Chapter 16: Absorbing the Energy Core

They decided to rest at the gambling den because it's the most concentrated and secured place in the whole Black Market with most of Malek's subordinates stationed in there and guarding that area.

While walking towards their destination, they were discussing the fight from earlier between the Tier 2 Zombie while celebrating at the fact that they survive that desperate situation.

"That was a close call earlier." Eve said while gasping as she drag her broken metal bat.

"That's true. I underestimate the prowess of a Tier 2 Zombie than the previous tiered zombies and when I realize my mistake It was already late." Hanzai said gravely while thinking about the fight earlier.

"Because of our mistake we lost one of us in that fight, while most of us were badly injured that we need to retreat as we couldn't continue fighting."

"If Ziv didn't help us in the end. I'm pretty sure we can still win that fight, but it would be tough."

When Malek mentions it the other two other also nodded and they fully understand that without Ziv's help there it would be a long and tough fight.

Meanwhile, Ziv is supporting Reynold while following behind the group towards the gambling den.

While it seems that Reynold was also badly injured because of the fight earlier, in truth, it was just a facade to caught off guard anyone who attacked him later.

"Mate! You scared me for a second there I thought you were messing with me. How'd you do that?" Reynold curiously asked him about what he did earlier.

"I couldn't do that all the time. Yes, that ability was too strong, but it was consuming too much of my Energy and also my enemy will not wait for my turn to attack, right?"

"Also, the consumption of that thing was at least a quarter of my Energy deposit and if my Energy quickly depletes I'm basically f*cked at that point."

Ziv explained him the pros and cons when using this skill.

*Pfft*

"You have that ability of yours, but it was useless, just like you." Reynold mocked him as he laughed loudly.

"If you don't shut up I'll kick your a*s right now!" Ziv becomes irritated as he threatens to kick him.

"Okay, chill I'm just kidding!" Reynold said while holding his laughter as he was afraid that Ziv will expose his facade.

...

After arriving at the gambling den they went back inside the meeting room they were gathered before.

"We will now discuss the distribution of spoils we got from this fight. We have gathered at least 200 of Tier 0 Crystal, 9 Tier 1 Crystal, an Energy Core and lastly the Tier 2 Crystal."

"There are two choices in this distribution; If you pick the Energy Core or Tier 2 Crystal you can only get that alone, while if you pick Tier 1 Crystal you will get 3 Tier 1 and 60 Tier 0 Crystal, what do you think?" Malek explained as he places all the Crystals on the table while equally separate all of it according to what he said.

"Hmm.. I don't have an issue with the distribution, but I think we can let Ziv pick first before our turn as he saved us there." Eve suggested to the group.

Everyone also nodded as they shows their approval with her suggestion as it was given that they need to prioritize him because even with their combined strength it still hard to kill the Tier 2 Zombie without sacrificing more unnecessary death on the fight and with their relationship as a stranger that only group up because of the rewards that they could get here it's given to abandon that fight if the situation gone awry.

While they can't get the best rewards here it's still not bad to receive a profit out of this temporary group that they made just a while ago.

"Well, seeing all of you agree I'm not going to insist rejecting your offer." Ziv said while looking at them agreeing to let him pick first.

'I need something that can boost my strength. Tier 2 Crystal is out of question as it doesn't have any use for now, Tier 1 Crystal is good, especially I need it for my Energy Slots, but what is this Energy Core?'

Ziv looked at the Crystals at the table while carefully think about what he should choose.

He grabbed the fist sized Energy Core while looking at the information to see its use.

[Congratulations! You discovered a Energy Core (Tier 1)]

[Energy Core (Tier 1)]

[It was a remnant of someone's Energy Reactor Core that randomly gives Energy Slots or Blood Slots.]

[You want to absorb it? Y/N]

'Wait.. This is much better than picking a Tier 1 Crystal!' Ziv exclaimed silently as he discovered that choosing Energy Core is more beneficial to him.

"I'll pick this one." Ziv grabbed the Energy Core as he walked away from the table.

When they saw him choose it, they just smiled bitterly as they are also thinking to choose the Energy Core, but the debt must be repaid or everyone will think they were too shameless.

After distribution ended the Tier 2 Crystal was picked by Reynold while the rest choose the Tier 1 Crystal that benefits them at the moment.

"Well, that concludes our distribution for today. If you want to rest for now you can just go ahead to prepare for some unexpected situation that may happen later." Malek suggested.

"If you are worried about the zombie horde. My subordinates will take care of that." Malek added as he was leaving.

"I will go to sleep, I'm too tired." Eve said while she dragged her tired body in one of the rooms on this floor.

"I will also rest. Farewell." Hanzai said his farewell before he instantly disappears.

"Is he a ninja!?" Reynold exclaimed in surprise while looking at Hanzai attire and how he disappeared.

"Maybe. I thought he was cosplaying or something when I saw him the first time." Ziv said while leaning near Reynold's ear as he whisper.

"Reynold, you noticed any anomaly earlier from those Black Hawk or Terrence Group?" Ziv whispers as he asked Reynold silently.

"They didn't have any particular action when we are fighting the Tier 2 Zombie from what I observed." Reynold ponders as he recounts anything abnormal.

