Chapter 1: Chapter 1 – Hunting Solo

Three months ago we all got locked out. Houses, cars, and even food was put beyond a damn paywall. 6 p.m. on October 1st, all of humanity was teleported outside their own homes along with all electronics shutting down, being left to be devoured over the night by monsters that would now be considered cannon fodder by most. Coyotes, giant spiders, giant geckos, and others killed billions. My parents were among those billions. I’m not sure where my sister went, I lost her about two weeks in. She was abducted by the guild of Red Liberty. I’m not sure why they took her, or where they took her. The only things I know for sure are that they are centered in Lubbock and have a hell of lot more manpower and levels than I do.

After three months of this, I’ve more than gotten a handle on things. I’m nowhere near the top of the leaderboards either globally or nationally, but for Texas I am in the top 5%. Out of the 30 million or so humans in Texas before the start, only around 300,000 are left. 99% of the population has gone out one way or the other. I am Rank 14,272 in Texas. Although, I have a feeling that in a real fight, I’d be significantly higher. A lot of craftsmen and merchants have levelled up skills that I’ve never touched and raised their power level through that. I chose early to focus on combat, and it’s something that’s done well for me. The risk is high, but the rewards are great.

The hunting trip I went on this morning went well. I returned to Eastland with almost two hundred gold, an assortment of animal pelts and other crafting materials, and a decent improvement to my experience. It wouldn’t be long before I was up to Level 12. I sold the crafting materials at the market in the center of town and went back to my small room at the rec center.

A lot of the craftsmen and a few important town figures like the preacher have been able to afford their own houses, some even getting their old ones back. The Eastland Guild was formed a few months ago and consisted of the 31 other people who survived in the town. We all mostly holed up in the rec center or the church as every private residence was locked out. By the time the first month had passed, it was clear who was leveling up what. I had gotten my experience through combat and had specialized skills and items to do so. Additionally, 6 other men from Eastland had chosen the same route. Their leader, Danny, was Level 11 as well. He kept trying to talk me into joining, but I wasn’t interested in the tax.

10% of all gold looted went into the Guild Reserve where people like Danny and Mayor Woodford and Pastor Gabriel decided what to do with it. I wasn’t interested in that at all. They weren’t quite sure what to do with someone who didn’t want to join, but they ultimately decided to let me stay there. They got mad I wasn’t contributing, until they saw the benefits of my solo hunting trips. I’d bring back goods to sell and, honestly, I was one of the key players of this small town economy. The only problem I could see, and Danny could see it too, was that I had out-leveled all of the creatures here. Eastland and the area around it was zoned in the map as for Levels 1-10. We were out-levelling the creatures and now there wasn’t much of a challenge.

As I sat on my bunk, I heard the familiar sound of Craig and Liam strutting into the rec center. The fighters must have gotten back from their trip. Danny lived with his dad, the pastor, and a few of the other guys got their own house. Craig and Liam either enjoyed the rec center or just didn’t care enough to buy a place from the system.

“Fuck yea. I knew you could do it, Liam.” Craig brushed his blonde curls back and smiled.

“What happens if I out-level him? Do I get to be in charge?” Liam’s tall frame made even his large claymore seem small. I casually ran my hands over my pistols. I was pretty certain that I could beat him, even if his profile showed he was Level 11 as well.

“I don’t think so. Danny’s been pretty clear on that.”

I rolled my eyes and laid back down, checking my profile to look for improvements.

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