WorldFall: Echoes of Extinction

A Generous Offer

The cold night wind blasted his face as he contemplated how to efficiently complete the mission.

_It is almost impossible to kill him in the mines. I would be caught, and he is always surrounded by other miners in the settlement._

_If Alessia and I work together, we might be able to kill him off by evening or nighttime._

He dismissed the thoughts as quickly as they came. Killing the Head Miner was easy to imagine and difficult to execute also he was still crucial for the survival of the settlement, and a particular feeling told him the soldiers would be back soon.

When they came, the scavengers would definitely be going down on their knees to plead for forgiveness. He wouldn't mind being insulted then, but at least they had pinched the beast that constantly bit them.

“I should better get going before Alice starts screaming my name.” Alessia's voice struck him out of his thought coaster. “You should head in quick, the mosquitoes are descending.”

“She only allowed me to come out this late because it's you. She seems to have a soft spot for you.” She trailed off for a while before snapping back to reality. 

“And Neemo…” She didn't complete the statement. He knew it had to do with Elias, so he didn't push it. Instead, he nodded at her.

“System.” He muttered as he watched her figure depart.

[The Apocalypse System]

[Name: Neemo Evandesh]

[Age: 17]

[Exp: 55]

[Stats]

[Unassigned Stat Point: 1]

[Spd: 4]

[Per: 5]

[Str: 2]

[Agi: 3]

Skills

[Second Wind (Lv 1)]

Definition: A footwork protocol that recycles wasted kinetic energy into the legs via muscle channels.

Effect:

- On Activation: +1 SPD

- Momentum: After 15 consecutive steps, +10% SPD. Can chain.

- Stack: Each 10 steps adds another 10% (max +50% at Lv 1).

Cost:

- 3 EXP to activate

- 5 EXP per 20 steps to maintain

- If chain breaks (if host stops moving), stacks reset.

[Glitch (Lv 1)]

Definition: Allows host to exploit sync latency between reality and the Mother Wave.

Effect: For 0.3s, ONE selected body part ceases to exist in the material world, allowing host to phase through matter.

Cost: 10 EXP

Cooldown: 7 Days

“Unassigned Stat Points.” He beamed, his mind already surveying options.

His strength was a mocking number and needed the most help, the soldier didn't even feel his punch.

However, one Stat point couldn't really change anything, and his Skill was movement oriented, which made him shelve. After careful consideration, he placed the stat point into [Spd].

Then his attention fell on the levels beside the skills.

[Static Steps]

[Lv 1 > Lv 2 (20 Exp)]

[Glitch]

[Lv 1 > Lv 2 (200 Exp, Mission Completion: To be generated, Emporium Shard, Learn how to read)

The last requirement slapped him on his face and he went into defense mode, "I can read and write!" He paused, "My handwriting is just...not beautiful but it's legible and i can even pronounce some big words. I might not just understand it."

He mentally tapped the mission and he burst into laughter. 

[Generating Mission].

[Mission (Skill Level Up): Kill the Radlands Wolfpack Leader]

[Note: This mission is only available for seven days. If not completed by then, host would need to regenerate another mission, after a week countdown]

_The mission is a death wish and I don't even know what the Emporium Shard is, but it does make sense. The skill is an overpowered and life-saving skill._

Dismissing, he upgraded [Second Wind] to Level 2.

Skills

[Second Wind (Lv 2)]

Definition: A footwork protocol that recycles wasted kinetic energy into the legs via muscle channels.

Effect:

- On Activation: +1 SPD

- Momentum: After 15 consecutive steps, +10% SPD. Can chain.

- Stack: Each 10 steps adds another 12% (max +50% at Lv 1).

Cost:

- 3 EXP to activate

- 4 EXP per 20 steps to maintain

- If chain breaks (if host stops moving), stacks reset.

Neemo shot up at the robbery. 20 Exp and the difference was a reduction of 1 Exp in maintenance and an addition of 2% in stack boost.

[Remaining Exp: 27]

Through the late night air, a skinny figure could be seen stomping to his shack, muttering something like a rip-off.

A couple of days flowed by quickly and the settlement soon reverted to its normal atmosphere. The dead were already dead, the injured were left to recover as best as they could.

