After a deep and restful sleep, Lin Wei woke up early in the morning as the first light of dawn was just beginning to appear outside the window. For the first time in a long while, he had slept peacefully without nightmares or the constant inner tension that had haunted him for five years in his previous life. His body felt truly refreshed, and his mind was clear and focused.
He did not jump out of bed immediately. For a few seconds he simply lay there, staring at the ceiling and listening to the quiet of the ordinary apartment. Then he slowly got up, stretched his shoulders and neck, and headed to the bathroom.
First, Lin Wei took a hot shower. The warm water pleasantly ran down his skin, relaxing his muscles and washing away the remnants of sleep. He stood under the stream a little longer than usual, quietly enjoying this simple pleasure. After that, he washed himself thoroughly with soap, dried off with a clean towel, and shaved while looking at his young reflection in the mirror. He brushed his teeth, combed his hair, and put himself in perfect order. These ordinary morning routines, which had become an almost unattainable luxury after the Descent in his previous life, felt completely natural here. He tried to appreciate every second of this normalcy.
Get used to it while you still can. Soon even hot water and a proper toilet will become a great luxury.
After finishing in the bathroom, Lin Wei returned to the bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed, and took a deep breath. The moment he had been waiting for since last night had finally arrived.
"It's time," he said quietly to himself.
He mentally opened the red Gacha System interface. The semi-transparent window instantly appeared before his eyes, softly illuminating the room with its rich crimson glow. The Wheel of Fortune was already active. The daily limit had reset exactly at midnight.
Lin Wei focused and selected the category he had planned the day before.
[Weapons.]
The mist over the Wheel of Fortune instantly disappeared. Now all the sectors were clearly visible: various melee weapons, firearms, protective gear, and even rare exotic items. Some sectors glowed with golden and purple light, promising high rarity, while others remained modest white and green.
Lin Wei's heart beat a little faster with anticipation. He did not hesitate for long.
Let's go. Second spin.
With a mental command, he started the Wheel of Fortune. The red sectors merged into a solid fiery streak, accompanied by a faint vibrating hum. The wheel spun faster and faster, then gradually began to slow down. The pointer slid across the sectors, passing by rare and valuable rewards.
Lin Wei involuntarily held his breath, unable to look away from the interface.
Finally, the wheel came to a complete stop.
A bright message flashed on the interface:
[Congratulations! You have received: "Wind Blade" (Green Rank)]
Lin Wei narrowed his eyes slightly as he examined the result. Green rank again. Not gold or blue, but not white either. A light sting of disappointment touched his chest for a moment, but he quickly suppressed it.
Green again… Well, expecting a miracle on only the second spin would have been too naive. The probability of higher ranks is really very low. The important thing is that the item is useful, not just a pretty picture.
He immediately opened the detailed characteristics of the received weapon.
[Wind Blade (Green Rank).]
[Type: One-handed sword Blade.]
[length: 85 cm.]
[Material: Reinforced steel with wind coating.]
[Features: Lightweight with excellent balance, Increased attack speed (passive effect: +15% attack speed), Light wind strike at a distance of up to three meters (once every 30 seconds), Self-sharpening blade, Resistance to corrosion and damage, Can be upgraded through the system.]
Lin Wei read every line carefully and nodded slowly. The disappointment gradually faded, replaced by practical satisfaction.
Not bad. Actually quite good for the beginning. A light, fast sword with an additional ranged strike. In the first weeks of the apocalypse, when monsters are still relatively weak, such a weapon will be extremely effective. The wind effect will allow me to attack from a distance without letting the creatures get too close. Much better than the kitchen knife or piece of rebar I started with in my previous life.
He mentally pictured himself fighting with this blade: quick, precise swings, the soft whistle of wind with every movement, and a sudden air thrust that would knock enemies back. This was no longer just a piece of metal. It was real survival gear.
Lin Wei opened the inventory. Next to the icon of the "Fortified Residential Complex" appeared a new one, an elegant sword with a faint greenish glow. The item was automatically moved into the system storage.
Excellent. Now I have a base and a weapon. The next spin will be for consumables to strengthen my food and medicine reserves.
He closed the interface and stood up from the bed. His mood had noticeably improved. Even though both obtained items were Green Rank, Lin Wei felt growing confidence. Every new item brought him closer to his goal.
Lin Wei walked over to the window and looked at the waking city for a few seconds. Cars were already moving along the streets, and people were hurrying to work and about their business. The ordinary world continued to live its life, completely unaware of the coming catastrophe.
He turned away from the window, quickly ate the leftovers from yesterday's meal (heating rice with canned meat in the microwave and washing it down with a glass of water), put on comfortable clothes, took his notebook with the day's plan, checked his wallet and keys. Without wasting another minute, Lin Wei left the apartment, locked the door, and headed down the stairs to continue purchasing food supplies and begin searching for a suitable place to activate the building.