First Kill Reward

"Combat Skill Selection Authority? This is also a first kill reward. Let's use it and see..."

The Antagonist's Eye of the first kill reward had excellent functionality, making Bruce eager to use another first kill reward!

[Ding, the use of Combat Skill Selection Authority is successful, please choose one of the following abilities!]

[1. Max Level in Martial Arts! 2. Max Level Mastery in Swordsmanship.]

Bruce: "........"

Seeing these two skills, Bruce could only utter one word!

"D*mn... I'm taking off again? Huh? Why did I say 'again'?"

After killing Jesse, Bruce not only obtained Jesse's abilities but also received two first kill rewards given by the system.

The combination of these two rewards gave Bruce a qualitative leap in strength.

From this perspective, Jesse, this protagonist, seemed more like a test given by the system to Bruce.

Or perhaps a probationary period.

If the probationary period passed, would Bruce be promoted to become a truly powerful antagonist?

Previously, Bruce could only familiarize himself with Jesse through the initial plot and character cards provided by the system, thus formulating a series of combat plans.

But now?

 He could not only directly access the protagonist's data and related plotlines but also enable him to find awakened individuals among the vast sea of people and build his own power??

Was this the difference between an intern and a regular employee?

Thinking of this, Bruce couldn't help but smile, then... without hesitation, he chose Max Level Mastery in Swordsmanship.

According to the system, these combat skills could be divided into five levels in total.

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Top, Max Level!

Now, he had the option of choosing between Max Level in Martial Arts and Max Level Mastery in Swordsmanship.

Having killed Jesse, he already acquired a martial arts skill (Top Level) for himself.

So if he chose Max Level in Martial Arts again, wouldn't these two abilities overlap?

Therefore, he decisively chose Max Level Mastery in Swordsmanship without explanation.

Swordsmanship, not involving any sword energy or the like.

But rather, it focused on sword techniques.

Feeling the abundance of muscle memory and sword techniques transmitted to his brain.

Bruce even felt... if he were given a semi-soft sword right now.

He could definitely execute exquisite sword techniques like the 'Lonely Nine Swords.'

Swish!

Ssss!Ssss!

After Bruce and Malachi retreated, hordes of monsters attracted by the smell of blood had gathered outside.

The mantises and lizards made acidic sounds as they feasted on the corpses.

Jerald was dead, killed by Bruce.

Bruce hadn't intended to kill him.

After all, they had no grudge, and with Jerald already severely injured, letting him fend for himself would have been sufficient.

But Jerald's insult pushed Bruce over the edge, igniting a desire to kill within him.

So he killed him without explanation!

Jesse was also dead.

Also killed by Bruce.

Jesse's selfishness and the numerous killings he committed had long stirred dissatisfaction and fear among other survivors.

At this moment, Bruce killing him was not only not condemned but seemed more like the side of justice upholding righteousness.

Moreover, both sides were destined enemies arranged by fate.

So there wasn't much to say about Bruce killing him either.

Joanne was currently on the second floor of the dormitory where Zara was.

When Bruce killed Jerald earlier, she was in the process of finding a hiding spot, so she didn't know Bruce had killed Jerald.

After finding an empty room and hiding inside, she witnessed Bruce killing Jesse and abandoning Jerald!

By the time Bruce came running with Jesse's backpack, the monsters were already feasting on the bodies of Jesse and Jerald.

They tore and gnawed!

The scene was bloody and brutal.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Through the sensing pendant, Bruce accurately located Joanne's position.

He lightly knocked on the door.

Joanne was first startled, then cautiously approached the door and asked.

"Is... is it Bruce?"

"It's me!"

Click!

The door opened!

After Bruce entered, he ordered his two battle pets to guard outside the door and then closed the door behind him."Joanne, I'm sorry, but in Jerald's situation, there wasn't much point in trying to save him, so..."

Although he could confirm that Joanne hadn't seen him kill Jerald, he still needed to say it.

"It's... it's okay, Bruce, I... I understand!"

Joanne's emotions were exceptionally low at the moment, but she didn't blame Bruce for it.

Because during this time, she had witnessed too much life and death.

She knew Bruce wouldn't put himself in danger for a stranger.

Moreover, Jerald was already dead, so what would be the point of blaming Bruce?

"As long as you understand!"

"Bruce..."

"Hmm?"

Bruce slowly raised his head, and a very soft figure suddenly threw itself into his arms.

"Sob... Bruce... why... why did this happen??"

Joanne lay on Bruce's shoulder, crying loudly.

At this moment, she had completely lost her usual composed demeanor.

She didn't care about the difference in status between herself and Bruce.

All she had was the image of a woman who had completely collapsed mentally.

In the few days that Bruce had been away, she had experienced far too much.

Jesse's selfishness in not giving food to others.

Survivors falling ill and dying due to lack of food.

Even ambushing Jesse for food, only to be slaughtered by Jesse.

Rivers of blood, corpses strewn across the fields.

When Jesse stood in front of her and asked if she wanted to live, she felt like her soul had been struck, becoming completely disoriented.

Then Bruce arrived in time.

Jesse was killed, and Jerald died tragically!

All of this directly shattered the worldview she had built since childhood.

She simply couldn't hold on anymore...

"They're all dead... they're all dead..."

Feeling the softly trembling body in his arms, Bruce's lips curved into a smile.

He stored Andúril sword in the ring and then placed his right hand on her back.He didn't speak, just quietly felt the sensation of Joanne's body.

After what seemed like a while, Joanne's emotions subsided.

Suddenly feeling that their actions seemed inappropriate, she quickly released herself from Bruce's embrace.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Bruce, I just..."

"No need to apologize!"

Bruce interrupted her, walking over to sit on the nearby bed.

"You've held back your tears until now since the beginning of the apocalypse; that's stronger than many women."

"Is... is that so?" Joanne's mood remained low. "But, Bruce, they're all dead... they're all..."

"Alright, Joanne teacher! This is the apocalypse, people dying is normal; you should adapt to it as soon as possible."

"I..."

"Joanne teacher, I want to ask you a question now!"

"What question?"

Joanne took off her glasses and wiped her tears.

"Do... do you still want to live?"

Bruce said this, looking very seriously at the beautiful university professor in front of him.

Do you still want to live?

For others, this question could be answered without hesitation.

But for the previous Joanne, it wasn't so easy.

Because she was a university teacher, and Bruce was her student.

Admitting to wanting to live in front of her student was something she couldn't bring herself to say!

But now...

"I..." Joanne hesitated, then bit her lip tightly.

 "Bruce, what you really want to ask isn't this question, is it?"

"You guessed it?

That's right..." Bruce admitted openly.

 "When we were at the hotel, you kept avoiding me, so I knew you must have guessed it, but it's okay... it's not a big deal anyway."

"A fair lady, a good match for a gentleman!! You're so beautiful, and it's normal for a regular guy like me to like you."

"I'm not afraid to tell you the truth; I want to take you away, but the condition is... you must be my woman..." Hearing Bruce's words, Joanne froze.

Because she never expected Bruce to confront her so directly in this situation?