Level Up with My Guild in the Apocalypse

Charvet stood atop the boss monster's defeated body, his posture relaxed and calm. The wind blew through his long black hair, giving him a striking, almost ethereal presence. His black armor, marked with scratches and battle scars, gave a sense of the hard journey he had already been through. His sword rested in his hand, gleaming even as the blood of the mutant beast dripped down its edge.

The sound of heavy footsteps approaching broke through the silence. He turned slightly, eyes settling on the survivors he had just helped.

Mailen, Zara, and Carlos, their faces pale but filled with a mix of awe and gratitude, walked toward him. They had seen Charvet's strength firsthand, and while they were still recovering from the terror of the battle, they knew they owed him their lives.

Mailen took the lead, her face still tense from the encounter but softened by her growing respect for Charvet. "Thank you," she said, her voice steady but full of sincerity. "Without you, we wouldn't have survived."

Zara, the healer, nodded quickly, her hands still shaking from the stress. "You're... incredible. I thought we were done for." Her words came out in a breathless rush.

Carlos, who had been standing silently behind them, still looked devastated. His mind kept replaying the moment when he had lost Lina, his girlfriend, to the monster. It was a pain that hadn't yet begun to fade. Finally, after a few moments of gathering himself, he spoke up. "I didn't think we were going to make it. But you… you made it look so easy. I didn't even know what to do."

Charvet gave him a brief, understanding nod. His expression remained calm, like he wasn't fazed by the chaos that had just unfolded. "It gets easier the more you keep at it," he said simply. "The real challenge is staying alive long enough to figure it out."

Mailen glanced at Charvet, studying him carefully. She could tell that he wasn't just a skilled fighter—there was a level of calm in him, an ease that they could all learn from.

"Do you have a place to stay?" she asked. "If not, you're welcome to join us at our camp. We could use someone like you."

Charvet shook his head gently. "I'm good," he said, his voice calm and confident. "I have my own place for now. I'll be fine."

"But you're welcome to come with us," Carlos spoke up, his voice a little weaker than before. "We could really use your help"

Charvet offered them a small smile, though it was the kind that didn't reach the full warmth of his eyes. "Maybe another time," he said, his tone even. "For now, I need to go back to my apartment. I've got some things I need to take care of."

Mailen looked at him for a moment, then nodded. She understood. "Alright," she said. "But if you change your mind, we're at the warehouse not far from here."

"Thanks," Charvet replied, giving them a nod before turning to walk away. His steps were deliberate, unhurried, his gaze forward, as if the world around him was nothing but a minor inconvenience.

The others watched him go, uncertain but grateful for his help.

After parting ways with Mailen's group, Charvet made his way back to his apartment. The familiar sight of the building brought a strange sense of normalcy, though the world outside was anything but.

As he walked through the front door, he locked it behind him, feeling the weight of the day slowly lifting from his shoulders.

First things first: a shower. He stripped off his bloodied armor, setting it aside, and stepped into the bathroom. The hot water felt like a luxury after hours of constant movement and combat. He let the steam rise around him as he cleaned himself off, taking time to scrub away the grime of battle. His body ached from the tension, but it was nothing he couldn't handle.

Once finished, Charvet dried off quickly and dressed in a fresh set of clothes. He felt a bit more like himself now—refreshed, calm, and ready to focus.

Next, he moved to the small kitchen area. The shelves were stocked with the supplies he had gathered over the past few days, and today, he had more than enough to satisfy his hunger. He heated up some canned food, making a simple meal, and sat down to eat.

He ate quickly, not because he was in a hurry, but because the hunger had taken over. The stress and adrenaline from the fight had left him ravenous. He had to be practical—food was a precious resource now, and he knew that every meal counted.

Afterward, Charvet made himself a cup of coffee. He leaned back in his chair, sipping the hot drink slowly. The bitter taste helped him focus his thoughts. He looked out the window, seeing the city in the distance.

The city that was once full of life now looked like a ghost town. Tall skyscrapers stood with broken windows, their glass scattered across the streets. Neon signs that used to glow brightly now flickered weakly, some completely dark. Cars were abandoned in the middle of the road, their doors left open, and the streets were covered with debris—shattered glass, torn bags, and broken pieces of metal.

Bloodstains marked the ground, dark and dry

Streetlights leaned to one side, barely standing. Some buildings had collapsed, and others were burned out, leaving blackened walls and piles of rubble. The air smelled like smoke and metal, with a faint hint of dried blood. 

In the distance, there were faint noises: the creaking of broken buildings, the distant crash of something falling, and strange sounds that hinted there were still threats out there. The city wasn't alive anymore. It was a place of ruin.

It was time to plan his next move. He had already leveled up, gained new skills, and obtained some rare items, but that was only the beginning. Charvet wasn't one to rush headfirst into things without considering his options.

The apocalypse had turned everything upside down, but in a way, it was an opportunity—a chance for him to shape his own destiny, just as he had in the virtual worlds before. The system granted him power, but it also demanded he use it wisely.

His mind wandered to the survivors he'd helped earlier. They had potential, but they lacked the courage to face the true horrors of the world. It was clear that they needed more than just a safe place to hide—they needed to learn to fight, to survive, just like he had.

Charvet finished his coffee and stood up, ready to prepare for his next move. But just as he took a step toward his gear, a crisp, mechanical chime echoed in his mind.

[DING!]

A translucent blue system window appeared in front of him, its edges glowing faintly.

[System Notification]

Requirements met. The system can now be upgraded to a better version.

Would you like to proceed with the upgrade? (Yes/No)

Charvet raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "An upgrade?" he muttered, his calm demeanor unshaken. Without hesitation, he replied,

"Yes."

As soon as the word left his lips, the interface flickered, and everything around him seemed to blur slightly. A low hum filled the room, vibrating through the air like an invisible pulse. The familiar system interface faded, replaced by a new, sleeker design—sharper fonts, clearer icons, and an overall more refined layout.

But before he could explore the changes, another window appeared. This time, it wasn't just a system message. The text was different—less mechanical, more personal.

[Message from the Creator]

"Congratulations on reaching this milestone, chosen one. Few have advanced as quickly as you. You might wonder why the world has fallen into chaos, why monsters roam, and why the system exists. This is not a game—it's a trial. A trial designed not by humans, but by forces far beyond your world. Earth was chosen for a purpose: to forge warriors, leaders, and perhaps… gods."

Charvet's eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained composed. He read the message carefully, taking in every word.

[Message Continues]

"The apocalypse is merely the beginning. Humanity's survival isn't the goal—it's the filter. Only those who adapt, evolve, and overcome will learn the truth. Seek the hidden dungeons. Face the trials. The answers you desire lie at the end of the path carved in blood and power."

The message disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving Charvet staring at the empty space where it had been.

He exhaled softly, running a hand through his damp, dark hair. "So, this isn't just survival," he murmured. "It's something more."

The pieces were starting to come together. The system wasn't random. The apocalypse wasn't an accident. Someone—or something—was pulling the strings, turning Earth into a battleground for a greater purpose.

Charvet's calm smile returned, faint but confident. "A trial, huh? Sounds interesting."

Charvet glanced at the upgraded interface, his sharp eyes scanning the sleek, more refined design. A new notification blinked at the corner of his vision.

[System Notification]

Congratulations on reaching Level 10.

New Quest Available: Acquire Your Class.