Chapter 50: Consuming The Abomination, Changes, and Warehouse Explained. (Bonus Chapter)

(Bonus Chapter Due to Power Stones, Thank You to all who support my work! Special Thanks to all who have given me reviews, and a special thanks to Fajar_Muhammad_8473. Sorry I missed your review, I appreciate it. Once again, Thank you, your support keeps me going.)

The warehouse stood silent under the blanket of night, a faint mist rolling off the harbor waters and curling around its towering structure. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of oil, salt, and the faint metallic tang of blood. Everyone was exhausted, the long day of violence, confrontation, and finally finding refuge taking its toll. They had unloaded the convoy's supplies, arranged their sleeping areas, and set up basic defenses to secure their new base.

The group drifted into uneasy rest, some tending to weapons, others lost in quiet conversations. Saeko practiced her sword forms in the corner, the soft swish of her blade slicing through the air adding a rhythmic backdrop to the ambient noises. Rei sat with an exhausted and sweating Kohta, going over the events of the day, while Yuriko supervised a makeshift inventory count with Miki. Saya was busy with Shiro learning the ins and the outs of the base, it seems Shiro has taken a liking to the pragmatic princess.

In the farthest corner of the warehouse, In an enclosed room, isolated from everyone else, Guldrin stood alone. His jacket hung loosely on his back, it was a black leather jacket, inside Rika's bulletproof vest and holster accompanied it, a comfort that he didn't realize he missed, his weapons laid neatly on a nearby crate. 

The piece of flesh he had taken from the boss-class abomination lay on a cloth before him, glistening faintly under the dim light of an overhead bulb. It was unlike anything natural, pulsating subtly, as if some residual life force still lingered within its grotesque folds. The sight was revolting, but to Guldrin, it was an opportunity, a gamble he couldn't ignore. 

After running into two abomination-class zombies, he knew it would only get worse. He needed to hurry up, complete this mission, and return home before things got too bad. Not that he would just up and leave, but being able to increase his strength quickly meant more crystals, and that meant everyone else would grow faster.

He clenched his fists, his mind weighing the risks against the rewards. Gluttony was a gift, but also a curse. Each time he used it, he felt less like himself, the hunger gnawing at the edges of his sanity. But tonight, after the chaos and confrontation, he needed to be stronger. Takashi's defiance and Shido's cunning had been reminders that danger didn't rest, and neither could he; be they human, or zombie, both posed threats.

Taking a deep breath, Guldrin crouched over the pulsating mass and placed his hand on it. The moment his skin made contact, for the first time a mark of Gluttony burned hot against his palm, a purple and black boar, the sigil glowing faintly in the dim light. He braced himself and activated the ability.

The world felt like it shifted around him.

A sickening pull dragged at his core, and the flesh began to dissolve into an inky purple-black mist, swirling up and into his palm. The taste hit him first, it was an overwhelming bitterness that felt like swallowing acid, followed by the rancid tang of decay. It spread through his body like wildfire, searing every nerve, and forcing a strangled gasp from his throat. His stomach churned violently as if rejecting the abomination entirely, but the drive to improve and the hunger: Gluttony's relentless drive, forced him to endure.

The mist surged through his veins, crawling like living worms beneath his skin. Every muscle in his body clenched, his jaw locking as a wave of nausea hit him, and he puked his guts out. His vision blurred, the world around him twisting and contorting as foreign energy flooded his system. He collapsed to his knees, clutching at his stomach and skin as the process intensified.

He could feel it, the disgusting essence of the abomination invading him, its alien nature fighting against his very being. Memories not his own flickered in his mind: endless hunger, the tearing of flesh, the screams of its victims. His breaths came in shallow gasps, his body trembling as if on the verge of collapse.

And then it happened, a surge of pure agony as the energy reached his core. The mark of Gluttony flared brighter than ever, its tendrils of power spreading across his chest like molten veins, the mark of Gluttony branding itself on his heart. A guttural scream tore from his lips as his muscles spasmed, his bones aching as if they were being reforged from within. His skin burned hot and cold, a sheen of sweat covering his trembling form.

The process dragged on for what felt like hours, though it was only minutes. When the pain finally ebbed, Guldrin collapsed onto his side, his chest heaving as he fought to catch his breath. His body felt heavier, and denser, as if every fiber of his being had been infused with raw power. He flexed his fingers experimentally, noting the faint smokey shimmer of his skin under the dim light.

A notification appeared in his mind, courtesy of the system embedded within him:

"Attributes increased: +3 to Strength, +2 to Constitution. Minor Regeneration acquired. New Trait: Abyssal Insight."

