Chapter 2: 2 of Clubs

Carter smashed the picture frame at the rat multiple times, when he raised the picture frame, the unrecognizable corpse of the rat the size of a cat was revealed.

It was disfigured and only some recognizable features of a rat was left. Blood oozed from its body.

Carter felt sick but more than that, he felt relieved, he took a few step back and threw the picture frame away.

That was one scary experience, yet also somewhat exhilarating.

Just as he wondered what he would do next, the corpse of the rat shone.

Now what!

Carter watched as a card formed atop of the rats corpse.

What is that?!

He questioned on his mind, he could barely keep his mouth shut. He was in a state of disbelief and shock.

What was happening right now.

Just then, the card flew towards him, he quickly catched the card with his hands just on time.

The card reminded him of a deck of cards used often in gamblings, it had the same size and the same symbols but that was it.

The card in his hand right now had 2 of clubs.

But unlike normal cards, the indication that it was a 2 of clubs could only be seen on the top right corner and the lower left corner, whilst on the center was something like a description.

________

Skill: Enhanced punch

Rank: 2 of clubs

Description: Enchances the physical damage of your punch upon use.

________

Wha-?

Carter was in a state of disbelief.

What was this? Magic? Hallucination?

Had he actually died and was all of this he was seeing all fake?

He had many questions spiral out on his mind.

Out of nowhere though, a screen appeared Infront of his eyes.

_____

Consume or keep?

_____

What was that supposed to mean? What will happen if he choose consume? Or if he choose keep? Or if he choose nothing?

Too many questions.

For now though, Carter choose to keep it. He didn't know what would happen if he picked consume but the word 'keep' rather than 'consume' sounded more safe.

There was also no option to pick none, so he best choose something, in the end he decided keep.

The card then disintegrated and all that was left was two symbols of club that soon branded itself to his right fist.

What the fuck!

Carter who didn't know what would happen got scared as the symbols branded itself on his fist, he expected to feel a bit of pain but there was none actually.

It was like nothing happened, after a few seconds, the two symbols of club on his right fist faded.

Whatt?

More questions formed on his mind.

He really didn't understand all that was happening.

First, it was the sudden strange phenomenon where he felt the world stop for a second, he couldn't quite explain the experience but it was truly strange, as if beyond the comprehension of the mortal mind.

Second was the mutant rat.

Third was the mysterious card.

What exactly was happening to him.

Carter went too look for his phone, when he finally found it and took a look, he found out he couldn't open it, he thought that maybe it was low on battery, but after he charged it, it still didn't turn on.

Wtf!?

Was his phone broken?

For some reason, a feeling of apprehension was encroaching Carter's heart. He went towards the balcony of his apartment, something was calling him there.

And when he did arrive in his balcony, all he saw of the outside world was something straight out of an Apocalypse.

His apartment was quite high-end being able to afford it because of his parents inheritance, the apartment was located near the center of the city and had a great view of the buildings.

And right now, instead of a beautiful view that should have greeted him, it was chaos.

He gulped as his face went pale.

Whatt...

"Hahaha...have I been stuck in my room for so long that I didn't even know that the world was ending."

He laughed in resignation, disbelief in his eyes, fear on his expression.

Cold sweat ran down his chin.

_______

"I think I've rested enough..." Carter stood up.

More than five hours had passed, he had been resting in that span of time, trying to regain some strength, not that he had much to begin with, but it was better than nothing.

Before taking a rest though, he had prepared some essentials. Inside his bag were some instant noodles and canned food of which would serve him greatly in the midst of this apocalyptic times.

He was really thankful that he had stacked on some instant foods from his monthly deliveries and had some left.

"Hayss, instant foods again? I guess I can't really complain with how the world is right now." Carter stuck out his tongue in disgust.

You really couldn't blame him, he had been eating the same food for half a year, of course it would be a given that he would be sick of it.

I wonder how I had been able to eat all of this for half a year.

Carter couldn't help but wonder to himself.

But he knew that with the world right now, it would be hard to eat normal food, food like this that was convenient would be the best option.

Still, Carter still hated it, it had been a while since he ate normal food, he had hoped that after he stopped gambling, he would be able to build himself up and finally return back to his normal life and eat normal food.

But an Apocalypse struck. Just his luck!

He then put the bag on his back and equipped his hand with a knife he found in the kitchen.

It would have been nice if he had a med kit, but aside to the fact that his apartment was equipped with none, he also didn't know how to use one.

He approached the door and looked through the peephole, from his view, it was clear.

He gulped and held the knife tight, with a determined look on his eyes, he held the knob to the door.

It was time to leave.