"That's weird. If they started this thing in the first place, why they didn't act when they have the chance?"

Ziv was also puzzled by this situation, especially their questionable actions when they have the perfect chance to strike while their group was fighting the Tier 2 Zombie.

"Don't think about it for now. When it's not in front of you forget about it." Reynold said while seeing him thinking seriously on this topic.

"A lazy attitude as always. Wait, where is your gun?" Ziv quickly changed the topic when he saw him uninterested in continuing the topic.

"Oh sh*t! Veronica is gone! Where did I put her? She will miss me.."

When Reynold realizes that he forgot where 'Veronica' was, he panic and quickly drop his act of being in 'injured' state while hurriedly search for 'her'.

"Such a pain in the a*s." Ziv shook his head as he continues walking towards their room to absorb the Energy Core that he got.

...

After entering his room Ziv laid down on his bed to rest while looking at the ceiling of the room with Energy Core in his hands.

"I need to worry in my problem now before tomorrow, I guess?" Ziv mumbled as he sat upon his bed.

"So, there would be an Energy Core that will be forming in his chest when a User dies." Ziv inspects the Energy Core before absorbing it.

When he absorbs the Energy Core there is a sudden intense wave of warm current course through his body before it stopped when a notification popped up in front of him.

[You have opened 5 Blood Slots and 3 Energy Slots.]

[Beep! Allocating Slots.. Computing data.. Calculating user stats..]

[Beep! Calculation Complete! Begin showing user stats!]

Name: Ziv

Status: Healthy

Race: Human (Male)

Radiation Level: 13.9%

------------------------------------------------------------------

Strength: (20) 30

Stamina: (20) 40

Dexterity: (20) 30

Intelligence: (10) 20

(Ah-san: this thing () is previous stats)

Tier 1 Energy Reactor Core.

Energy Slots:

Brain (Intelligence) 0/10

Body (Energy Capacity/Stamina) 2/10

Right Arm (Strength) 1/10

Left Arm (Strength) 1/10

Right Leg (Dexterity) 1/10

Left Leg (Dexterity) 1/10

Blood Slots:

Required 10 more Tier 1 Blood Crystal to unlock Natural Ability.

Level 0 Synthesize

Level 1 ???

Level 2 ???

Level 3 ???

...

Level 9 ???

------------------------------------------------------------------

"It's much better than Tier 1 Crystal as it gives more Slot Points, but the downside of this was it randomly give you a stat that you couldn't allocate somewhere you want to choose." Ziv ponders deeply as he saw all his stats increase.

"It's an RNG type of thing, but you are not on the losing side." Ziv said satisfied while yawning as he laid down the bed to sleep.

'I better sleep early to prepare for tomorrow.'

As he was about to close his eyes and sleep on his bed, there is a sudden loud cry that could be heard in the direction of where the humans and zombies fighting.

*Rooaaar*

"W-What is that!?" Ziv was startled as he got alarmed by that sudden cry that could be heard in the distance.

When he was about to look in the window to see what is happening outside there is a large explosion in this building and the building shook intensely as crack started to appear in the wall, ceiling and ground.

"I should better get out of here." Ziv gets his bag as he hastily escapes towards the exit.

When he reached the exit, he saw Reynold and his group standing in front of the gambling den while confronting a 4 man group.

After looking carefully at the entrance of the gambling den there is now a huge crevice below the building while the Main Lobby where the front door located was split in half with something sharp.

"I've never thought that I can get 5 Energy Core in here. I'll thank Black Hawk for this gift." a tall man that was naked on the top that carried a double headed battle axe on his shoulder licked his lips while looking at them.

"Gianis! You son of a b*tch! How dare you attack my territory!?" Malek shouted angrily as he murderously stares at him.

"Nothing much I'm just collecting my goods here after I finished here. I'm going to kill Klint next." Gianis said while laughing maniacally.

"Who are they?" Reynold asked.

"They are from Terrence Group that is Gianis their leader while that's his 3 trusted aides. I saw Gianis before killing a Tier 1 Zombie with two swings of his ax while his aides should not be underestimated either. Be careful." Malek explained as he warned them about the threat of this group.

"I will kill you bastard! How dare you disturbed my beauty rest!?" Eve said angrily as she looked at them with hostility.

"Disturbing someone's meditation is a taboo in our tradition those who violate it death shall be your punishment." Hanzai said in a solemn tone.

"You stupid bald head! How dare you hit Veronica! You almost split her into half!" Reynold angrily said while hugging his gun.

"Bunch of nonsense! Die!" Gianis didn't waste time as he jumped high up the sky before dropping and slashing his ax.

They quickly evade his attack by dodging to the side while Gianis attack misses his target as he hit the ground, but the shockwave that comes from his attack blown them away.

Even though the attack from his battle axe missed the target, it still made a small crater on the ground and from this attack alone, it was evident that if you get hit by this lethal attack you will either get injured or dead.

'How strong is that attack!?.' Ziv was shocked while seeing the range and effect of his attack.

"That's only the side dish." Gianis said while grinning maliciously.

"A big turd just appeared after finishing huge piece of turd earlier." Reynold cursed as he pointed his gun at Gianis.