Cherreads

Chapter 1 - Preparation {1}

I looked at them—Lorraine, the biggest bully of them all. She always had fun humiliating me, laughing with that cruel gleam in her golden eyes. Her long, flowing blond hair danced in the sunlight as she looked down on me like I was trash. Then, with a satisfied smirk, she spilled a full carton of spoiled milk right on my face.

The cold, sour liquid dripped down my cheeks and soaked through my uniform, but I didn't react. I didn't even flinch. I just stood there and stared at the white droplets falling to the floor. The cafeteria had gone silent for a moment. Then came the laughter.

I looked around, and of course, the other five were there too.

Rhian stood with her arms crossed, her piercing red eyes and fiery red hair radiating hostility. She was always the first to hurt me physically. A punch in the face, a cruel pinch on my arm—whatever she could do to hurt me, she did it. No reason. Just hatred.

Then there was Samminah, her long white hair flowing like snow and her sharp blue eyes glaring at me like I was beneath her. She stood in her perfectly pressed uniform that clung tightly to her curves, a beauty that masked a heart made of ice. She never touched me, but the way she looked at me made me feel smaller than dirt.

Jasmine, on the other hand, had no problem getting physical. She had deep brown eyes, black dyed hair, and wore all black clothes like some gothic queen of cruelty. A cigarette always dangled from her lips. She used me—literally—as an ashtray, flicking ashes on me and sometimes even stubbing it on my arm when the teachers weren't looking.

Aria, with her short black hair, a voluptuous body, and electric blue eyes, always had her phone in hand. She was the one spreading the rumors, snapping humiliating pictures, and uploading them for everyone to see online. Every social post, every whisper in the halls, every public embarrassment I suffered—she was behind it.

And finally… Trish. The most dangerous one of them all.

She looked innocent. A bright smile always on her face, green eyes glowing with fake warmth, and her amber hair Tied in a pony tail. To everyone else, she was the friendly, sweet girl—the queen bee. But I knew better. Beneath that smile were cold, calculating eyes that enjoyed every second of my suffering. She wasn't just part of it… she was the one Behind all my bullying

I looked at them with a cold gaze The 6 of them was the most beautiful girl in the school

the spoiled milk dripping from my chin, soaking into my clothes, into my soul.

Then, without a word, I stood up and turned away. Ready to leave.

They all stared. For the first time in a long time, they didn't laugh. They didn't stop me. They just watched. Because all six of them had the same thought in their mind:

"He's pathetic."

Maybe I was, in the past. Maybe I used to break down. Cry. Hide. But not anymore.

Not today.

I had something to protect now. Someone.

My little sister.

Eleven years old. Sweet. Innocent. Trusting.

And I failed her.

Back then, when the world began to fall apart, when the screams started and the Zombie showing up in the space, I was so pathetic I locked myself in a room and refused to come out. I heard her screaming… banging on the door… calling my name.

And I did nothing.

I was paralyzed with fear as I heard the sound of her being dragged away… devoured.

That scream… still haunts me.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I walked out of the cafeteria, the laughter behind me fading. My steps were heavy, milk still staining my clothes, my hair, my dignity.

Lorraine scoffed coldly. The others snickered a little, but they didn't bother chasing after me. They had their fun. To them, it was over.

---

I sighed, trying to steady my breath. I had to focus. I needed to sell the property my parents left behind. Then… I'd think about the Territory System.

Suddenly, it rang out again in my head, cold and mechanical.

---

[Territory System]

Point: None

Rank: G-

Fortress: [50 Points to Make one]

Technology: [Poor]

Robots: [None]

Ability: [None]

Technology upgrade: [10 Points]

Robot: [Cost 15 Extremely Poor Robot] [Cost 50 To Upgrade]

Ability Lottery: Scrap Ticket 0, Bronze Ticket 0, Silver Ticket 0, Golden Ticket 0, Diamond Ticket 0, Ruby Ticket 0, Legendary Ticket 0, Mystical Ticket 0

System Shop: Supplies, Equipment, Foods

[Cost upgrade 25]

[Storage Space Unlimited]

---

I nodded in satisfaction. No time to waste.

I made my way to the nearest property investor in town. A burly man who looked like a mafia boss, always dressed in a sharp black suit, cigarette dangling from his lips, and a greedy gleam in his eyes.

I approached him with a calm expression and said, "I'll sell my property for 2 million dollars."

My voice carried a firm sincerity.

The man's eyes lit up like Christmas. He had wanted my family's large house and farm for a long time. I had always refused to sell. In fact, he'd already made plans to take it by force. But now… I was handing it over.

He grinned ear to ear, reached out, and shook my hand tightly. "Deal!"

He had no idea what was coming. I couldn't blame him—he didn't know the catastrophic calamity that would soon befall the world.

In exactly one week, the meteors would start falling. At first, the military would respond. They'd fight valiantly. But they'd fail.

Too many.

That was when humanity would begin to awaken abilities. A ranking system would be born—SSS+ all the way down to G-. The strongest human? Only S+ rank.

Only I… was SS.

And only because of the Territory System.

I looked at the man and continued coldly, "I want another 2 million. A loan. I'll pay you back in a month. Double."

He blinked, stunned. Then burst into laughter. The milk still dripping from my clothes made me look insane. He thought I was losing it.

"SURE, SURE, kid!" he said, grabbing a contract. "Just put your fingerprint right here."

I looked at him coldly, then pressed my thumb against the paper. Immediately, he handed me a credit card, freshly loaded.

"Five million total," he said, grinning like a devil. "Try not to blow it all at once."

I smiled politely. "Thanks for the bonus."

He laughed again. To him, I was just some crazy milk-soaked teenager he'd squeeze dry before long.

I looked down at the card in my hand.

Five million. it's enough i have Unlimited storage space anyway.

I needed to stock up on food. Water. Equipment. Everything I could before it began. My sister was still at school—safe for the moment. But that wouldn't last.

I left the building and caught a bus to the nearest Biggest Factory Producing Food and Water

Thanks to the fortress, I'd have unlimited electricity and light.

And this time Will be different i smile bitterly looking at the Blue sky...

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