~Daily sign-in available. Sign in at Gando alley of City H, Y or N?~
Now, what the hell is this?
My scowl deepened.
Sign-in?
I've never heard of that before.
Although I have heard of the 'leveling system' from Margie.
I stood up from where I sat, and I grabbed the school bag as I did so, eyes still keenly focused on the system screen.
Is this really... safe? And how does it work or function? Should I trust it?
If what this system tells me is true, then that means I don't have much time.
The world is ending in about five minutes.
But how exactly is the world 'ending' though?
That I have no idea.
Is it even real?
Seeing the clear skies and the absence of the absolute cold that had dealt with me earlier, I began to assume that maybe… just maybe everything that this system told me was true.
It wasn't every day one got to be resurrected from death. Or gain a system. Three systems.
Having thought of that, I decided that it won't hurt to see what this sign-in stuff was all about.
I can't keep on running away from things that might seem 'scary' forever.
I nodded.
Yes. Sign-in.
[Ding-!]
[The universal roulette wheel {Avoid gambling kids~} is spinning…]
[Sign-in completed!]
[Dustin Walters has received passive skill {Mental Fortitude |Rare|}!]
[10x multiplier system activated!]
[Skill {Mental Fortitude |Rare|} is multiplying…]
My lips were left hanging, my mouth almost completely agape as I stared at the screen.
[Mental Fortitude… Mental Stability… Mind of Equilibrium…]
[Ding-! 10 × {Mental Fortitude} = {Cold-Blooded |Legendary|}!]
[Passive skill {Cold-Blooded} obtained!]
Ahem-!
I cleared my throat. And I also sniffed, even though nothing was in my nose.
It was to regain my composure and quell my rising heartbeat that pumped with low-key excitement.
The excitement I currently felt was the exact reason I avoided anything with the name 'gacha.'
Well, that and the fact that 'excitement' in my monotonous life was addictive as hell. And also wallet draining. Not like there was much in said wallet, though.
I almost became a bet addict once. Turned out a poor guy with little cash and a betting platform that had a high probability to double said cash wasn't really the best mixture.
…That was a lot to take in.
"Uh… okay?" I whispered, awkwardly scratching the back of my neck.
I can go now… right?
As I thought this, the 'pop-up' notifications on the screen dissolved, leaving only that godforsaken timer.
"Shit," I whispered.
[Time remaining until world ends: 00:3:45…]
"What now? Just sit and wait for the world to end? Or…
Run?"
The silence that enveloped me after my question was loud. And for a calm moment, all I could hear was the sound of my heart beating.
I gulped.
The world is.. ending.
Shit, this is real. And I'm the cause of it.
Fuck, oh my god.
I should run. I should really run.
But run to where? Where would I run to?
I threw the bag of drugs away, and I grasped my dyed blond hair with my hands as my breathing began to track off rhythm.
Oh no.
Is everyone going to die? All because of my dumb wish?
Ah, but who cares about them, though? All I care about is myself. And I don't want to die. Not now. Not again.
"Oh my.." A shaky whisper. My legs began to tremble, my hands began to quiver, lips began to shiver.
[Passive skill {Cold-Blooded} Activated.]
Huh?
My wrinkled forehead unwrinkled.
In an instant, my heartbeat calmed down.
I inhaled as much air as I could.
"Hoooo." I exhaled.
My trembling limbs became normal, and my lips stopped quivering.
It also felt like my mind became… clearer.
Calm down, Dustin, you dumbfuck!
I clenched my fists. So tightly that my nails left crescent marks on my palms.
"Haaah. Can't believe I was thinking of running away again," I muttered, "I should be looking for a way to survive."
That means I have to leave this alley.
"But where to?" I pondered, "The other side of the city? It'll take about ten minutes to get there… if I run. And if I don't run into the Murilan Gang."
"Murilan Gang? Are you really thinking about the Murilan Gang when the world is literally about to end, Dustin?" I questioned myself.
Yeah, I'm right. I should find a good and secure position to hide and witness what exactly is going to 'end' this world. And how the world is going to end.
I nodded, affirming my genius.
That's a good plan. But is there any reason to go back to the other side of the city where the gang I work for rules?
No… I can find a good position here. Like…
A subway station!
"But my friend, Jericho's there, at my gang's HQ… I have to warn him. Or even help him if I can. That guy helped me out a lot. The only one who did."
"He gave me money."
I nodded. "That is a good enough reason to save him."
I let out an exhale.
Then, a soft chuckle as I unclenched my fists.
Me? Saving someone instead of running?
"I guess it's a starting point to the change I'm beginning to yearn for." I muttered, "Now that I've been given another chance, I'll aim to no longer live a life of constant running away."
I crouched, buckling my shoes.
And as I tied them tightly, I stood up straight.
"Instead, I'll fight."
With that said, I stepped out of the alley.
I have to persuade Jericho to come with me to the nearest subway station.
If I run from here, it'll take me about nine minutes.
And I don't have that much time.
Guess I'll have to steal a car.
My lips widened.
"Heh."
The road outside the alley was filled with the hustle and bustle that one would expect to see in a big city. With a wide road on which cars, buses and other vehicles zoomed past, pedestrian walkways where people walked without a care in the world, and without knowing that their world would come crashing down in a few minutes.
The buildings in this part of the city were large. No skyscrapers, though. But there were occasional all-glass buildings that stood at various corners. But they were rare to spot.
As I walked out of the alley, I moved my neck left and right frantically. An effort to observe my surroundings and to know if any of those Murilan bastards were present.
Only the sight of shops, unsmiling and smiling people, the distant scent of baked bread mixed with the poignant smell of exhaust smoke greeted my senses.
No sign of Murilan.
I concluded after thoroughly scanning all the faces of the people walking around. The men, especially.
I would know if they were part of the shitty named gang.
All the people in that gang had weird-looking tattoos on open parts of their bodies.
I calmly made my way toward a packed vehicle by the side of the road. It seemed like the owner of the vehicle had gone to a nearby store or something.
How convenient.
There were other cars parked. But this one caught my eye.
It looked the most expensive.
It was yellow, glistening under the sun rays. And — I must emphasize this — BEAUTIFUL.
Gotta love an Aidis.
I took a peep at the interior of the car through the window, looking straight at the area where the car key was supposed to be.
Sweet.
The key was there.
And,
Clack–!
The door was open!
I had no driver's license, but I didn't care. The world was ending after all.
"Might as well enjoy the last moments."
I jumped into the car.
And immediately I did, the anti-theft alarm began to blare.
"What the-! Fucking thief!! Someone stop him!" I think it was the voice of the car owner. A male voice.
Who knew they were close by? Might be why they carelessly left their car open in a gang-infested area. Either that or they were just stupid.
Too late, dunce.
I started the car. And the engine roared.
I hit the gas.
To Jericho.
How much time is left?
The system screen flickered,
[Time remaining until world end: 00:1:20…]
"Fuck."