The System Awakens

Vael frowned as he scanned the shelves of his bunker.

> "There’s a problem… Supplies. I don’t have enough space to store everything I need."

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a glowing screen appeared before his eyes.

> [Evolution System Activated.]

[New Skill Acquired: Spatial Storage — You can now store an unlimited number of items in a personal dimension.]

Vael froze.

Then, a slow grin crept across his face.

> "A spatial ability… I can now store decades’ worth of supplies. The apocalypse is turning into a game."

But the system wasn’t done.

> [New Skill Acquired: XP Master — You now require only 10% of the normal XP needed to level up.]

> "So… 100 XP for level 1, 200 for level 2… This world has no idea what it just unleashed."

He grabbed a knife, took a deep breath, and opened the bunker door to face the first true hunt of his new life.

---

He knew the rules:

Each week, the monsters’ level cap increased by 10.

In the first week, only level 1 to 10 monsters appeared.

They always traveled in groups of 50, and their XP value matched their level:

Level 1 = 1 XP

Level 2 = 2 XP

And so on.

So, a group of 50:

Level 1 monsters = 50 XP total

Level 2 monsters = 100 XP

etc.

But Vael was the exception.

Thanks to his cheat skill, he only needed:

100 XP to reach level 2

200 XP to reach level 3

300 XP for level 4

And so on.

---

He didn’t have to wait long.

As soon as he stepped outside, a group of level 1 zombie rats lunged at him.

Vael gave a cold laugh.

> "Level 1s are nothing. I’ve lived through this once before. Even back then, I could crush them… so now?"

In seconds, all 50 were dead.

> [XP Gained: 50/100]

> "Perfect. One more group, and I’ll level up."

He hunted down another swarm and butchered them with brutal efficiency.

> [XP Gained: 100/100 — Level Up to 2.]

[Stats increased by +1.]

He could already feel the difference. His movements were faster, sharper.

> "With this, I can take down levels 1 and 2 easily. I’ll just avoid anything from 3 to 10…"

---

The hours flew by.

Each battle sharpened his instincts, his control.

He avoided the red zones where stronger monsters lurked.

Level 1 and 2 enemies? Nothing more than moving XP bags.

Ten hours later:

> [Level 5 Achieved.]

Vael smiled, bloodied but unbroken.

> "I’m ready now. I’ll survive… and I’ll dominate the first week’s rankings."

---

Elsewhere in the city…

Elyna and Vaelion, Vael’s adoptive brother, were running frantically through the streets.

> "What the hell is going on?! These rats are monsters!" Elyna shouted.

"We shouldn’t have left the house! Vael’s probably dead already," Vaelion muttered.

They expected a call. Some sign from him.

But none came.

What they didn’t know…

Was that Vael — the coward they thought they knew — was now the strongest man alive.

---

While they ran for their lives, Vael was raiding supermarkets.

Thanks to his spatial storage, he loaded up with food, water, medicine, and weapons by the tons.

He returned to his bunker, satisfied.

But as he walked down the road, something in the distance caught his eye.

A familiar figure.

Someone he knew.

Or rather… someone he had not forgotten.