Bab 6: Chapter 6: The First Mission
The next few days flew by in a blur of activity. Arnold and Marcus continued their rigorous training regimen, but now with a renewed focus. The looming quest to gather allies hung over Arnold's head, driving him to push harder, think smarter, and prepare for every possible scenario. The system had given him a clear objective, and he wasn't going to let this opportunity slip through his fingers.
On the morning of the third day, after an exhausting sparring session, Arnold decided it was time to brief Marcus on the next steps. They sat together at the worn wooden table in the cabin, a map of the city spread out before them. Marcus was sharpening a knife, his attention divided between the blade and Arnold.
"I've been thinking about our next move," Arnold began, tracing a path on the map with his finger. "We need more people. Specifically, people with skills that will help us survive when everything goes to hell."
Marcus didn't look up from his knife. "You've got someone in mind?"
"Two people, actually," Arnold said, his voice steady. "The first is Sarah Mitchell, a medic. She's the best I've ever seen in the field. The second is Ethan Ward, an engineer who can build just about anything. If we can get them on our side, we'll be in a much better position when the apocalypse hits."
Marcus paused his sharpening and finally looked at Arnold. "And how do you plan on convincing them? They're not going to just drop everything and join a couple of guys who show up out of nowhere."
"I know," Arnold admitted. "But I'm not going in blind. I remember where they were before the apocalypse, and I have an idea of how to approach them. Sarah's a doctor in the city, running a small clinic. Ethan works at a tech company, but he spends his weekends at a garage, tinkering with machines. If we can reach them before the chaos starts, we might be able to convince them that joining us is their best chance for survival."
Marcus leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You're taking a big risk. What if they don't believe you? Or worse, what if they turn on you?"
Arnold had considered this. Trust was a fragile thing, especially in a world on the brink of collapse. But he also knew that he couldn't do this alone. "That's a risk I'm willing to take. But I think if we approach them the right way—show them that we're prepared, that we know what's coming—they'll listen. They're both smart, and they'll see the signs soon enough."
Marcus studied Arnold for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. We'll go with your plan. But I'm coming with you. If things go south, I want to be there to back you up."
Arnold felt a wave of relief. Marcus's support was crucial, and having him by his side would make the mission much more manageable. "Thanks, Marcus. We'll head out tomorrow at first light."
The rest of the day was spent making final preparations. Arnold and Marcus packed their gear—food, water, weapons, and a few basic medical supplies. Arnold also made sure to include a few small items that might help convince Sarah and Ethan—medical textbooks, a portable toolkit, and a map marking potential safe zones. He was leaving nothing to chance.
That night, as they sat around the fire outside the cabin, Arnold took a moment to reflect on everything that had happened since he found himself back in the past. The system had given him a second chance, but it also came with a heavy burden. The weight of knowledge—the knowledge of the apocalypse, of the people who would die, and of the responsibilities that now rested on his shoulders—was sometimes overwhelming. But he couldn't afford to dwell on the past or the uncertainties of the future. He had a mission, and he would see it through.
As he lay down to sleep, Arnold opened the system screen one last time, reviewing his stats and abilities. He needed to be at his best for what lay ahead. He activated *[Night Vision]* and *[Enhanced Senses]* briefly, testing them again in the darkness of the forest. Everything was sharper, clearer—he could hear the faint rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, even the soft breathing of Marcus as he slept a few feet away. The system was working perfectly, and Arnold felt a surge of confidence. He deactivated the abilities and closed the system interface, determined to get a good night's sleep before their journey.
The next morning, the sun had barely risen when Arnold and Marcus set out. The journey to the city would take most of the day, and Arnold wanted to reach Sarah's clinic before nightfall. The walk was long but uneventful, the two men moving through the countryside with a sense of purpose. They spoke little, conserving their energy and focusing on the task ahead.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the city, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the streets. Arnold led the way, navigating through the familiar neighborhoods with ease. It was strange, walking these streets again, knowing what was about to happen. The city seemed so peaceful, so normal, but Arnold could already see the cracks—the subtle signs that things were about to change.
They reached Sarah's clinic just as the last light of day was fading. It was a small building, unassuming, with a simple sign that read "Mitchell Family Clinic" hanging above the door. The windows were dark, but Arnold could see a faint light coming from the back, where he knew Sarah often worked late into the night.
"This is it," Arnold said, glancing at Marcus. "Let me do the talking."
Marcus nodded, and Arnold approached the door, knocking softly. There was a moment of silence, then the sound of footsteps approaching. The door opened slightly, and Sarah's face appeared in the gap.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice cautious but polite.
"Dr. Mitchell," Arnold began, keeping his tone calm and steady. "My name is Arnold Evans. We've never met, but I know who you are, and I need to speak with you. It's about something very important."
Sarah's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion evident in her expression. "I don't know you, and I don't make a habit of talking to strangers after hours. If you need medical help, you'll have to come back tomorrow."
Arnold took a deep breath, knowing this was his only chance to get through to her. "It's not medical help I'm after. It's something much bigger than that. Please, just give me five minutes. If you don't believe me, I'll leave and never bother you again."
There was a long pause as Sarah considered his words. Finally, she sighed and opened the door a little wider. "Five minutes. Come in."
Arnold and Marcus stepped into the clinic, and Sarah led them to a small office at the back. The room was cluttered with medical books, supplies, and a worn desk with papers scattered across it. Sarah motioned for them to sit, then leaned against the desk, crossing her arms.
"Alright, Mr. Evans," she said, her voice firm. "You've got five minutes. Start talking."
Arnold wasted no time. He quickly explained the situation—the impending apocalypse, the dangers that were coming, and the need to prepare. He told her about the safe zones, the beasts, and the chaos that would soon engulf the world. He didn't sugarcoat anything, laying out the facts as plainly as he could.
Sarah listened in silence, her expression unreadable. When Arnold finished, she remained quiet for a moment, then shook her head. "You expect me to believe all of this? That the world is going to end in a month and that you somehow know about it?"
"I know it sounds crazy," Arnold admitted, "but it's the truth. And I'm not asking you to believe me right away. I'm asking you to be prepared. You're a doctor, one of the best. When the time comes, people are going to need you. I'm going to need you."
Sarah's eyes softened slightly, but she still looked skeptical. "Even if I wanted to believe you, how do I know you're not just trying to scare me into something? What proof do you have?"
Arnold had expected this, and he was ready with his answer. He reached into his bag and pulled out a small medical textbook, one that Sarah had written herself in the future. It was worn, the pages dog-eared and stained, but it was unmistakably her work. He handed it to her, watching as she flipped through the pages, her eyes widening in shock.
"This…this is impossible," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "This book isn't even published yet."
"It will be," Arnold said quietly. "In the future. A future that's coming faster than you think. I need your help, Sarah. The world needs your help."
Sarah looked up from the book, her expression a mixture of disbelief and fear. "I don't understand how any of this is possible…but if what you're saying is true…"
"It is," Arnold assured her. "And you're one of the few people who can make a real difference. I know it's a lot to take in, but we don't have much time. Will you join us?"
Sarah hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. I don't know if I believe everything you've told me, but I can't ignore this. I'll help you."
Arnold felt a wave of relief wash over him. The first piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. Now, all that remained was to find Ethan and complete the team.
"Thank you," Arnold said
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone