Transmigrated into the Apocalypse System: Death Games Begin

Jake was staring at his screen, analyzing his status.

JAKE'S SCREEN:

LEFT:

[Participant: Jake Sanchez]

[Role: Combat Specialist]

[Survival Rate: 95%] + 3% = 98%]

[Attribute: Predator Instinct: 93% + 3 % = 96%]

[Next Trial: The Transmigration]

RIGHT:

[Points: 23 points] MAX: 25000 points

Leadership – pending…

Strategy – pending…

Focus – pending…

Teamwork – pending…

Courage – pending…

'Hmmm, the survival rate and attribute did not change. Maybe it's because we didn't gain anything from the illusion of mini challenge? Even the 2000 points that the system promised was not reflected in the point system.' Jake thought.

But what is that? That's new.

LOWER LEFT:

Abilities: Battle Trance - Level 1 (New Ability Unlocked) - able to reduce pain for 10 seconds, minor speed boost for 30 seconds.

To unlock: In the heat of battle, clench both fists with the intent to fight without fear.

You can use this anytime, anywhere, with the given time limit. Cooldown is 1 minute.

'Hmmm. Interesting. But I can't test this right now because I am not feeling any pain, maybe later for whatever the trial is,' he muttered.

LOWER RIGHT:

Weakness:

Emotional Instability under family threat

Lack of flexibility

Extreme Pain Tolerance

'Huh, it evens knows my weaknesses. But, I thought extreme pain tolerance is a good thing?' he said, confused.

ARYA'S SCREEN:

LEFT:

[Participant: Arya Smith]

[Role: Engineer]

[Survival Rate: 87% + 3% = 90%]

[Attribute: Structural Insight: 93% + 3% = 96%]

[Next Trial: The Transmigration]

"What the freaking hell is transmigration?" she accidentally said that out loud, making the group look at her at the same time.

"It's like reincarnation, where one's soul move into another body after death," Nicole said, her face expressionless.

Arya cleared her throat. Trying to make sense of what is going to happen.

RIGHT:

[Points: 22 points] MAX: 25000 points

Leadership – pending…

Strategy – pending…

Focus – pending…

Teamwork – pending…

Courage – pending…

'F*ck that mini challenge! I could've used that 2000 points,' she whispered in between her breath as to not cause a scene.

Just like Zack and Jake, Arya had a new ability.

LOWER LEFT:

Abilities: Machine Whisperer - Level 1 (New Ability Unlocked) - ability to interfere with machines, understanding how they function for 30 seconds, and even manipulating them remotely at higher levels.

To unlock: You must place a hand on the machine and focus for a few seconds.

You can use this anytime, anywhere, with the given time limit. Cooldown is 1 minute.

LOWER RIGHT:

Weakness:

Fear of heights

Sensory Overload

Emotional Vulnerability

Arya try to brushes off these weaknesses of hers that was pointed out by the system. She convinces herself that it's not a problem, but deep down, she worries that it could hold her back.

Everyone had a new ability unlocked and weaknesses of their own.

Ellie had Falcon's eye - Level 1. She can activate this by squinting and focusing on a target, allowing her to temporarily zoom in on distant objects or enemies and detect movement more clearly. She can only use this for 15 seconds and it has a cooldown of 30 seconds.

Because she had no weapon during the mini challenge, it was difficult for her to fight. If it wasn't for Mark's sword, she or they would have died. So, she opted to buy the same sword that Mark had since she already know how to use that, solely based from the fact that she used it during the mini challenge.

A blinking red, appeared on her screen. "5 points remaining".

'Yeah, I'd rather have 5 points than die without having a weapon to fight for myself,' she thought to herself.

Mark had Shadow Step - Level 1. He can activate this by holding his breath for 2 seconds, allowing him to move without making any noise for 10 seconds, making it easier to sneak past enemies. He can use this anytime, anywhere and it has a cooldown of 30 seconds.

He was intrigued. So, he considered testing it immediately. He stepped back from the group, thinking who should be his test subject. Then, he saw Jake.

He held his breath for two seconds.

The moment Shadow Step was activated, he moved.

No footsteps, no rustling fabric. Nothing. It was as if he had ceased to exist for 10 seconds, walking soundlessly across the floor.

Jake was chatting with Arya. Mark stopped just behind them.

The ten seconds ended, and like a snap of a rubber band, sound rushed back all at once.

Jake stiffened and turned sharply. "What the-" His eyes widened as he nearly jumped out.

