"Interesting... A human has awakened a Military System."
The terrifying voice echoed inside Destiny's mind.
His eyes widened as he stared through the window of the military medical vehicle. Beyond the ruined city, dark clouds covered the sky, and an enormous shadow seemed to move among them.
[DING!]
[WARNING! UNKNOWN ENTITY DETECTED.]
[THREAT LEVEL: UNIDENTIFIED.]
[HOST IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO ANALYZE THE ENTITY.]
[RECOMMENDATION: AVOID DIRECT CONTACT.]
Destiny swallowed nervously.
"System, what was that?"
[DING!]
[THE ENTITY'S ENERGY SIGNATURE IS BEYOND THE SYSTEM'S CURRENT ANALYSIS CAPACITY.]
[ADDITIONAL INFORMATION UNAVAILABLE.]
Destiny clenched his fists.
Whatever that creature was, it was clearly far more powerful than anything he had encountered.
"Commander, are you alright?"
Daniel's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Destiny turned toward him.
"Yeah. I'm fine."
Daniel studied his face.
"You suddenly went quiet. Is something wrong?"
Destiny hesitated before shaking his head.
"Nothing we need to worry about right now."
He wasn't ready to tell Daniel about the mysterious entity. He needed to understand the situation before making anyone panic.
Captain Marcus entered the medical vehicle.
"Destiny, the evacuation operation is complete. We've managed to rescue more than four hundred survivors from the school and surrounding streets."
Destiny nodded.
"That's good news, sir."
"However, the situation outside the city is getting worse. Monsters have appeared in several surrounding communities. Communication with some military units has also been lost."
Destiny frowned.
"How many monsters are we talking about?"
Marcus sighed.
"We don't know. The military command is still gathering information. What we do know is that conventional weapons are becoming less effective against the stronger creatures."
Destiny glanced at the system window.
He already knew that the monsters were becoming stronger.
And if humanity couldn't adapt quickly, the consequences would be disastrous.
"Sir, where are we going?"
"An emergency military base outside the city. It's currently being used as a temporary shelter for survivors and military personnel."
Destiny nodded.
For now, reaching a secure location was his highest priority.
[DING!]
[MAIN MISSION: ESTABLISH YOUR FIRST MILITARY BASE.]
[CURRENT OBJECTIVES:]
[1. RECRUIT 10 SOLDIERS.]
[2. SECURE A SAFE LOCATION.]
[3. CONSTRUCT A BASIC TRAINING FACILITY.]
[MISSION REWARD: 3,000 MILITARY POINTS.]
Destiny opened his status window.
[HOST STATUS]
NAME: DESTINY
AGE: 17
RANK: SECOND LIEUTENANT
LEVEL: 5
STRENGTH: 11
AGILITY: 17
VITALITY: 8
INTELLIGENCE: 10
FREE ATTRIBUTE POINTS: 10
MILITARY POINTS: 1,700
MILITARY UNIT: DESTINY'S FIRST SQUAD
SOLDIERS: 1
SKILLS:
BASIC MILITARY COMBAT
COMBAT PREDICTION
SOLDIER'S WILL
TACTICAL ANALYSIS
COMMANDER'S RESOLVE
Destiny was surprised by his new rank.
He had gone from an ordinary student to a military commander in less than a day.
But he understood that the rank was only a title. Without a capable army, he would still be vulnerable.
"System, how can I recruit more soldiers?"
[DING!]
[THE HOST CAN RECRUIT ELIGIBLE SURVIVORS THROUGH THE MILITARY RECRUITMENT FUNCTION.]
[RECRUITMENT REQUIREMENTS:]
[1. THE CANDIDATE MUST VOLUNTARILY ACCEPT THE CONTRACT.]
[2. THE HOST MUST HAVE AVAILABLE MILITARY CAPACITY.]
[3. THE HOST MUST PROVIDE THE REQUIRED RECRUITMENT RESOURCES.]
[CURRENT RECRUITMENT CAPACITY: 50 SOLDIERS.]
Destiny smiled.
Fifty soldiers.
That was more than enough to establish his first squad and begin building a small military force.
However, he needed to find people who were willing to fight.
Several hours later, the military convoy finally reached its destination.
The temporary military base was located on the outskirts of the city. It was surrounded by tall concrete walls, watchtowers, and several layers of barbed wire.
Armored vehicles were parked near the entrance, while heavily armed soldiers guarded the perimeter.
As the convoy approached the gate, a loudspeaker came to life.
"IDENTIFY YOURSELVES!"
Captain Marcus leaned toward the communication device.
