3 Stephanie

"Listen," John began, his tone becoming serious. "This apartment isn't big enough for all of us. But luckily..." He paused.

"Actually, just follow me." He strode purposefully beyond the entrance toward the back of the apartment. Grabbing a hammer, he swung fiercely at the wall.

Stephanie's eyes widened in alarm and she took an instinctive step back. What was this unpredictable man up to now? Her boyfriend's warnings about being alone with him echoed in her mind.

The wall crumbled away to reveal an empty adjoining apartment. They exchanged glances as they stepped inside the dusty space. John finally broke the uneasy silence.

"We can move some furniture around and cover up that hole from both sides." He gestured at the gaping opening.

"Oh!" Stephanie's eyes lit up, "I see! Thank you, John!"

John quirked an eyebrow at her and said, "Don't thank me, yet."

Stephanie furrowed her brow, puzzled by his meaning. She froze as he suddenly stepped closer, looking into her eyes intently. But this time, she felt no urge to retreat.

John understood her demeanour and body language. He lifted her chin and she just smiled, her golden eyes brimming with confidence.

He coiled his arm around her, grabbing her by the waist. Upon noticing her receptiveness, he dug his fingers deep into her plump cheeks and pulled her towards him. They engaged in a passionate kiss, the exchange of saliva and moans the only sounds in the otherwise silent room. 

As if on cue, the slamming of fists on his door broke the peace of the passionate encounter, but John paid it no mind and continued exploring Stephanie's body. He wanted to continue, but the slamming got louder and louder. He heard the chime of a notification and smirked, knowing he completed his mission. 

With that peace of mind, he broke the kiss and looked at Stephanie's face, she was flushed red, longing for more, but he shattered her hopes. 

"Let's go before they break down the door," he said and turned on his heel towards the door. Nelson, Stephanie's boyfriend was suspicious, but he had no choice than to believe her as she appeased to him. The group settled on the second apartment. They had been all on edge, waiting for the fabled "wave." 

John stepped out into the hall and looked outside. The city was eerily still. Screams could be heard at times, and smoke came out of certain buildings. 

Finally, with some time for himself, John looked at the notification, eager to grab his reward.

[Class Quest Completed]

[Quiet Steps (F) Skill obtained]

[Quiet Steps (F)]

[Description: With the Quiet Steps Skill, the user becomes the phantom of silence, a shadow in the night. Every footfall is a whisper, allowing the user to move through darkness and danger undetected.]

'Well, well, that's a handy little skill I've got there,' John mused to himself, rubbing his chin. Stealth wasn't exactly a game-changer, but it was a freebie courtesy of Stephanie's...enthusiastic cooperation.

The soft patter of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Dalia approaching gingerly.

"John?" A voice said, it was Dalia. John turned around and glanced at her with his usual indifference.

"What is it?" 

Dalia kept her eyes fixed on the floor. "I just wanted to say...I'm sorry for how the others treated you back there." She fidgeted nervously with the hem of her shirt.

"You're sorry, huh?" John raised a skeptical eyebrow. He considered a biting retort, but simply shook his head and turned back to the window.

That's when he spotted it - a massive crowd of panicked people fleeing down the street, screaming for help. His eyes narrowed. Whatever they were running from, it meant trouble.

The apocalypse was here and things were about to get ugly. John figured it was time to rely on his own wits and abilities. 

John assumed he had a few more minutes to prepare before the others arrived. But the rumble of crumbling buildings in the distance caught his attention. He turned towards the source of the noise and realised the wave of invaders was coming sooner than expected.

"Get down!" he urged, pulling Dalia down close to the floor with him.

"Let's get inside," he whispered tersely. Dalia's trembling body stiffened but she met his eyes and understood the urgency.

Once inside, John quickly informed the others of the impending threat. Shock and disbelief rippled through the group. Other than the couples, two other girls and a skeptical boy stared back at John. How could they accept something so fantastical? Yet with the juggernaut in the sky and holographic screens, anything seemed possible now.

"What do we do?" Stephanie asked, her usual playfulness vanished.

"We wait here," John replied, eyes flicking to the door. "We have no chance in an all-out battle. This building is nearly deserted."

"Just wait here to get killed?" Dalia's boyfriend Julian scoffed. "We should get out of this death trap!"

John raised an eyebrow. "You're welcome to leave anytime," he offered mildly.

No more words were needed - objections could be dealt with by parting ways.

"Julian..." Dalia muttered, her boyfriend's expression turned ugly. It only took a glare from him to make her flinch. John observed the tense exchange, a sly smirk emerging. Despite their shared childhood, John had long buried his past. Dalia was just like any other girl with a boyfriend, someone he could use to grow stronger, mere food.

He rested a hand on her shoulder with calculated concern. "Are you okay, Dalia?"

Dalia's eyes widened. Surprised, she didn't expect concern from John, much less knowing how it all ended, but she was grateful. With a smile, she nodded at John, who returned her smile. Julian didn't let this exchange slip by, but he could only grit his teeth for now. 

A loud thud in the hall made everyone jump. 'They're here,' John realised, gripping the knife in his pocket. It was time. Whatever these new enemies wanted from them, he would meet them head on.