He might actually make it

"Swish—"

Ethan swung his blade in a clean arc, splitting the creature's head wide open. A crystal core shot out, gleaming as it tumbled through the air.

The mutated beast's massive body collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Almost immediately, a horde of zombies surged forward, swarming the fallen creature and tearing it apart in a frenzy.

Ethan reached out and caught the falling crystal core in his hand.

It was translucent, radiating an incredibly pure energy. A rare spatial-type crystal core—exceptionally uncommon and undoubtedly high-grade. This was a treasure, no question about it.

His gaze shifted, scanning the battlefield, and landed on Mia. She looked like she'd been through hell—her body drenched in blood, covered in wounds, some of which had already scabbed over. The sight was gut-wrenching.