"THIS IS CAPTAIN MARCUS ANDERSON OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE UNIT. WE ARE RETURNING WITH SURVIVORS FROM THE SCHOOL EVACUATION OPERATION."
A few seconds later, the enormous gates began to open.
The convoy entered the compound.
Destiny looked around in amazement.
Hundreds of soldiers were moving between buildings. Medical personnel were treating injured survivors, while engineers worked on repairing damaged military vehicles.
The base was busy, but there was an unmistakable atmosphere of fear.
Everyone knew that the world had changed.
"Welcome to our temporary home," Marcus said.
Destiny stepped out of the medical vehicle with Daniel beside him.
The moment his feet touched the ground, a notification appeared.
[DING!]
[NEW LOCATION DETECTED.]
[LOCATION: EMERGENCY MILITARY BASE 07.]
[SECURITY LEVEL: MODERATE.]
[CURRENT STATUS: ACTIVE.]
[SUITABLE FOR TEMPORARY MILITARY OPERATIONS.]
Destiny examined the surrounding buildings.
There were barracks, medical facilities, an armory, a command center, and a large training ground.
It wasn't perfect, but it was a good place to begin.
"System, can this place become my military base?"
[DING!]
[LOCATION ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]
[THIS LOCATION IS CURRENTLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE NIGERIAN MILITARY.]
[HOST CANNOT CLAIM THE BASE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION.]
Destiny sighed.
He would need to establish his own base somewhere else.
For now, he could use the military facilities to recruit and train his soldiers.
"Destiny!"
Captain Marcus called him from near the command building.
"Come with me. The base commander wants to meet you."
Destiny nodded and followed him.
Daniel walked beside them.
They entered a large building with several military officers gathered around a digital map.
At the center of the room stood a middle-aged man wearing a dark military uniform.
His name badge read GENERAL ADEYEMI.
"Sir, this is the young man I told you about," Captain Marcus announced.
General Adeyemi turned toward Destiny.
"So you're the boy who killed the Iron Titan?"
Destiny stood straight.
"Yes, sir."
The general studied him carefully.
"Captain Marcus tells me you played a major role in saving hundreds of civilians."
Destiny nodded.
"I only did what I thought was necessary, sir."
General Adeyemi smiled faintly.
"Modest. That's good. But I have a few questions for you."
Destiny waited.
"How exactly did you defeat a D-Rank monster when our trained soldiers struggled to injure it?"
Destiny hesitated.
He couldn't reveal the entire truth about the system to everyone.
"I received some unusual abilities during the invasion, sir. They improved my physical strength and combat instincts."
The general narrowed his eyes.
"Unusual abilities?"
"Yes, sir."
For a moment, the room fell silent.
Then General Adeyemi leaned back in his chair.
"We've received reports of several people awakening strange powers since the monsters appeared. Some can manipulate fire, others possess incredible strength, and a few have developed abilities that our scientists cannot explain."
Destiny's eyes widened.
Other people had awakened abilities?
[DING!]
[NEW INFORMATION DETECTED.]
[HUMAN AWAKENING PHENOMENON CONFIRMED.]
[HUMANS WITH AWAKENED ABILITIES MAY POSSESS UNIQUE COMBAT POTENTIAL.]
Destiny smiled internally.
This meant he wasn't the only person who had gained extraordinary powers.
However, his Military System was clearly different.
While others might awaken a single ability, he could potentially build an entire army.
General Adeyemi suddenly stood up.
"Destiny, I have an offer for you."
Destiny looked at him.
"What kind of offer, sir?"
"We want you to join our military research and combat division. You'll receive specialized training, better equipment, and access to classified information about the monsters."
Destiny considered the proposal.
Joining the military could provide him with valuable resources and information.
However, he also had his own plans.
"Sir, I appreciate the offer, but I would like to establish my own military unit."
The general raised an eyebrow.
"Your own unit?"
"Yes, sir. I want to recruit and train soldiers who will fight alongside me."
Captain Marcus looked surprised.
General Adeyemi remained silent for several seconds.
"That's an ambitious goal for a seventeen-year-old."
Destiny maintained eye contact.
"I know, sir. But I believe it's necessary."
The general slowly smiled.
"Very well. I'll authorize you to establish a small independent combat squad under military supervision. You'll receive access to our training facilities and basic equipment, provided you follow the base's security regulations."
Destiny's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, sir!"
[DING!]
[IMPORTANT MISSION UPDATE.]
[OBJECTIVE COMPLETED: SECURE A MILITARY TRAINING LOCATION.]
[REWARD: 500 MILITARY POINTS.]
[CURRENT MILITARY POINTS: 2,200.]
[NEW FUNCTION UNLOCKED: MILITARY TRAINING.]
