More Were Coming

"Theo, what should we do?! We need to check on Mom, what if-"

Theo's grip on the axe tightened. Their mother was in a public hospital a few blocks away. He could only pray it wasn't caught in the same chaos as this one.

"I'm sure Mom isn't in this kind of situation," Theo muttered, glancing around the spacious room. Spotting the television, he turned it on and muted the sound. They needed information, and fast.

His frown deepened as he read the headlines. The military had barricaded only private hospitals. That was strange.

"Aries, while I was unconscious, did you watch the news?" he asked.

"Yes… and I think I know what you're thinking," Aries said, nodding. "And you're right. Everyone hit by the meteorites was admitted to private hospitals. The government announced they'd cover all medical expenses since public hospitals in Metropolis City were already full and couldn't take in more patients."

Theo's mind raced. "Then that means Mom should still be safe. The barricades are only around private hospitals…" He trailed off, recalling something the system had told him earlier.

"What is it?" Aries asked, catching the shift in his expression.

Theo hesitated briefly before deciding to tell her, at least part of it. "The infection came from a Meteorborn."

Aries frowned. "Huh?"

He gave her an alibi that he had "dreamed" about the Meteorborn, beings reborn from the energy of the meteorites. Twisted and restless, they craved flesh, and their bite turned victims into MB Infectees, spreading the hunger like a plague.

Aries listened, her face growing pale. "That… actually lines up with the emergency alert. They said the outbreak started in the morgue, where patients who died from meteorite-related injuries suddenly reanimated. Wait-" 

She turned to him, eyes narrowing. "Did you try checking if you have any supernatural abilities? What if it's like in movies? And the government is monitoring all of you closely. That's suspicious…"

Theo stayed silent. He had gained something, just not the flashy superpowers Aries was thinking of. Instead, he had this damn system popping up with quests, rewards, and stats like some kind of game.

But then his eyes widened as he recalled the rewards. There were ranks, levels, and abilities he could unlock.

'Right… If I keep completing quests, I can actually grow stronger.'

Excitement flickered in his chest. If he played this right, he wouldn't just survive… he'd thrive.

"Do you think they're going to quarantine us here? What if they think we're infected like in those zombie movies?" Aries rambled, her voice trembled a bit as she stared at the window.

"I still have so much I want to do… I don't want to die young. If I'd known this would happen, I should've at least gotten myself a boyfriend," she added dramatically.

Theo chuckled, knowing she was trying to lighten the mood, just like always.

"Don't worry. We're not dying here," he assured her with a smirk. "And I won't let you die a virgin."

She scoffed. "Says the other virgin in the room."

He laughed and then asked, "What floor are we on?"

"Seven," Aries answered with a frown. 

He nodded and then handed her the axe. "Here, stay put for now. If things get worse, use this and make sure you hit the head, the brain. If there's too many, get out through the window," he said, pointing to their escape route. "Give it a few minutes. I'm sure the soldiers will clear the ground floor first before moving up, so it should be safer on the ground level soon."

If he could take down a few more MB infectees before the military group reached them, he'd earn more gold coins. Every kill meant more resources, and if this apocalypse was just beginning, he needed all the advantages he could get.

"Huh? Where are you going?" Aries asked, grabbing his arm. "Wouldn't it be safer to just stay here and wait for the soldiers? I'm sure they'll assess who's infected and who's not."

Theo hesitated. Staying put made sense. But the thought of killing more MB Infectees, earning more gold coins, coins that could be converted into real money, gnawed at him. 

The apocalypse had already begun. If things got worse, he needed enough money to secure food and supplies for himself, Aries, and their mom. His expression darkened. Even their drunkard father crossed his mind. He hated the man, but in the end, he was still family.

"I'll be quick," he promised. "We can't just sit here and do nothing. Let go."

Aries didn't budge, tightening her grip on his arm.

Theo sighed and grinned. "Fine. I promise I won't die a virgin, alright? Also, I believe I gained some abilities, and time is gold, so I'll tell you about it later." He winked.

Her face crumpled in frustration, hesitation lingering in her eyes, so he added, "Trust me, Aries."

Releasing a frustrated sigh, she finally let go. "I swear, if you die and turn into a zombie, I will hate you forever," she huffed.

"Duly noted." Theo nodded, then quietly opened the door and slipped out.

Theo slipped out, closing the door behind him as quietly as possible. Distant screams echoed through the hospital, mingling with rapid bursts of gunfire.

His heart pounded. 'I need to move fast.'

"Inventory," he murmured.

A screen popped up in his vision, displaying his inventory. It was completely empty. He chose the weapon tab but his frustration grew. Every weapon was locked. The only way to unlock them was either to buy them with gold coins or exchange them with EXP points.

"You've got to be kidding me," he muttered. He had only 10 EXP and 1 gold coin, nowhere near enough to buy anything useful.

A child's cry pierced through the chaos, pulling Theo's attention in an instant. His eyes darted toward the sound, and without a second thought, he grabbed a fire extinguisher from the wall and rushed to where the boy had run, fleeing from two figures, a woman in a hospital gown and a nurse.

"Stop it, Sarah!" a man's voice shouted, pulling the woman in a hospital gown back.

Theo focused on the nurse chasing the boy. He didn't hesitate and swung the fire extinguisher with all his strength, smashing it into the nurse's skull. A sickening crack echoed through the hallway before the nurse crumpled to the floor.

[Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin]

Before Theo could catch his breath, another figure lunged at him from behind. The man who had been holding the woman a while ago was now infected. His arm was bitten, and the infection spread fast. 

Theo barely dodged as the man swiped at him with clawed fingers. In one swift motion, Theo swung the fire extinguisher again, hitting the man's head and crushing his skull.

[Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin]

The female patient attacked him suddenly and he lost his grip on the fire extinguisher.

'I can't get bitten!' he thought frantically, dodging as her jagged teeth snapped at him.

Desperately, Theo grabbed the nearest object, a metal IV pole. He thrust it forward, the sharp end driving through the infected woman's eye socket. She collapsed, her body going limp.

[Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin]

Breathing heavily, Theo struggled to get back on his feet. His overweight body protested, and he cursed again. "I really need to lose weight," he muttered, his chest heaving. As he stood up, a notification from the system caught his attention.

[Ding! Daily Quests are shorter-term tasks to help you build strength, lose weight, and enhance fitness in a post-apocalyptic, mutation-heavy environment.]

Theo barely glanced at the message before dismissing it. His focus was on the boy, who was still peeking around the corner.

"Hey, kid, are you hurt?" Theo asked, his voice soft but urgent.

The boy sniffled, shaking his head.

"Good. Come on, we need to get you to safety," Theo said, holding out his hand.

The child hesitated but eventually reached for it. Just as their fingers touched, another snarl echoed from the hallway. Theo turned, his heart racing. More were coming…