章 1: Before The Start
Alex was a normal college student. Being 21 years old, Alex attended college in order to pursue a better career and improve his living conditions.
Having lived as an orphan since childhood and receiving a minimum amount of attention matured Alex into a self-sufficient college student.
Alex was living a completely average and simple life, that is until Alex was killed by a crackhead when walking home from 7-Eleven at night. Alex fought against the crackhead, but the crackhead didn't seem to have had patience as the crackhead quickly pulled out a black object that glistened in the dark from his coat. Multiples bangs sounded through the quiet night as Alex fell to the floor and blood flowed from his body slowly painting the cement around him red. Alex was enveloped by coldness the second his body hit the floor.
At that single moment, Alex's life changed as the gears of fate twisted.
...
Alex felt cold as if splashed by never ending cold water. Alex curled into a ball similar to a newborn. Alex's body was dormant surrounded by the cold darkness. But not everything was dark as small 'lights' were perceivable in the far 'distance'. Alex's body slowly 'floated' to the light sources.
Arriving close enough, the former small lights could now be seen as multiple stars connected by faint lines to a large book flipping pages continuously. Alex's body uncurled and warmth spread through his body as he arrived closer.
Eyelids opened as Alex looked around with clear confusion and fear apparent. Alex felt comfort near the large book but didn't dare get close to the holy-looking object. Alex silently 'stood' still in darkness.
As if it was this specific moment 'it' was waiting for, a voice rang through the dark
"Welcome, Merchant Alex."
The voice was neither disturbing nor pleasant, like an unknown stranger. The language 'it' spoke seemed ancient, but Alex was able to understand perfectly.
Alex didn't realize, but the voice contained a comforting warmth that lowered Alex's previous fear.
Continuing his speech, 'it' spoke once again
"You have been chosen as 'Merchant' of World ###############. As the first 'Merchant of the universe you reside in, advantages will be awarded..."
The voice paused for a moment before continuing.
"The first gift shall be information regarding currency and energy levels shall be given."
After finishing, a ripped page exited through the large book and penetrated into Alex's forehead.
Alex had considerably calmed down , but when the worn down paper pierced into Alex's forehead, Alex felt a large amount of pain on neck, but the pain disappeared as quickly as the pain suddenly started.
Alex suddenly felt an indescribable 'itch' on his head at that moment. Alex tried to find the 'itch', but when Alex thought of the 'itch', information regarding various things popped into Alex's mind. Alex was quickly able to understand everything and could perfectly recall the information like the back of his hand.
Alex didn't have any time to think about how he knew 'everything' before 'it' interrupted Alex.
"Your second gift shall be an advanced system capable of materializing objects such as food, weapons, buildings, etc. The system shall have a 'Large-Starter Package' in order to allow you to start immediately."
Another torn page exited the large book and entered through Alex's forehead once again and so did the indescribable pain. Alex recovered as the pain disappeared and was able to immediately understand how to use the system and all functions.
"The third and final gift shall be...an increase in energy levels in order to allow you to live past the beginning to do the job of 'Merchant'."
The voice ended and another short period of time passed before 'it' sounded again.
"You will be sent 3 months before the start so prepare well."
Alex started to 'wake up' as drowsiness washed over his body. Alex started to slowly close his eyes, but fought against the drowsiness trying to stay 'awake'. Alex slowly succumbed to the the feeling and faded back.
"Farewell, 'Merchant'."
And Alex's vision darkened.
...
Alex jolted as he flashed his eyes open. Alex quickly grabbed his phone and checked the date.
"December 24."
Alex murmured as he looked around. Everything was the same. Turning to see outside, Alex was able to watch as snowflakes gently floated down.
Alex thought back to what happened and wondered if everything was a dream: his death and the strange voice that spoke.
Alex knocked his head as he tried to recall the information. And Alex did remember all the information. Alex wanted to yell in surprise, but was surprisingly calm.
Alex then remembered-the system he should've received as the second gift.
Streams of information continuously poured into Alex's mind as he remembered how to 'activate' the system.
"Start:GAFYAG"
Alex mouthed as holographic screen appeared in Alex's vision. A box resembling a Christmas present appeared in the center and a blue button under the box along with the words
'Redeem Package'
Alex reached out and tapped the blue button with his finger.
