A Second Chance in a Doomed World

Each minute felt like an hour, each breath a reminder of the uncertainty that lay ahead.

He glanced at his watch, only to find that barely five minutes had passed since the last time he checked. 

His mind raced through scenarios, planning and replanning what he would do once the apocalypse began. But the wait, the endless wait, was like a physical presence, pressing down on him, making the air in the car feel thick and heavy. 

Leo leaned back, trying to find some comfort in the seat, but comfort was elusive. He closed his eyes, attempting to meditate, to slow his racing heart, but the silence only made time drag slower, amplifying his thoughts and fears.

But the night stretched on, each moment a heavy reminder of the life he once knew and the daunting, unknown future that awaited him. The air inside the car felt thick with anticipation, each breath a conscious effort against the weight of the impending apocalypse.

Then, he sensed it, a subtle shift in the atmosphere, like the gentle disturbance of a stone thrown into a calm lake. The change was so slight, yet unmistakable, heralding the beginning of the end, or perhaps, the start of something new.

Leo felt a wave of transformations sweeping through him. He knew this was the apocalypse's way of upgrading the human body, reshaping them for survival in a world that was about to change forever.

Stepping out of his car, the cool night air hit him, but his attention was drawn to a faint light emerging from the center of New York Central Park. It was a beacon in the darkness, a sign of what was to come.

"There it is!" he thought, his eyes catching the faint luminescence. "The post on the internet was right!"

The chest wasn't fully formed yet, so Leo had a moment to wait. He didn't waste this precious time; every second counted now.

Quickly, he pulled up his attribute panel, which displayed his current state:

Status Screen:

Name: Leo

Race: Human

Gender: Male

Age: 18

Level: 1

Talent: None

Skills: None

========================================

Attributes:

Strength: 10

Agility: 10

Endurance: 10

Intelligence: 10

Mana: 10

========================================

[Talent Roll Interface]

[Remaining Rolls: 10]

He had two options:

[Roll One Time At Once]

[Roll Ten Times At Once]

Without hesitation, Leo chose [Roll Ten Times At Once]. From his past experiences, he knew this would increase his chances of acquiring a high-level talent, which was crucial for survival in this new, chaotic world.

The sky above him darkened, clouds swirling ominously as if they themselves were in turmoil. Suddenly, ten beams of vibrant light descended from the heavens, bathing him in their ethereal glow. It was a sign of something extraordinary, a spectacle of colors that seemed to confirm the magnitude of his choice.

The system's voice echoed in his head, a cold, mechanical tone amidst the chaos:

[You have used Ten Times At Once.]

[Congratulations! You've acquired a new SSS level talent!]

His heart pounded with excitement, the adrenaline rush of the moment making him feel alive in a way he hadn't before. "SSS level talent!" he exclaimed to himself.

If he wasn't sure about the system's accuracy, he'd think he was dreaming. 

"Ha ha ha!" Leo burst into laughter, overwhelmed by the possibilities. In his past life, one SSS talent was enough for someone to reach the peak of power, to become a legend among men.

After a moment of shock, he grounded himself. These talents wouldn't unlock until he leveled up; he wouldn't know the specifics of his newfound power until he reached level 10. He needed to level up, and fast.

Turning back to where the light had shone, his gaze fell upon the Diamond Chest that had now fully materialized, its presence a promise of the trials and opportunities that lay ahead.

Without a moment's hesitation, Leo sprinted towards the newly spawned Diamond Chest, his heart racing with anticipation. With both hands, he flung open the chest, eager to see what fate had bestowed upon him.

 The voice chimed.

[Congratulations]

[You have successfully unlocked the Diamond Chest and acquired the Diamond skill]

[Empty Soul]

[The Empty Soul has been automatically added to your skills list]

[Empty Soul]

[Rank]: Diamond

[Effect One]: Soul Protection - Shields its owner from soul attacks.

[Effect Two]: Soul Curse - Curses a target to die within seven days.

(30-days cooldown, costs 5 years of your life.)

"Holy hell, this is powerful!" Leo exclaimed, stunned at the capabilities of the Empty Soul skills. 

With this skill, even without SSS level talent, Leon felt he could become a dominant force in this new, chaotic world.

Taking a deep breath, Leon tried to calm the storm inside him. He knew he had to get out of the Central Park, the need for safety now more pressing than ever. Going back home wasn't an option anymore, not with the apocalypse casting a dangerous veil over everything.

As he approached his car, he noticed something off. Quickly, he pulled a crowbar from under the seat, scanning the surroundings, his pulse quickening.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" he called out, his voice firm but cautious.

Years on the battlefield had sharpened Leo's instincts to a fine point. Anticipating threats and ensuring his own safety was second nature to him. Even if it was only the first day of the apocalypse, and monsters hadn't appeared yet.

"Hey, Boy, take it easy," came a woman's voice from behind a nearby wall.