Opening the door to the stairwell I make my way down to the third floor. Leaving the fourth floor for the first time since this all started feels as if I’m in new lands. Although I’ve worked in this building for months. The world has changed and I feel as if I’m in a completely new environment despite knowing it very well.

I peak over the railing and see two zombies standing on the stairs leading to the third floor landing. Taking aim with my left hand I ignore the blue veins glowing in my hand as I form two Rifle Rounds above my finger. I focus on one zombie and let the spiraling mana ball fly through the air with a whistle. Before it reaches its target I switch my focus to the other zombie and let fly the other ball of mana.

Both drill holes in their target before exploding, dropping them instantly. I form another ball of mana and wait, listening and watching for any more zombies. After a few minutes of nothing I bring the mana back into me and make my way to the third floor.

Peeking around the corner of the door I see no zombies in the hallway. I walk onto the floor bringing the door close behind me. The crack rings out but no moans follow. I slowly make my way around this floor checking meeting rooms and bathrooms finding nothing of note. The open spaces with the cubicles are empty as well and the break area. After searching the floor for ten minutes I’m left satisfied that no zombies are on this floor.

I make my way to the other stairwell and enter it. Snapping the door closed behind me. My finger burns with energy as I hear moans and shambling. A few seconds later a zombie stumbles down the stairs from above. It’s eyes lock onto me. Before it can react I cast Rifle Round and let the spinning ball of mana fly into its head. It drops and tumbles down the stairs next to me.

Peeking over the railing I don’t see any motion from above or below. I wait a few seconds to be sure and after hearing nothing I make my way down and onto the second floor of the building.

This floor is one of the only floors not like the others. It has a gym built on one side of the elevators. The offices for HR taking up the back middle space. And on the other side of the floor is a large empty room under construction. They’re building more offices on this floor but construction has barely even gotten frames up for the walls.

I sneak onto the floor and check the construction zone first. Two zombies shamble around with no destination in sight. I deliberate between a long or close range confrontation but end up picking close. The first floor is probably swarming with zombies by now and I don’t want to burn through too much mana and end up having to wait even longer.

While staying low and sneaking up behind the closest of the two, I cast Mana Saw on my baton. The mana cover baton digs into the back of the zombies skull killing it almost instantly. I guide its body to the floor careful to not alert the other.

The other zombie stands about fifteen feet away. I sprint forwards covering the distance quickly, stabbing out with the mana covered baton. It eats away at skin and bone like it’s paper, leaving a bloody gaping hole clean through its skull.

Ping!

Level Up

I let the spell dissipate as I guide this zombie's body to the floor too. Then I open my character sheet and examine my new level. I again have ten attribute points to spend and instantly drop five of them into my Intelligence bringing it up to twenty-five. I examine my mana pool and am pleased to see it rise to sixty.

I leave the construction section and peer into the HR offices. Nothing greets me and I examine the small space. Leaving the HR offices, I sneak to the door to the other stairwell and snap it closed.

Movement at the sound in the gym catches my attention. Three zombies shamble forwards and to the open glass door of the gym. I take a few steps back but it’s too late. Their gaze is locked on me and they all moan their horse battle cry.

HHHHHUUUUUUUUUUGGGGG!

I stand and send my mana racing around the baton. Standing just a few feet back from the open glass ,I wait for the first of them to get to me. When it’s in range I jab out, my baton like the stinger of a bee. It punches a hole into the zombie and I feel it’s weight drop when it’s health hits zero. I let it fall to the floor as I slash the next zombie across the temple.

The baton digs quickly through the skull, stopping half way through as the momentum of my attack ends. I pull back on the baton sending the second zombie to the ground. Taking a step back I watch the third zombie try to climb over the two zombies at our feet, only to trip and fall forwards.

While it lies face down I slam the baton down sending a spray of blood up into the air. With it dead too I look up expecting more zombies to emerge from the gym. But I’m left just the obnoxious screeching of the fire alarm and the low hum of my mana ripping around my baton.

I let the spell go as I sneak over the bodies into the gym. I form a mana ball above a finger as I check both shower rooms inside the gym. The stalls hold no hiding figures and I’m left satisfied that the gym is clear of zombies.

With a sigh I make my way to the water fountain and drink greedily. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was until I noticed the fountain.

Checking a large clock hanging on one of the walls, I find out that it’s already six in the morning. In an hour or so the sun will start rising. I make my way to the glass wall of the gym and peer out at the city.

Orange lights dot the city as buildings burn. I don’t see any cars moving on the bridges or in the streets. The only lights are either from buildings or fires. I see countless bodies shambling through the streets.

This really is the apocalypse. I need to lock this building down and clear it. I don’t know what I’ll do after that but first comes shelter. Everything else can be dealt with when it comes up.

Watching a particularly large fire across the river makes me think of other people. If we all have access to these classes and mana then surviving in this new world is going to be a lot easier. Maybe I should try and find a group to explore this world with.

The idea leaves me feeling sick for a second. Deciding that I need to focus on this building first I push the thought to the back of my mind. It’ll be something to deal with later.

I walk away from the glass, looking out at the city leaves me feeling uneasy. Part of me was hoping to see the police or military out there clearing zombies or something.

While I am trying to embrace this new world, part of me wishes to return to the comfort of the old one. I figure six hours is more than enough time for the world to realize that things have changed and to start trying to fight back.

I sit down and wait for my mana pool to replenish. I’m going to need to be at the top of my game for the lobby. Opening my character sheet I decide that there’s no point in saving points for a future I may not have.

I dump three points into Endurance and one into Strength and Agility. Figuring that I should try to be a little balanced. Leaving me with no free attribute points to spend but feeling slightly stronger and lighter. I read over my Character Sheet.

Personal Stats:

Attributes:

Value

Name:

Joel Dylan

STR:

9

Level:

6

DEX:

5

To Next Level

25/100

AGI:

7

Sex:

Male

END:

12

Age:

19

INT:

25

Class:

Mage

WIS:

11

LUC:

4

HP

100/100

CHA:

5

Mana

60/60

PER:

8

WIL:

6

Free Attribute points:

0