He frowned at the last entry, his head still pounding from the ordeal. "Abyssal Insight?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. It was a vague descriptor, and he didn't have the mental bandwidth to delve into it now. What mattered was that he had survived. The power coursing through him was proof enough that the risk had paid off, at least for now.

He staggered to his feet, gripping the edge of the crate for support. His legs felt unsteady, his muscles aching as if he had been through a brutal fight. The faint metallic taste of the abomination's essence lingered on his tongue, a grim reminder of what he had consumed; even if he didn't 'eat' it, he still tasted it, a good thing to note for the future. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze flickering to the now-empty cloth where the flesh had once been.

A noise from behind caught his attention. He turned sharply, his senses heightened from the process, only to find Kohta standing a few feet away, his face a mixture of awe and concern.

"Dude… what the hell was that?" Kohta asked, his voice trembling slightly. "You looked like you were dying. But now…" His eyes widened as he noticed the subtle changes in Guldrin's physique. "Did you just… level up in real life or something? Your muscles, they expanded and then contracted, even… Your hair grew."

Guldrin sighed, leaning back against the crate. "Something like that. What are you doing here, Kohta? Everyone else is, or should be asleep by now."

Kohta scratched the back of his head, his excitement overriding his concern. "I couldn't sleep after what happened today. And then I saw you sneaking off, so I followed you. I didn't think I'd see… whatever that was." He hesitated, then grinned nervously. "Was it dangerous? I mean, it looked dangerous."

Guldrin nodded, his expression shadowed by the new long flowing hair. 'I can't believe I grew my hair like the Cultivator characters when they advance realms… Do I keep it?' He thought as he prepared to respond to Kohta, "Dangerous doesn't even begin to cover it," he said, his voice carrying a weight that made Kohta's grin falter. "It's not something I'd recommend trying. What I did... it's like playing chicken with death and hoping you walk away stronger. If it went wrong, I wouldn't be here explaining it to you. If I am being honest, I am probably the only person who can do what I just did… Stick with the crystals and you will improve continuously."

Kohta's eyes darted nervously to the empty cloth on the crate. "So, you ate... that thing?" He gestured vaguely, his face twisting in disgust. "Like, not with your mouth, right?"

Guldrin chuckled dryly. "Not with my mouth. It's… complicated. Let's just say it's something unique to me. I absorb things, but it's not just about taking them in, there's a price. Tonight, I'm paying it in exhaustion and a headache that feels like a marching band's practicing in my skull. Just so we are clear, if you spread this information… I will…" He paused and let Kohta hang in suspense, "Refuse to train you." Kohta's face faltered, "No! I won't speak this to anyone, I mean, who would believe you can absorb a piece of a zombie… I won't say anything." Guldrin nodded and heaved a sigh of relief.

Kohta stepped closer, his curiosity overpowering his apprehension. "But you're stronger now, right? I mean, I don't know how any of that works, but you seem... different. Like, sharper or something."

Guldrin tilted his head thoughtfully. "Yeah. Stronger, maybe faster. My body feels like it's been reinforced, and I've got a new ability to heal minor injuries." He lifted his shirt and looked at the wounds he had and saw they were just prominent scars. "The problem is, this kind of power doesn't come without strings. The more I use it, the hungrier I get. And it's not normal hunger. It's like this endless pit in my stomach, clawing at me, whispering that I need more."

Kohta frowned, leaning against a nearby stack of crates. "That sounds... pretty rough. But at the same time, isn't it worth it? I mean, we're fighting for our lives out here. You just leveled the playing field, right?"

"Maybe," Guldrin admitted, crossing his arms. "But power without control is a problem. If I lose myself to this hunger, I won't just be a threat to the monsters out there, I'll be a danger to all of you."

Kohta's face paled at the implication, but he didn't back away. "So what do we do? Is there a way to stop it?"

"I'm working on it," Guldrin said, his tone firm but not dismissive. "It's my burden, Kohta. I just need you to trust that I'll handle it." He couldn't tell Kohta that he had full control of it, even if he didn't think Kohta would talk about it, he still wanted to hide certain aspects.

Kohta gave him a small nod, his respect for Guldrin was evident in his eyes. "Alright. But if you need backup, or someone to keep you in check, I'm here. We're all in this together, man."

Guldrin managed a faint smile. "Thanks, Kohta. That means a lot."

The two lapsed into a comfortable silence for a moment, the quiet hum of the warehouse settling around them. But before long, Guldrin's stomach growled loudly, breaking the peace. Kohta burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the space.

"Okay, I take it back. You weren't kidding about the hunger thing," Kohta said, clutching his sides.

