Andrew's nerves were taut, his muscles aching slightly from tension, as the low growls of the Level 6 zombie echoed from the stairs below. He paused, then heard more growls from the corridor behind him. There was no time to hesitate—he decided to take care of those first.
It was Saturday, and most of the dorm students had gone out to enjoy the evening. Many of them could afford leisure because their families supported them financially. Andrew, however, had not been so lucky.
His parents' combined income was enough to cover only one tuition—either his or Anna's. For this reason, Andrew had refused to take money from them and worked to pay his own way through New York University, leaving his parents' support for his younger sister. Life had been difficult at first, but through sheer effort, he had secured a place at NYU, which offered tuition assistance for students from households earning under $100,000. Options for families like his were limited.
Brunhilde, walking silently behind him, spoke casually: "How about using the four points you have?"
Andrew didn't turn around. He shook his head and continued down the corridor. "No. If I waste them now, I might regret it later against a stronger monster. I need to save them for a critical moment, not on impulse."
Brunhilde paused for a moment, then nodded in understanding, biting her lip slightly. "I like you more and more~" she said, her tone teasing.
Andrew's breath caught at the seductive tone. It took all of his willpower not to turn around and act on a dangerous impulse. Something in him knew that even attempting it could get him killed.
Though she seemed genuinely intent on guiding him, Andrew remained cautious. Distrust was a natural reflex.
Suddenly, three zombies appeared at the far end of the corridor—two males and one female. They shuffled forward, slow but relentless. Though they seemed barely able to stand, their movement was steady.
Andrew focused, clearing his mind of thoughts of Brunhilde. He calmed himself instantly, knowing that losing control of his emotions here could cost him his life.
Brunhilde watched with a curious smile, clearly eager to see how he would handle the threat.
There were no traps or tools nearby. He could have retreated to his room and used the corpses of previous zombies, but that would expose him to more emerging zombies, drawn by the commotion. At this rate, more would appear and block his path.
Andrew inhaled deeply, advancing slowly while observing the zombies' movements. They were slow, yes—but lethality didn't require speed. One bite was enough to end him.
He attempted to use his Pyrokinesis skill directly, only to discover with frustration that it seemed ineffective against these zombies.
Sensing his struggle, Brunhilde's voice cut in sharply: "Even if your skill is strong, the dead are tricky early on—they don't feel pain. Focus your heat internally and direct it toward their eyes!"
Andrew's eyes lit up as the meaning clicked. Concentrating, he spent fifteen mana points to intensify the internal heat of the zombies' bodies, channeling it toward their eyes.
The effect was immediate.
The three zombies' eyes exploded in searing heat, smoke curling from their sockets. Andrew didn't hesitate, spending another thirty mana to forge three flaming arrows from the residual heat, striking and killing all three simultaneously.
[ENERGY FRAGMENTS ABSORBED – Level 3 Zombie]
[ENERGY FRAGMENTS ABSORBED – Level 3 Zombie]
[ENERGY FRAGMENTS ABSORBED – Level 3 Zombie]
[CORE EVOLUTION COMPLETED!]
[Current Level: 3]
[Sovereign Stat Points Gained: 6]
With the kills, Andrew had accumulated enough experience to reach Level 3. Even though he gained no extra benefits from these Level 3 zombies beyond experience, leveling up immediately restored his mana, replenishing what he had spent earlier.
Andrew's control over Pyrokinesis grew with each fight. He created small chains of fire, temporarily immobilizing zombies and stabbing their skulls with the mutant mosquito stinger, adding two more kills. By now, he had eliminated a total of 23 zombies since leaving his room.
A thin chain of fire skidded silently across the floor, hitting a zombie's leg, pinning it to the ground. Using his newly enhanced agility—about 10% faster than a normal pre-apocalypse human—he circled around and drove the stinger into the zombie's neck, bringing his total kills to 24.
[ENERGY FRAGMENTS ABSORBED – Level 4 Zombie]
[CORE EVOLUTION COMPLETED!]
[Current Level: 4]
[Sovereign Stat Points Gained: 8]
Reading the notification, Andrew exhaled in relief. Killing zombies and growing stronger was… satisfying.
He turned back toward the stairs, ready to face the Level 6 zombie he had heard earlier, only to freeze.
Blocking his path was a monstrous figure. Two grotesque arms, as thick as an adult's thighs, swung at him slowly. Standing over two meters tall, the zombie exuded raw, predatory power.
It sensed Andrew's life force within ten meters and roared, advancing.
Though slower than Andrew, it was at least twice as fast as normal zombies. Surprised, Andrew ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding a crushing punch.
Bang!
The zombie's fist smashed into the wall behind him, splintering concrete. Andrew's face drained of color—one strike could have obliterated his head.
In a desperate move, he lunged forward, using his enhanced strength to push the massive zombie back a few steps.
Before it could strike again, he activated Pyrokinesis, weaving four thick chains of fire around the creature.
The chains wrapped tightly, pinning it to the ground. Andrew approached cautiously, driving the mosquito stinger into its head. The stinger pierced only a few centimeters at first, but he continued striking the same spot relentlessly.
After fifteen strikes, using every ounce of his strength, the Level 6 zombie's skull finally collapsed into a smoldering, bloody mess.
[ENERGY FRAGMENTS ABSORBED – Level 6 Zombie. Strength +6, Vitality +5.]
[CORE EVOLUTION COMPLETED!]
[Current Level: 5]
[Sovereign Stat Points Gained: 10]
Andrew felt his body grow stronger instantly. All fatigue from the relentless stabbing vanished.
"Ah! What's this?" he muttered, approaching a dark crystal lying beside the Level 6 corpse. It was different from the crimson one he had received earlier.
[Treasure Crystal: Contains a rare-category item.]
---