Arnold sat on the edge of his bed, his heart racing with a mixture of fear and excitement. The glow of the blue screen had faded, leaving behind a sense of determination he hadn't felt in years. He had a whole month before the apocalypse would begin—a month to prepare, to grow stronger, and to take control of his fate.
The first thing he needed was a plan. His mind raced as he recalled the events leading up to the apocalypse. The collapse of society, the emergence of beasts, the struggle for resources, and the alliances that formed. He knew the locations of supply caches, the identities of key survivors, and the timeline of critical events. But knowledge alone wasn't enough. He needed power.
Arnold pulled up his status screen again, studying the numbers. His strength, agility, and stamina were slightly above average for someone his age, thanks to his brief stint as an amateur boxer before the apocalypse. His intelligence was higher, a reflection of his quick thinking and adaptability in the face of danger. But these stats were nothing compared to the powerhouses that would emerge after the apocalypse. He needed to improve, and fast.
"System," Arnold spoke aloud, hoping it would respond. "Do you have any quests for me?"
A chime echoed in his ears, followed by a new screen appearing before him.
**[Quest: The First Step]**
**Objective:** Begin physical training to enhance your basic stats.
**Reward:** +1 to Strength, Agility, and Stamina. Basic Skill: [Shadow Boxing]
**Time Limit:** 24 hours
Arnold smiled. This was exactly what he needed. His memories of the apocalypse had taught him that physical strength was the foundation of survival. Without it, even the best weapons or strategies would be useless. He had no time to waste.
He quickly changed into his workout clothes, which he found still hanging in his closet, untouched for years. It was surreal, seeing his old life around him, yet knowing what was to come. But he pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand.
Arnold left his apartment and headed to the nearby park, a place he used to frequent during his college days. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm glow over the city. Everything was so peaceful, so normal. It was hard to believe that in a month, this very place would be overrun with beasts and chaos.
He started with a light jog around the park, his muscles waking up as he increased his pace. The familiar rhythm of his feet hitting the pavement brought back memories of his boxing days. Back then, he'd trained to impress Rina, to feel some sense of worth in her eyes. Now, his reasons were entirely different. He was training to survive.
After a few laps, he began a series of high-intensity interval exercises: push-ups, squats, lunges, and sprints. He pushed himself harder than he ever had before, his mind focused on the quest's objective. With every drop of sweat, he felt his body growing stronger, more resilient.
Hours passed, and as the sun climbed higher in the sky, Arnold finally slowed down. His muscles ached, his breath was ragged, but he felt good. Better than he had in a long time. He had pushed himself to the limit, and it showed.
A soft chime rang in his ears, and the quest screen reappeared.
**[Quest Complete]**
**Reward:** +1 to Strength, Agility, and Stamina. Basic Skill: [Shadow Boxing]
**Skill Acquired: [Shadow Boxing] - A basic combat skill that allows the user to fight imaginary opponents, improving reflexes and muscle memory.**
Arnold felt a surge of energy as his body absorbed the rewards. His muscles felt denser, his movements a bit more fluid. The difference wasn't huge, but it was noticeable. He also felt the knowledge of the new skill settle into his mind. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
He headed back to his apartment, feeling a strange mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. The system had proven itself to be real, and the rewards were tangible. This was his ticket to survival, his chance to rewrite the future.
As he entered his room, Arnold pulled out a notebook and began scribbling down his thoughts and plans. He needed to get stronger, gather resources, and identify key allies. There were people he needed to find, individuals who would play crucial roles in the apocalypse—if they could be convinced to trust him.
But first, he had to test his new skill. Standing in the center of his room, Arnold assumed a boxing stance and began to shadowbox. His movements were more precise, his reflexes sharper. He could almost see the outline of an imaginary opponent before him, dodging and countering his strikes. It was as if his body remembered the moves even before his mind could process them.
After a few minutes, he stopped, his breath steady despite the exertion. He had a long way to go, but this was just the beginning.
Arnold looked out the window, his mind racing with possibilities. The apocalypse was coming, but this time, he would be ready. He had a system, a second chance, and a month to prepare.
And he wouldn't waste a single second of it.