Logan lived in the university's hostel, a place offered for free to students who couldn't afford their own accommodations.
It was simple, practical, and nothing more than a roof over his head.
In contrast, Ethan resided in one of the university-owned apartment units, which were only available to students, though at an eye-watering price.
The apartments boasted premium facilities, something that most students could only dream of.
Ethan's unit was no exception.
Though it came with two rooms, he had transformed the second room into a personal gym, equipped with everything a fitness enthusiast could desire.
It was clear that only the wealthy could afford to live in the university's luxury housing.
As they drove, the conversation between Logan and Ethan meandered through various topics: sports, annoying lecturers, women, and school results.
"Hmmm"
Logan muttered, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"I actually don't have anything to do at the hostel. Just turn around and let's head to your place"
Ethan shook his head in response, his expression a mix of determination and mild laziness.
"As you've already pointed out, I didn't write any chapters for my readers yesterday. I need to go home and knock out at least two chapters before my laziness kicks in. If you come over, I'll just end up playing video games with you instead of working"
Logan fell in thought before he replied.
"Well, I won't deny that. You'd definitely use me as an excuse to avoid writing. No doubt about it"
Ethan's car came to a stop outside Logan's hostel.
"Catch you later, bruh"
Logan said, offering a handshake, the one they had created as a unique gesture between them.
Before Logan could step out of the vehicle, Ethan added.
"You do realize you're always welcome to move in with me, right? You don't have to stay here"
Logan paused for a moment, glancing back at Ethan.
The hostel, while serviceable, was far from clean, especially the male dormitories.
Ethan had arranged for both himself and Logan in the university's housing units, but Logan had politely declined his offer to stay with him rent-free.
Instead, he had chosen to remain in the hostel provided by the university.
"Bruh, I've told you to stop saying that. The more you repeat it, the weirder it sounds"
Logan replied, stepping out of the car.
With a casual motion, he shut the door and walked away without another word.
Ethan let out a resigned sigh, shaking his head in resignation.
He couldn't quite understand Logan's stubbornness.
Not wishing to dwell on it, Ethan started the car and drove off toward his own building.
A few minutes later, Ethan arrived at his building.
After a swift change of clothes, he settled at his desk, opening his laptop to begin typing the next chapters.
An hour passed in a blur.
By that time, he had finished and uploaded two chapters, easing the frustration of his increasingly impatient readers.
Just as he reached for his phone, intending to call Logan over since he had met the chapter goal he had set for himself, an unexpected tremor shook the ground beneath him.
The sudden quake threw Ethan off balance, forcing him to grab hold of something nearby to steady himself.
The building trembled violently as objects clattered to the floor, crashing around him.
A tense silence followed, and then, just as abruptly as it had started, the earthquake ceased.
Then, it came.
A sudden force struck Ethan's head, a subtle wave coursed through his body, as if something invisible was crawling along his skin.
A wave of nausea swept over him, and his right hand shot up instinctively to cover his mouth.
Dizziness followed in a sharp, disorienting rush.
For a moment, he felt as though he were losing control, and then, his consciousness faded into darkness.
When Ethan's eyes fluttered open again, he found himself in a vast, boundless expanse.
The space seemed infinite, with colors swirling in a mesmerizing dance, expanding and merging in ways that defied logic.
'How magical'
Ethan thought, his eyes wide as they took in the surreal spectacle before him.
Suddenly, a panel materialized before him, seemingly composed of every color that had ever existed, swirling and shifting with an otherworldly glow.
[Soul Detected]
[Awakening a random ability]
[Randomizing…]
[Congratulations. You have awakened the ability: Air Manipulation]
Ethan stared at the text, bewildered, unable to process the implications of what he was seeing.
Before he could fully comprehend it, his consciousness faded once more.
When he next opened his eyes, he was back in his room, the familiar surroundings a sharp contrast to the surreal experience he had just witnessed.
"What the hell just happened?"
Ethan muttered under his breath, his mind still reeling from the strange sequence of events.
As if in response to his bewildered question, another panel materialized before him.
This one was stark and ominous, a deep black background with sharp white text.
[Planet 9999 has qualified for the Rebirth Phase]
[Your planet will undergo the Rebirth Phase one month from today. To survive, gather points for the Rebirth Phase Day]
[System Binding to Host]
[Calibration in progress]
[Ethan Cross, you are required to gather a minimum of ten thousand points before the Rebirth Phase commences]
[Say the word 'Status' to access the system]
[The Metamorphosis towards the Rebirth Phase has begun]
[Good Luck]
With that, the panel vanished.
Ethan's mind went blank, overwhelmed by the weight of what had just transpired.
One word, however, flashed through his thoughts with unsettling clarity.
Apocalypse.
Almost as if to confirm his fears, a blood-curdling scream rent the air.
His head whipped toward the window, and without a second thought, he rushed over to peer outside.
What he saw sent a chill through his spine.
Pale, grotesque, human-like creatures were leaping upon unsuspecting people, sinking their teeth into exposed flesh.
The sickening sound of their jaws tearing through skin and muscle filled the air, each bite leaving trails of blood as they feasted with horrifying ease.
Another wave of nausea struck Ethan with brutal force.
He spun on his heels, rushing toward the bathroom.
Without hesitation, he gripped the sink and emptied his stomach, the remnants of his breakfast spilling out in a fit of uncontrollable retching.
'FUCK!!!'
The word echoed violently in his mind.
Though the concept of an apocalypse was well-known, even universally understood, Ethan wasn't just an average person, he was an author.
And as an author, he was also a natural reader.
He knew, all too well, the true horror of the Apocalypse.
The echoes of various apocalyptic novels raced through Ethan's mind, fueling a sense of urgency that surged through his body.
Without a moment's hesitation, he bolted out of the bathroom.
His feet carried him swiftly to the door, where he began pushing furniture in a frantic attempt to barricade it.
He knew all too well the strength of zombies, they could bring down doors with relentless banging, battering them until the weakest parts splintered.
He couldn't afford to take that chance.
Once he was certain the door was secured, he turned back to the room, his eyes scanning for any other sign of security.
His gaze fell upon his laptop, but to his growing horror, it was completely powered down, as though all the life had been drained from it.
A subtle tremor ran through his hand as he reached for his phone.
It, too, was lifeless, unresponsive to his touch.
Panicked, he rushed to the television, pressing the power button repeatedly, but it remained dark, stubbornly refusing to turn on no matter how many times he tried.
Ethan stood frozen for several seconds, his thoughts racing, his body still.
Then, slowly, he drew in a deep breath, filling his lungs with air as if trying to ground himself, before exhaling in a steady, measured release.
The tremble in his fingers began to subside.
But the grisly scene he had witnessed from his window lingered in his mind, vivid and haunting.
With resolve hardening in his chest, he opened his mouth and spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Status"