Life in the North: An Apocalyptic LitRPG (The System Apocalypse Book 1)

by Tao Wong

  “Good. You’re still here,” Jason runs up to me, his gangly frame doing the weirdest run I’ve ever seen. He must have dumped all his stats into Willpower and Intelligence, he definitely isn’t doing anything for his Agility. Behind him, moving much slower is Gadsby who looks like he could use a couple more cups of coffee.

  “Long night?” I enquire.

  “Rough. We had another breakthrough – lost a couple more to a spiked creature that rolled right over our trenches,” Gadsby replies, grimacing. “It’s why we need to talk to you. We need to visit this Shop of yours. We need to make this a Safe zone, get better weapons and supplies.”

  I feel a flash of guilt at that, remembering the weapons and armor I took off the Orcs. I pause for a second, a selfish, small ignoble part of me not wanting to give them the guns. I need money for better weapons, for better defenses, to fix Sabre for myself if I want to continue this stupidity of running around outside of town. Unfortunately, so do they.

  “Nope. No way, not happening,” Ali floats in front of me and stares me in my face. “First rule of the System – no one gets anything for free.”

  “People are going to die if we don’t help them,” I think back.

  “I’ll deal with this you bleeding heart Qwixly,” Ali spins around and waves. “Alright you crazy humans. My man here picked up a few guns, some armor and some ant carapaces that you fashionable humans could easily use.”

  “What the hell!” Gadsby pulls out a gun, pointing it at Ali and Jason just stands there staring before blurting out. “It’s a fairy!”

  “Fuck you. Price just went up. I’m no fairy,” Ali glares at Jason, ignoring the gun completely.

  After that start, Gadsby and Ali get down to haggling. Jason, on the other hand, pulls me aside to get a debrief on Ali, which I refuse to elaborate upon beyond the basics of the System. After a moment, I realise the two hagglers aren’t going to stop their haggling anytime soon.

  “You mentioned that you send sweeper units to deal with the monsters out there?” I enquire of Jason, absently pulling out a chocolate bar from my inventory and breaking off a piece. I sigh and toss the other half to a kid that has magically appeared next to me, eyes wide.

  “Yeah, why?” Jason frowns, moving to adjust his glasses which he no longer wears. He paws at his face for a moment before giving up.

  “I’m not in the mood to listen to those two. I’d rather go kill something,” I answer and walk over to a corner, dumping out the weaponry and armour from my inventory. Once done, I repeat, “Let’s go.”

  Jason blinks and then looks over to the two, “I’m not really supposed to go past the barrier without my mum or Gadsby.”

  I just look at him, letting the teenager hear what he just said. After a moment, he grins wide. “Yeah, let’s do it.”

  Four hours later, we’re back for lunch, chatting happily. Hunting without Sabre and Ali is an interesting experience, one that makes me glad for my advantages. Once outside the barrier, Jason starts sneaking and I follow his lead. Most of the time, we spend hunting for trouble to get into and twice, he moves away from a fight. In reflection, I think we could have taken them but with no armor and no backup, our margin of error is much thinner. When we do attack, it’s from hiding and with overwhelming force, working to kill the creatures as quickly as and efficiently as possible. It’s also my first experience with a formal party and being able to watch Jason’s mana pool go down while he casts spells is quite an interesting experience. I kind of have to say though, I’m truly jealous at the ease that he wields his magic, changing from homing darts of blue energy to ice blasts and ivy chains without a thought. Of course, I could do without the waving hands and twisting fingers, but everyone has their own process. Truth be told, out there, he does most of the damage and I’m just there part of the mop-up operation.

  The moment we cross the barrier, we run into the fiercest resistance yet – Ms O’Keefe. I idly note that at least a few of the guards have acquired new weapons that look very familiar.

  “Young man, where were you?” she stands there, tapping her foot with one hand casually on the hammer. I call a tactical retreat, waving goodbye to them both and making sure not to meet Ms. O’Keefe’s eyes as I head for the restaurant where lunch is being served, ignoring the beseeching looks for support sent my way.

