The light of the apocalypse was no longer news; it had become brutal normality.It's difficult to accept such massive changes in such a short time, but humanity has a curious trait: a remarkable ability to adapt.That's why, even something as brutal as the apocalypse had already been assimilated as the new reality.Extreme as it was, there was no turning back.
In just three months since the collapse began, humanity had been decimated:30% of the world's population had died during the recent events, and considering the population before the apocalypse, only about 50% of humanity remained.It was madness for such a short span of time.
Analyzing the global situation painted a bleak picture:
Small islands, trapped between furious oceans and mutant beasts, had been wiped off the map.
It had become an unspoken rule: no ships could be sent out to sea—there was practically no way to avoid being attacked by gargantuan sea creatures, even larger than the beasts devastating the land.
Given that, the global economy collapsed, and each country was forced to become self-sufficient.
Rainforests—Amazon, Congo, Borneo—had transformed into nests of monstrous creatures.While not as large as the oceanic beasts, their sheer size still dwarfed most terrestrial animals.
Coastal cities like New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, and Shanghai were smoking ruins.Governments made a drastic decision: relocate most of the population inland, far from the seas and dense forests.Staying near them without powerful guardians or advanced weaponry was pure suicide.
It was incredible—and tragic—how all the human effort spent creating weapons was practically useless in this new world.One of the many paradoxes of this new reality.
The world Rob remembered was gone.
The Blood Hunt Begins
Events Rob remembered from his past life began to resurface.One of them: The Blood Hunt.
Back then, it hadn't affected him and his family much—they had been in hiding.But this time, it was different.It was far stronger than before.
Now he wasn't just protecting his family.He was responsible for everyone who had trusted him at the bastion.
Without warning, the Survival System broadcasted a new global notification:
[Special Event: The Blood Hunt]
D-rank beasts began appearing en masse.
The ferocity of creatures increased exponentially.
Safe zones were devoured within hours.
The rewards for defeating them would be grand—but the risks, lethal.
Rob gathered his best fighters.
—"This is our chance to grow,"—he said seriously—"We either advance... or we die."
The first D-rank beast appeared 10 kilometers from the bastion:A reptilian creature the size of a school bus, with claws sharp enough to tear through steel.
The battle was brutal.
Rob led the offensive, using every ounce of his skill and experience to maneuver, wear down, and ultimately defeat the beast.
When he absorbed its energy, he felt his body strengthen.His stamina and speed increased slightly.
It was the first step.
Motivated by the victory, Rob organized continuous hunting expeditions.
Over the following weeks, his group hunted down ten D-rank beasts:
Each one more dangerous than the last.
Each victory not only strengthened Rob but also fueled the bastion's spirit.
Finally, after the fifth energy absorption, the system notified him:
[Level Up: D]
Rob felt the change:His body became faster, his explosive strength increased, and his perception sharpened dramatically.
He had become the first warrior in his bastion—and perhaps in the world—to reach Level D.
Encounter at the Ghost Town
In a ruined town, where they hunted two of the last beasts, Rob and his team found survivors:
-Frightened families.
-Injured fighters.
-Starving children.
When they saw Rob defeat the beasts with overwhelming strength, the survivors begged to join his bastion.
Rob hesitated.
More people meant more mouths to feed, more hearts to protect.But it also meant more hands to fight.
He remembered something vital: the Survival System's Blood Oath Contract.
The Blood Oath
Upon returning to the bastion, Rob organized a ceremony:
Each new member placed their hand on the Oath Stone.
They swore absolute loyalty to the bastion.
They accepted the Blood Oath: if they harmed the bastion or its people, directly or indirectly, they would die instantly.
The integration was solemn.Emotional.
A new chapter for the bastion had begun.
The Watching Condor
As they returned from their latest expedition, Rob and his team felt a crushing pressure from the skies.
Looking up, they saw a majestic figure:A mutated Andean Condor, colossal in size, with eyes like burning coals.
The creature watched them... but did not attack.
Not out of fear.But out of disdain.
The Condor only hunted prey worthy of its ancestral pride.
For now, Rob and his team were not yet worthy of its attention.
But the message was clear:
The real challenge was only just beginning.
Rob clenched his fists, staring at the blood-red horizon.
Soon, the bastion would need to become even stronger.
Much stronger.