Being a hoarder.

The empty streets were an eerie sight. Knowing what was going to go down, this will probably be the calmest moment in my life.

It was a 5-hour drive to Atlanta. It's 1 day and 22 hours until Operation Cobalt, meaning I have a lot of time to get more supplies and experiment with my abilities.

Before I get there I got some places I want to check out. A couple of stores and a library nearby.

The library was first on my list. Why? Well, way I wanted to see if I could absorb books like a certain gamer in a webtoon I read.

I pulled up to the empty library's parking lot and got out of the car. With me, I was carrying an empty backpack. I jogged towards the door, seeing a big sign saying "Closed for pandemic". I hastily grabbed the handles, hearing a clank as I pull and confirmed they are locked.

'I didn't want it to come to this.' I thought before pulling out a hammer from my inventory. I instantly smash the door, shattering the window and revealing the lock inside.

BRRRRRIIIIIIIIING!

An alarm blazes to life as I carefully stick my hand through the sharp frame and unlock it. I open the door and walk through the lobby, stepping on glass and entering the library. A ding-dong occurred as I pass a motion sensor.

I look around the abandoned location, the empty counter had papers spread everywhere and belongings left behind. Books lying on tables and floors.

I used [Observation] on the shelf, getting overwhelming information. The text on the blue screen was so big I had to scroll for a minute. I dismiss [Observation] and walk through the aisles, looking at the books placed.

I found a section of DIY, guides, and for dummies books. I pick up a book called "Hunting and fishing guide" and sadly a notification didn't come and asked me to absorb the book. However, seeing that the book could provide useful information, I sat down at a table and read it, doing my best to ignore the loud blaring of the alarm.

The beginning chapter was not helpful. It talks about the psychology of a hunter, how they enjoy the kills of their prey because they work hard for it. Most of them don't kill for fun, they kill for survival or sustenance. The hunter's mindset was very hard to understand, especially as an outsider.

Once I finish the first chapter, the blue screen appear again, however, I couldn't help but frown my burrow in confusion.

[???????? Skill has been created]

[???????? Skill has been locked until conditions are fulfilled.]

'System what is this.'

[It is what it says. I recommend exploring the theme of the first chapter to fulfill the conditions to unlock it.]

'Alright.' I let out unwillingly, seeing there was nothing I can do.

I continued reading the upcoming chapters, learning the skill [Tracking] and [Lake Fishing], both leveling up. I don't know if I have a good grasp on the techniques yet, but seeing how it can help me gain abilities I open my bag and pack all the DIY and dummies books I can.

I wonder if a book similar to Harry Potter would grant me magic, but looking at my stats, I don't see any signs of mana/magic so I don't think it's possible.

"System is it possible for me to use magic?"

[No. No trace of magic is in this world. The system can't provide what isn't there.]

"I guess that's fine," I muttered. Having magic would have been helpful but it would have been too noticeable casting fireballs and icicles everywhere.

I zip open the bag before looking at the books one last time. I was looking for a book that would keep me entertained in the future as I won't be able to watch TV. I picked out three books that look long as it took them and added them to my bag.

Ding-Dong!

A sound emerges as a sensor picked up movement. I froze as I registered the sound. I crouch down,  waddling behind the self as cover as I made my way to the end of the shelf.

'Is the police here? No, can't be. Most are dead or at least on the way to Atlanta. A rando? Maybe, but the streets were empty! Don't tell me...'

I peek over to the entrance, seeing a man standing there awkwardly, however, I instantly noticed his pale skin of him. I use [Observation] and the screen pops up.

[A Walker]: Threat level: 2

A lone Walker. The body is three days old and had died of a drug overdose. While its threat is level 2 and all Walkers can be killed in one shot, it just takes one mistake, please proceed with caution.

I look at the Walker with eyes full of surprise. I wasn't expecting to see a walker until a few weeks after Operation Cobalt. That means that we are all already infected and Walker can pop out of anywhere. I should proceed carefully in the future. Who knows what deaths occurred nearby.

I enter my inventory and took out the Ruger and 6 ammo, reloading the gun. I pulled the hammer and aim at the Walker, coming out of the shelf. It hasn't detected me, its dull eyes search off to the side as it looked for the source of the noise.

It looks so human and had eyes that seem intelligent, however, I know what they are capable of as I watch the series.

