《Returning to the Apocalypse》


 Prologue

    Laying in the midst of a hungry undead crowd, I can already feel my body being torn apart piece by piece to these ever hungry freaks. Thinking back to ten years ago when this all began, I can''t help but be incredibly pissed off! I bitterly struggled to survive for over 10 years during this apocalypse, nearly losing my life countless times, yet still persevered with my companions.Well, my former companions, considering I am here, in this crowd of undead, due to their betrayal.


    It was over a Stage 8 Nucleus that caused them to get greedy and betray me. We all knew that the Nucleus was going to go to me, as if I was able to absorb it fully, I would finally enter Stage 8, joining the 4 current Kings and Queen of the apocalypse, making me one of the strongest people alive in the world.


    Still, all that was ruined due to the natural human greed. The Stage 8 Nucleus was a great attraction to everybody, even those who are currently at Stage 8 already, so the group I had formed 8 years ago with a few survivors I had gathered over time planned to sell it to the currently strongest King Yashiko, in exchange for protection and resources like food, weapons etc.


    Fools, the lot of them. I know Yashiko, he is an insane bastard. Years ago when we were both still at Stage 6, he tried to invite me to join his group but I declined, since I already formed my own group. In retaliation, he guided a massive wave of undead freaks to my group. Luckily we managed to kill them all without many casualties, and that actually allowed me to reach Stage 7 due to all the Nucleus we obtained at the time. I planned to take my revenge against Yashiko, but he joined up with the current second strongest King, Ryu. Knowing I couldn''t take both of them on at the same time, I could only give up and tell my group we were simply unlucky, which I regret now. If I had told them about Yashiko being the one to guide that zombie wave to our group back then, maybe I wouldn''t of been betrayed like this.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Alas, there is no medicine for regret. Still, I can''t believe that I was killed in this type of way. Betrayed and thrown into a massive wave up undead, my body torn apart. Thankfully I am already numb to the pain, or else this would all be much worse.


    Due to my high strength, it actually took the undead a long time to kill me, nearly 20 minutes actually, but I had no chance of escaping either way since I was fed drugged food earlier, causing all my strength to leave my body and cause massive dizziness.


    My vision started blanking out, making me realize I was finally about to die. For some odd reason, I actually felt relieved that I was dying, since that meant I was no longer part of this freakish apocalypse that has plagued our world for over 10 years to this day.


    As I finally lose my consciousness as I joined death in hand, I can''t help but realize how I can still think and feel everything around me, causing me to open my eyes slightly, shocked by what I saw.


    Can someone tell me why I am in my very old room from ten years ago, and why there is a floating blue screen in front of my face?

 Chapter 1

    You know, being sent back in time to when everything started after dying in the apocalypse isn''t something I was hoping for, but since it has already happened to me, I can''t even complain at this point. After looking around and checking my phone for the date, I found that I was actually sent back in time to 10 years ago, the exact day the apocalypse began. Not only that, there is also this blue screen floating in front of my face I still have no idea about.


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    <td style="width: 100%">You have defied fate and have been sent back in time to the start of the apocalypse! As a reward, you have obtained a System that will assist you in surviving this apocalypse as long as you can. First is the ''Status'' option, which allows you to check your Name, age, level, stats etc. Then there is the Inventory option, where you can store anything that isn''t a living being. The amount you can store will increase the stronger you get. Next is the Skills option, where you can obtain Skills that you can use to fight or survive, however you wish. Finally there is the Shop option, where you can purchase items, food, weapons etc. the Shop currency is Points, which is obtained by killing undead and humans.. You also obtain experience by killing undead and humans, which will allow you to level up and increase your Stats. To access any of the options, just think about that exact option.</td>


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    Still, I defied fate, huh. I guess that does make sense, considering I was sent back in time to the beginning of the apocalypse, instead of dying like I was supposed to. Still, this System thing wasn''t existing in my last life, so I guess only I have this unless some others managed to do what I did and were sent back in time.


    ''Let''s see what this shows me. Status.'' I thought.


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    <td style="width: 20%">Name: Nydia Yashu</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Age: 18</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Level: 1(0/100)</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Title: Returnee(+)</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Stage: 0</td>


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    <td style="width: 20%">Health: 50/50(3/m)</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Strength: 4</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Agility: 3</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Endurance: 5</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Vitality: 3</td>


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    <td style="width: 20%">Mana: 80/80(27/m)</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Intelligence: 8</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Spirit: 27</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Stat Points: 0</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Points: 0</td>


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    Looking at my stats, I can''t help but feel I am incredibly weak. I mean, everything other than Spirit is lower than 10, with Intelligence being the only one near it. Well, now that I think about it, it does make sense. I am after all currently only 18 years old, a highschool female who hasn''t done any training as of yet. I guess the only reason my Spirit is so high is due to me reincarnating or something. Seeing the plus mark beside my title, I curiously press my finger onto it.