Guldrin groaned, shaking his head. "Yeah, laugh it up. Let's get back to the others before someone thinks we're sneaking off to do something suspicious."

The two made their way back to the makeshift sleeping area, the rest of the group sprawled across bedrolls and improvised bedding. Saeko had finally sheathed her sword and was sitting quietly in a meditative posture. Rei, Saya, and Shiro were huddled together, whispering about the events of the day. Yuriko and Shizuka were organizing their plans for tomorrow, their voices low but purposeful.

As Guldrin and Kohta approached, Shiro looked up from a book she was reading and gave them a small wave. "Did you get some air?" she asked, her sharp eyes briefly scanning Guldrin as if sensing the change.

"Yeah," Guldrin replied, sitting down on an empty crate near the group. "Just needed to clear my head."

Shiro nodded but didn't press further. It was a dynamic Guldrin appreciated, Shiro's ability to read the room and know when to let things go.

Saeko opened her eyes and tilted her head in Guldrin's direction. "You look different, nice hair," she said simply, her tone calm but observant.

Kohta snorted. "Yeah, you could say that. He had a... moment back there," But a single look from Guldrin told him that speaking anymore would be an issue.

Saeko's gaze lingered on Guldrin, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "As long as it's a moment that makes us stronger, it's a good thing."

Yuriko turned to join the conversation, her expression serious. "We'll need all the strength we can get. The supplies we brought back will only last so long, and there's no guarantee this warehouse will remain safe. If the undead find us here, or worse, if another group like Shido's tries to take what we have-"

"Let them try," Guldrin interrupted, his voice steady but carrying a weight that made every one pause. His sharp blue eyes swept over the group, his tone resolute. "This warehouse isn't just a shelter, it's a fortress. Shiro and I made sure of that long before this nightmare began, as we said, our adoptive father is, or was a doomsday prepper."

The room went still. Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, and Rei was the first to break the silence. "What do you mean? We've seen the gates and the barricades, but... it's just a warehouse, isn't it?"

Guldrin leaned forward, his fingers steepled in thought. "Not exactly. Shiro and I were... prepared for contingencies. Before the outbreak, we fortified this place with the idea that it might need to withstand a siege. Zombies or not, this warehouse is more defendable than you realize."

Saeko's sharp eyes narrowed, her curiosity piqued. "Fortified how?"

A small smile tugged at the corner of Guldrin's lips as he stood and gestured for them to follow. "Since everyone is still awake…" He paused, lit a cigar, grinned, and spoke, "Let me show you."

The group trailed behind him as he led them through the warehouse, their footsteps echoing in the vast space. Guldrin stopped at what appeared to be a plain section of wall and reached into a concealed panel, pulling out a small lever. With a soft click, the wall shifted, making the entrance a narrow corridor lined with steel reinforcements. 'I love these hidden aspects of the base, Shiro was right, hiding these add to the base's allure.'

"These are kill corridors," Guldrin explained, motioning them forward. "We designed these to funnel intruders into tight spaces. If anything, human or otherwise, tries to breach this place, they'll be forced to move single-file, where they're easy pickings for ranged weapons or melee strikes."

Kohta whistled low, his fingers brushing the reinforced walls. "This is insane. It's like a bunker!"

Guldrin nodded. "Exactly. And that's just the start."

He continued down the corridor, stopping at another concealed panel. This time, he flipped a switch, and a section of the ceiling slid open, revealing small, strategically placed slits. "Kill windows. Perfect for snipers or anyone with ranged weapons. From up there, you can cover the entire warehouse floor without exposing yourself to return fire. Kohta, that is where you will be if anyone ever breaches the base; if you can't kill it from there, you have no business being a sniper." 

He led them to the windows surrounding the warehouse, "These are reinforced windows, nothing short of an armor-piercing round will penetrate it, and these," He pulled on a metal slit and gestured to the rest of the systematically placed firing holes," are designed to allow for returned fire against outside invaders of all kinds."

Kohta's grin widened as he adjusted his glasses. "Now, this is my kind of setup."

Yuriko crossed her arms, her expression a mix of admiration and concern. "You two went to incredible lengths to prepare this place. Your adoptive father was really strange to have spent so much money on prepping for something that could have never happened."

Guldrin's face darkened, but he didn't answer directly. "Let's just say we, and he believed it was better to be prepared for the worst. And now, here we are. I for one, am pleased we made these preparations."

The group moved on, their curiosity growing with each reveal. Guldrin showed them hidden caches of supplies, nonperishable food, medical kits, and ammunition, all stored in climate-controlled compartments. He demonstrated how sections of the warehouse could be sealed off with reinforced steel doors, creating choke points or safe zones. There were even underground escape routes, accessible through hidden trapdoors, leading to nearby drainage tunnels. Of course, the more important areas were kept hidden, the central control room was Shiro's home and remained concealed, along with the weapons room, botanical garden, and Guldrin's, 'Experiment' room where he created that improvised explosive.

