章 13: Nerfed System
Elliot woke slowly, the warmth of Mel's body still enveloping his. It had been, without a doubt, the best night he'd had since being reincarnated into this rotten world. Unbridled sex, an old but surprisingly comfortable bed, and the soft rhythm of Mel's breathing against his chest. For the first time in a long time, Elliot allowed himself to feel human.
He turned his head to the side and saw Mel, who was watching him with a quiet smile, her messy hair framing her face. There was something in her gaze that disarmed him, something he hadn't expected: a hint of genuine tenderness.
"How long have you been awake?" Elliot asked, his voice hoarse from sleep as he watched her.
"Not long," she replied, leaning in to give him a soft kiss on the lips. "But I didn't want to wake you. My lover looked so good sleeping," she added with a mischievous smile.
"Wow, the poetess of the apocalypse," Elliot replied with a dry laugh, pulling her towards him in one swift movement. Their lips met again, this time in a deeper, slower kiss. Mel immediately reciprocated, her tongue meeting his in a sensual back-and-forth that made Elliot's body alight again.
But it was he who pulled away first, panting slightly as he fought the temptation that grew with every second. "Stop it, Mel, or I'll fuck you again before you can get out of this bed," he said with a tired smile.
Mel let out a chuckle as she slid a hand down his chest, standing up with a carefree grace. "Well, if you don't want to continue, I'll clean up," she said, feigning an offended tone as she gathered her clothes scattered around the room.
"Clean up, huh?" Elliot said with an arched eyebrow, watching her as she walked over to her backpack. "I don't know if you remember, gorgeous, but we're in the middle of the apocalypse. There's no running water."
Mel turned to him, holding a half-full bottle of water in her hand. Her smile was mischievous, laden with a confidence that Elliot found irresistibly provocative. "You'd be surprised what a woman can do with a bottle of water and a couple of washcloths," she said, winking at him before disappearing behind the bathroom door.
Elliot stared at the closed door for a moment, a lopsided grin on his face. "Damn," he muttered to himself, flopping back onto the bed as he ran a hand through his hair. Mel had an impressive ability to keep him on edge, even when she thought she couldn't surprise him anymore.
Elliot laid back on the bed, a smug smile on his face as he closed his eyes, but then he remembered something that made him snap them open. Points. The 8000 points he had earned last night thanks to Mel. Those damn points were a goldmine, a direct pass to improving his situation. The ability to buy resources, skills, or even summon soldiers was all there.
With a mix of excitement and urgency, he opened the system, hoping to see the fruits of his effort. However, the first thing that appeared was something completely unexpected.
[System update in progress.]
"What?" he muttered, frowning as the window floated in front of him. "Now? Why now?"
Before he could process it, the message changed.
[System update complete. Thanks for waiting.]
"Great. What the hell changed now?" Elliot said, his tone tinged with irritation as the window transformed again, displaying a summary of the changes.
[System Changes:
-New Integrated Map:
A map of explored areas in the United States will now be displayed. You will be able to purchase a special map in the shop to unlock additional points of interest, such as resources, shelters, or danger zones.
-Soldier Option Disabled:
The ability to purchase soldiers or groups of soldiers has been removed. The system is seeking balance and considers this option too powerful for the current state of the game.
-Resource Delivery Change:
Resources will no longer be generated at your location automatically. They will now appear at random points within a 15 kilometer radius from your current location. This change is intended to balance the system and encourage exploration.
Thanks for using the system! Have a nice day.]
Elliot read the changes with a mix of disbelief and mounting anger. He felt like the system had just kicked him in the balls.
"This has to be a fucking joke," he growled, his hands clenching the sheets so tightly his knuckles turned white. He reread each line, hoping something had changed or that his mind was playing tricks on him. But no. The words were still there, mocking him.
Frowning, he quickly switched to the shop tab. The window dropped down as usual, but his worst fear was confirmed: the option to summon soldiers was completely gone. In its place was an empty space that seemed to mock him with its uselessness.
"Fucking shit," Elliot muttered, bringing a hand to his face as he tried to calm himself down.
He took a deep breath and refocused on the shop, looking for any advantage he could take advantage of. But even resource purchases were now problematic. They appeared at a random point within a 15 kilometer radius. That meant he would have to go out and search for every single thing he bought, exposing himself to the infected and any other threats lurking around.
