The Apocalypse

The dusk was fading fast, and the sky wore a cloak of purple-streaked clouds. Below, the city of Chennai buzzed with the evening rush—workers hurrying home after a long day. The distant hum of traffic echoed faintly even up here.

I sat on the balcony of my modest rental apartment on the 20th floor, a glass of wine cradled in my hand. The city lights twinkled like scattered stars beneath me, and for a moment, the world felt distant, almost peaceful.

"Kanisk bro, come on! Let's go play, play!"

The high-pitched voice shattered my tranquility. I glanced over my shoulder to see Vasu, the son of my kind-hearted housemaid, Parvathi. His wide eyes gleamed with excitement, and his grin was infectious. Still, after a long day, I wasn't in the mood.

"Give me a minute, Vasu. Let me enjoy the view," I replied with a tired smile.

But the boy was relentless. He tugged at my arm, trying to pull me from the chair.

"Hey, stop that—"

"Ouchhh!"

Vasu yelped in pain, jerking his arm away.

Frowning, I leaned forward and gently took his hand. Lifting his sleeve, I discovered a fresh, red-hot wound running vertically along his forearm.

"How did you get this?" My voice dropped into a serious tone.

"Umm..." Vasu's eyes darted away, his lips pressing together as if searching for the right words.

"I... fell down the stairs this morning," he mumbled, his voice wavering.

I narrowed my eyes. The injury looked more like a sharp scrape than a fall—too clean, too deliberate. And it wasn't the first time I'd noticed bruises or cuts on him.

"Never mind that! Let's go play!" he interrupted hastily, yanking his arm free.

Before I could press further, he grabbed my hand and practically dragged me toward the elevator. I sighed, letting him win. The kid had a way of breaking through my lazy defenses.

---

(Whistle)

The sharp sound pierced the air as Vasu stood in the middle of the park, cupping his hands around his mouth.

"Squad, assemble!" he cried, his squeaky eleven-year-old voice echoing through the grass field.

Out of nowhere, a dozen dogs of various shapes and sizes burst from the bushes, racing toward him in a frenzy of wagging tails and gleaming eyes.

"Whoa, whoa—wait—ahh!" Vasu toppled backward as the furry horde pounced, smothering him in wet, slobbery kisses. His laughter rang out in uncontrollable bursts as they tickled him with their tongues.

"Okay, okay, that's enough, guys!" he gasped between giggles, fishing into his pockets and pulling out treats.

"Hey—those are mine!" I barked in disbelief.

"Haha! This isn't the first time I've swiped your stash," Vasu shot back with a mischievous grin.

"You little thief!" I ruffled his hair, pushing his head down lightly.

"Come on, Anna! You don't even like them anyway," he teased.

I chuckled despite myself, shaking my head. Yet as I watched him hand out the treats, my mind drifted back to the wound on his arm. The way he avoided my gaze. The hesitation in his voice.

Something wasn't right.

The I swated the thought away cause it maybe true cause Vasu plays rough.

The streetlights flickered to life, signaling that it was time for Vasu to head home.

"Time's up, Vasu. Let's wrap it up. I've got university tomorrow, and your mom must be waiting," I called out.

"Oh crap! I gotta go!" Vasu's eyes widened in alarm—more terror than a simple reminder should cause.

"Bye, Anna!" His voice faded as he bolted into the night.

I watched him disappear, then took the lift back to my apartment. As I approached my door, the floor beneath me trembled.

"An earthquake?" I muttered, gripping the doorframe as the hallway lights flickered wildly.

The shaking intensified.

"Damn! I need to get out of here—"

Before I could move, a sharp headache struck, and my vision blurred. Through the haze, a blue, translucent panel hovered in front of me, shaking as if caught in the quake.

"Wait… are those letters?"

Words coalesced on the panel. My hand passed through the display—it wasn't solid.

**Attention: The Apocalypse is about to begin. Please prepare yourself.**

"What?!" My pulse pounded in my ears.

As if answering my thoughts, a robotic feminine voice echoed from nowhere.

"It is, in fact, the case."

The text shifted:

**Due to peculiar radiation targeting Earth, all electricity, electronics, and modern weaponry will cease to function.**

**Other-dimensional monsters will begin to appear shortly.**

**Survival must be your top priority.**

**The tutorial is about to begin. Steel your heart and face the danger.**

**Slay monsters to earn coupon points. After the tutorial, points can be exchanged for a class that will shape your destiny.**

**For the tutorial, you may select one basic skill or weapon.**

**Decision time: 30 seconds.**

**30… 29… 28…**

"Wait, wait! Too much info—how am I supposed to decide this fast?!" My thoughts spiraled.

*Slap!* I smacked my cheek, forcing myself to focus.

"No time to panic. Weapon or skill?"

Weapons flashed on the screen: swords, shields, bows, axes.

"I've never trained with any of these. I might as well use kitchen knives…"

**16… 15…**

"Damn it!" Sweat dripped from my brow. "Skills, then!"

**Skills:**

*Cloak, Levitate, Throw, Jump, Night Vision, Sneak, Martial Arts…*

"Martial arts! That could save my life!"

**9… 8…**

I lunged to select it—

*CRASH!*

A falling brick struck my hand, throwing off my aim.

**3… 2… 1…**

**Skill has been chosen.**

"No! What did I pick?!" My pulse pounded as the screen displayed the result:

**Chosen Skill: Hunter's Instinct.**

"Hunter's Instinct?" I whispered, heart still racing. As the countdown vanished, the air thickened with a sense of imminent danger...

I touched the panel that said "Skill: Hunter's Instinct," and it read out:

"The player is granted slightly heightened senses that match a hunter. Through this, your reflexes will be stronger, and your adaptability will increase."