"This is more than a fortress," Saeko said, her voice filled with quiet awe. "It's a stronghold. A place where we can truly hold out."

Shiro, who had remained mostly silent, finally spoke. "We knew the value of preparation. But we also knew the cost. These defenses make us safe, but they also make us a target. If someone like Shido discovers what we have here, they'll stop at nothing to take it from us."

Rei's hands clenched into fists at the mention of Shido, her anger barely contained. "Let him try. After what he's done, he deserves whatever comes his way."

Yuriko placed a calming motherly hand on Rei's shoulder. "We'll deal with Shido if the time comes. For now, we need to focus on surviving and staying united."

"This place is where we will stay, we will expand from here as needed… Let this be one of the safest bastions around, come hell or high water, we will survive… Well… A tsunami would fuck us hard, pardon the language, but that isn't likely to happen… If it does, the warehouse is reinforced, and if absolutely needed, we can go to higher ground…" Guldrin spoke as he thought of countermeasures and contingencies. 

As the group returned to the main area of the warehouse, their mood was a mix of newfound hope and grim determination. Kohta was already talking excitedly about setting up pre-arranged sniper positions, while Saeko was quietly analyzing the layout, mentally mapping out the best spots for melee defense.

Guldrin leaned against a stack of crates, watching them with a faint smile. Despite everything, there was a sense of purpose in the air, it was a feeling that, for the first time since the outbreak began, they had a real chance to fight back.

But that hope was tempered by the knowledge that their enemies weren't just the undead. Shido and his followers were out there, and Takashi wasn't the only one who had a personal vendetta against them.

Yuriko's voice broke the silence. "We have the tools to defend this place, but we can't let ourselves get complacent. We need a plan. Patrols, watch shifts, strategies for when, not if, we're attacked."

Saeko nodded in agreement. "And we need to train. Everyone here should know how to fight, even if it's just the basics. The undead won't wait for us to be ready."

Kohta raised his hand enthusiastically. "I can help with that! Shooting lessons, gun maintenance, the works. And if anyone's interested, I've got a few ideas for modifying our weapons to make them more effective."

Shizuka clapped her hands together, her usual cheerfulness returning. "I can teach first aid! Everyone should know how to treat injuries in case something happens."

Guldrin glanced at Shiro, who gave him a small nod. "We'll take charge of fortifying the defenses. There are still a few areas we can improve. And we'll need to test the escape routes to make sure they're still clear."

Rei, still visibly tense, spoke up. "What about supplies? We can't stay here forever if we run out of food and water."

"We'll need to scout the area," Yuriko said. "But we can't afford to take unnecessary risks. Small groups, well-armed, and only when absolutely necessary."

"I planned on going to scout the major mall, if we can recover most of the supplies, then that would be for the best. Who knows, maybe we will find something unexpected," Guldrin spoke and Kohta chimed in, "Like another massive zombie!" He earned a smack on the back of his head, "You are the resident otaku, don't raise flags!" Shiro chided, and Kohta, a firm believer in death flags, paled.

The group fell into a quiet but productive discussion, each person contributing ideas and skills to their growing list of tasks. Despite the danger surrounding them, there was a sense of unity, an unspoken agreement.

Later that night, as the others settled into their makeshift beds, Guldrin found himself sitting alone near one of the kill windows, his mind racing. The weight of his earlier revelation still lingered, and the gnawing hunger inside him was a constant reminder of the price he'd paid for his newfound strength.

Shiro approached quietly, taking a seat beside him. "You did well today," she said simply.

Guldrin shrugged. "Did I? Feels like I just put a target on our backs. Shido won't ignore this place once he finds out what it's capable of."

"Then we'll deal with him," Shiro said, her tone calm but resolute. "Together."

Guldrin glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You always make it sound so simple."

"Because it is," Shiro replied. "We survive, one day at a time. And when the time comes, we fight for what's ours." Before Guldrin could react, she closed the distance, kissed him on the cheek, and ran away with a blushing face, her hair swaying as she ran making Guldrin mesmerized.

Guldrin nodded with a dazed look, his resolve hardening. "Yeah. We fight." Come Hell or high water, he would do what needed to be done to protect this new family… Because that is what they had become, a second family or a completely foreign world. If Dom were here, he would be throwing his family mottos around like confetti; Guldrin chuckled at the thought and lit his cigar as he gazed out the window once more.

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