Author's POV
*******
Winter made his way downstairs to the living room, wearing a casual blank top sported with black shorts. Sage was sitting on the couch watching Netflix, enjoying whatever was left of the internet before it got disconnected.
Seeing as she hadn't seen him, he slowly crept over behind her, whispering in her ear, "What're you watching?"
Within the second, Sage snapped her head to the side screaming, "FUCK! STOP DOIN-"
Before she could finish, Winter swiftly placed a hand over her mouth, bringing a finger to his lips to signal her to stay quiet. Loud groans could be heard from outside of the boarded-up living room windows.
His face still near her ear, he whispered, "I know you're getting comfortable and all, but don't forget that we're still in the middle of an apocalypse."
Backing into the kitchen, he added with a smirk, "If I'd known you were always this jumpy, I wouldn't have tried to give you whiplash," recalling how quickly she had snapped her head around.
A bright blush crept on her face as she dug her face into a pillow.
"Right, almost forgot," her voiced muffled as she spoke into the pillow.
Grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge, Winter made his way over to the living room and sat down on the opposite end of the couch. "It's fine, I'm not tryna rain on your parade or anything. Just a little reminder that we're not alone out here."
As if to confirm his words, a loud banging suddenly echoed from the door. Spooked by the sudden noise, Sage swiftly moved to Winter's side of the couch, hitting her head on his chin in the process.
Grabbing his jaw and rubbing it, he winced, "Pretty strong headbutt you got there, might have to reconsider you being a long-range dealer."
She pinched his side and shot him a glare before adding, "Not funny. I don't like being jump-scared, if you couldn't tell."
"And I don't like being used as a punching bag, but here we are," he retorted.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed one of the water bottles he'd brought over, taking a sip.
"Also not a vend-" before he could finish. Sage shot him a deathly glare causing him to zip it.
They sat together, Netflix playing in the background, when she finally spoke up, "Do you think things will ever go back to how they used to be?"
Looking down at her, he pondered to himself for a few seconds, ultimately shaking his head. "If only it were that simple, then the military would've solved the issue."
"Unfortunately, it was 90% of the population that turned. If we put that into perspective, the casualties caused by the outbreak is probably in the millions." he sighed.
Gazing up at the TV, he deadpanned, "We can only pray for a miracle now."
Winter glanced at Sage and noticed tears streaming down her face. 'Maybe I was too harsh...', he thought. 'No, it's better if she faces reality now, rather than breaking down later.'
Wrapping an arm around her, he gently pulled her in and wiped away her tears. "It's ok though, we'll get through this." he murmured. "We just have to push on, for those that lost their lives." he said resting his head on hers.
Sage looked up at Winter, her hand reaching behind his neck as she pressed her lips against his. He was caught off guard, his eyes widening in confusion but then he closed them, and gently slid his hand down to her waist pulling her in closer.
They kissed for a few minutes, both their tongues fighting for dominance, Sage ultimately succumbing under Winter's strength.
The kiss ended, as they both pulled away from one another. The two locked eyes for only a few seconds, with Sage breaking the eye contact, as she turned away with flushed cheeks.
A low mumble could be heard from Sage, once again burying her head in the pillow.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. For a second you just looked-" She paused for a second, before continuing, "-you looked reliable."
Getting up from the couch, he let out a low mumble, "R-Right, it's getting kinda late, I'm gonna go head to bed. You can use the guest bedroom upstairs, it should be the room with a navy blue comforter." Confusion was evident in his face as he ran up the stairs, but for an entirely different reason.
In front of him shone a dark purple screen with dark brown and dark green accents. The brown and green combining as vines and leaves around the screen.
[Congratulations Host, you've been selected to inherit the 'Apocalust' System.]
[Would you like to accept?]
[Yes/No]
'What. The. FUCK.'
*******
Winter sat on his bed, staring at the system screen in front of him.
[Congratulations Host, you've been selected to inherit the 'Apocalust' System.]
[Would you like to accept?]
[Yes/No]
"Is this like some type of glitch or something? Can't be, I doubt they'd let such a thing get through." he mumbled.
"Fuck it."
[Yes]
[Congratulations]
[Status]
Name: Winter Izanami
Level: 4 (EXP 740/800)
Strength: 21
Agility: 20
Constitution: 20
Intelligence: 15
Magic Power: 10
Fixed Stats: Luck-7, Charisma-7
Attribute Points: 13
Talent: Master Spearsmanship (Hidden Talent: Child of Khaos)
Skills: (Hidden Skill: Synthesis)
Weapon: Normal Spear
[1/2]
Sitting in confusion, he thought to himself, 'Nothing changed, the screen looks totally the same. Was it just a glitch or something?'
Disappointment washed over his face, until he noticed the small tab at the bottom.
"Was this always here?" he blurted out, surprised.
He tapped on it, and instantly the familiar hues of dark purple and brown vines intertwined with green leaves appeared.
A breath of relief escaped his lips, as his gaze fell upon the familiar interface.
[You're the first user to inherit the 'Apocalust System', you will be given a 'Novice Gift Bag' that you can find in your inventory.]
Nodding, he shifted his gaze to the newly added inventory feature and tapped on it. Inside, there sat an item in the first slot, which he could only assume was the gift bag.
As he tapped on it, a burst of purple, green, and brown light exploded before him, causing him to squint in disorientation.
'Well there goes my vision.' he winced.
