SWNOVELXO Chapter 28: Adjusting
"Let me check out the Market function," Simon muttered to himself, sinking into the worn armchair in the corner of one of the mansion's many empty rooms.
The place was spacious, though the dust had settled thick over the furniture, and there were remnants of broken chairs and tables scattered around.
The old wood creaked beneath his feet as he moved, brushing the dust off the chair before he sat down.
This was just one of many rooms in the mansion he'd claimed as his own. It wasn't much, but it was home for now.
With a sigh, Simon adjusted himself and settled into the chair. His fingers brushed the side of the Undead Slayer resting on the bed nearby, its silver blade gleaming faintly.
He had no immediate use for it at the moment, but something told him he'd need it soon. He had learned not to ignore those instincts in the new world.
"Market," Simon said, almost under his breath.
In an instant, a blue screen materialized in front of his eyes. It wasn't like the regular screens he was used to, the ones that flashed world rankings or updated his stats.
This was different. The interface that appeared was sleek, interactive, and vibrant with different segments — some of which seemed more chaotic than others.
Simon's eyes narrowed as he studied the screen.
The "Market" wasn't just for buying and selling goods. It was more than that. People had turned this interface into a virtual marketplace of ideas and resources.
Messages were flying by in the chat base — people were talking, negotiating, and even attempting to form connections.
Some were looking to trade items, others were offering services or discussing potential alliances. There were threads, public discussions, private deals happening all over the place.
It was fast, almost overwhelming at first, but Simon liked it. Everything was immediate — messages were sent and replied to in the blink of an eye.
No lag, no interruptions. It was efficient, and in a world like this, efficiency was key.
Simon's eyes flicked over the various columns in the Market interface. Some people were selling weapons, others food or shelter — basic things that Simon had no interest in.
He didn't need any of it. The Undead Slayer was more than enough for now, and as for resources, he'd managed to scavenge enough from his travels. Plus, the mansion provided him with a roof over his head, even if it was a bit empty and cold.
But then, Simon's gaze shifted to something more interesting. A list of users with their first names and rankings flashed across the screen.
These weren't just ordinary traders; they were people who were beginning to carve out their own paths in this fractured world.
Groups. Factions. Alliances. It was clear that the strong would rise quickly, and the weaker ones would fall into obscurity.
Simon wasn't looking to join anyone, but he was curious. Rank 1 — someone had to be at the top, right? That's where he needed to focus.
The higher the rank, the more influence they had, and influence was power in the Apocalypse.
He tapped on the first name that caught his attention.
[Adrian — Rank 1]
The screen shifted, opening up a detailed profile. Adrian was an mystery. He had no image, just a name and a ranking.
Below it was a list of items for trade — mostly advanced weapons, food supplies, and a few special items that caught Simon's eye.
But it was the message below the listing that drew his attention. Adrian wasn't just trading for goods; he was starting something bigger.
"We're looking for strong individuals to join our ranks. Interested parties should contact me in my DM for more details."
It was simple, to the point, and unmistakable. Adrian was assembling a team. A group of powerful people, perhaps to take control of more resources or to enforce dominance.
That was the next step in this world — gathering power, building an empire of your own. Simon's lips twitched into a faint smile.
He wasn't the type to join a group without careful consideration, but this was intriguing. Whoever was at Rank 1 would be someone to keep an eye on.
He scrolled through the Market for a bit longer, browsing profiles of other high-ranked individuals.
Most of them seemed to be doing the same thing: setting up groups, recruiting, and building alliances.
Some were offering to exchange their services — others were trading intel on the movements of Zombies and other stuff.
It was all part of the new order, where survival meant making the right connections.
Simon's mind worked quickly. He didn't need a group. He never had. But there was something about these high-ranked players that fascinated him.
They weren't just surviving — they were thriving, building something bigger than themselves. Maybe he needed to start thinking like them. Maybe he needed to carve his own place in the rankings.
He leaned back in the chair, letting his thoughts wander.
"Rank 1," he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he considered the possibilities.
But even as he thought about that, he knew that he couldn't afford to get too distracted by the Market.
His mission — his climb to the top — was far from over. The Undead Slayer was a great asset, but it was only one piece of the puzzle.
There were still plenty of dangerous creatures in this world, and other survivors who were more than willing to kill anyone who stood in their way.
Simon glanced at the sword on the bed, then at the map of the mansion that was imprinted in his mind.
He'd spent hours memorizing every room, every hidden corner of the building. It was his home base now — his refuge.
And he would defend it with everything he had.
But he knew he couldn't stay cooped up here forever. The Market offered opportunities, but it also posed risks.
If he wanted to climb the rankings, he would have to venture into dangerous territory. Every step would be a challenge, every interaction potentially a threat. There was no time to waste.
With a final glance at the screen, Simon closed the Market interface. He'd bookmarked Adrian's profile for later, but now wasn't the time for idle curiosity. He needed to focus on his next move.
He stood up from the chair, stretching his arms above his head, the motion a reminder that time was slipping away.
The world had changed, and so had he. No more waiting. No more hesitation. The only thing that mattered now was survival — and Simon knew exactly how to make that happen.
He walked to the door, his eyes lingering for a moment on the sword resting on the bed. He would make his own path, climb his own ranks, and become a force to be reckoned with in this new world.
The rest — alliances, groups, connections — could wait.
For now, Simon had work to do.
"I need to arrange my resources," He muttered.