Stiles woke with a start.
Darkness was all around.
That's right they had died.
They'd crashed their jeep (poor Roscoe) into the Nemeton of all things. A feat in itself.
[Welcome to the rest of your life.]
Well that wasn't ominous at all.
[For great feats of loyalty you've been referred to us. Referral: The Nemeton]
Surprised the ol' tree didn't have a grudge for wrecking into it.
[However due to limited space.]
There was a pause as if whatever it was, was expecting a laugh.
[You've been assigned a world and a system to protect you.]
"And that world is?"
Instead of answering the question...
[Transferring now...]
[Awake to your new body and world. Good luck!]
--
Stiles woke again this time to the sound of howling.
Not a Wolf's howl but something that caused goosebumps to run up and down her arms.
Eerie, that's what it was. Layered howls something mixed with screams, laughter, growls and sharp sounds.
Before her a neon blue status box appeared.
[Connecting...]
A childlike voice sounded along with its own dialogue box.
[Hello! Stiles, I am the Apocalyptic Supermarket Management System.]
"Could you change your voice please?"
[Of course, what would you prefer?]
Thinking to sounds that she liked.
"An Australian male voice please."
[As you wish.] The voice changed and it was perfect.
Stiles giggled, "Thank you."
[Excellent let us proceed...Issuing Newbie Gift Pack! Please open your Status to see your new items.]
Thinking Status, a game stat page came up.
[Name: Mieczysława Stilinski
Nickname: Stiles
Skills
- Hacker (Level 5)
- Virtuoso (Level 2)
Stats
- Stamina: 30/100
- Strength: 30/100
- Agility: 20/100
- Intelligence: 80/100
- Luck: 80/100]
At the bottom she saw Newbie Gift Pack blinking, she clicked on it.
[Newbie Gift Pack
215 sq ft supermarket core x1
215 sq ft building x1
Initial Points x 500
Item Cards x 2
Facility Cards x 5
Universal Map x 1]
"Nice!"
[Cards can now be found in your inventory.]
[Please select a name for me at your earliest convenience.]
"Would you like Dundee?"
It was a comfort film she'd watch with her dad whenever he had a day off and the weather was rainy. Before the craziness of the supernatural descended.
As if sensing the importance of the name the system intoned [I'd be honored.]
[Next please choose a physical location for your supermarket.]
"Will I be able to move it?"
[Up to five times.]
"What if I'm unable to speak the language?"
[POLYGLOT skill Acquired.]
"Thanks Dundee, was that a free skill?"
[A gift from me personally.]
"Aw, you are going to make me feel all warm and fuzzy."
[The more the skill is used the stronger it will get.]
"Good to know."
Before deciding on a location Stiles decided to explore her new interface. At the bottom there were 3 buttons: Inventory, Shop, Information.
Clicking on Shop she perused some of the options below each category.
[PRODUCTS] had grocery items typical to what she'd expect.
[ITEMS] got more interesting with selections like: "Basic Defense Shield".
She cursed for a moment remembering the title of the system "Apocalyptic", she shivered at the idea of zombies.
Instead she focused on more of the [ITEMS:
"Invisible Trap" and "Never-Extinguishing Streetlamp."
Curiouser and curiouser.
Under [FACILITIES] there were more grocery or store related items like: "5 Tier Shelf", "Price Tags", "Packing Bags" and "Cash Register".
The last tier [EVENTS] was currently empty.
Next under the Information button there were two options Business Information which was locked probably due to the business not being placed yet and Host Information under that one were two sections Ability and Ability Level both locked.
"Dundee what's this about Abilities?"
"Abilities can be received by killing zombies and absorbing their crystal cores."
"Ew."
A thought came to her. "Where am I now?"
"A base. This version of you received amnesia after a supplies run. It was only due to your beauty that they brought you back and that the previous base lord was your late father."
"If I pick a location will you be able to teleport me to it?" Unlikely but worth asking.
"As long as it's at the most 100 miles away."
A pounding at the door had her jumping, quickly she looked at the map, she was currently at a base in City S.
She didn't want to be any big bases, but not too far out.
City P it was. People would pass through between City S and City C.
[Well chosen. You'll also have the view of the sea. Time to Teleport!]
White light filled her vision just as the room's door came crashing down.
Stiles blinked and she was in a new place.
Her new home. Her little supermarket by the sea.