'I'll need to figure out a way to scale these walls. I can't afford to take the stairs, who knows what's lurking inside'
Ethan thought, his mind racing.
The risks of blindly ascending the stairs were too great.
What if a new monster emerged from the shadows and ended him in an instant?
'Better to exercise caution than to succumb to arrogance'
He reminded himself, his thoughts swirling as he pondered how best to ascend the walls without drawing unnecessary attention.
Using the wind to fly?
The mana cost would be far too great.
Then, in a sudden flash of inspiration, an idea clicked into place.
'I hope this works. I can't afford to waste any more time thinking of solutions'
His thoughts shifted to the system shop, his mind locking onto the item he needed, the Long Stick, priced at 5 points each.
After a brief scan of the building with a sharp, calculating eye, he made his decision.
Within moments, five Long Sticks materialized on the ground before him, as 25 points vanished from his balance.
'Good, they're sturdy'
Ethan thought, inspecting the Long Stick with a critical eye.
His gaze shifted to the building, his body coiling as his arm took on the form of a javelin thrower preparing for the perfect release.
His muscles tensed, each fiber pulled taut as he focused all his strength into his arm.
Then, with a sharp motion, he hurled the stick forward.
The wind sliced through the air as the first Long Stick shot forward, embedding itself into the wall with a solid thunk.
Half of its length disappeared into the surface, while the other half jutted out, firm and secure.
Satisfied, Ethan moved on, tossing the remaining four sticks one by one.
Each stick was thrown with precision, positioned higher than the last, and each lodged into the wall with the same solid impact.
The final stick pierced the wall just beneath the window of Logan's floor, its tip firmly anchored in place.
This was Ethan's plan to leap from one stick to another, like the martial artists he had read about in novels, seen in manhwa, and watched in animes.
'Though I have almost zero parkour skills or advanced body control'
He thought.
'I'll rely on wind to reduce my weight and keep myself steady'
With a focused thought, the wind obeyed, swirling around him and lifting his body, making him lighter, almost weightless.
He bent his knees, preparing for the jump, and with a powerful push, he sprang from the ground, his body launching into the air.
His feet made a soft landing on the first Long Stick, the wind keeping him light and agile.
Without hesitation, Ethan surged forward, his movements fluid, each leap guided by the wind's support.
With a smooth motion, he leapt to the third stick, then quickly propelled himself toward the fourth.
In mere seconds, his feet found purchase on the fifth Long Stick, positioned just beneath the window.
He reached up, gripping the metallic window protector the university had installed, anchoring himself securely.
As he touched his target, the wind's support slowly dissipated, leaving him balanced and grounded.
Ethan's gaze drifted downward, his eyes calculating the sheer height beneath him.
'I'd probably die if I fell from this height'
He thought, a flicker of caution flashing through his mind.
His attention quickly shifted back to the window. He scanned the hallway within, eyes narrowing as he searched for any sign of zombies.
But there was nothing, no zombies, not even the usual ones lurking in the shadows.
Ethan didn't linger on the anomaly.
He pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on his next move.
Gripping the window protector with his left hand, Ethan raised his right and, with a swift motion, slashed his sword through both the protector and the glass.
The sound of shattering glass filled the air, followed by a crash as his blade sliced through it effortlessly, like a knife through butter.
The glass and window shattered, falling into the hostel hallway below.
With his path now clear, Ethan didn't hesitate. He leapt into the opening, moving swiftly and decisively.
Ethan's gaze shifted toward Logan's room door.
Moving cautiously, he approached it, each step measured.
'There are no zombies on this floor, so he should have left his room by now'
He thought, his eyes scanning the area as he passed the staircase.
But then, his attention was drawn to a movement, something climbing the stairs, its gaze locked directly onto him.
'Did I jinx it?'
Ethan thought, his instincts kicking in as he swiftly leaped backward, putting distance between himself and the approaching creature.
But the monster didn't rush. It moved deliberately, its steps slow and measured.
It had been drawn by the noise of the window crashing down.
As it reached the top of the stairs, its eyes locked onto Ethan, its gaze unwavering and intense.
Ethan stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief.
It was a zombie, but not like any he had encountered before.
Though Ethan stood at 6'1, the creature before him towered easily over 7 feet.
Its bulging muscles rippled with unnatural strength, and its eyes radiated pure malice.
The claws extending from its hands looked sharp enough to rival the deadliest feline predators.
'Is this the reason Logan hasn't left?'
Ethan thought, his gaze never leaving the monstrous zombie as it stared back at him with predatory intent.
Ethan could feel it in his bones, this zombie was a force to be reckoned with.
It would most likely surpass him in every stat:
Speed.
Strength.
Mana.
'If I get hit even once, it's over'
Ethan thought, a cold chill running down his spine.
The zombie remained still for a moment, its cold gaze studying Ethan, sizing him up as it loomed over him like a shadow.
Their eyes locked, a silent understanding passing between them.
Then, as though some unseen force had given the signal, they both launched toward each other in perfect synchronicity.