  Ali floats back up to me soon after, glowing from having a good haggling session it seems; “Alright, we traded the guns and armor for 10,000 credits on an IOU basis. They need to keep what credits they have, so we got a better deal. I figure we can collect it in a month if they survive.

  “Also, you’re going to take the old lady with you into Whitehorse and carry whatever you can of their loot in your inventory. We help them buy and sell and cart her back here too.”

  Quest Received – Help Carcross

  Help Carcross make their first successful visit to the Shop in Whitehorse. You will need to get Elder Andrea Badger to Whitehorse and back.

  Reward: 2,000 XP

  Nice. Maybe I should let him talk more. “When?”

  “Right after you finish stuffing your face,” Ali says.

  The ride in is surprisingly comfortable and quiet. I don’t slow down, not for anything and Ali keeps us informed of any potential problems so I know when to really speed up. Elder Badger just laughs when we do speed up, obviously the old woman enjoys going fast. I don’t tell her of the dangers Ali informs me of, but I can feel my shoulders relax, my grip loosens slightly when we finally get within the lower zone around Whitehorse again. Some of the monsters that prowled the mountains and forests would not have been fun to fight.

  In Whitehorse, I slow down for safety’s sake and for the elder to take it in. Not much seems to have changed from a few days ago, with only guards and the occasional hunters moving around other than in the Safe Zones. It is a stark contrast and again, I wonder what the major differences is. It almost seems that not having a safe zone forced the people of Carcross to step-up, forced them to either face the challenge or die.

  Dropping Ali and the Elder at the city centre, I decline to join them. Ali has full access to my inventory in the Shop, so there’s no point in going in directly. Instead, I ride the elevator to see Roxley himself to turn in my quest. Interestingly enough, Ali still can’t provide any further information even with his higher level. I guess we’re still not up to snuff.

  “So, there’s a settlement of humans in this Carcross numbering hundreds. But you only brought back one – who isn’t even going to stay. Is that right?” Lord Roxley stares at me with those soulful black eyes under long delicate eyelashes.

  “Yes.”

  “And you wish to be rewarded for this,” Roxley continues and I admire the way his lips twist as he speaks, the barest hint of a smile on the lips. “Even if your quest is for bringing survivors back to my city?”

  “Mmmm… yes?” I pause, seeing his point.

  “Well, I really can’t do that,” Roxley shrugs shoulders that are surprisingly broad for such a willowy frame, muscles rippling beneath his silver and black tunic.

  I shoot him a rather pitiful glare, one lacking any real heat. He is right after all – the citizens of Carcross aren’t actually contributing to his city. Not that the citizens of Whitehorse are contributing either, but that’s a different thing entirely. Still… “I’m sure this information is worth something. And eventually, some might come.”

  “Eventually is not now,” Roxley picks up a glass, sipping on it and adds, “Did you Level Up while you were gone? You seem… broader.”

  “Yes, thank you,” I answer back, wondering if he’s going to offer me a drink again.

  “Well, I can’t really reward you for the citizens you didn’t bring back, but the information is valuable…” Roxley runs a finger along the edge of the glass before smiling. “Yes, this will do.”

  Quest Completed!

  Bring News of the Survivors

  Reward: 2,000 XP and 1,000 Credits

  Roxley watch
es me for a moment before realising I’m not leveling up and then he flicks his hand, dismissing me. I shrug and head off, the Credits better than nothing.

  Now what? A quick stop in the Shop shows that Ali and the Elder are really going at it, so I leave to head out. When I walk out, I see Sabre and realise that someone needs some loving. Right, Ali mentioned there was an Armourer in town. Let’s see what they can do about poor old Sabre then. I follow the small map in my helmet to the building and stare at it, frowning. It looks like your typical concrete and metal warehouse, no different than any other building in the industrial park. Well, no different except for the sign out front saying ‘Don’t shoot the proprietor’.

  I walk in, wondering what the sign is about. I tape the button, withdrawing the helmet back and walk into the building. I look around for a moment, eyes adjusting to the darkness and then I pull my sword, jumping a good foot back as I choke back a scream.

