Brutal Reality

"What is this? I can't agree to these terms!" she spoke, her words seemed confused as if she was looking at something preposterous, which it was actually. I'm not a good guy after all.

"You're the last person I would even think or need to agree to those terms, that contract isn't for you. It's for your boss. Give it to him," I calmly stated.

"Why do you think he'll even sign it?" she asked.

"It doesn't matter to me, sign it or not, it's your only way to survive in such a world. Think about it, the message clearly said, this is the 'first' phase. That means there are more phases next. This thing that's happening right now, it's basically a tutorial. And tutorials are easy, so think about it. Do you really wish to remain unequipped for the next phase?" I spoke calmly.

"You're a demon! You don't even value the life of the people dying right now! The secrets that you have can save the nation!" she said.

"They can't save shit, I'm not god, don't push your patriotism on me. It's a world of dog-eat-dog, you can't do shit without power. And you are desperately wanting. Listen up, either you sign that contract or perish when the next phase comes. Also, if you think you can kidnap me or threaten me or people close to me, then I swear I'll unleash upon you something so grave that you'll wish you were dead. This, my dear, is a real threat!" I spoke as cold as the dead to her. Because I knew these people, they think that since they were the 'shit' in the old world they can still abuse their power and do whatever they want to the people in this new world, but they are oh so awfully wrong.

But I'm not a fan of that, and I know how to screw them over badly.

She didn't take my words to heart, and I knew for a fact that signing this contract would be close to impossible, especially with the snobbish selfish bastards who still think they own this world, still operating the scenes.

However, their power will collapse soon, once the hunter association begins. Shit like government and civil laws will soon be abolished.

While a new force will take the reins.

The Hunter Association, started by some random people, worked wonderfully in this situation, however, it was slightly too late when it began operation.

The association would give Hunters ranks, and give them 'quests' just like in a game. Where they'll need to suppress a monster break, or dungeons, or even break civilian fights. It was like police only it had superpowers.

The presence of such an association brought a lot of stability to the situation, but like I said it came too late.

The woman left the office with the contract in hand and I waited for a bit before I spoke.

"You can come out," I said.

Soon, Vivian came from behind the door and looked at me in a wonderful type of way.

"What's wrong?" I said.

"You don't fear anything?" she said.

"Why fear what can't harm you," I said.

"Aren't you underestimating the secret service?" she said.

"Hah, if they had any real power you'd see them doing work, they're all scared shitless. Anyway, you don't need to worry about them, their headquarters will be hit very soon, they'll have their own shit to worry about," I said.

And I was correct, the system was disgustingly unfair. It didn't hit the civilians at first, at least in my first life. It went straight for the military, the marine forces, the police stations, and most armed forces.

The system's first objective was to make all forces capable of 'fighting' it, null and void. Once it had taken care of all of the powerplay it would then proceed with the next phase.

However, the hit on Oakland was something I didn't expect, it was shit.

"How bad were we hit?" I asked.

"I don't have full information, but the city is up in flames. Estimated damage is in the billions," she said.

"Damn…" I cursed.

The more damaged the city the more prone it is to being eradicated, we still need to set up a base here, anyway, I can't do much to change the situation, the people will need to start gaining contribution points to be able to become hunters.

"You need to get a hunter status," I said

"What's that?" she asked.

"You'll need a hundred contribution points at least. That will allow you to use the system in the future. If you don't get it now, it'll be much harder in the future. Getting the ability to use the system can be good in saving your life, you never know," I spoke.

Though this advice was very strange, it was the only thing I could do.

The future has already changed a lot when Oakland was hit. So, I can't rely on it. I'm the worst regressor, I already fucked up the time flow and it hasn't even been the first phase. Nevertheless, relying on information from the future is like using a crutch, if I were to rely on it for so much, I might end up dead without knowing it if a variable were to change.

"How do you get contribution points?" she asked.

"Just Get Killing," I snickered.