After a few seconds, the lights settled down and a multitude of rewards were shown on the screen.
[(Passive Skill) Weak Point: Shows weak points that can help arouse and stimulate women during sexual acts. Doubles as a mechanism that shows the most effective way to kill 'Stranders'.]
[(Passive Skill) Blank Shot: Allows the user to control if sperm cells are fertile or infertile.]
[Special Scroll for Unique Class: Gives unique random class aligning with users basic class. Only one of said class exists.]
[5,000 Apocalust Points: 'Apocalust Points' can be used to buy items, abilities, upgrades and more from the 'Apocalust Shop'. Points can also be used to increase Secondary Attribute Points and be converted into Primary Attribute Points. New stats can be added over time if certain conditions are met.]
Winter joyfully accepted the rewards with a smile as another screen replaced the previous.
[Apocalust System]
Name: Winter Izanami
Apocalust Points: 5,075
Penis Size: 8in
Looks: 70
Skills: (Passive Skill) Weak Point: Shows weak points that can help arouse and stimulate women during sexual acts. Doubles as a mechanism that shows the most effective way to kill 'Stranders'.
(Passive Skill) Blank Shot: Allows the user to control if sperm cells are fertile or infertile.
Inventory: 1x Special Scroll for Unique Class
[2/2]
After panning along the screen, a look of confusion dawned upon him. 'Penis Size? Looks? Why does that matter-' Then it hit him. 'This could be a shot in the dark, but I received the notification after Sage kissed me; and the system is called the 'Apocalust System'? No shot this has nothing too do with sexual acts.'
And as if to verify his thoughts. The screen appeared once more.
[Correct, host. Points are garnered through sexual acts with female partners.]
A shiver ran down his spine. "I'd hope so.."
[Would you like to learn how to earn points?]
"Yes."
Instantly, a screen of information panned out in front of him.
[Activity Task Board]
-Kiss = 5 points
-Ass Grab = 10 points
-Boob Grab = 10 points
-Handjob = 25 points
-Blowjob = 50 points
-Cunnilingus = 75 points
-Sex = 150 points
-Creampie = 200 points
-Anal = 300 points
-Spanking = 50 (Must be done during sexual arousal)
[Points Multiplier]
-10x bonus for any action done with a woman for the first time.
-5x bonus if your partner hasn't done said acts before. (Virgin)
-3x bonus if you have sex with multiple women at once.
-3x bonus if your partner is more than 5 years older than you.
-2x bonus if your partner is 5 years older than you.
[Ex. of multiplier. If you were to have sex with a woman—for the first time—and she happened to be a virgin, it would be calculated like so.]
[(150x10) 1,500 + (150x5) 750 = 2250
After processing the information, Winter nodded his head in understanding. 'That must be why I have an additional 75 points. Other than the 5,000, I received 5 from kissing Sage and it must've multiplied with the first time bonus and the virgin bonus.'
[Exactly so, Host.]
[Along with the original Task Board, random quests may be given at random depending on your situation. Depending on the quests difficulty, you will be awarded accordingly. Disclaimer, quests will not always include lustful acts.]
'Am I allowed to decline in question?'
[Some quests will allow you to decline them, while others will have penalties if you don't finish them within the time limit.]
'That's understandable, this would be too overpowered if it only benefitted me.'
[You understand.]
*Yawn*
"Well that to be said, I think that's enough surprises for tonight. I'll check out the shop tomorrow morning."
"Night."
[Goodnight, Host.]
*******
Winter woke to the sound of knocking on his door, his face still buried in his pillow. Before he could respond, the door creaked open. He turned to see Sage standing in the doorway, a wide smile spreading across her face.
"Who got you smiling like that?" he asked stretching his arms.
With some pip in her step, she made her way over to the bed before collapsing onto it.
"After recalling about the phenomenon, I called out 'Status' and I'm able to see the screen!"
Watching her excitedly explain, he didn't want to dampen the moment by mentioning that he could already see his screen—and that he was, in fact, level 4. So, for now, he simply chose to congratulate her and let her enjoy the excitement.
But before he could congratulate her, she cut him off hastily.
"That's not even the best part, I even have a talent and a skill."
Surprised, he asked to see her screen, and it seemed as if she was telling the truth.
[Shared Status]
Name: Sage Sanchez
Level: 1 (EXP 0/100)
Strength: 7
Agility: 9
Constitution: 7
Intelligence: 8
Magic Power: 10
Fixed Stats: Luck-10, Charisma-9
Attribute Points: 0
Talent: Advanced Archery
Skills: (Active Skill) Arrowcraft: Able to use magic power to create arrows out of nothing. Arrows last as long as you have enough magic power.
Weapon:
Dejectedly laughing, Winter thought to himself, 'The luck says everything, it would take a couple years if someone wanted the skills of an advanced archer. Yet here it is, no training necessary.'
Not wanting to spoil the mood, he flashed a big genuine smile whilst grabbing her hands. "That's great, I'm genuinely happy for you. But if others heard of this, they would definitely burn you at a stake for such luck."
Releasing her hands, he got up from the bed and walked towards his closet. "Though I was joking previously, now you actually have the potential to be a ranger." Standing in front of his closet, he pondered with a hand on his chin, "If we both reach level 5, we should be able to choose our class granting us stronger skills to use."
Suspiciously staring at him, she questioned, "And how would you know that?"
A smirk crept onto his lips as he said, "Consider it a readers instinct, honed through many experiences."