The air was thick — heavy with the stale breath of apocalypse. The scent of burnt plastic, damp concrete, and something metallic lingered as Arjun crouched behind a rusted van, its flaking paint marked by graffiti and streaks of dried blood.
Nearby, Varun gripped his makeshift pipe-spear, knuckles whitening around the cold metal. The kid looked small for his age — fifteen, maybe sixteen — but his eyes held a fierce determination that no apocalypse could smother.
"Keep calm," Arjun whispered. "Watch my moves. Stick close."
Varun nodded, face pale but steady.
Arjun's mind briefly flicked to the family he'd left behind in Uttar Pradesh — his mother, his sister — but there was no time for longing here. Only survival.
His system interface pulsed softly at the edge of his vision.
Stat Panel – Arjun Rathore, Lv. 4EXP: 43 / 160Apocalypse Coins: 83
– Strength: 9– Agility: 6– Endurance: 8– Awareness: 7– Willpower: 5– Instinct: 6
Traits:– Grit-Blooded– Ruthless Cadence– Hunter's Path
Skills:– Police Instinct (Passive)– Pulse Mark (Active)– Quick Reload (Passive)
Inventory Capacity: 20/20
Ahead, the ruined facade of Sunshine Mall loomed like a forgotten fortress. Shattered glass crunched underfoot, mannequins frozen in eerie poses behind scorched storefronts. The mall, once a bustling symbol of consumerism, was now a graveyard of twisted metal and shadow.
System sensors flickered—
Hostile Activity Detected:– 3 Mall Stalkers – Tier 1.2– Aggression Level: High– Coin Yield: 6–10 each
Arjun swallowed the tight knot of tension in his gut.
"Wait for the second one. I'll draw the first."
He stepped out into the open, muscles coiled like a spring. His pulse slowed, ears straining for movement.
A hiss cracked the stillness. A lanky, jagged figure darted into sight — teeth bared, eyes glowing faint red.
Arjun raised his pistol, breath steady.
Pulse Mark activated.
The bullet flew, striking the creature square in the temple. It collapsed instantly.
Critical Strike!– EXP +48– Apocalypse Coins +10– Hunter's Path Momentum triggered.
Varun wasted no time, thrusting his spear with raw urgency. The weapon grazed the second stalker, drawing a harsh screech.
The creature twisted and lashed out, but Arjun kicked its head, snapping its neck in a sickening crunch.
Kill Confirmed.
Varun's EXP bar flashed violently.
Level Up: 2 Reached!
🧠 Level Up Interface – Varun✔︎ +4 Stat Points✔︎ +1 Passive Skill Point
Current Stats:– Strength: 4– Agility: 4– Endurance: 3– Awareness: 5– Willpower: 4– Instinct: 4
Quickly, Varun allocated:+1 Strength → 5+2 Agility → 6+1 Endurance → 4
Passive Skills Unlocked:
Scrap-Fighter +10% damage with improvised weapons -5% stamina cost when below 30% HP
Varun chose Scrap-Fighter without hesitation.
Arjun gave him a sharp nod. "You're learning fast. Don't lose that edge."
Varun didn't smile. His eyes remained focused.
The third stalker hissed low, retreating into the mall's darkened entrance. Arjun's sensors flickered again.
👁 Zone Boss Detected:Mall Tyrant – Tier 2.0Unique Core presentCoin Yield: 35–50 Apocalypse Coins
Arjun swallowed hard, tightening his grip on his shotgun.
"This is the one. If we bring down the Mall Tyrant, we get the Core. That could be a game-changer."
Varun's fingers tightened on the spear shaft.
"We do this. No backing out."
Arjun nodded sharply.
"Then let's finish the hunt."
They moved deeper into the mall's shadows, senses razor-sharp.
Broken glass glittered underfoot, and the distant roar of the Tyrant echoed — a low, guttural bellow that shook the walls.
The air grew colder.
Their hunt was far from over.