The Countdown Begins

Waking up all dizzy, Lucas recalled the cycle of nightmares he went through again and again in his sleep.

"Ugh, I don't have time for these useless worries so early in the morning," he said while looking out of the window, the sun shining like never before. "Or at least during the apocalypse, I guess."

Finishing up with his early morning routine, Lucas sat back at the table and opened his notebook, getting ready to finish writing down the list of all the important items, or at least those he could remember.

"Hmm... Tears of Zorph were found pretty early in the apocalypse if I remember it correctly. It ended in the hands of Evelyn the Sorceress. Although that wasn't really her class, she was a simple Dark Mage, but I guess she does deserve that title after the massacre she single-handedly committed."

Lucas jotted down the location of the Tears of Zorph: an ancient temple buried deep in the heart of the old city, now overgrown with vegetation and hidden from casual sight. The temple had been difficult to find, even for those with powers, and its defenses were formidable. However, with his prior knowledge, he knew the exact route to take and the traps to avoid.

He paused, tapping the pen against the notebook. What else? The Amulet of Aegis. That had been found in an underground bunker, protected by a group of survivalists who had converted it into their fortress. It was a powerful defensive artifact that had saved countless lives, creating impenetrable barriers against all manner of attacks.

"Next on the list," he muttered, "the Staff of Nyx." That had been uncovered in the ruins of a library, of all places. It was said to amplify a mage's power exponentially, making even the weakest spellcaster a force to be reckoned with. He scribbled down its location, then leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.

"There are others," he thought. "The Ring of Orpheus, which can control minds, the Gauntlets of Titan, which grant immense strength, and the Cloak of Shadows, which allows the wearer to become invisible." He wrote these down too, along with their locations and any details he could remember about their discovery.

Lucas stood up and stretched, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. This time, he had a plan. He wasn't just going to survive the apocalypse; he was going to thrive in it. He needed to gather these artifacts and use them to build his power base.

Looking around his apartment, he realized he needed to start by getting some basic supplies. Food, water, medical supplies—these were all crucial. He grabbed his backpack and made a mental note of the nearest stores. There were a few local shops he could raid before the panic set in, and then he could move on to larger supermarkets.

"First things first," he thought. "I need to secure a safe location." His current apartment was far from ideal; it was too exposed, and the building itself was in disrepair. He needed somewhere defensible, preferably with a good vantage point and easy access to escape routes.

There was an old warehouse a few blocks away that he remembered being relatively intact. It had sturdy walls, a few floors for a better view, and multiple exits. It was also near a water source, which would be invaluable in the long run. He decided to check it out as soon as he gathered his supplies.

Lucas picked up his notebook again and wrote down his plan: gather supplies, scout the warehouse, fortify it, and then start hunting for artifacts. He also needed to think about recruiting allies. As much as he wanted to go it alone, he knew he would need help. He would start by finding those who had shown potential in his past life but had never reached their full capabilities. With his guidance, they could become powerful allies.

"Alright," he said to himself, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's get to work."

He left his apartment, heading to the nearest convenience store. The clerk gave him a strange look as he filled his basket with canned goods, bottled water, and first aid supplies. Lucas ignored the curious glances, focusing on his task. He paid for the items, hefted the heavy bags, and returned to his apartment to pack them into his backpack.

Next, he headed to a sporting goods store for more practical supplies. He picked out a sturdy knife, a compact sleeping bag, a portable stove, and a few other essentials. He also grabbed a map of the city, which would be invaluable for planning his movements.

With his backpack full, Lucas made his way to the old warehouse. As he approached, he felt a pang of nostalgia. This place had been a refuge for a group of survivors in his past life, a safe haven amidst the chaos. He hoped it would serve him just as well this time.

The warehouse was just as he remembered it: large, sturdy, and relatively untouched. He entered through a side door and began to explore. The ground floor was spacious, with plenty of room for storage and a few vehicles that had been abandoned long ago. The upper floors provided a good view of the surrounding area, and there were several rooms that could be used for sleeping or as makeshift offices.

"This will do nicely," Lucas thought, feeling a sense of satisfaction. He set about securing the building, blocking off entrances and reinforcing weak points. He found some old furniture and used it to create makeshift barricades. It wasn't perfect, but it would do for now.

As he worked, his mind continued to race with thoughts and plans. He needed to gather more supplies, fortify the warehouse further, and start reaching out to potential allies. He also needed to start training, both physically and mentally. The apocalypse would test him in ways he couldn't yet imagine, and he needed to be ready.

"I have to stay focused," he reminded himself. "One step at a time."

Once the warehouse was secured to his satisfaction, Lucas sat down to rest. He pulled out his notebook and reviewed his plans. The next few weeks would be critical. He needed to gather the artifacts before anyone else could, and he needed to build his power base quickly.

He thought about the people he would seek out. There was Marcus, a young man with incredible potential who had never realized it due to his circumstances. With the right guidance, he could become a powerful ally. Then there was Sarah, a woman with healing abilities similar to Alicia's. She had been a beacon of hope in his past life, and he hoped to find her again.

Lucas knew that finding these people wouldn't be easy, but he had to try. The more allies he could gather, the better his chances of surviving and thriving in the new world.

"I can't do this alone," he admitted to himself. "I need to find people I can trust, people who will stand by me."

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the warehouse, Lucas felt a renewed sense of determination. He had been given a second chance, and he wasn't going to waste it. He would gather the artifacts, recruit allies, and build his strength. He would change the course of the apocalypse and ensure a better future for everyone.

Lucas spent the rest of the evening organizing his supplies and planning his next steps. He knew that time was of the essence, and he couldn't afford to waste a single moment. The apocalypse was coming, and he needed to be prepared.

As he lay down to sleep, his mind raced with thoughts of the future. He saw the faces of those he had lost and those he hoped to find again. He saw the battles that lay ahead, the enemies he would face, and the allies he would make.

With these thoughts, he finally drifted to sleep.

...

[System State : Semi-Hibernation]

[29 days left until Full-Activation]

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