The was my favorite catchphrase back then. And I'm still using it now. "Get some kills, take down some undead. It shouldn't be hard since it's still early in the phases. But you won't get another chance in the future," I said.

Though I doubt the daughter of a wealthy person would even dirty her hands.

Surprisingly, she replied, "I'll see what I can do."

Oh, wait, she was the one who took over the company when her father was comatose. She isn't a sheltered girl, she is battle-hardened, not in wars, but in the ugly corporate world.

"Good, I'll need to meet up with my parents, where are they?" I asked.

"Dad gave them a floor on the building, they're just under us, they're as safe as they could be," she said.

"No one is safe, not even this place, for now, it's good, anyway, I'll head to them," I said and walked up.

"Shouldn't you wait until your injuries recover, you look pretty beaten up," she said.

"Don't worry about me," I said.

I'm basically done with the first phase, I'll need to start working on my second objective. The presence of a Boss type isn't something you'll see every day, and I already gained so much contribution it's stupid.

I'll need to start working on the bigger picture from now on, and its here where Dilbert's company will come in hand.

I got down to the lower floor and was swarmed with questions from dad and mom. Worry was clear in their eyes as they asked so many questions.

But the heaviest question was this, "How did you know something like this will happen?" dad asked.

"Let's sit down first, and I'll explain everything," I said.

I then had them sit down then began explaining some things, and also omitting the fact that I regressed there was no need to add to their worries.

The best way to explain was "I saw it in a dream," I said.

No one would have believed this before. But looking at the streets, a world of convenience and logic was no more, it was only chaos and incridible things happening.

My words seemed like a lie, but they had to believe it, there was no other way.

"What about your aunt, your uncles," he said.

I shook my head, "I don't know dad. I don't know, they're not even in Oakland. I can't help everyone dad," I said.

"I see," dad replied, but he seemed in pain. It was his sister and his brother. My mom didn't have any family left she only had me and my dad. But still, she felt his pain.

"I'll try my best to find them, however," I said.

"You're a good son," he said.

"Thank you."

"Lucas, Mr. John told us what you did in the university. I appreciate the fact that you went there to help your friends but why are you risking your life, stay here, where It's safe," she said.

I had a sad smile on my face when I said, "Mom, dad, there is no such thing as safe. Even in this place, walled and protected, safe is nothing but temporary, the world as we know it has ended. We only have one thing left for us to do, it is to survive. And the only way to survive is to risk it and get stronger. You don't need to worry about me. I know what I'm doing, I always knew. How about you trust me a bit," I said.

"No!" mom screamed, but I didn't need to speak.

"You said you know what you're doing," dad said.

"BUT!"

"No. He isn't a little kid anymore," dad said.

"If you know what you're doing, then I'll trust you with it, I only need you to do one thing for me," dad said.

"Yes."

"Don't die," He said.

"I won't," I smiled, I already died. Once is enough, I'm not a fan of it.

The night continued even through the heavy atmosphere, dad took a lot of effort to calm my mother down, she felt like the world that had crumbled was crumbling even more because her only son is tempted to risk his life again.

I couldn't stay there anymore, "I need to do something now, it's good that you're safe for now. Anyway, I don't know when exactly the first Phase will be over, but once it's done. The internet and communication should return, you'll be able to know more about the world by then.

For now, I needed to head elsewhere.

I went downstairs where a lot of students were staying. It was a large room with many people sitting desperately trying to figure out a way to contact their families.

Once I got in, everyone's eyes were fixed on me.

"Lucas!" Will said as he came closer.

"What's going on here, they're not letting us leave," Will said.

"You," I said to the guard.

"Will, Marry, and Nadia," I said.

Once the names of the three of them were announced, they perked up.

"Get these three out, I need to talk to the rest," I said.

The students frowned, "What is going on?" some of the students questioned.

The three of my friends got out first, I then looked at the rest and said.

"Listen up, and listen up good," I said. "It's time you wake up to reality,"