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    <td style="width: 100%">Due to owning the Title ''Returnee'' and having been sent back in time, you have obtained the Growth Gift Pack. It has been placed in your Inventory. Please open it.</td>


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    ''Oh? I can get something like this? I have no idea what it is, but since it says Growth Gift Pack, I am assuming it is something that will help me get stronger at a more quick pace. Well, let''s use it then.'' I thought while opening my Inventory and bringing out a glowing white box.


    The moment I touched the glowing white box, it just turned into motes of light that shot into my body, which worried me for a moment, but then I realized nothing happened to me and instead another blue screen popped up in front of me, telling me what I got.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


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    You have opened a Growth Gift Pack and obtained the following:


    15 Stat Points


    150 Points


    Sword of the Shadows


    Shadow Magic


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    ''Huh? What is this all? Hm, 15 Stat Points and 150 Points are good, but what are these Sword of the Shadows and Shadow magic things?'' I thought to myself in confusion.


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    Sword of the Shadows: A rare and powerful sword that once belonged to the Shadow Sovereign of another Universe. It is unbreakable and can cut through metal like butter. Any kills on an undead being with this sword will permanently increase a random Stat.


    Shadow Magic(0%): You are capable of using the Magic of Shadows, being that are quite literally Shadows. This magic will allow you to use the shadows around you in battle. You can create weapons of shadows, hide in them or whatever you want. Each time you level up your Shadow Magic, you will obtain a new skill that can be used.


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    Right, that''s cool. Especially that sword. I can get a permanent Stat increase by killing undead? Even though it is a random Stat that is increased, I can literally become insanely powerful thanks to this since this world will literally be overtaken by undead today. That Shadow Magic is also good, but I wonder what skill I can currently use with it. Since it says I can obtain a new skill after each time I level it up, I guess it has made it so I can''t just use it however I want to. Still, it''s already quite good. Right, I can check that Skills option the System told me about to see what I can use.


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    <td style="width: 50%">Active Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Passive Skills</td>


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    <td style="width: 50%">Shadowball</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Shadow Magic(0%)</td>


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    ''Shadowball, huh. What does that skill do exactly? Do I just throw a ball made out of shadows at something?'' I thought.


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    <td style="width: 100%">Shadowball: Create a ball made out of condensed shadows and throw it at your enemy. If the Shadowball hits them directly, it will give them a faint feeling of sluggishness, making them slower and easier to kill. If it doesn''t hit them directly and only hits near them, it will faintly confuse them. Of course, that only works on living being. 30 Mana per use.</td>


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    Alright, it only works on living beings and doesn''t actually do any damage, but it is still very good. I can make them sluggish if I hit them directly with it, and it it hits near them it will faintly confuse them. That way it will be easier for me to kill them with my sword since they won''t be able to react properly in time.


    As I was happy with my Shadow Magic, I heard loud rumbling sounds coming from outside my house, making me unconsciously shiver. That is the sound that appeared when the apocalypse first began. Running to my window, I stare out and look at the sky, staring at the flaming red sky with countless meteors falling through the skies. Those meteors are the origin of the undead, they contain some unknown power that made anybody in the mere vicinity die and become an undead. We only knew about this 8 years into the apocalypse, when some of us were finally strong enough to go near them.


    As the meteors begin smashing into the earth, I felt myself become sluggish before I realized what was happening, which made me know that hell has finally begun once again. I shook my head slightly before stumbling backwards as far as I could, before I fainted, falling onto the ground just beside my bed.

 Chapter 2

    "Ugh..." I moaned to myself groggily as I opened my eyes.


    Looking around, I realize that what I saw before the meteors fell wasn''t merely a dream that I thought up during my death, and is actually real. Shaking my head slightly, I shakily stand up by grabbing onto my bed.


    Now standing, I walk over to the window, which has been, unsurprisingly, smashed into pieces from the impact of the meteors hitting the ground. Looking outside, I shake my head with a weary sigh, as all I can see are burning vehicles, dead bodies and moving dead bodies, also known as the undead.


    If this apocalypse just had zombies, it would be fine, but it doesn''t. This apocalypse has anything undead, like zombies, ghosts, skeletons, ghouls, vampires etc. It was a real pain in the ass to live for 10 years in that type of world. Nearly died multiple times to vampires. Luckily enough vampires are rare, as they need to be evolved from a zombie to a ghoul then finally a vampire. I think that by the time I had died, there were only around 30 or so vampires.


    ''Right, I had 15 Stat Points, didn''t I? Put 5 into Strength, Agility and Endurance and bring up my Status.'' I thought to myself.


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    <td style="width: 20%">Name: Nydia Yashu</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Age: 18</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Level: 1(0/100)</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Title: Returnee(+)</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Stage: 0</td>


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    <td style="width: 20%">Health: 100/100(3/m)</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Strength: 9</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Agility: 8</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Endurance: 10</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Vitality: 3</td>


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    <td style="width: 20%">Mana: 80/80(27/m)</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Intelligence: 8</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Spirit: 27</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Stat Points: 0</td>


    <td style="width: 20%">Points: 150</td>


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    ''That''s better. My Endurance hit 10, giving me 100 health, double of what it was before. I guess I can be considered a somewhat strong human that hasn''t evolved to Stage 1 yet.'' I thought in slight satisfaction.