  I’m not scared of giant spiders. I’m not scared of giant spiders. I’m not scared of giant spiders. Squatting in a web that crosses above a workshop counter in front of me, a giant black and gold spider sits chittering and working on a dismantled energy pistol. The spider looks up as I wave my sword around and for a moment, seems to even sigh; “Please put sword down.”

  I inhale and then exhale again before finally making the blade disappear. Right. That’s what the sign was for. “Sorry! Sorry!”

  “No shot. Good. All good. You work?” the creature chitters and sets down the pieces its been working on.

  “Yes. I have a damaged Omnitron III Class II Personal Assault Vehicle that needs fixing,” I mutter, staring at the creature. My feelings slowly start to settle, adrenaline dropping as my instinctive response slowly subsides. Right, giant spider can talk and is sentient and is the mechanic.

  “I open. Bring in. I look,” the spider chitters.

  Damn, without Ali around, I can’t read its name. “Sure.”

  When Sabre is rolled in, the spider flows out from its web and begins to crawl around, chittering to itself and poking at damage areas. It twists to me halfway and at its prodding, I engage the transformation sequence. Ten minutes later, it comes to get me.

  “Damaged. Not bad. Superficial mostly. Some electrical. 5 hours. 2,700 Credits,” the spider chitters and I shiver.

  “Ummm…” I stare at it, realising I’m out of moves. I have no idea if he (it?) is quoting high or low, though if it’s a mechanic, then it’s probably on the higher end. So, umm… “That seems high.”

  The creature chitters and I swear, it’s laughing at me. “2,700 Credits I fix. System fix, more.”

  “Fine. Fix it,” I grumble.

  The creature flicks a bunch of things in the air and then a moment later, a text window shows up confirming our agreement. Easy come, easy go.

  Time to find something else to do then. 4 hours… there was another building wasn’t there? An alchemist? I just hope it’s not another giant insect creature staffing it.

  It takes me nearly half an hour to walk back to Main St. which makes me think I should really plan my trips without my bike better. Still, the alchemist shop is much closer to what I’d expect even if it is set in the middle of Whitehorse’s quaint, 1960s strip of shops.

  “Welcome!”

  The chipper greeting makes me smile and look for the greeter. It takes me a moment to find her. “Hi there.”

  “Oooh, can I try that again? Welcome to Sally’s Alchemical and Magical Emporium,” the gnome, because really, that’s what she looks like announces. 4 feet tall, bright purple hair that comes all the way down to her tiny, shapely ass and clad in a smock, Sally bounces with pent up energy. “Was that better?”

  “Yeah, better.” I can’t help but return her smile, looking around the insides. The shop is filled with rows upon rows of potions and bottled ingredients, a weird mixture of a spice shop and liquor dispensary. “So, what do you sell?”

  “Alchemical and magical ingredients galore. If you name it, I have it. Well, except for Tier I, II and III ingredients right now, and I’m missing some Tier III ingredients too for strength potions, but otherwise, I got it all!” Sally nods emphatically, waving her hands around.

  I ponder what I recall of magical potions and give a shot, “So, you have some health potions?”

  She nods emphatically, walking over to a corner and pointing at an array of bottles. The first shelf consists of bottles in different tints of orange, the second in purple and the third in blue. “They are all Tier III to V. I even have a few Tier II potions, but those aren’t on display.”

  Seeing my hesitation, Sally smiles and continues on, “I bet you haven’t seen these before have you. These are potion regeneration, body regeneration and straight healing potions in order. The first heals using the ingredients inherent in the potion itself, the second boosts the recovery rate of your body and uses your body’s physical resources. The last and most expensive tap into ambient mana and the System to generate direct healing of your body, much like a healing spell.”

  Beneath each potion, the credit costs display. The cheapest starts at 50 for the body recovery potions and rise from there, going up to a staggering 2000 credits. Considering these are consumables, I can see my Credits burning through at an astronomical rate. And these aren’t even the good stuff “How much do they heal?”