Destiny could barely contain his excitement.
He finally had a place where he could train his soldiers.
But he still needed more recruits.
Later that afternoon, Destiny and Daniel visited the base's main assembly area.
Hundreds of survivors were gathered there, waiting for food, medical assistance, and instructions.
Destiny stepped onto a raised platform.
Daniel stood beside him.
"Everyone, may I have your attention?"
The crowd gradually became quiet.
Destiny looked across the faces of the survivors.
Some were frightened. Others were injured or exhausted. Many had lost family members during the invasion.
He took a deep breath.
"My name is Destiny. I'm seventeen years old, and I survived the monster attack at my school."
Several people looked at him with surprise.
"I know everyone here is afraid. I know many of you have lost people you love. But if we continue hiding and waiting for someone else to save us, we may not survive what's coming."
He paused.
"The monsters are getting stronger. Our weapons are becoming less effective, and we cannot depend entirely on the military to protect every person."
The crowd remained silent.
"That's why I'm establishing an independent military squad. We'll train, fight, and protect one another. Anyone willing to join us will receive military training and access to equipment as we become stronger."
A young man near the front raised his hand.
"How do we know you're strong enough to lead us?"
Destiny looked at him.
"Because I killed the Iron Titan."
The entire assembly area erupted into whispers.
"THE IRON TITAN?"
"HE'S THE ONE WHO KILLED THAT MONSTER?"
"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"
Destiny raised his hand to quiet the crowd.
"I'm not asking you to believe me blindly. I'm asking you to give yourselves a chance to become stronger."
A muscular young man stepped forward.
"My name is Victor. I'm nineteen years old, and I awakened a strength ability during the invasion."
Destiny examined him.
[DING!]
[ELIGIBLE RECRUIT DETECTED.]
[NAME: VICTOR.]
[AGE: 19.]
[AWAKENED ABILITY: ENHANCED STRENGTH.]
[COMBAT POTENTIAL: HIGH.]
[RECRUITMENT SUCCESS RATE: 92%.]
Victor folded his arms.
"If I join your squad, will I be able to become stronger than I am now?"
Destiny smiled.
"That's the entire point."
Victor nodded.
"Then I'm in."
[DING!]
[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL!]
[VICTOR HAS JOINED THE HOST'S MILITARY UNIT.]
[RANK ASSIGNED: PRIVATE.]
[NEW SOLDIER REGISTERED.]
[CURRENT SOLDIERS: 2.]
A blue light briefly surrounded Victor.
He looked down at his hands in amazement.
"What was that?"
Destiny smiled.
"Welcome to the squad."
Another person stepped forward.
This time, it was a young woman with short black hair and sharp brown eyes.
"My name is Sarah. I awakened a healing ability during the invasion."
Destiny's expression immediately changed.
A healing ability?
That was exactly the kind of person he needed.
[DING!]
[RARE SUPPORT RECRUIT DETECTED.]
[NAME: SARAH.]
[AGE: 18.]
[AWAKENED ABILITY: MINOR HEALING.]
[COMBAT POTENTIAL: MODERATE.]
[SUPPORT POTENTIAL: VERY HIGH.]
[RECRUITMENT SUCCESS RATE: 95%.]
Destiny smiled.
"Sarah, would you like to join my squad?"
She nodded.
"Yes. I want to help people survive."
[DING!]
[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL!]
[SARAH HAS JOINED THE HOST'S MILITARY UNIT.]
[RANK ASSIGNED: PRIVATE.]
[NEW SOLDIER REGISTERED.]
[CURRENT SOLDIERS: 3.]
The recruitment continued.
A quiet young man named Ethan, who possessed an electrical ability, volunteered to join.
A former school athlete named Michael also stepped forward, revealing that he had awakened enhanced speed.
[DING!]
[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL!]
[ETHAN HAS JOINED THE HOST'S MILITARY UNIT.]
[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL!]
[MICHAEL HAS JOINED THE HOST'S MILITARY UNIT.]
[CURRENT MILITARY PERSONNEL: 5.]
Destiny looked at the five soldiers standing before him.
Daniel.
Victor.
Sarah.
Ethan.
Michael.
They were his first proper squad.
For the first time since the apocalypse began, he felt that he wasn't completely alone.
[DING!]
[MISSION OBJECTIVE COMPLETED.]
[HOST HAS RECRUITED 5 SOLDIERS.]
[REWARD: 500 MILITARY POINTS.]
[NEW FUNCTION UNLOCKED: SQUAD FORMATION.]
Destiny opened the new function.
[AVAILABLE SQUAD FORMATIONS]
[1. ASSAULT SQUAD.]