    Right, I should probably go out and kill the undead while they are still weak so I can level up, or else it will be hard. If I remember correctly, the undead first started evolving about a week into the apocalypse, which is about the same time as humans started as well.


    Grabbing my sword that fell to the ground when I fainted earlier, I slowly walk down the stairs and onto the first floor of my house. Noting that there are no zombies in my house yet, I stop moving slowly and head to the kitchen after grabbing my school bag from the living room to store food into. I know I have my Inventory, but it will be suspicious to others if I have nothing to carry things on me.


    Thankfully I had just restocked my food 2 days before the apocalypse began, so I have plenty enough to last me until I find a stash of food somewhere. I grab everything that won''t expire soon and put 70% of it all into my Inventory, with the remaining 30% in my backpack.


    I had all sorts of food now, such as canned food, some dry meat that I had leftover in my fridge, some crackers that won''t expire for a few years and a dozen bottles of water. There were also some bread and meat that I can use to make sandwiches, as long as I don''t wait a week to do so.


    ''System, does the Shop have military clothing I can buy?'' I asked


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    <td style="width: 100%">Yes. Do you wish to purchase a full Military Outfit(F) for 80 points? Y/N</td>


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    ''Yep. 80 points isn''t a big deal compared to comfortable and sturdy clothes.'' I agreed.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    A full set of black military clothing for woman appeared before me, which I eagerly put on after stripping off my pajamas. Feeling how comfy the military clothes are surprised me, but I didn''t mind, rather I was glad. The reason I wanted military clothes was because they are perfect for an apocalypse. They have pockets you can store stuff like ammo and knives in, while also being sturdy clothes that won''t easily rip or tear.


    I paused for a second when I saw a sword sheath come along with the military clothes, but I figured it was part of this particular outfit so I instantly put it onto my left waist, putting my sword inside it. Like this I can grab it whenever I wish with without having to use my Inventory or constantly holding it, which is perfect.


    ''Hm, if I remember correctly, my father had collected a bowie knife that he had used to hunt with in the past, before he and mom passed away in an accident.'' I thought to myself, already heading to my parents room.


    Once inside, I search the whole room and easily find the bowie knife inside of a dresser near the bed. The blade was a silvery color while the handle was pitch black. I tested the sharpness by cutting my finger and was surprised by how sharp it was, since it easily cut my finger even though I just poked it.


    I got a blue screen pop up telling me I lost 1 health from that, which will be healed back by the time I even leave the house. Putting the bowie knife in a part of the belt on my right waist, I head back downstairs and start walking to the front door.


    Before I open it, I peek out of the window beside it. Noticing that there were no undead right outside my door, I easily opened it and left without closing it since I won''t ever be back here again. The sound of me opening my door and walking outside obviously alarted a few nearby undead, and they started groaning and walking towards me.


    Unsheathing my sword, I continue walking towards the undead near me, which are just zombies, and once I am in range, I thrust my sword out in a straight line, easily embedding it into the head of the first zombie. Pulling it out, I spin and cut the head off of the second zombie before finally bisecting the final zombie from the head down. Shaking the blood off of my sword I put it back into the sheath before looking at the new blue screens.


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    <td style="width: 100%">You have killed 3x Stage 0 Zombies. Obtained 9 points and 15 experience.</td>


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    You have permanently gained 1 point in Spirit.


    You have permanently gained 1 point in Vitality.


    You have permanently gained 1 point in Strength.


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    ''Hm, so 3 points and 5 experience per Stage 0 zombie kill, is it? That is higher than I expected. Stage 0 zombies are incredibly weak, they are so weak that even an untrained 14 year old girl could kill them if they weren''t scared and had a bat or something. I also got the stats for killing the undead with my sword, which got me a point in Strength, Spirit and Vitality. Strength is the best one there since it lets me do more damage. Vitality also increases how fast my health regenerates.'' I thought to myself before I leave the area.


    I didn''t bother trying to find a Nucleus inside the zombies I just killed since the undead don''t have a Nucleus inside of them until they reach Stage 2. Before that they are just useless. They might get slighlty stronger at Stage 1, but they start finally obtaining powers at Stage 2 and above, which is when they get their Nucleus. The same actually happens for humans. While we don''t have a Nucleus like the undead, we do have what seems to be a seperate dimension inside of our bodies, which is where all our absorbed power goes.


    ''Hm, where should I go? I don''t think I should join up with any groups just yet, since they are all useless as of now. the only good groups would be the ones that are made up of the military, since they are strict and trained, but there are also some greedy officials in the military. Luckily there are none of those greedy officials in my city, which is good. Yeah, I guess I can find one of the military groups around here.'' I thought before I just wandered around, looking for any signs of the military.