  Sally pauses and then admits, “I’m not entirely sure for the regeneration potions. I haven’t had any human customers yet, so the effects might vary. The potion regenerators should be anywhere from 20 to 50 health for the lower end. The body regenerators have always been dependent on the individual, but should be between 2-4% increase on the low-end again. As for the System Health Potions, well, those are regulated and will heal you a minimum of 25 and increase in increments of 25 per size and tier.”

  I might not be Ali, but I can sniff out a deal myself, “So, you need a guinea pig don’t you.”

  Sally’s eyes widen and then a playful grin crosses her face, “Well, that depends. I’m sure those Raven Circle humans would be happy to work with me too.”

  Unlike Ali, I don’t live for the haggling, but I do well enough to get a bottle of each of the potions for only 50 credits. Of course, I have to promise to actually use it within the next day and report back, but I don’t expect that to be a problem.

  Soon afterwards, Ali and the Elder make their way out of the Shop with the Elder heading off to speak with some others at the school. I escort her most of the way there but not before she drags a promise for me to pick her up the next morning. Seems like she has a lot to discuss. After that, Ali and I take a walk back to grab Sabre, stopping long enough at the river to get in some target practice before we pick her up and head home. I also learn the mechanic’s name at the same time, though I can’t even attempt to speak it. We settle on Xev.

  What a strange couple of days I can’t help but think as I drive home. It certainly turned out so differently from what I had expected or planned for. Then again, at least it provided sufficient distraction.

  My head twists slightly as the slap comes in, moving in what seems to be slow motion. I turn to let the blow slide along my face, cheek feeling just the lightest of brushes as Lana clutches her hand. “What the hell! Are you made out of rocks?”

  “I’m sorry. Didn’t realise not showing up was a problem,” I say, smiling slightly at the buxom redhead. Good lord, where the hell did she find that fragrance? I rub at my nose covertly, trying to get rid of it. She smells divine but that’s so not the right thing to be thinking as she glowers at me.

  She shakes her head, “Don’t you dare disappear again.”

  I raise an eyebrow at her, a part of me wondering when I managed to get myself a wife before I speak, “Yeah, sorry. I’ll make sure to leave a note next time I head out. I just figured that I should take a look for some more survivors since I have the only working bike.”

  Gorgeous blue eyes narrow at my words and then she draws a deep breath, taking visible control of her em
otions. She rubs at her eyes, head down before she speaks, “It was a good idea, John, it’s just…”

  “Yeah,” I hesitantly reach out and give her a hug before looking around the empty house. “It’s late, isn’t it? Where’s Mikito and your brother?”

  “Out,” replies Lana, waving her out to where the school is. “Seems like the hunters are busy bonding.”

  I nod at her words then grin, “Got a gift for you. Come on.”

  In the kitchen, I pull up my inventory and note that Ali’s swapped out the food stores from the Hakarta for human appropriate ready-meals. Good – I wasn’t entirely sure I was ready to try eating whatever it was that the Hakarta ate. I pull the stove out and lay it on the counter with a flourish, spoiled only by the confusion on Lana’s face.

  “It’s a stove that is fueled by mana,” I explain.

  At that, she grins and hurries over to poke and prod at it. I say my goodbyes, wanting to get washed up. In my suite, I find myself standing in front of the bathroom half-naked by sheer habit. Gah! It is a chilly day today, barely above 5 Celsius. I have no desire to go outside and take a bath from the rain barrel but even I can smell myself.

  Well, I do have some money…

  89 Alsek Rd. (Residence)

  Current Ownership: John Lee, Adventurer

  Current Occupants: 4

  Upgrades: None

  I concentrate on the Upgrades, curious to see what is available:

  Upgrades Available

  Grounds

  Structure

  Add-On Buildings

  A quick perusal shows that add-on buildings, even the existing workshop is well out of my price range. Grounds are particularly interesting, especially the ability to add some much-needed security options like a wall. On the other hand, if we can make the entire city a safe zone, I wouldn’t have to worry about the occasional random spawning or mutation. Upgrading the Grounds would also mean I have to worry less about the mess the dogs are making of the front lawn as they guard the house. Lastly, I’d really, really like to get something a bit more interesting than a stone wall – those force fields mentioned in here would be amazing.