I feel my eyebrow raise as I read over the new message. Skill developed? Wait, didn't the class selection mention something about skill? Do we get skills just like in video games too? How can I see mine if we do? Like do I have a skill list?

At that question a new screen fills my view making me feel stupid.

Skill List:

Name:

Level:

Proficiency:

Mana Manipulation

4

Novice

Channel Purification

1

Novice

I almost want to hit myself at not thinking about this earlier. When I picked the mage class I was told I was going to get access mana manipulation. Why didn’t I think about skills back then?

I just developed one so following that logic I should be able to develop more. But if that’s the case why don’t I have more skills? I feel like any of my spells could be a skill themself but maybe they’re just an extension of my mana manipulation. Still I should have other skills like reading and writing. Right?

Unless whatever entity that governs over this system doesn’t deem those skills worthy of being on this list.

Wait.

Why am I assuming an entity governs the screens?

I’m not really the religious type. I’ve always figured that the universe was just a series of atoms bumping into each other randomly. But the idea that some extraordinarily powerful entity governing this system and the world just feels right.

The tingle in my mind hums as if to agree. So if it’s right then something is governing the system but what? A memory floats to me as the tingling in my mind buzzes.

When I had just woken up after the earthquake there was a message floating in a blue screen. My memory of it is kinda hazy but it said something about mana then some cost. But the last part of the message shines brightly in my memory.

System Granted: Kushims’ Insight

The tingle in my mind fades as the memory fades. But part of it sticks with me in full clarity. So then is Kushims the name of the entity governing over the system? Is all of this Kushims fault? The zombies, magic, and these screens?

The tingle in my mind is silent at my questions. I feel annoyed at it’s selective participation. Sometimes it offers me answers clearly, other times it’s just a weird feeling and then there are times where it doesn’t say anything at all.

I let out a sigh trying to get rid of my annoyance at the tingle. It’s gotten a lot stronger the more I listen to it. So maybe if I hope to gain more insight from it I’ll have to listen to it more.

A knock on the window breaks my train of thought. Looking over I see a tired looking Decker.

“Hey kid. I’m glad to see that you’re not dead.” He says.

I feel a smile break across my face.

“I’m happy to not be dead sir. Thank you. For coming out to get me.”

“Don’t mention it. We gotta look out for each other don’t we?” He says.

He smiles warmly at me making me feel even happier. However, part of me still doesn’t understand why he risked his life for me. Do people really look out for each other?

“How do you feel?” He asks.

The same part that doesn’t understand why he risked himself is shocked at his question. At his sign of concern for me.

“I’m good. Been healing up, developed a new skill.”

He nods and takes a few moments before responding.

“So I don’t really know how to bring this up so I’m just going to be blunt. You had infected blood coating you. You had a few open wounds. Do you feel like you’re dying or turning into a zombie at all?” He asks.

I take a moment to think it over. After waking up I never felt like I was dying. I definitely felt like I was sick, but not dying.

“I think I had some kind of infection but I was able to remove it with my mana. I don’t know if it was just from having regular infection or if it was what causes the zombies. But as far as I can tell I’m no longer infected by it.”

Decker takes a moment to study me.

“You definitely look a lot better. When we were cleaning you off the scratches on your leg were secreting almost as much pus as it was blood. And you were extremely pale and cold.”

“I woke up feeling sick but now I feel almost back to full health.”

“Can you show me?” He asks

I take a second to process his request.

“How?”

“Remember when I showed you the system management screen? Well you can share with me some information about you. It’s usually your class, level, and health. Just consciously picture sharing that information with me.”

Following his instruction I imagine myself sharing my personal information with him. A second later I watch his eyes grow glossy as they stare above my head. Then they return their focus to me.

“Your health is still not at 100 but it’s not that low. Does your stat page say anything there about being infected?” He asks.

Opening my Personal Stats I read through it trying to find anything about an infection. I find nothing but something else does catch my attention.

Personal Stats:

Attributes:

Value

Name:

Joel Dylan

STR:

9

Level:

17

DEX:

5

To Next Level

50/1100

AGI:

6

Sex:

Male

END:

15

Age:

19

INT:

55

Class:

Mage

WIS:

15

LUC:

4

HP

87/100

CHA:

5

Mana

76/120

PER:

8

WIL:

11

Free Attribute points:

13

Both my Endurance and Willpower have increased. I don’t remember putting any points into them and I didn’t get any new titles or anything.

Thinking back to it I did feel better after clearing the blockage and extending that mana channel. Maybe that can increase my attributes. The skill description did mention strengthening my body didn’t it.

So if that’s the case then I need to work on clearing as many channels as I can. I should also look into progressing my Mana Manipulation skill too.

“No, it says nothing about being infected.”

“That’s good. However I don’t think I can let you out just yet.”

I frown at his words as I imagine being stuck in this room for longer.

“Why not?”

“The other people are scared. They need some time to be sure you aren’t going to turn and eat them. Honestly they probably won’t stop thinking that even if we keep you in there forever. There’s just way too much uncertainty in the world right now. Emotions are running high and everyone is scared.”

