Ren looked at the cards with a bit of worry and thoughtfulness.
"But if I touch it, it'll probably activate like last time with that buff…"
He paused.
Then an excited smile slowly appeared on his face.
"I'll probably think of something."
He stopped himself immediately.
"Nah… that's not my style."
Without hesitation, he touched one of the bronze cards.
It didn't disappear.
A screen popped up.
---
Skill – Flame Wall
Description – Creates a wall of flames around the user, completely surrounding him. Lasts for 3 minutes. Does not harm allies.
Use
Store
---
"So I can store it or use it immediately… that's a relieving thing."
He clicked Store.
It vanished.
A message popped up.
---
1/2 Skill Card Stored
---
He grinned brightly.
"My skill is overpowered."
Then his expression twisted slightly into a sarcastic frown.
"Except for the part which I need to do use it."
He murmured,
"Fuck someone… to get a reward? Really?"
He touched the silver card.
---
Skill – Thunder Zap
Description – Surrounds the user's legs with lightning. Allows a lightning-fast dash. Lasts 10 seconds. Causes damage to everything it touches.
Use
Store
---
His eyes widened, sparkling with excitement.
"It's really insane."
He immediately clicked Store.
A message appeared.
---
2/2 Skill Card Stored
---
"Now the next one."
He touched the remaining bronze card.
A message popped up.
---
Item – Sturdy One-Hand Short Sword
Description – A sturdy, refined, and sharp blade made from fine material.
Use
Store
---
He looked at his crowbar.
It was on the verge of breaking. Worn out. Weathered far too much.
He held it tightly.
An emotional and dramatic scene unfolded.
"Sorry…"
He stared at it with exaggerated sorrow.
"We had so much fun together. Smashed so many zombies. Beat them to pulp. Kicked their asses together, It was really fun with you."
His voice grew softer.
"I can never forget you. You were the first weapon I used to kill a zombie."
He sniffed dramatically.
"Did you think I would throw you away like this?"
He paused.
Then his expression changed into a mischievous grin.
"You were absolutely right."
He tossed it away.
Clank!
"Farewell, my dear old friend."
He turned toward the new weapon with excitement.
"Now let's see my new partner in crime."
He clicked Use.
The card transformed into a sharp short sword.
MC quickly grabbed it.
He slashed the air.
Shhhh—
His eyes widened slightly.
"It's really good."
He slashed a few more times.
Slash.
Shhhh.
Shhhh.
"Cool."
Then his gaze shifted to the gold card.
"Now… time for the main course."
He touched it.
Nothing happened.
He frowned.
"What????"
A screen popped up.
---
Skill – Infection Cure Halfway
Description – Can stop the infection of a person infected by the Zombie Virus as long as they still have self-awareness and haven't completely lost their senses. Cannot fully cure, but can suppress and control the infection already inside the body.
Cannot be used on the user.
The target cannot infect another person after use.
However, there is still a chance of infection increasing temporarily or permanently depending on certain conditions and
situations.
Use
Store
---
"What… so there's a skill that can stop a person's infection?"
He clicked his tongue.
"It's a goddamn overpowered skill for saving people… but not my type, and i can't save it for later to use it on myself."
He looked at her.
He let out a slow breath.
"This is the least I can do for her."
He tapped Use.
---
Select Target
---
He pointed at the zombie girl.
---
Target Selected
Activating Skill
---
A faint black mist covered her body.
It vanished instantly.
---
Skill Used
---
The card disappeared.
MC stared at her.
"She looks normal…"
Then he noticed it.
"Oh."
The infected areas on her body had lightened slightly.
"Anyway… I should leave."
He turned around.
"I don't want to carry someone else's weight."
He glanced at her with cold eyes.
"Tch."
He clicked his tongue.
His expression hardened.
But…
"But… she's damn cute."
He shook his head.
"No. No. No. I should leave her. Whether she dies or lives isn't my concern. There's no guarantee she won't try to kill me after waking up. Shit… just shit. What should I do? I shouldn't break my own survival rules in this messed-up world."
He flinched.
Then he smiled brightly.
"Rule No. Nine."
He recited it calmly.
"Never carry someone else's weight. It will only drag you down."
He paused.
"Unless she's a cutie or hottie."
And with a slowly forming grin, eyes lighting up as realization struck, he said—
"…And she's both."
He nodded to himself.
"So I'm still on my righteous path. That's good to know."
He bent down and carried her on his back.
Almost instantly—
"When I said weight… I didn't mean literal weight!"
He struggled.
"She's damn heavy! How can someone this heavy look like this? Her appearance does not justify her weight! What the fu—"
Somehow, he managed to balance her properly.
---
MC began wreaking havoc inside the supermarket.
He killed every zombie in his path.
Slashing.
Cutting.
While riding a shopping cart.
Slash!
Shhhk!
Thud!
"This is really fun!"
"Woohoo!"
He pushed the cart faster.
"This is even more fun than the bike?"
He cut another zombie cleanly.
"Oh, it's really sharp."
A grin appeared on his face.
"I think I might get addicted to this."
A zombie jumped from the side.
Without hesitation—
He stabed the short sword straight into its mouth, piercing through the back of its head.
Grrr—
"Oh, it's really good for striking too."
With his other hand, he punched the zombie in the stomach.
Thud!
He continued killing zombies while gathering supplies.
Grab.
Step.
Slash.
"Yes, this will do. And this. And this. Oh, this too. That'll be good."
He finally stopped to catch his breath.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"That was a hell of a workout…"
He smirked.
"And fun at the same time. I have to admit."
Ren stopped and caught his breath.
"Haa…"
He wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"That was a hell of a workout… and fun at the same time. I have to admit."
He returned to the half zombie girl.
She was leaning against a store pillar, sitting weakly.
Oversized cream hoodie.
Slim black joggers.
White sneakers.
Ren pulled out a cold coffee can from his bag.
Crack—
He opened it and took a long sip.
"Haaa… that's really good."
…
Her fingers twitched.
Slowly—
Her eyes opened.
"What… what happened…? Where am I?"
Her voice was weak.
"The last thing I remember was a man standing in front of me and…"
She froze.
"I felt something strange… different… but good… what was that?"
She looked around in confusion.
"Wasn't I locked inside that room? How am I here?"
Her eyes landed on him.
Ren smiled brightly.
"You're finally awake."
She panicked instantly.
"Who are you?! How am I here?!"
Ren walked closer.
Hmm.
She doesn't remember anything.
She shouted,
"Don't come closer! I was bitten by a zombie! I can infect you!"
Ren kept sipping his coffee.
"Oh, don't worry about that."
"Don't! Don't come closer!" she said again, trembling.