Apocalypse: All My Skills Are At Level 100

The tunnel was cold, its damp walls glistening under the pale light of glowing orbs set into the stone.

Their soft hum filled the silence as Elias trudged forward, his breath visible in the chill. 

Behind him, a group of newly Awakened shuffled along, their excitement barely contained beneath layers of apprehension. 

The tunnel was cramped, barely wide enough for three people to walk side by side, but it stretched endlessly, carving a path to one of humanity's last strongholds — the Hunter Academy.

Elias kept his head down, his hands shoved into the pockets of his worn jacket.

He wasn't sure what to expect when they finally emerged on the other side, but he couldn't shake the unease that clung to him like a second skin. 

His System had changed everything overnight. Now, every step felt heavier, the weight of his secret pressing down on him.

"Do you think the Academy's as big as they say?" one of the other Awakened murmured behind him, a girl with bright red hair and an energy that refused to be dimmed by the oppressive tunnel.

"They say it's like a fortress," another voice chimed in, this one older and gruffer. "Built into the mountains. The walls are thick enough to hold back anything, even a pack of werewolves."

Elias didn't join the conversation. He focused on the sound of his boots against the stone, counting the steps to calm his nerves. 

Around him, the tunnel seemed to stretch endlessly, curving slightly upward. The cold air grew sharper, carrying a faint metallic tang.

After what felt like hours, the tunnel widened into a cavern. The glowing orbs above gave way to a massive set of steel doors, towering and imposing. 

A pair of armed hunters stood on either side, their weapons gleaming in the faint light. They were both clad in dark armor.

"Step forward," one of the hunters barked, his voice echoing through the cavern.

The group hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. Elias stepped forward first, keeping his movements calm and deliberate. 

The hunter's sharp eyes scanned him, lingering just long enough to make Elias's pulse quicken.

"Name and settlement," the hunter said.

"Elias Drake. Sector 14."

The hunter nodded, gesturing for him to proceed. One by one, the others followed, offering their names and settlements before disappearing through the doors.

When Elias stepped through, his breath caught in his throat.

The Hunter Academy was nothing like he had imagined. 

It was a sprawling fortress built into the side of a mountain, it seemed to pulse with energy. The walls were made of reinforced steel and stone, lined with glowing runes that hummed faintly with magical power. 

Massive towers loomed overhead, their tops hidden by the thick mist that clung to the peaks. The courtyard was alive with activity — hunters sparring with blunted weapons, groups of trainees practicing spells, and instructors barking orders.

The air was thick with the hum of the System. Interfaces hovered near everyone's heads, their screens flickering with data as people reviewed their stats or activated abilities. 

Elias couldn't help but stare as a hunter leaped into the air, landing with impossible precision on a ledge high above. 

Another group trained with elemental magic, sending arcs of fire and water crashing against stone targets.

"Keep moving!" a voice barked behind him, jolting him out of his trance.

Elias hurried forward, following the flow of newcomers. 

They were herded toward a building on the far side of the courtyard, its entrance flanked by statues of hunters wielding massive weapons. 

Inside, the noise of the courtyard gave way to a quieter, more focused atmosphere. Rows of desks filled the room, each manned by an attendant dressed in simple uniforms.

The line moved slowly, giving Elias plenty of time to take in the space. 

The walls were covered in banners bearing the Academy's crest — a sword crossed with a wand, encircled by a ring of runes. Behind the desks, shelves were stacked with thick tomes and scrolls, their contents a mystery but clearly important.

"Next!"

Elias stepped forward, standing before a woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor. 

Her fingers flew across a glowing keyboard as she brought up a blank form on her interface.

"Name?"

"Elias Drake," he said, keeping his voice steady.

"Age?"

"Eighteen."

"Settlement?"

"Sector 14."

The woman nodded, her eyes briefly scanning his face before returning to the screen. "You'll be assigned a dormitory and schedule after this. Entrance test begins tomorrow at sunrise. Remember, the Academy expects discipline and discretion. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good. One last thing," she added, her tone sharpening. "Your System status is private. Under no circumstances are you to disclose your stats, skills, or abilities to anyone unless explicitly instructed by your instructor. This is non-negotiable. Understood?"

Elias's heart skipped a beat. "Understood," he said, keeping his expression neutral.

The woman nodded, handing him a small, rune-inscribed card. "This will serve as your ID. Don't lose it. Next!"

Elias stepped away from the desk, slipping the card into his pocket. 

The warning about his status lingered in his mind, a stark reminder of the danger he carried. He didn't need anyone digging into his stats and uncovering his secret. 

For now, he would keep his head down and focus on passing the exams.

The group was ushered further into the building, past more rows of desks and into a large hall. Here, the atmosphere was buzzing with nervous energy. 

Dozens of other Awakened were gathered, all fresh from their settlements and full of uncertainty. Some chatted quietly, comparing notes about their Awakening experiences. 

Others stood alone, their eyes darting nervously around the room.

Elias found a corner and leaned against the wall, observing the others. 

Most of them looked about as ordinary as he felt — or used to feel, anyway. A few stood out, their confidence or gear marking them as potential threats.

"First time seeing the Academy?" a voice asked beside him.

Elias turned to see a tall boy with a friendly smile and a battered sword strapped to his back.

"Yeah," Elias replied cautiously. "It's… bigger than I expected."

The boy laughed. "That's an understatement. Name's Marcus, from Sector 12. You?"

"Elias, Sector 14."

"Well, Elias, welcome to the Academy. Hope you're ready for tomorrow. The instructors don't go easy on anyone, even the lucky ones."

"Lucky?"

Marcus grinned, tapping his temple. "You know. The ones with good stats or rare Talents. Doesn't matter here. They'll break you down before they build you back up."

Elias nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He didn't know if he was lucky or cursed, but one thing was clear: he couldn't afford to let anyone figure out what he was.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of instructions and briefings. 

By the time Elias found himself assigned to a dormitory, exhaustion had begun to set in. He lay on the stiff mattress, staring at the ceiling as the sounds of the Academy echoed faintly through the walls.

Tomorrow, the real test would begin. For now, he needed rest.

Sleep came slowly, but when it did, it brought no dreams — only the heavy silence of uncertainty.