It's the apocalypse again

Xu Qianqian stood frozen as the words "System Activated. Welcome to your new beginning." faded from her phone screen. The clearing seemed to hold its breath, the eerie silence amplifying the rapid pounding of her heart.

"What does that mean?" she murmured, gripping her phone tightly.

"It means your journey has officially begun," Echo replied, his voice calm but laced with an unmistakable excitement. "Congratulations, Qianqian. You've unlocked the system."

Her lips parted as she stared at the screen in front of her. The screen now displayed a simple interface, unlike anything she had seen before. At the top was a line of text that read:

[WELCOME, XU QIANQIAN]

---

MAIN DISPLAY

[Character Information]

Name: Xu Qianqian

Level: 1

Status: Alive

Health: 100%

Energy:100%

Stamina:15/15

Strength:8/10

Agility:7/10

Endurance:6/10

Perception:9/10

Intelligence:8/10

Dexterity:7/10

Luck:5/10

Current survival points:10

_ _ _

ABILITIES & STATS

[Skills]

Scavenging: Level 1 (Improves item finding ability; skill may increase through use)

Endurance: Level 1 (Reduces stamina loss)

Combat: Level 1 (Basic self-defense capabilities)

_ _ _

INVENTORY

[Inventory Slots]

Available Slots: 20/20

_ _ _

Beneath it, a single message blinked in bold: "Claim your reward."

"Reward?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes. Go ahead," Echo encouraged. "Touch the screen."

Her fingers hovered uncertainly over the screen. The rational part of her mind screamed against this—it was absurd, impossible—but curiosity and instinct pushed her forward. She tapped the message.

The moment her finger made contact, a warm light engulfed her, emanating from the ancient tree. The golden glow spread across the clearing, illuminating every corner before rushing toward her. For a moment, she felt weightless, suspended in the light.

When the glow receded, the clearing was no longer empty.

In front of her, at the edge of the clearing, stood a small house.

Her breath hitched as she took in the sight. The house was modest, almost quaint, with a thatched roof and wooden walls. A simple door and two small windows adorned the front, and a faint wisp of smoke rose from a stone chimney. It looked like something out of a storybook—a place both welcoming and mysterious.

"What... is this?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Your first reward," Echo explained. "A shelter to call your own. It may not look like much now, but as you grow stronger, so will it."

Qianqian approached the house cautiously, her steps hesitant. She pushed open the door, and the hinges creaked softly. Inside, the house was as simple as its exterior—a single room with a wooden bed, a small table, and a fireplace. A few shelves lined the walls, empty for now but full of potential.

"It's... small," she said, though her tone was more thoughtful than critical.

"It's a beginning," Echo replied. "Do you see the shelves? Those are for storage. The fireplace can be used for cooking or warmth. This house is designed to support you, but only as much as you're prepared for. As you progress, it will evolve."

She ran her fingers along the rough wood of the table, a strange mix of awe and determination swirling within her. This wasn't just a house—it was a symbol. A foundation.

"Is this why I was led here?" she asked.

"Partly," Echo said. "This house is your anchor, but there's more to discover. The system will guide you, but its rewards must be earned."

"What about the points,how do I earn that", Qianqian asked.

"Stockpiling of course ",Echo replied laughing.

Xu Qianqian sat on the edge of the wooden bed, the dim light filtering through the small window casting long shadows across the room. Her mind was a storm of thoughts—questions she couldn't yet articulate.

"Echo," she started hesitantly, "this system… what exactly does it want from me? And why me?"

Echo's voice came as a soft rumble, a mix of mystery and reassurance. "The system isn't sentient, Qianqian. It's not about 'wanting' anything. It's a tool, a chance for you to rewrite the path of your future. But like all tools, its potential depends on the one using it."

She frowned, leaning back against the cool wooden wall. "A tool that leads me to an abandoned clearing to find... this?" Her tone was skeptical, but her gaze lingered on the cozy little house, a flicker of gratitude surfacing beneath her doubt.

"This isn't just about a house, Qianqian," Echo reminded her. "It's about survival. You've seen the apocalypse—you know what's coming. This house is your starting point, but the real work lies in how you use what the system offers."

As if on cue, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, the now-familiar system interface lighting up the screen.

A new notification blinked: "Quest Available."

Her pulse quickened. "Quest?" she murmured.

She tapped the notification, and the screen shifted to display a short message:

"Prepare for the storm. Gather resources to fortify your foundation."

Beneath it was a timer counting down: 356 days.

The numbers sent a chill down her spine. The apocalypse was exactly a year away. She had a deadline, a fixed amount of time to transform this humble beginning into something that could withstand the chaos to come.

"What happens if I fail?" she asked, her voice low.

"You don't," Echo replied firmly. "Failure isn't an option. You've been given this second chance for a reason. Now, focus. The first step is understanding your resources. Check your phone again."

The interface had updated, now displaying new sections:

Inventory: Empty.

Upgrades: Locked.

Store: Locked.

But one section caught her attention: Map.

She tapped it, and a basic map of the surrounding area appeared. The clearing was marked with a glowing dot, and the forest surrounding it was shaded green. Further out, faint lines hinted at the edges of nearby cities and towns.

"This… this could be useful," she muttered, her mind racing with possibilities.

"It's not just useful—it's vital," Echo said. "Mark the locations you find important, track your resources, and plan your movements. This map will expand as you explore, but for now, it's a starting point."