stamina: 4
Intelligence: 7
Evolution Points: 0
Abilities: None
Skills: None
Inventory: Unlocked.
Marcus studied the numbers. His physical attributes were average, while his stamina was slightly below average.
It wasn't surprising considering how poorly he had been eating in his previous life.
"At least I have somewhere to start."
He looked at the inventory function.
"Open inventory."
A small interface appeared, showing an empty storage space.
Marcus examined it curiously.
"How does this work?" Marcus asked.
“The inventory allows the host to store and retrieve eligible items. Stored items will remain preserved until retrieved.” The system displayed.
Marcus nodded.
This was already a useful advantage.
He wouldn't have to worry about carrying everything physically, especially when the apocalypse began.
However, before he could explore further, another notification appeared.
[Ding! Initial Survival Quest activated.]
[QUEST: HOST MUST PREPARE FOR THE APOCALYPSE.]
[Objective:Accumulate sufficient resources and establish the foundation for survival before the apocalypse.]
[Requirements: hosts must secure a minimum survival fund of $10,000,000, prepare essential survival supplies and secure a suitable shelter.]
[Time Limit: 15 days.]
[Reward: Beginner Survival Package and 500 Evolution Points.]
[Failure: Beginner privileges revoked.]
Marcus's expression changed.
"Ten million dollars?"
He read the requirement again.
He currently had less than a thousand dollars in his bank account.
Even if he worked every day without spending anything, there was no way his salary could get him anywhere near that amount.
"System, are you serious?"
[The quest requirements are fixed. The host is advised to complete the objectives within the allotted time.]
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
Fifteen days.
That was all the time he had before the world collapsed.
He couldn't afford to waste even a single day.
Unlike his previous life, he already knew what was coming. He knew how quickly society would fall apart, how difficult food and medicine would become and how dangerous the zombies would be.
This time, he wouldn't spend his days protecting ungrateful people. He would prepare for himself.
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The preparation begins
Marcus stepped out of Golden Age Treasure House with his hands in his pockets.The evening breeze brushed against his face as he glanced at the busy street. The events of the day had been more rewarding than he expected. He had defeated Derek twice, embarrassed Elena and secured enough money to begin preparing for the apocalypse.Suddenly, a familiar electronic voice sounded in his mind.[Ding! Congratulations, Host!][Main Survival Quest Completed.][Objective: Accumulate $10,000,000 for apocalypse preparation.][Reward: 300 Evolution Points.][Current Evolution Points: 500.]Marcus stopped walking.A smile slowly appeared on his face.He had already forgotten about the system's financial requirements because of everything that had happened at the treasure shop.Now, he had not only completed the quest but also received another reward.[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully secured the initial financial resources required for survival.][Your preparation must begin immediately
A priceless Treasure
The exhibition hall remained silent upon the realization.Mr. Harrison stood before Marcus, staring at the strange hammer in his hands. His earlier confidence is disappeared, replaced by disbelief."Let me see it again." He said.Marcus carefully placed the hammer on the appraisal table.Mr. Harrison put on a pair of white gloves and examined it closely. He studied the unusual markings, the material and the strange patterns covering its surface.Occasionally, he paused to take pictures with his phone.The store owner stood beside him, looking increasingly nervous.After several minutes, Mr. Harrison finally straightened."Where did you say you found this?""Inside the statue," Marcus replied."I know that. I mean, where did you get the statue?"Marcus pointed toward the exhibition hall."From there."The owner swallowed.He had personally approved the statue's placement in the shop. It had remained there for years because nobody considered it valuable.He never imagined it contained s
At the treasure shop
Marcus exits the stock room with satisfaction and he watches as Elena follows Derek, leaning closer to whisper something.Marcus nodded with happiness as he watched. In his previous life, he had spent years trying to earn their approval. He had bought Elena expensive gifts, endured Derek's insults and worked hard to prove he was worth something.Now, they were the ones trying to prove something to him.He slipped his phone into his pocket and followed the crowd.Across the street, the golden doors of Golden Age Treasure House stood open.Marcus looked at the building and a faint smile touched his lips as he remembered something.In his previous life, a major discovery had been made in a small antique shop in Neo City. An ordinary looking object had turned out to be an extremely rare historical treasure. The discovery had caused a sensation among collectors and Marcus remembered exactly where it had been found.He looked toward Derek.The man was already walking ahead, convinced that
The blinded bet
The room felt tense as everyone wanted to see the bet till the end. Everyone’s eyes kept landing on Marcus with mockery while Marcus was still smiling.Derek, however, looked as though he had swallowed something bitter.Twenty minutes passed.Bambill Industries continued fluctuating within a narrow range while petrocore Energy showed almost no movement.The crowd began losing interest.Some investors returned to their transactions, while others continued watching out of curiosity.Elena approached Derek."Let's leave. There's no point wasting our time here."Derek smiled."Not yet. I want to see how much money our friend manages to lose."Marcus heard them but didn't respond.He checked the time.Thirty-five minutes remained.He remembered the international petroleum crisis. He remembered the sudden announcement that had shocked the financial market in his previous life.It was coming, and when it happened, Petrocore's shares would begin climbing.Marcus looked at the screen."Just a
The first investment
[Ding! Special Quest activated.][SPECIAL QUEST: THE FIRST FORTUNE]Objective: Invest in a selected stock and achieve a minimum return of 100% within the specified period.Investment Capital: $3,000,000.Time Limit: 24 Hours.Reward: 200 Evolution Points and an additional system privilege.Failure: 50 Evolution Points deducted.The system displayed and Marcus stared at the notification."Invest in stocks?" Marcus asked in confusion.[Yes host! The system recommends that the host utilize available knowledge and strategic judgment to generate wealth.]Marcus rubbed his chin.He had expected something more dangerous, perhaps a mission involving combat or collecting rare resources.But the system wanted him to invest in the stock market.He wasn't particularly knowledgeable about stocks in his previous life. However, there was one investment opportunity he remembered very clearly.It happened several years before the apocalypse.An anonymous petroleum company had been struggling financial
The preparation
Marcus found a quiet place away from Aurora tower and checked his bank account.The balance was disappointing.He had barely enough to cover his monthly expenses though his employment at Aurora Tower had provided a modest salary but most of it had gone toward Elena's demands.Thinking about her made his expression darken. For three years, he worked hard and sacrificed his savings to make a woman happy. He even borrowed money on several occasions just to buy her expensive gifts.What had he received in return?Betrayal.Marcus closed the banking application.There was no point regretting the past. He had fifteen days to change his future and money was the first obstacle he needed to overcome. His salary wouldn't be enough, neither would his savings. He needed another source of money.Suddenly, a dangerous idea crossed his mind.Loan sharks.They were people he had deliberately avoided in his previous life because their interest rates were unreasonable and their methods of recovering de
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