The system had screwed him, and screwed him good. With soldiers, he could have created a small army to dominate and protect himself in this chaos, but now… everything he had planned was falling apart.
"I'm screwed," he muttered under his breath, letting his head fall back. His mind was running in circles, trying to find a way out, some way to turn this mess around.
Despite his frustration, a small spark of logic ignited inside him. "Maybe all is not lost," he thought out loud, his tone lower and thoughtful. "If the map shows points of interest, there might be something useful. Maybe weapons, supplies… something to make this shit worth it."
But the thought of crawling for miles in search of something that wasn't even guaranteed made his stomach turn. The system was now more of a trap than a tool. An extra weight he had to carry as he tried to survive.
Sighing, he closed the window and dropped his hands to his sides, staring at the ceiling with a mix of exhaustion and resignation. "Why am I not surprised?" he muttered to himself. "Of course it wasn't going to be that easy. This world always finds a way to screw you over."
Meanwhile, from the bathroom, the soft sound of water pouring could be heard as Mel cleaned herself up with a bottle and a couple of cloths. Though she was out of sight, Elliot could picture her figure leaning over the sink, her wet hair falling in damp strands over her shoulders. The thought momentarily distracted him, easing his rage a little.
"First you demoralize me, and then you distract me," he said quietly, letting out a short, bitter laugh.
But soon, his mind returned to the problem of the system. Now more than ever, he needed to be strategic. If the system wanted to make him work, he would work. But not without making sure that in the end, he would get everything he wanted. Everything.
Elliot took a deep breath, his mind still processing the frustration of the system "upgrade." However, a spark of curiosity compelled him to open the shop again. If he was going to spend his 8000 points, he needed to make sure he got the best possible. Hopefully, something new had been added that was worth it.
The window opened in front of him, impeccably organized, but now with a significantly larger amount of items and skills. Apparently, the system had decided to diversify, though not without continuing to screw him over with its new limitations.
System Store
Points available: 8000
Supplies
Small Supply Pack – 2000 points
Contents:
-3 rations of canned food (high durability).
-5 bottles of purified water.
-Basic first aid kit (bandages, disinfectant, painkillers).
-1 flashlight with batteries included.
Description: Ideal for surviving a week in adverse conditions.
Medium Supply Pack – 5000 points
Contents:
-10 rations of canned food.
-15 bottles of purified water.
-Intermediate first aid kit (bandages, disinfectant, painkillers, basic antibiotics).
-1 high-powered rechargeable lamp.
-Portable water filters (x2).
Description: Enough to sustain a small group for two weeks.
Premium Survival Pack – 10,000 points
Contents:
-20 rations of dehydrated food.
-20 bottles of purified water.
-Advanced medical kit (includes IVs, strong painkillers, and sutures).
-Portable kitchen with gas cartridges.
-High-capacity survival backpack.
Description: Designed for prolonged survival in harsh environments.
Weapons
Small Weapons Pack – 3000 points
Contents:
-Semi-automatic pistol (9mm) with 2 magazines (15 rounds per magazine).
-Tactical survival knife.
-Lightweight bulletproof vest (basic level).
Description: Perfect for self-defense in moderately dangerous scenarios.
Advanced Weapons Pack – 7000 points
Contents:
-Compact submachine gun (caliber 9mm) with 3 magazines.
-Pump-action shotgun (12 GA) with 10 rounds.
-Tactical vest with multiple pockets.
Description: Ideal for high-intensity combat situations.
Ammunition Crate – 2500 points
Contents:
-100 rounds (various calibers).
Description: Make sure your weapons never run out of fire.
Shelter
Basic Shelter Package – 4000 points
Contents:
-Weather-resistant tent.
-Multi-purpose tool kit.
-Insulated sleeping bag.
-Portable stove with gas cartridges.
Description: Perfect for setting up a temporary base.
Advanced Shelter Package – 8000 points
Contents:
-4-person modular tent with heating system.
-Full tool kit (includes a portable solar-powered generator).
-Premium sleeping bags with inflatable pillows.
-Portable kitchen with utensils included.
Description: Designed to turn any place into a safe and comfortable shelter.
Skills
Luck Level 1 – 4500 points
Description: Slightly increases your chances of finding valuable resources or avoiding dangerous situations.