"Jesus, Mark!" Jake clutched his chest. "How did you get there?"

Mark smirked, stuffing his hands in his pocket. "What, didn't hear me coming?"

"No, I didn't hear anything. That's creepy as hell, man" Jake replied.

Mark just shrugged it off. 'So, shadow step does work.'

But, it had a disadvantage. If he miscalculated and got stuch in a bad position, he'd be screwed.

On the other hand, Clark had Iron grip at Level 3. He can hold onto objects with unbreakable strength, making him extremely difficult to dislodge him. He can also crush objects with great force. He pulled his two daggers from his waist band, and sharpened it.

Nicole had Mind Shroud at Level 3. She has the ability to suppress her emotions, granting her great control over how others perceive her. She can do this for only 20 seconds with a cooldown of 30 seconds.

In a world like this, Nicole knew that this is her best weapon especially when trust was fragile and deception could mean the difference between survival and death.

Anna is a know-it-all kind of person, making her ability align with her personality. She had Overclock at Level 3. Her cognitive ability is enhanced even further. She can process movements in greater detail, even anticipating the opponent's next move with 80% accuracy.

To Anna, this ability reinforces her belief that she's an unstoppable genius, an untouchable and always one step ahead. However, beneath her confident and assertive exterior lies a deeply insecure girl struggling with body image issues. Her relentess need to prove her intelligence isn't just about being the smartest in the room; It's a way to mask her self-doubt and insecurities.

Everyone returned to reality upon hearing the mechanical voice.

[Status Update Complete]

[The Trial will commence in 10 minutes.]

[Please proceed to the center table and take a seat on the chairs with your name on it.]

Everyone walked towards the table and took a seat. They were seated in this order.

Zack-Arya-Jake-Mark-Ellie-Ambrose-Anna-Clark-Nicole

In front of them lies a helmet with attached 2 electrodes, one red and one blue.

[Take the helmet in front of you and place it on your head.]

Ellie hesitated for a second, even Arya. 'What if this helmet electrocutes us alive?' Arya thought. So, she let the others wear it first, before doing so. She waited for a second, and nothing happened. When she glanced at Ellie, she was already wearing it, so she also finally did.

[Attach the red electrode on your left temple, and the blue one on your right.]

One by one, they followed the instructions, though hesitation was evident in their movements. Mark adjusted his helmet, and Jake muttered a curse under his breath, moving uncomfortably in his chair.

[Welcome to the Trial: The Transmigration]

A hologram appeared above the center of the table, displaying lines of texts as the mechanical voice reads it.

[For this trial, your consciousness will temporarily inhabit the body of another player, allowing you to perceive their strengths, weaknesses, and abilities.]

[The longer you stay in another's body, the more you start to absorb their abilities.]

[The objective of this trial is to test your decision making and use your abilities effectively.]

[Everyone should unanimously agree to return to their original body when the timer hit zero.]

[If one person refuses, the system halts the process and all of you will be permanently trapped in your new bodies.]

[Use this opportunity wisely. There is more to this challenge than meets the eye.]

"Unanimously?" Ellie repeated, her fingers gripping the arms of her chair. "So, if one person says no, we're stuck? Well, no on would want that, right?"

Some nodded but some didn't react.

"Damn it. There's always a catch," Jake muttered, rubbing his temples.

Arya's mind raced. This wasn't just about swapping bodies. It is about control and manipulation. 'The system showed us our weaknesses, so if the person who entered our body is able to access it, they can use that against us,' she thought.

'So, if I will be on another one's body, I will be able to know their abilities? and I can absorb it if we stay longer? that's quite interesting.' Zack, on the othe hand, looked around the room. 'What if…someone wouldn't want to revert back to their original body? What will we do?'

Before he could say anything, the mechanical voice spoke again.

[Transmigration will begin in 10 seconds]

[10…9…8…7…]

The helmet vibrated softly, enough for them to feel it, but not to the extend of discomfort.

[6…5…4…]

A pressure built behind their eyes, like something pulling at their very core.

[3…2…]

Their vision blurred.

[1…]

A wave of dizzing crashed over them, and then the darkness swallowed them whole.

—

Zack gasped as he regained consciousness.

His hands felt different. It is softer and bigger. His clothes felt looser.

A mirror was mounted on the far wall of the room. He turned to look and froze.

"What the hell?" he yelped, stumbling backward as he sees his reflection.

"I'm…Ambrose?"

[Transmigration complete.]