'Package Redeemed'
sounded as his finger pressed against the redeem button.
Alex saw the front screen and looked at the 3 options available.
<<Status>>
<<Store>>
<<Storage>>
The functions seemed obvious at first glance.
Alex pressed <<Storage>> and an inventory similar to one from Minecraft appeared, but with endless space. On the first square was a coin shaped like an octagon with the number 10,000 at the bottom right of the square.
Alex was able to recognize the coins as the currency used to buy items as well as one of the items dropped upon a creatures death.
The square next to the first square was occupied by a small black pill. Alex recognized these as Source Energy Refiner pills-pills that increased Source Energy in body. Although the amount of Source Energy contained in the pills were low, the pills weren't used for the low amounts of Source Energy. Creatures release Source Energy upon death and the killer of the creature absorbs a portion of Source Energy while the rest disperses and the absorbed Source Energy isn't the purest as different energies contaminate the Source Energy. Although the body won't be weakened, the Source Energy will be contaminated so the power output will also be weaker than someone that had a technique or item to purify the Source Energy, which no one in the whole universe has as Alex is the first 'Merchant'. The pills are precious because they can purify Source Energy even if the Source Energy in the body is contaminated. There were 20 of these pills in total with 1 pill being able to purify the whole body.
Alex simply glanced at the pills before looking at the next square. The third square had a normal appearing Galil. Alex didn't know what was special about the gun or if it even was special. The number on the bottom was 1.
The fourth square was also the last square and contained a single pamphlet.
Alex didn't think too much of the pamphlet and reached out to grab the pamphlet. The pamphlet was single paged.
Opening the pamphlet, Alex read each word carefully and was surprised! The pamphlet was just stating the other rewards from the Package.
Alex went to <<Status>> and reviewed his own status and skills.
{Alex Garcia
Grade 1; Level 0
Strength: 32
Stamina: 33
Flexibility: 32
Intelligence: 33
Skills: N/A
Variable Points: 0
Skill Points: 20}
Alex easily understood everything about his own status. 'Grade' is his actually power while 'level' is similar to the layers uncovered in order to reach a higher grade.
Every time a creature reaches a whole grade higher, their status goes up in increments of 20, but although their 'variables' go up by 20, the creatures can't specifically choose which Variable Point goes into which variable, its all random and Alex is only able to increase a specific variable because of the assistance of the system. And the 'level' only increase the random variable by 1 point.
As for skills, skills can be used in order to increase the level, but the system only registers skills after being seeded in Alex's body.
Every and any skill has 3 actual levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. To max a skill out, the total amount of Skill points needed would have to be 6. Each level needs the same amount of points as the level the skill is heading.
After ensuring everything was what happened Alex closed the screen and and eyed the room. Everything was the same with only the date being different.
Alex pushed the lion pictured-blanket away and got off bed.
"Meow~"
Yawned Alex's baby kitten. Alex adopted the kitten after his breakup and now treats the kitten like family.
Alex watched to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast. An omelet for him and a bowl of gruel for the 3 year old kitten.
Alex let the gruel cool down and ate his omelet with a cup of orange juice.
While eating, Alex was thinking what he had to do. Staying in Las Vegas would be a no go as most food is transported from outside the state and the area around Las a Vegas is basically a desert.
Alex would be able to find vegetables and fruits that could survive in the desert, but preferred going somewhere where the land was fertile. Alex's first thought was to go to California, but rid himself of that though. Although California does have fertile land and he could fish if he builds a place near the ocean, the east of the United States is more known for having luscious land and rednecks.
But the rednecks didn't matter to Alex, only the fertile farm lands in the east attracted him.
Before the weird events happened, Alex never would've thought of leaving the state, but with the increase in Source Energy that raised his intelligence high, Alexa personality was changing as well.
After finishing his omelet, Alex went to his classes. Although Alex knew creatures that could kill anything and anyone would roam Earth, he still wanted to learn a couple more things that would be able to aid himand needed time to prepare for the apocalypse, either way.
Alex left his private apartment and drove to the college campus.
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