While it was the first time the soldiers would unleash hell on them, it wasn't the first time many would fall in the settlement.

Epidemics. Beast Attacks. Hunger. Water Shortages.

A shout echoed through the settlement, “Those bastards, they've turned off the water.”

Neemo freed himself from the teenager that gripped his shirt. Elias had been the group fighter. With him gone, other groups had come to settle past beefs.

“I'm not done with you, Neemo.”

“Shut it, fool. We have another problem at hand.” He smoothed the crease of his cloth, using the opportunity to flee to the tap.

People had already gathered there. For hours they cursed and insulted the Stronghold. They fantasized about killing them all. They bragged about beating their soldiers.

*Vroom*

The familiar and traumatic hum of engines cut their joyous voices. Their breaths seized as they turned to the entry point.

The metal rim of the first truck caught the glint of the sun and threw it back onto their pale faces as it took an abrupt turn. It's headlight pointing at them as if saying “I see you.”

Four Offroad trucks followed suit, flanking it to the side. Behind them, an armoured truck positioned itself perfectly, its hood opened and a double cannon machine gun rolled out, its polished black hull adding to its menacing aura.

Like that wasn't enough, two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) appeared.

“Forgive us.” The scavengers dropped to their knees instantly, almost like a pre-agreed plan.

“We were possessed.”

“Our brains were messed up by radiation.”

“I swear on my ancestors' graves. It would never repeat itself.”

“Great and Noble Soldiers, spare us.”

The Lieutenant stepped out of the Offroad truck. He flipped a juice can as he jumped onto the bonnet. Soldiers burst out of the vehicles and surrounded the scavengers, their guns trained on them. Another group split away to round up the few that weren't by the tap.

The Lieutenant raised his hand and his fingers made a weird gesture. An Armoured Personnel Carrier and an Offroad truck left the settlement, heading for the mines.

_It can't definitely be a mass execution. No, they still need us as tools to mine the Franium._

“I told you they would gather here once the water is turned off.” The Lieutenant laughed roughly as he gulped down juice.

“Listen up, you freaks.” He stoned the can into the crowd. “Crystal Stronghold is in need of brave soldiers. As we do have some history, I am recruiting you personally. I am quite a nice person. So who is interested in this breathtaking offer?” He laughed heartily.

'Seriously Lieutenant, but we remember you saying we would be used as cannon fodder.'

The scavengers didn't utter a word. They resorted to staring at the ground and playing with soil.

“Great. Their able men have decided to join the Crystal Army. I knew you wouldn't refuse such a generous offer.” He smirked.

Heads shot up. When did they say a word about joining?

_So it's a conscription, not a mass execution._

“Form a line.” Soldiers moved forward, kicking the males forward.

“Don't forget the ladies. We would need them for chores in the Forward Operating Base.” The Lieutenant added, the evil smirk still on his face.

Soon another line was formed, albeit shorter, as they didn't pick teenage girls and women with kids.

Not long after, the Armoured Personnel Carrier and the Offroad truck returned and men were led out at gunpoint. They were the real combat force the soldiers had come for, or so they thought.

“Don't even bother resisting. Your only way of getting water is after the conscription.” A soldier said. “But of course, the choice is yours. You could resist and you are never getting water.”

“Draft in the young males first. They were the ones that led the revolt.” The Lieutenant said.

Minutes passed by in another wave of silent grief, until…

“There is one. Where is he?”

“Where is The Thousands Beasts Slayer?” A soldier shouted.

'Uhhn… The who the what now?'

The scavengers looked at the soldier like he had gone crazy.

“The Thousand Beasts Slayer.” The soldier repeated.

Neemo peeped from his somewhat hidden figure and depression washed over him. It was the exact same soldier he fought in the revolt. Compared to the other day, his uniform was neater and his injury had been cared for. A name tag rested on his chest.

'Adrel Rael'

He shrank into the women. It wasn't completely hidden, some soldiers had seen him but had overlooked him because of his scrawny and lean figure.

“Sir, there is no one called The Thousands Beasts Slayer in our settlement.” Uncle Benson knee-walked forward and bowed before Adrel's boot.

Adrel's gloved fingers tapped against his left leg frantically, then he spoke hastily. “Neemo. He called himself Neemo.”