Jyera World Apocalypse

Another day began, and Lucien went out to keep pests under control around the building…

While Mr. Mustache hunted the many shorebirds and rodents in the nearby streets, Lucien blew on both hands, trying to warm himself in the increasingly cold morning air…

He also took advantage of the moment alone to have a chat with the system…

[BEEP]

[The temperature continues to drop, proving that winter will arrive in just 3 weeks… Since the appearance of Level 2 mutants also began in this second week. The terrible winter will likely last at least a year.]

"Didn't it last a year the first time?"

[It was a little over a year the first time. But this winter would only happen a year after the apocalypse began…]

"How 'terrible' is it? I need to make sure my friends will be okay…"

[…]

"Please, system! They don't have a heater, and even if I warn them about what's coming, they'd have to risk their lives to gather more supplies like fuel, wood, and other things needed to endure the cold of the following year…"

[Anyone other than a level 3 mutant will freeze in minutes when exposed to the weather outside… And even indoors, survival isn't guaranteed without heat sources or good insulation…]

Lucien's eyes widened, and he asked another question:

"How many level 1 or 2 crystals would I need for my heater to last a year of full-time operation?"

[At least 12 Level 2 crystals... Level 1 crystals can cost at least 120.]

"Looks like I'll have to leave the building if I want to help them... Leaving the cold aside, Laura and her father's food won't last long... Maybe I can do something with the bombs? Like creating a safe route to and from her house, detouring to Nina and William?"

As Lucien muttered his ideas, the system beeped again, this time with difficult news to digest...

[BEEP]

[Hostile individuals have invaded your apartment!]

[Emergency mission issued!]

-Protect your father and the supplies from the invaders!

"DAD!"

Lucien screamed and ran back to the apartment. Mr. Mustache hadn't returned from his walk yet, and he was too worried about his father's safety to consider the consequences of returning to the apartment alone…

***

"Hey, Mr. Rivero, I'll shoot you if you don't get up!"

"Did he drink too much again?"

"I'm not sure. If he were faking it, he would have moved when I told him I'd shoot him..."

"Let's just tie him up. When Lucien and the animal return, we'll use him as a shield until we kill the creature..."

After the Doorman and Building Manager tied up Lucien's father, the Doorman dragged him into the living room and stood guard at the door with his gun ready, waiting for Lucien to return. Meanwhile, the Building Manager had another plan.

"I'll check the pantry and the rooms in the apartment to see where they're keeping the supplies..."

"Okay, be quick!"

A few minutes later, the Building Manager came running back.

"Holy shit, you're not going to believe this!"

"What happened?" the Doorman asked, startled.

"We have food here for at least two years... And two rooms are full of gallons and barrels of water!"

"What bastards, and Lucien saying he had nothing..."

"The boy must have been following his father's orders to keep it a secret..."

"It's very likely..."

"Besides the water and food, I found some strange items made of something that resembled animal bones..."

***

When I arrived at my apartment, the first thing I saw was the broken-down door... And as soon as I walked through it, I saw my father still unconscious, tied up on the living room floor.

Mr. Razdan was sitting next to my father, with a gun pointed at him. I was shocked for a few seconds before trying to run to him.

"Pow!"

"AH!"

Before I could reach my father, a strong kick hit my stomach, making me gasp for air while simultaneously holding my breakfast, which wanted to be regurgitated due to the strong kick I had received...

It was only then that I realized who had attacked me: it was the Building Administrator...

"Uh... Why?" I asked, groaning, looking at the one-armed man…

Neither of them answered; they continued to stare at the apartment door, and Mr. Razdan had shifted his gun's aim there…

After a while, he finally spoke to me, and all his kindness and courtesy had disappeared:

"Where is it? Where is the monster?"

"The monster? Is he talking about Mr. Mustache?" I thought.

"He's still hunting… Why? Why did you do this to my father? Why did you attack me, Mr. Razdan?"

Mr. Razdan remained silent, and the Building Manager answered.

"Boy, we're taking over the building, and all the food and water you have here now belongs to both of us. If you remain silent and obey us, we'll let you and your father live after we kill that monster…"

"No, please don't kill him! He'll obey me and—"

"Punch!"

This time, a huge fist hit my face, making my nose bleed and my eyes fill with tears…

As I tried to stand up again, holding back tears, I turned to the Building Manager and asked again:

"Why are you doing this, sir? I helped you… I gave you food, and I saved your life…"

"Shut up, or I'll beat you until you learn a lesson…"

Lucien cowered in fear and fell silent.

The man was finally satisfied, and this time he spoke while looking at the Doorman.

"You rich people think you're superior... You saved me? You gave me food? Even in this situation, you still think you're superior... I've always despised all the residents of this building, arrogant and superfluous people... At the beginning of this situation, I resisted and behaved myself because I thought help would come, but now, after two weeks and seeing so many 'important' people die, I know no one will..."

The Doorman stood up and kicked Mr. Rivero while also venting:

"This world is now a world where the strong will rule, not the rich or influential... Right now, I'm even wondering if it's worth it to keep feeding this drunk... I think we should kill him along with the animal..."

"NO PLEASE!" Lucien shouted desperately as he tried to get up again.

"Uh"

But the sole of the Building Manager's foot was placed on his chest, preventing him from getting up.

Meanwhile, Lucien's fear and despair began to be replaced by intense rage and fury...

"Damn it, because I went to help them... If it weren't for me, this wouldn't have happened... Now my father and Mr. Mustache are going to be killed, and all because I trusted these people..." As Lucien seethed with rage, thinking that this entire situation had been his fault, words that conveyed his true feelings left his mouth for the first time:

"I... I should have let you die that day..."

As soon as the words left Lucien's lips, the two men stared at him in disbelief, noticing that his eyes were glowing a glaring white light that stood out in the dimly lit room...

A short message appeared on the system screen:

[The Nexus Mode ability has been activated!]