Am I relieving the nightmare of that day!? Am I being cursed because of how weak I was back then? I'm really pathetic!!!
I said to my head as I look at the mutant zombie.
Its grotesquely long tongue slithered and coiled around her limbs like cursed ropes, binding her in place. She writhed in panic, helpless as its disfigured, bloated head leaned in. Its neck was riddled with decaying, cancerous flesh, oozing pus and a stench so foul it almost choked me.
As I made my move to charge in, Ella's scream tore through the misty air like a siren of agony.
"Aghhhh". Ella cried in pain as the creature sank its jagged teeth deeper into her throat. Blood gushed violently, spraying across her torso and soaking into the ground.
---
Mutant Zombie (Level 5)
Attack: 90
Attack Speed: 4/sec
HP: 1200
Movement Speed: D-
Other: Deeper scan required.
---
Rage exploded inside me.
I gripped my dagger tight and lunged. The beast didn't even glance at me—it was lost in its sick feast, chewing on Ella's flesh with crunching brutality.
"GET OFF OF HER-YOU HEARTLESS MONSTER!" I roared, slashing across its neck.
it dodge the first slashes but how unfortunate of him- I wasn't the same weak and pathetic Jefford Cliff anymore.
With raw strength, I yanked free and buried my blade into the mutant's skull. It thrashed, gurgled... then dropped, twitching lifelessly.
---
You have slain the enemy.
Use the crafted medicine immediately.
Note: Effectiveness depends on target's remaining humanity.
---
My hands shook as I uncorked the potion bottle. I ran to Ella, dropping to my knees, cradling her broken body.
"Ella… I'm here. Just hold on," I whispered, my voice cracking.
Her skin was cold. Her breathing—shallow. Her blood had soaked through my sleeves, but I didn't care.
I poured the potion gently into her trembling lips.
"I'm sorry…" I choked out. "I'm so sorry I dragged you into this…"
Her eyelids fluttered. Her lips parted.
"J…Jefford…" she breathed weakly.
"I'm right here," I said, holding her hand as tightly as I could without hurting her. "Don't let go."
---
Congratulations.
Ella has been treated successfully.
However she would be Immobile for two days due to severe trauma.
---
A tidal wave of relief and anxiousness surged through me. I leaned down and kissed her bloodied forehead, lingering there for a moment as I embrace the short peace then look at my surroundings.
We were surrounded by corpses—bodies torn apart, limbs scattered like broken dolls, blood soaking into the soil. It was hell.
And yet… I knew the harsh truth that this wasn't the worst there would soon come more worst, deadly and horrific battles.
As I held her close, the System chimed as it appeared again.
---
Status Check:
> Jefford Cliff (Master)
Level: 2 | EXP: 0 / 120,000
HP: 3200 / 3200
Mana: 2500 / 2500
Mana Regen: 2 MP/sec
Class:
Storeman
Close Combat Warrior
Fort Warrior
Attributes:
Attack: 25 (+45)
Attack Speed: 3 (+0.25)/sec
Speed: B-
Stamina: C+
Special Effects:
All Attributes ×200% (Close Combat Warrior)
Tenacity: HP <20% → All attributes +300%, damage +500%
Red Rune Power: EXP gain +500%
---
I exhaled slowly, almost smiling. I was evolving.
But then—
---
⚠️ System Alert:
A horde is converging due to the battle.
Objective: Reach the highest point in the city - the Hong Kong City Hill Private Subdivision and establish a fortress.
Survive for 2 days.
Reward: Fort Warrior +1 Level
Penalty: Death of Ella
---
"System…" I asked urgently, "can I store Ella in my interdimensional space?"
---
System: Rejected.
Living beings cannot be stored.
---
"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, dismissing my current fort and lifting Ella onto my back as gently as I could.
The destination: Hong Kong Subdivision Hill.
Five kilometers via subway. Eight through the park.
Subway—faster, but a death trap.
Park—slower… but breathable.
I chose the park.
But as I entered its outer edge, my breath caught in my throat.
Dozens of corpses were scattered like discarded meat, their skin peeling, their mouths twitching. Some of them… were still alive—turning.
I quickly ducked into a thick bush, cradling Ella beneath me to shield her.
---
First wave approaching.
Act with extreme caution.
---
"System… Can I build a temporary fort here?"
---
Yes.
But doing so will lure more hordes. Prepare for prolonged combat.
---
I hesitated calculated risks first out of nowhere the thunder of an engine shattered the silence.
A military vehicle tore down the cracked road, crushing undead under its wheels. A soldier on top manned the roof gun, mowing down zombies like weeds.
---
Enemy ahead.
Plan a path to intercept the vehicle.
---
I pulled out the corpse of the mutant I'd slain earlier in my storage system and immediately grabbed its 10-foot bulk and hurled it into the oncoming horde like a wrecking ball.
The chaos it caused bought me seconds.
I bolted forward, Ella limp on my back.
The vehicle swerved, slowing. One of the soldier got out and asked.
"You—did you just throw that thing!?"
"Yes!" I shouted. "But no time. Take us to the highest point of the city, the Hong Kong Hill Private Subdivision—I'll help you survive what's coming."
They exchanged looks.
"Hordes are coming! We need high ground!"
The soldier's eyes landed on the badly wounded Ella and quickly said:
"…Get in."
---
The doors swung open. We climbed aboard. The engine roared as they sped off.
One soldier beside me reached into his vest and pulled out two chocolate bars.
"You eaten?"
I shook my head.
"Here," he said. "You'll need the strength. I hope she makes it."
"…Thank you," I said softly, barely able to smile.
For a moment, I felt peace.
But it didn't last.
A shrill screech rang out.
From the horizon came a zombie woman—her abdomen split open, bile-green acid spilling from her guts. She let out a gurgling howl—
And vomited a stream of thick acid across the road.
The tires exploded. One by one.
The vehicle lost control.
And we crashed—headlong—into the cracked ruins of an abandoned police station.