Medical Knowledge Level 1 – 6000 points
Description: Learn to perform basic medical procedures, from treating wounds to stabilizing fractures.
Firearms Enhancement Level 1 – 4500 points
Description: Increases your accuracy, reload speed, and handling ability with pistols and rifles.
Hand-to-Hand Combat Enhancement Level 1 – 5000 points
Description: Increases your hand-to-hand combat prowess, allowing you to engage enemies more effectively.
Physical Enhancement Level 1 – 3000 points
Description: Increases strength, stamina, and speed by 15% above the human average.
Intelligence Enhancement Level 1 – 3000 points
Description: Increases your analytical, memory, and strategic decision-making abilities.
Increased Attraction Level 2 – 4000 points
Description: Raises your charisma and personal appeal by 20%, making social interactions easier and increasing other characters' affection.
Special Resources
Local Resources Map – 2500 points
Description: Shows nearby locations of food, water, fuel, and weapons.
Special Map: Strategic Points of Interest – 5000 points
Description: Reveals key locations over a wide area, such as safe havens, weapons caches, and functional vehicles.
Other Items
Luxury Meal – 2000 points
Description: A full gourmet meal. Increases characters' affection if shared.
Advanced Medical Kit – 3500 points
Description: Includes advanced medical equipment to treat serious injuries and common illnesses.
Professional Tool Box – 3000 points
Description: Contains specialized tools for complex repairs and equipment upgrades.
Portable Infected Detector – 6000 points
Description: Identifies the presence of infected people within a radius of 50 meters, even through walls.
Elliot sighed deeply as he looked at the list of options in the system store. Every item looked incredibly useful. The Infected Detector, for example, was a damn marvel, possibly the most valuable tool in this hellish world. But he knew he couldn't afford everything. If he spent points on weapons or supplies, they would probably appear 15 kilometers away, making things even more complicated. He needed something he could use right away, something that would be a game-changer.
"Fucking system and its damn settings," he muttered as he selected skills. Finally, he settled on: Close Combat Enhancement Level 1 and Physical Enhancement Level 1. Two skills that cost exactly the 8000 points he had accumulated. It was painful to spend so much in one playthrough, but he knew it was worth it.
With a tap on the system screen, Elliot confirmed the purchase. Immediately, the points disappeared, and a strange feeling washed over him. At first, it was a mild tingle that ran through his skin, but it quickly escalated into something far more terrifying.
A burning pain ignited in his muscles, as if his body was being torn apart from within. Elliot fell to his knees, panting, as his breathing became frantic. Every fiber of his being seemed to contract and stretch at the same time. His muscles burned as if they were red-hot, and sweat soaked his skin within seconds.
"Fuck, what the fuck is this!" he growled through his teeth, his hands clenching the ground as the pain ripped through him.
His mind, meanwhile, was flooding with information. Hand-to-hand combat techniques were beginning to appear like flashes in his head: the proper stance, how to throw a perfect hook, disarm someone with a single move, block blows and return them with lethal precision. Basic techniques, yes, but surprisingly useful. It was as if someone had downloaded a fighting manual directly into his brain.
The pain in his body reached a climax. His muscles contracted sharply before relaxing, and then Elliot felt it: his body had changed. He stood up unsteadily, looking at his hands and then his torso.
His muscles were more prominent, as if he had spent months training in a high-end gym. It wasn't exaggerated; he didn't look like a bodybuilder, but he had an athletic, defined figure now. His chest was broader, his arms thicker, and he could feel the strength in every part of his body. Even his stamina seemed to have increased. He was breathing deeply, but without the tiredness of before.
"This… is insane," he muttered, flexing his fingers and feeling the power in them. He could take hits with ease, and he knew he would be much more effective in any confrontation now. It was as if the system had transformed his body into a living weapon.
Just as he began to relax, something snapped him out of his daze. From the first floor, the sound of breaking glass echoed like a gunshot in the silence. Elliot raised his head, his senses suddenly sharper. His body reacted instinctively, standing up in one fluid motion.
"Fuck," he muttered as he grabbed his knife and the baseball bat he had previously secured.
He headed for the door, his mind cold and focused. There was something different about him, not just physically, but mentally as well. He could feel it: he was ready for anything.
End of Chapter 13.
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