I set the insight on the zombie's head, settling my hand and breathing before pulling the trigger. The second rang out as my hand shook from the impact. Looking in front of me, I see the body slumped down, brain littering the floor.

[Aiming Skill has been created.]

[Aiming Skill has leveled up.]

[Markmanship(one-handed) Master has been created.]

I look at the entourage of messages before letting out a sigh of relief. Not dillydallying, I grabbed my bag of books before dashing out of the library and hopped in my car. I set the bag to the back and turn to turn on the car before more Walkers come.

But before I could drive out of here I was distracted by a screen.

[Sprinting Skill has leveled up]

[You have gained one xp. Leveled up to level one! 3 stats have been rewarded]

I dismiss it as I continue to pull out of the lot and speed away. I broke into a couple of stores. Getting a lot of loot. I end up getting a lot, and I mean a lot of chocolate bars.

Using [Observation] to locate it, I broke into a hunting store, getting a crossbow, a lot of guns, ammo, arrows, and a fishing rod. This robbing spree made me feel like a hoarder and the skill I gain,[Scavenging] didn't make me feel better. It quickly leveled it up, prompting me a ask what the skills actually do.

The skills were very simple. They all increase my proficiency in a subject. [Marksmanship (one-handed)] is basically a sub-category for skills I learn with one-handed weapons.

[Intimidate] and [Persuasion] increase my chance of succeeding in the action, my charisma and reputation play a role in this.

Reading info on Charisma and Reputation, it is a double-edged sword. How? Well, Charisma makes you more appealing to the general public. However, not everyone would be flocking to my handsome as some people just don't care about those things. Or just isn't gay.

Basically, if I'm too handsome, someone can dislike me for that. And it can have the opposite effect. My Reputation also affects my Charisma. Understandably, no sane person would be friends with a mass murderer.

[Driving], [Hunting], [Lake Fishing], [Scavenging], and [Aiming] increase my performance when doing them. I'm guessing different stats can help me more with these tasks. Like, wouldn't being faster make tracking and fishing easier?

[Sprinting] contributes to my two stats: Agility and Endurance. It increases my speed and performance per level by a percent. My running performance relies on both speed and endurance.

Speaking of stats, what should I do with my points? I don't need strength as I have a gun. Don't need charism right now. Intelligence makes me smarter and increases my understanding but I don't think I would need something like that for now. Agility and Endurance seem suitable in a zombie apocalypse. I kinda want to save them but I don't know how significant three points can be. I put one in Agility and one in Eudrance.

Despite my increased stat in endurance, I yawn as I watch the sun go down. Seeing there was no room in the pack tight back, I swept the candy bar wrappers I ate before lying in the front passenger seats.

Tomorrow I would start the drive to the Quarry, and Tomorrow is the last day of calm.

---------

[ Name: Lucas Anderson (Previous) David Goans.]       [Age:17]

Lv1:(0/50

Stats:

Strength:5

Agility:6

Endurance:6

Intelligence:5

Charisma:5

Points remaining:1

Combat skills:

Marksmanship(one-handed)-Beginner(50/500)

Aiming-Novice(0/100)

Survival skills:

Scavenging-Novice(20/100

Tracking-Novice(0/100

Lake Fishing-Novice(0/100)

????????-Locked

General Skills:

Observation-Novice(74/100)

Driving- Novice(93/100)

Sprinting-Novice(7/100)

Persuasion-Beginner(3/50)

  Intimidate-Beginner(1/50)

Perks: Zombie kill counts(1)

None

Inventory: 10 slots(full)

1x hunting knife

1x Barnett Jackal Crossbow

28x Crossbow bolts

1000x water bottles

5x first aid

4x painkillers

1x Ruger Blackhawk

7,511x .44 magnum ammo

2219x Chocolate bars

Reputation:

-------------------------------------------------------

Word count: 1615

That was a lot. I put a lot of research into my stories. I even watch 3 youtube videos for y'all.

I try not to write long descriptions of the skills as I was substance in the chapter. I hope the repeated bombardment of notifications and skills didn't take away. Also, the system I create... I have no idea how it works. It was created with the concept of ideas but those things might not be fruitful later on.

I'm thinking of creating a Discord server. Those are free, right?

Bye.