Four days later

During the four days of waiting for the storm to pass, the atmosphere in the cafeteria gradually calmed.

On the first day, a few managed to contact their families, reassured by the fact that some phone lines still worked. However, many others were unable to reach their loved ones, leading to tears and uncertainty. The leaders tried to reassure them, explaining that many connections had likely fallen with the collapse of the world, and encouraged everyone to hold on to hope.

Maybe the military had already been deployed to restore order, so they tried not to dwell on the worst possibilities.

By the third day, as the storm outside grew more violent, the people inside accepted the harsh truth: the world had fallen, and there was no way back, only forward.

The silver lining was that their immediate situation wasn't dire. The cafeteria was well-stocked, with enough food to last two months if consumed recklessly, or four if rationed carefully. So, there was no need for panic or fighting over supplies. Jon's group, along with the girls from the hall, had brought mattresses and clothing, making the place more comfortable. The clinic directly below provided for their medical needs.

Yet, despite this relative security, an undeniable tension lingered. They knew their lives would be in constant danger from now on.

...

In the strange, otherworldly space known as the "Mind World," Jon's ethereal form floated among drifting orbs.

Over the last four days, he had spent more time in this realm than in the physical world, trying to distract himself from recent events by immersing himself in its limitless possibilities.

In the Mind World, Jon could do almost anything. One of his first impulses was to fly. He had always wanted to know what it felt like to soar through the air, and though this wasn't the real thing, it was close enough.

Once he had flown to his heart's content, he turned his attention to other pursuits, like reading Mervil's book and practicing the finger exercises he had been assigned. These exercises involved cracking his fingers regularly, bending them in irregular ways, stretching, pulling, exploring all sorts of movements his fingers were capable of.

His mental abilities were limited to what he knew, but even then, he sought to push the boundaries. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Mind World was how anything he focused on became laid bare before him. And the more he observed, the deeper his understanding grew.

Curious, Jon began analyzing his abilities, starting with his primary skill, "Moon." The insight he gained was sobering—he was simply too weak to fully wield its power.

Setting it aside for now, he moved on to "Soldier Physique." He immediately grasped the skill's mechanics. It wasn't just about gaining the knowledge of a soldier; the true essence lay in his body's reconstruction. The knowledge served as a foundation so he wouldn't feel hollow after the transformation.

But there was more to it. Soldier Physique was an evolvable skill, its true potential unlocked through growth. It wasn't enough to fight as a mere soldier, Jon had to push himself to fight like a martial artist striving to evolve. Relying on a single, rigid fighting style would only hinder him in the long run.

Next, he analyzed "Instant Calculation." As soon as he neared it, his thoughts accelerated. "So, it doesn't just speed up my thinking process, it makes me smarter," he finally realized, something he probably should have noticed earlier.

Since this was his world, he had control over it. From then on, he decided to carry the skill with him in the Mind World, boosting his thought process at all times.

Jon sighed. There was still much to learn before he could delve into blacksmithing. For now, he would have to admire it from afar.

With a thought, he left the Mind World, only to be greeted by a surprise.

A silver energy cat sat waiting for him, a creation of Jenny's. She had been improving her abilities too, as evidenced by this clever construct, which could scout areas or send messages. This time, however, it was purely for show.

The cat spoke in Jenny's voice, delivering a message that made Jon's eyes widen: "Hey Jon, it's Jenny. I wanted to tell you that the storm has stopped, and we're preparing to scout the area. Do you want to come?"

"I'm coming along," Jon replied almost immediately, standing and heading out. He, too, was curious about what had caused the storm and what would happen next.

...

Upon reaching the meeting area, Jon noticed the stares, which he had begun to ignore. This was only the second time many had seen him; he rarely left his room, not even to eat.

Cynthia wasn't there yet, but before he could ask Jenny about her, a light breeze swept past him.

Whoosh.

And Cynthia appeared, a calm and soft smile on her face as she nodded at him. It seemed she, too, had found ways to use her skills.

But, sadly, though not obvious to others yet, Jon was avoiding them. Ever since his friend's death, he had distanced himself from Cynthia and Jenny, not necessarily on purpose, but he couldn't help it.

Trust was a fragile thing, especially after betrayal. Perhaps that was why they hadn't reached out to him either over the past four days.

If fate meant for them to be together again, they would be. But for now, they had grown apart, and Jon had no idea how much this decision would shape his future.

The scouting team chosen to check the surroundings had initially been tense. However, they seemed to relax when they saw Jon.

His presence, oddly enough, gave them a boost of confidence.

Jenny summarized the plan: "We'll scout the area to assess the situation now that the storm is gone and decide our next steps."

The team of fifteen, including Jon, Jenny, Cynthia, and five middle-aged security officers armed with pistols and items retrieved from the system's treasures set off toward the cafeteria's exit.

Upon reaching the eastern door, their built-up confidence began to waver.

It had been four days. They didn't know what the storm had brought or changed. However, seeing Jon and the girls' unwavering confidence, they followed and stepped out of the cafeteria.

They hadn't walked far when a loud, terrifying sound tore through the air.

WOOOOO.

Snapping their heads toward the direction of the sound, they saw a hulking creature standing about two meters tall, covered in a thick coat of brown fur, walking on two legs.

A bear.

And from the bear's direction and apparent destination, it was heading straight for the cafeteria. If they hadn't come out when they did, the damage it could have caused would have been unimaginable.

But the trio, seasoned by now, didn't flinch.

Surprisingly, two others from the group also remained calm. It wouldn't be long before Jon and the others learned just how strong these new allies were.