The Central Military Hub never truly slept. Even at night, patrols marched along the walls, generators hummed, and searchlights cut through the darkness. Inside the quarantine wing, the new arrivals were given thin mattresses and strict orders: remain in designated areas until cleared for full integration.
Ted lay on his assigned bunk, eyes closed but mind wide awake. The Intermediate Shop options floated in his vision, tempting with their potential. With 532 Necro Essence now, he could afford meaningful upgrades, but every purchase carried risk. Using Flesh Crafting too obviously or gaining too much power too fast could draw the wrong attention.
A soft notification pinged privately:
*[Daily Quest Reset: Feed the Hunger – 0/3. Frenzy risk in 22 hours if unmet. Hub environment limits discreet opportunities.]*
Feeding inside the walls would be extremely dangerous. He would need to wait for another external mission.
Morning brought the next phase of processing. All academy survivors were called to the central medical bay for "advanced screening." Colonel Voss oversaw the operation personally, flanked by two scientists in white coats with tablet scanners more advanced than anything from the academy.
"Full blood panels, genetic markers, and neural scans," one scientist announced. "The Necro-Virus has shown anomalous mutations in some subjects. We need to identify anyone with potential resistance or… other changes."
Marcus shot Ted a smug look as the group lined up. "Your luck's about to run out, Harlan."
Elena stood beside Ted, tension radiating through their Ally Bond. "Stay calm," she whispered. "If it gets bad, we improvise."
When Ted's turn came, he stepped into the scanner booth. Bright lights and humming machines surrounded him. The lead scientist injected a small sample port and ran the full suite of tests. Ted activated Minor Flesh Crafting mentally, refining his external appearance and subtly altering blood flow patterns to mask any viral signatures.
The System responded immediately:
*[Advanced Scan in progress. Minor Flesh Crafting engaged at 30 Essence cost. Masking efficiency: 84%. Duration: 6 hours.]*
The machines whirred. Minutes stretched into an eternity.
"Viral markers present but neutralized," the scientist muttered, frowning at the screen. "Elevated regeneration factors… consistent with combat stress and possible minor awakened traits. No active infection. Subject is clean."
Colonel Voss studied the results over the scientist's shoulder. "Approved for general population. Assign him to labor and reconnaissance rotations. We need strong bodies for supply runs."
Ted stepped out, relief hidden behind a tired expression. The Flesh Crafting had worked, but the 30 Essence cost stung. His total dropped to 502.
Marcus went next. His results came back normal, enhanced strength from his academy implant, nothing anomalous. He looked disappointed that Ted had passed again.
After processing, the group was split into work details. Ted and Elena were assigned to a reconnaissance team scheduled for a short afternoon run to a nearby pharmaceutical warehouse. Marcus was placed on wall reinforcement duty, much to his visible frustration.
Before departure, Ted found a quiet moment in the supply tent and opened the Intermediate Shop:
He spent 80 Essence on **Basic Horde Sense**.
*[Basic Horde Sense purchased. Remaining Essence: 422.]*
*New Passive: Detect lesser zombies within 80 meters and sense basic emotional states (hunger, aggression). Weak influence possible on unintelligent infected (costs Essence to command).*
The world felt wider instantly. Ted could sense a small cluster of infected two blocks away, restless but not yet aggressive.
The reconnaissance team, six people including Ted and Elena moved out under escort from two hub soldiers. The streets near the hub were relatively cleared, but the warehouse district still held pockets of danger.
Inside the warehouse, they found rows of intact shelves. While the others loaded crates of antibiotics and painkillers, Ted slipped to a back section where his Horde Sense detected three isolated infected trapped in a collapsed aisle.
He dispatched them quickly and quietly, absorbing the necro-energy while the team was distracted with heavy lifting.
*[Necro Essence +9 +8 +12]*
*[Daily Quest Completed: Feed the Hunger]*
*[Reward: +20 Necro Essence, random minor stat boost – +1 Vitality.]*
**Vitality: 22**
The cold surge felt cleaner at Level 2. Ted returned to the group carrying a heavy crate, his boosted strength making it look effortless but not impossibly so.
On the way back, a larger threat appeared, a pack of fifteen infected led by a single intelligent variant. The team engaged. Ted used his new Horde Sense to anticipate movements, subtly guiding Elena to better firing positions through their bond. When the intelligent variant focused on him, Ted tested Basic Horde Sense lightly, spending 10 Essence to create a momentary distraction,one lesser zombie turned on its leader for a split second.
The opening allowed the team to finish the fight cleanly.
Elena noticed. "You knew exactly where they'd come from. Again."
"Luck and experience," Ted replied, but the lie felt thinner each time.
Back at the hub, the haul earned them praise and better rations. Colonel Voss even nodded approvingly at Ted. "You move well in the field, Harlan. Keep it up and you'll earn better assignments."
That evening, as survivors settled in the communal dining area, Marcus approached Ted with a cold smile. Two hub security personnel stood nearby, listening.
"I've been talking to the right people," Marcus said quietly. "Told them about your unnatural healing and fighting style. They're watching you now, Harlan. One slip, and you'll end up in the containment wing with the captured mutants."
Elena stepped between them. "Leave it, Marcus. He's proven himself on every run."
But the seed was planted. Ted could see the security officers exchanging glances.
Later, alone on his bunk, Ted reviewed his status. Level 2 felt like the beginning of real power, but the hub's eyes were everywhere. The Necro System offered a new quest:
*[Main Quest Branch: Hub Integration]*
*Gain trusted status within the Central Military Hub while continuing personal evolution.*
*Hidden Reward: Access to restricted areas and potential virus research data.*
Ted closed his eyes, the weight of secrecy heavier than ever.
He was stronger now.
He had allies.
But in this fortress of humanity's last stand, the line between protector and threat was razor-thin and Marcus was determined to push him across it.