Apocalypse: Transmigrated with an Overlord System
Chapter 55: My baby

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: My baby

Even after the auctioneer’s grand claims, no one believed it. And why would they? Did it not sound absurd that a mere fruit could actually increase someone’s level by leaps and bounds? A level that could normally only be raised after consuming thousands of crystals?

In the end, the fruit was auctioned off to a wealthy merchant who loved indulging in rare delicacies. He did not think much of it and bought it merely for fun. But what he did not know was that this very fruit would change his fate.

He was just like everyone else and did not think much of it—until he ate it.

Right there, in front of everyone, he took a bite of the fruit, chewing slowly as he savored the taste. He had expected nothing more than a unique flavor, perhaps something exotic to boast about later. But the moment he swallowed, a strange sensation rushed through his body.

His satisfied grin vanished as his body shuddered violently. A sharp pain tore through his limbs, and his veins burned like fire. His face twisted in agony, and before anyone could react, he collapsed to the ground.

The crowd gasped, murmurs of concern rippling through the auction hall. Some thought he was choking, while others feared he had been poisoned. Just as panic was about to erupt, his body jerked, and his eyes snapped open—wild and fierce, like a beast ready to strike.

A powerful surge of energy burst from his body, forcing those nearby to stumble back. He was a fire-type Awakener, but at such a low level that he could barely produce flames, let alone use them in battle.

But now, without warning, flames erupted from his body in full force, scorching the air around him and nearly burning those nearby.

The heat was intense, the fire roaring with a power no one had ever seen from him before.

The realization hit everyone at once. His level—something that should have taken years to increase—had skyrocketed, not by one or two, but by an unknown number. The crowd could only guess, but the sheer strength radiating from his flames left no doubt.

He had jumped several levels in an instant.

And with that, the auction hall erupted into chaos.

After that, every time another Aether Fruit appeared, chaos followed. But strangely, the fruits that appeared after the first one were of even lower levels, with only small lines of purple and some small patches.

Their effects weren’t as shocking as the first one. Yet that did nothing to stop the madness.

Factions turned against each other. Survivors who had once stood side by side now eyed each other like starving wolves, their alliances crumbling in the face of greed.

Some tossed mountains of high-grade crystals onto the auction table, desperate to claim the next fruit. Others simply abandoned all pretense of civility—skipping the bidding entirely and spilling blood instead.

Rumors spread like wildfire. Some said the fruit didn’t just boost strength but could extend life, heal old injuries, and even restore lost limbs.

Xu Kai didn’t know how much of it was true.

But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try.

His fingers hovered over the wooden box in front of him, the dark violet fruit resting inside like a secret waiting to be unraveled. It was very different from the previous Aether Fruits he had encountered. It was deeper in color, richer in its aura, and he didn’t dare touch it yet, afraid to ruin it.

His old man always put on a cheerful front, but Xu Kai knew better. The man had been suffering for years. If this were before the apocalypse, he would have done anything—spent everything—to find the best doctors, the best treatment.

But now? There were no doctors. No hospitals. Even healers were useless. They were too low-leveled to mend such severe injuries.

This was the only option left.

His grandfather had long accepted his fate. He didn’t fight to live and didn’t cling to hope. The only thing he ever pressured Xu Kai about was marriage—nagging and pushing him, as if trying to make sure he had settled down before it was too late.

But Xu Kai wasn’t ready to lose him.

His jaw tightened as he thought of the last auction. Blood had scattered on the floor, bodies crumpling one after another, all for only a low-level fruit. If they found out that such a high-level fruit existed and was in his hands, he could only imagine what their reaction would be.

But they could only see, because he wouldn’t allow them the chance to get it.

This fruit belonged to his grandfather now.

And if anyone dared to try and take it, they would have to go through Xu Kai first.

Liora hummed softly as she gripped the steering wheel, her fingers tapping lightly in rhythm with her tune. The night stretched endlessly ahead, but she didn’t mind at all. In fact, she was in love—with the vehicle.

This Hummer was a masterpiece.

Too spacious, too comfortable, and way too luxurious. The people of this world really knew how to live in style. Compared to this, the royal carriage she used in her past life felt like a stiff, wooden box on wheels.

She sighed in bliss, sinking into the plush seat. If someone told her she had to live inside this thing from now on, she wouldn’t even argue. With all the features it had, she could turn it into a proper mobile fortress.

If not for the system’s guidance, she would have never realized just how insane this vehicle was. Adjustable seats, hidden compartments, reinforced armor, and even a noise-reducing engine that made it so quiet, zombies barely noticed it passing by.

"Wow, wow, wow." Liora grinned as she glanced around. "That grandpa really gave me a treasure."

She chuckled to herself, hugging the steering wheel like it was her prized possession.

"This is my baby now. If anyone dares lay a finger on it—" Her smile darkened. "I’ll gouge their eyes out. Hmph."

Lost in thought, she barely noticed the shadow that suddenly lunged in front of her vehicle.

"Grhhhaah..."

A guttural moan. A flash of rotting flesh.

Liora shrieked in horror, yanking the steering wheel. But before she could even fully react—

SQUELCH!

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