[2. DEFENSE SQUAD.]
[3. RECONNAISSANCE SQUAD.]
[4. SUPPORT SQUAD.]
Destiny considered the abilities of his new soldiers.
Victor possessed enhanced strength and could serve as a frontline fighter.
Daniel had excellent combat instincts.
Ethan could attack enemies using electricity.
Michael possessed enhanced speed.
Sarah could heal injured soldiers.
"System, create the First Assault Squad and assign Victor as its frontline fighter, Daniel as deputy commander, Ethan and Michael as combat specialists, and Sarah as medical support."
[DING!]
[SQUAD FORMATION COMPLETED.]
[UNIT NAME: FIRST ASSAULT SQUAD.]
[COMMANDER: DESTINY.]
[DEPUTY COMMANDER: DANIEL.]
[FRONTLINE FIGHTER: VICTOR.]
[COMBAT SPECIALIST: ETHAN.]
[COMBAT SPECIALIST: MICHAEL.]
[MEDICAL SUPPORT: SARAH.]
Destiny smiled proudly.
His first squad was complete.
However, before he could celebrate, an alarm suddenly blared throughout the military base.
WEEEEEE-OOOOOO! WEEEEEE-OOOOOO!
A loud announcement echoed from the speakers.
"EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! ALL MILITARY PERSONNEL, REPORT TO YOUR ASSIGNED DEFENSIVE POSITIONS IMMEDIATELY!"
The survivors began panicking.
Destiny turned toward the main gate.
A military officer rushed into the assembly area.
"MONSTERS HAVE BEEN DETECTED APPROACHING THE BASE! ALL AVAILABLE COMBAT UNITS ARE TO PREPARE FOR ENGAGEMENT!"
Destiny's system immediately activated.
[DING!]
[WARNING! MULTIPLE HOSTILE CREATURES DETECTED.]
[ESTIMATED NUMBER: 300.]
[MONSTER RANKS: F-RANK TO E-RANK.]
[UNKNOWN HIGH-RANK MONSTER DETECTED.]
[THREAT LEVEL: HIGH.]
Destiny's expression turned serious.
"System, identify the high-rank monster."
[DING!]
[ANALYZING...]
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]
[MONSTER NAME: BLOOD GENERAL.]
[RANK: C-RANK.]
[LEVEL: 25.]
[STRENGTH: 350.]
[AGILITY: 280.]
[DEFENSE: 400.]
[SKILLS: BLOOD COMMAND, MONSTER SUMMONING, BLOOD EXPLOSION.]
[WARNING! THE HOST'S CURRENT COMBAT ABILITY IS INSUFFICIENT.]
Destiny's eyes widened.
A C-Rank monster?
It was several levels above the Iron Titan.
And it was leading an army of hundreds of monsters.
Captain Marcus rushed toward him.
"Destiny! We need your squad on the eastern defensive wall!"
Destiny immediately turned toward his soldiers.
"Everyone, prepare your equipment!"
Victor cracked his knuckles.
Ethan's hands began glowing with electricity.
Michael stretched his legs.
Sarah prepared her medical supplies.
Daniel gripped his weapon.
Destiny raised his combat knife.
"Listen carefully! This is our first official battle as a squad. We protect this base, we protect the survivors, and we make sure everyone gets out alive!"
His soldiers nodded.
"YES, COMMANDER!"
Destiny looked toward the approaching monster army.
The Blood General stood at the front of the horde, holding an enormous blood-red sword.
It slowly raised its weapon toward the military base.
Then it spoke in a deep, terrifying voice.
"DESTROY THE HUMANS."
The monster army roared.
Destiny's system flashed with a new notification.
[DING!]
[NEW MAIN MISSION ACTIVATED.]
[MISSION: DEFEND MILITARY BASE 07.]
[OBJECTIVE 1: ELIMINATE 100 HOSTILE CREATURES.]
[OBJECTIVE 2: PROTECT THE MILITARY BASE.]
[OBJECTIVE 3: DEFEAT THE BLOOD GENERAL.]
[REWARD: 5,000 MILITARY POINTS, ADVANCED MILITARY SUPPLY CRATE, AND A RANDOM EPIC SKILL.]
[FAILURE: COMPLETE UNIT DESTRUCTION.]
Destiny stared at the approaching army.
Then he smiled.
"First Assault Squad..."
His soldiers immediately stood at attention.
"LET'S SHOW THESE MONSTERS WHAT HUMANITY IS CAPABLE OF!"
The soldiers raised their weapons.
The military base's defensive cannons opened fire.
And the first battle of Destiny's newly formed military squad began.