The streets of Atlanta were a canvas of unfolding Armageddon. Ethan Miller, still adjusting to the surreal reality of his transmigration and the unfamiliar athletic grace of his new body, moved with a grim purpose. The cacophony of the city distant screams, the pop of overwhelmed police sirens, the ever present groans of the dead was a horrifying soundtrack to his escape from Harrison Memorial Hospital. His foreknowledge of The Walking Dead painted every shadow with potential danger.
[Primary mission objective 1: Exit Harrison Memorial Hospital alive – Complete!]
The System's notification was a small, cold comfort.
[Reward: EXP +25, Battle Points (BP) +10. Current BP: 65.]
His next immediate goal, as per the System, was clear.
[Primary mission objective 2: Find a temporarily secure shelter – Active.]
The System's basic map overlay in his vision highlighted nearby streets, already marking walker concentrations with pulsing red dots based on the unfolding chaos. He used his TWD knowledge: stick to alleys when possible, avoid open spaces, listen for the tell tale shuffles and groans. His new machete felt reassuringly solid in his grip.
After navigating several blocks littered with abandoned cars, some with their doors flung open in a silent testament to their owners' final, panicked moments, the System highlighted a small, three story apartment building. Its front entrance was smashed, but a side fire escape looked mostly clear.
[System scan (Target Building): Minimal walker signatures detected (2, ground floor, likely trapped in units). Upper floors appear clear. Rear apartment, second floor, offers defensible position with limited access points.]
"Good enough for now," Ethan muttered, scaling the creaking metal rungs of the fire escape. He dealt with a single, surprised walker in the second-floor hallway a former resident, by its floral housecoat with a swift, practiced machete strike to the head. Another BP trickled in.
[Hostile Neutralized: Walker (Standard). BP +1. Current BP: 66.]
The apartment the System had indicated was unlocked, a scene of hasty departure: a half eaten bowl of cereal on the table, a child's teddy bear dropped by the couch. Ethan felt a pang of empathy but quickly pushed it down. Survival first. He dragged the heavy sofa against the door, wedging a chair under the knob for good measure, then let out a shuddering breath. Relative safety, for now.
"System," he commanded mentally, sinking to the dusty floor. "Show me a full diagnostic. Status, Inventory, Shop, Missions. And explain EXP and Skill Points."
The interface expanded, clear and concise.
[Status:]
[Host: Ethan Miller]
[Level: 1 (EXP: 25/100 to Level 2)]
[Health: 95/100 (Minor Scrapes)]
[Stamina: 78/100 (Moderate Exertion)]
[Strength: 5]
[Agility: 6]
[Endurance: 5]
[Perception: 7]
[Battle Points (BP): 66]
[Attribute Points (AP): 0]
[Skill Points (SkP): 0]
[System Explanation: Experience Points (EXP) are gained from completing missions and neutralizing significant threats. Reaching EXP thresholds increases Host Level. Each Level Up grants Attribute Points (AP) for manual allocation to core attributes (STR, AGI, END, PER) and Skill Points (SkP) for learning/upgrading skills via skill tree (unlocks at Level 5) or skill manuals.]
Good to know. A dual progression system. He then accessed his Inventory.
[Inventory (Sub-Dimension):]
* Survivor's Machete (Equipped)
* Filtered Water Bottle (950ml remaining)
* High-Energy Ration Bars (x3)
* Basic First-Aid Kit (Small)
Ethan focused on the Survivor's Exchange (Shop – Tier 0 Access).
* Purified Water (500ml): 10 BP
* Standard Ration Bar: 15 BP
* 9mm Pistol Ammunition (10 rounds): 30 BP
* Baseball Bat (Wooden, Sturdy): 25 BP
* Lockpick Set (Basic): 75 BP
* Skill Manual: 'Basic Stealth Movement (Passive)': 100 BP
* Skill Manual: 'Basic First Aid (Active)': 50 BP
He had 66 BP. The 'Basic First Aid' manual was crucial.
"System, purchase 'Basic First Aid Manual'," he thought.
[Purchase Confirmed: 'Basic First Aid (Active)' Skill Manual. BP -50. Current BP: 16.]
[Item Added to Inventory. Use manual to learn skill? Yes/No]
"Yes."
A cool wave of information flowed into his mind: how to clean wounds, apply pressure, create makeshift bandages, recognize signs of shock. It was rudimentary, but far more than his TWD binge watching had ever taught him.
[New Skill Learned: Basic First Aid (Level 1). Allows treatment of minor wounds, slowing of moderate bleeding. Effectiveness based on skill level and Perception attribute.]
He then checked his Missions.
[Missions:]
* Primary: Survive the Initial Chaos
* Objective 1: Exit Harrison Memorial Hospital Alive (Complete)
* Objective 2: Find a Temporarily Secure Shelter (Complete!)
* Reward Claimed: EXP +50, Battle Points (BP) +25. Current BP: 41. Current EXP: 75/100.] (16+25=41)
* Objective 3 (New): Secure Sustenance (Acquire food & water for at least 24 hours).
* Objective 4 (New): Reach the Outskirts of Atlanta (Quarry/Highway I-85 Area – Potential Survivor Encampment).
His newbie pack rations were minimal. Objective 3 was pressing. The System's basic map showed a small convenience store, a "Quick Stop," two blocks away. Its rudimentary scanner function, activated by focusing on the map icon, provided: [Target: 'Quick Stop' Convenience Store. Multiple walker signatures (3-5) detected inside. Shelves appear partially stocked (canned goods, bottled drinks likely). Risk Assessment: High. Potential Reward: Moderate.]
Three to five walkers. Manageable, especially if he could lure them out one by one. He needed supplies, and more importantly, more BP and EXP. The highway camp on I-85, he knew from the show, was where he'd find Glenn, Dale, Lori, Shane, and the others. That was his medium term goal.
He rose, his new first aid skill a small comfort, his machete a familiar weight. The city outside was a symphony of death, but he had a path.
Just as he reached the barricaded door, ready to venture out towards the Quick Stop, his System pinged sharply, an overlay flashing an urgent, uncharacteristic yellow.
[Proximity Alert! Significant Canon Event Signature Detected!]
[Location: Civic Center Plaza, approximately 0.8 miles north-east of current position.]
[Event Type Identification (High Probability): 'Glenn Rhee – First Solo Supply Run into Atlanta'. Subject is attempting to acquire critical medical supplies and other resources for the initial survivor camp (pre-quarry relocation). Current Status: Encountering heavy walker resistance, cut off from initial planned extraction route.]
[Risk Level to Canon Character: Very High.]
[New Optional Mission Generated: Guardian Angel.]
[Objective: Intercept and Assist Glenn Rhee. Ensure his survival and aid in his mission success (securing supplies, safe extraction).]
[Rewards: Substantial EXP, BP, Karma Points (Good), Increased positive reputation with Glenn Rhee and future core survivor group, Potential unlocking of advanced System features due to significant canon interaction.]
[Time Sensitivity: Critical. Event unfolding now.]
Ethan froze. Glenn. Out there, alone, right now, in serious trouble. The Quick Stop and its meager offerings instantly forgotten. This was it. His first chance to truly interact with the canon storyline, to meet one of its most beloved characters, and potentially save him from a situation his foreknowledge hadn't detailed but which the System flagged as dire.
The risk was enormous. But the rewards… and the thought of Glenn dying so early, before he even met Rick properly…
Ethan gripped his machete. "System, plot fastest, safest route to Civic Center Plaza."
His real TWD journey was about to begin.