Game-To-Death: Utopia

The system prompt then transformed into a mini '!' icon on the upper right corner of the trio's vision. Cl.i.c.k.i.n.g onto it would again reveal the info and progress related to their quest. In addition to that, three new transparent bars had also appeared on the upper left corner of their vision. Each bar represents the main status of the of their party. For example, in Ally's vision, the bar on the top was her own, followed by Kent's and Marie's. Each bar shows their party members' name, level, species, and health. However, if you click on the bar, a more detailed information window of them would appear, including their attack power, defense, and affinity. Besides that, translucent footprints would also appear that would lead you to the party member's current location. It was not that much different from the settings in the virtual game they had played, and they did not feel uncomfortable with it.

"Fascinating. It really is akin to a game system being brought into the real world," Kent commented while Marie looked with her eyes gleaming in delight and added, "Hur hur… That would mean we get to keep our current appearance and our avatars would never be confined by physical limitations according to the original world's logic."

Ally felt bemused. Isn't the apocalypse supposed to be all scary and doom-worthy? Why is it that her companions are so calm and collected even now? Reflecting on her own behavior, Ally realized that she was underestimating the resilience and mindset of the older generation, especially of Aunt Marie, who had looked so helpless when facing the zombie just moments before. They had, in fact, been the generation that had went through the most changes in the way they live, and that had molded them into people with highly adaptable personality and a flexible mindset.

"Alright, err… Kent and Marie (they had insisted she drop the honorifics with them considering their current appearance), let's plan our next move. We know the quest requires us to clear dungeons within the building, with 2 already revealed, but the last one remains a mystery. Considering the information we have, the only dungeon which location we can be sure of is the . I suggest we conquer this dungeon first before moving on to collect information about the other two. My reasons are simple: One, we desperately need more items and experience while this 'Beginner' dungeon is a shortcut to obtain them. Two, if we delay our actions in favor of collecting information of the other two dungeons, we will be at a disadvantage as we don't know the level of monsters that are roaming around the building right now and we might meet with a disaster even before we obtain the information we need."

Ally was confident they would be able to fight better if they proceed with her plan because what they lack the most right now, are proper artefacts and skills. Furthermore, she had her own worries to think about. Remembering how Kent had actually fought a mutated plant in the garden before, it was safe to assume that most living organisms would probably undergo a mutation by law of the Apocalypse game system, and her cat, H20, would most probably not be able to escape this fate too. She hopes that by conquering this dungeon, she would be able to receive a reward or item that would help her cat to undergo the mutation process smoothly without repercussions.

"Hmm… I agree. We should definitely start moving as soon as possible. The biggest issue we face is our lack of guarantee and information about this new Apocalypse world. Only by stepping up on our actions can we elevate our uneasiness. What do you think, wifey?" Kent picked up two of the Wooden Swords on the floor while he spoke, one was his own which he used to cut down the Mutated Cabbage upstairs while the other was the one Ally used to kill the zombie from the balcony. Both swords do not show the slightest inkling of being used before, and not a single stain can be found on the sharp edges of the swords. He looked pleased as he swung the swords diagonally, horizontally and in a circular motion. Kent was well-known for his ambidextrous trait, enabling him to become an outstanding soldier in his regiment and fought numerous battles against multiple enemies without losing even once. Furthermore, he had also been a double sword-wielding Swordsman in the virtual game.

Marie smiled as she witnesses the shadow of her husband's past self returning and thought back on how glorious he had been in the battlefield before he retired to become a dull gardener. His honed skills can now be properly put to use again. However, what she did not know was, aside from being the assigned 'gardener' of the building, Kent was also under orders to stay put for a covert government operation and that led him to secretly practice his skills in the garden whenever nobody was around.

"Of course we should proceed with the plan. However, before that, let's take stock of our inventories. We need medicines, bandages and medical tools for emergencies, and if possible, an efficient method of communication. I've tried exploring the system myself, but I was unable to locate any methods to communicate over long distance through this Apocalypse system. Therefore, I suggest we each wear our AI watch on this quest in case we are separated and have no means to reach the other party immediately." Marie reached over the kitchen counter and grabbed her medical kit while signalling to her husband to bring out their AI watches.

Within 10 minutes, the couple had also packed their own bag pack of essentials with an AI watch around their wrists. Kent wore his tactical army jacket with sturdy black pants while he held a wooden sword in each hand. He had even grabbed his own secret stash of weapons including a set of throwing knives, dynamites and grenades of different types. Some were visible while others are hidden discreetly under his jacket. Marie had packed mostly different types of antibiotics and medicines, nutrition packs, as well as bandages which she had in stock due to her old profession, a renowned army surgeon and nurse. She held a briefcase containing her most precious medical tools in her right hand while the wooden sword hung limply in her left hand. She was not a close-range fighter, and the sword was probably useless in her hand, but she grabbed it anyway as a backup. For safety measures, Kent had also provided her with his bulletproof army vest and a collection of military-grade weapons such as the W36 Laser Gun and a number of electrically-charged mini-bombs. Marie was the designated 'Healer' and long-distance support for their dungeon expedition this time.

Meanwhile, Ally had also made her own preparations while waiting for them to get ready. H20 would probably become a hindrance in their battle if he remained strapped onto her shoulders so she had decided to keep him on a magnetic leash instead. The magnetic field created through the device Ally fastened around H20's collar and her own jacket allows H20 to freely roam within 8 feet of herself without getting lost or restrained excessively. Besides, her unique 'Bind' skill could also ensure H20 could be kept away from battle or danger if the need arises.

Now, the trio were ready for their first battle in the dungeon!