I take a second to think over his words. It makes sense but at the same time how long is he going to wait.

“When will you let me out?”

“Probably in the morning.”

“Oh that’s a lot sooner than I thought.”

“Yeah I don’t think we really have the time to waste.” He says.

“Why’s that?”

“Well while you were watching the food last night I went to the roof. You could barely see it but the sliver of the moon visible was red. I was curious so I checked a calendar in one of the other board members' offices. On the day the countdown ends the moon will be full.” He explains.

He leans against a cubical behind him and continues.

“We just had a conversation about who's going to stay and who will leave. While doing so I told the group about the safe zone management screen. They didn’t believe me until I summoned a chair. After that I told them about the countdown to give those wanting to leave a heads up.”

I nod taking in his words.

“One of the guys from the restaurant, Kyle, I think. Said that it reminded him of a video he played. Where every seven days the moon would grow red and all the monsters would get stronger during the night. So while it’s just a theory I think in sixteen days all the zombies might get stronger. So we need to prepare for that.”

The tingle in my head resonates with his words. Making me feel as if he’s right.

“So we have seventeen days to prepare for stronger zombies?” I ask.

Decker nods.

“Not just zombies. I think the zombies evolve or mutate. That Zombie Butcher and the Banshee aren’t regular zombies. The system even gave them different names. What if there’s more different kinds? Both the Butcher and the Banshee were incredibly strong. Superhuman almost. Imagine them having sixteen days to get even stronger and then add whatever boost they could get when the countdown ends.”

His words resonate with me as I imagine all different kinds of monsters laying siege to this building. If it was another Banshee or even a Zombie Butcher I could probably take them on my own now. But what if there’s more.

My heart sinks as I imagine the blood bath. We need to get stronger. Unimaginably stronger. But do I have it in me? I’m not a predator like my dad. I’m just a rat with a fancy gun.

“You’re probably the strongest guy here. Even after fighting that Banshee alone and winning you manage to slay more than forty zombies on your own. That’s more than double what that girl and I fought and we struggled with the ones we did take down.”

My thoughts stop as I stare at Decker. Shocked at what he’s said. Did I really manage to take down that many? I could have sworn it was less. However, despite how many I killed I still would have died if it wasn’t for Decker and Abby.

“I know it’s selfish of me to ask this. Especially so soon after you’ve woken up from that battle. But we need your strength and whatever strength you can gain in the days to come. Will you continue going out there to get stronger so that you could protect us from anything strong?” He says.

My heart leaps at his request. Of course I want to help him. But am I really strong enough? I’m sure Abby could get on my level if given the time and the information I have. And to top it off I wasn’t even strong enough to keep myself safe let alone others.

“I want to help. I really do. But I don’t think I can.” I say

My gaze shifts to the ground. My dad taught me that it’s better to say no to something I can’t do than to fail him later. He would get mad either way but if I failed him later then he would be even angrier.

“Can I ask why?” Decker asks.

“I’m not strong enough to protect myself. Let alone protect anyone else.” I say

I avoid looking at him. Scared to see his face of disappointment.

“Hey kid.” He says softly.

His tone feels like cold water being poured down my back. I expected rage or annoyance but not this. Not something that sounded like he was concerned for me.

“Look at me.” He says.

Tentatively I look up. Expecting his expression to be that of my angry father’s. Rage and malice burning grooves into his skin. However, I’m met with kindness and concern.

“You saved four people this morning. If it wasn’t for you they would have died. They’re alive because of you. And not just that they’re stronger thanks to you.” My heart quivers at his words.

“You’re an amazing, wonderful, strong kid. I know you have strengths that I could never possess. So you couldn’t fight off a horde alone. I don’t want you to ever have to fight alone. Not again. You won’t be going out there alone. Abigail has already agreed to help you grow stronger. And there’s others that are willing to help. You aren’t alone and you aren’t expected to fight alone.”

I’m left speechless as he finishes speaking. I don’t know what to think. I’ve known this man for less than a few days yet I feel more loved by him than anyone before.

The memory of seeing him hurt in the restaurant brings back the promise I made to myself. I’m not going to let him die. I may not be strong enough to protect him right now but I can grow. I can get stronger.

“I..” My breath catches in my lungs as my chest feels heavy. “I’ll do it.” I force out.

A smile breaks across his face.

“Thank you so much.” He stands stretching as he does so. “I’m going to go get you something to eat. After that just rest up. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”

I nod and give him my thanks. My mind is still racing at the promise I just made him.

I’m a rat with a fancy gun but I now have to make sure that I take out anything that threatens us. I don’t know if I have the power but I have to try. I can’t just give up. Especially after Decker risked his life to get me.

A few moments later Decker arrives with some food. He opens the door and gives it to me. He thanks me again before wishing me a good night. He disappears from my sight leaving me alone in my little conference room.

The light seeping in through the exterior wall windows fades as night draws in. I finish my food and refill my mana pool.

It’s dark when I hear a knocking on the door.

“Joel, are you awake?” Abby asks.