Chapter 13: The First Upgrade
Chapter 13: The First Upgrade
Alex leaned against the wall, his body aching as he scrolled through the enhanced skills menu. Each option presented a chance to shift the tide of his survival, but the choice wasn't easy.
"Combat Reflexes could save me in a fight… but my shoulder's killing me, and I won't last long without better healing," he muttered, eyeing the second skill.
After a moment's thought, he selected Health Regeneration.
> System Notification:
Skill Unlocked: Health Regeneration
SP Deducted: 150 SP
Remaining SP: 210 SP
A soothing warmth spread through Alex's body as the skill activated. The throbbing pain in his shoulder began to dull, and the small cuts and bruises littering his arms slowly started to fade.
"That's more like it," Alex said, rolling his shoulder. The system chimed again, signaling another notification.
> Skill Effect Active:
Health Regeneration: Restores 5 HP per minute.
With his wounds healing and strength returning, Alex felt a renewed sense of purpose. The restricted area on Floor 1 was calling, and he couldn't afford to waste any more time.
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Descending to the Restricted Area
The stairwell leading to the first floor was dark and foreboding, the faint sound of groaning echoing from below. Alex tightened his grip on the crowbar, his senses on high alert as he descended.
The air grew colder, and a strange metallic scent filled his nostrils. Something about this floor felt different—more dangerous.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Alex paused to examine the map on his interface. The restricted area was marked as a large, red-shaded room in the eastern section of the floor.
"Of course, it's on the opposite side," he muttered, sighing.
The first floor was infested with infected, but the map also highlighted potential loot points in nearby rooms. Alex debated whether to scavenge or head straight for the restricted area.
"Play it smart," he told himself, deciding to check the nearest room for supplies before moving on.
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Looting Under Pressure
The room he entered appeared to be a security office. Broken monitors and scattered papers littered the desk, but Alex's eyes were drawn to a locked cabinet in the corner.
He pried it open with the crowbar, revealing a small stash of items.
> Items Found:
9mm Pistol (6/12 Rounds)
Keyring: Floor 1 Access Doors
Energy Bar (x2)
"A gun," Alex whispered, picking up the pistol. He hadn't fired one in years, but the weight of it in his hands was reassuring.
Loading the magazine, he tucked the pistol into his waistband and pocketed the keyring. The energy bars went into his bag—he'd need them if things got worse.
Just as he finished looting, the system's Survival Instincts pulsed. A red outline appeared near the door, growing larger as the infected approached.
Alex readied his crowbar, his muscles tense as the creature stumbled into view. It was a standard walker, but its size and bulk made it stand out.
> Enemy Type: Bloater Walker
Danger Level: Moderate
"Figures," Alex muttered, stepping back as the bloater entered the room.
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A Tough Fight
The bloater lunged at him with surprising speed for its size. Alex dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its swinging arms. The creature's bloated body made wet, squelching noises with each movement, and the smell was unbearable.
Alex swung his crowbar at its leg, hoping to slow it down, but the bloater barely flinched.
"Damn thing's tougher than it looks," Alex said, circling around it.
The bloater charged again, this time clipping Alex's arm and sending him stumbling back into the desk.
> Health: 92%
Gritting his teeth, Alex drew the pistol and fired. The first shot hit the bloater in the shoulder, barely slowing it. The second shot found its mark, hitting the creature square in the head.
The bloater let out a guttural groan before collapsing to the floor in a heap.
> Bloater Walker Eliminated: +20 SP.
Alex holstered the pistol, breathing heavily as he checked the room for any other threats.
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Approaching the Restricted Area
With the bloater dealt with, Alex made his way toward the restricted area. The keyring he'd found earlier made quick work of the locked doors blocking his path, though each creak of the hinges set his nerves on edge.
Finally, he reached the door to the restricted area. A keypad glowed faintly next to it, and Alex swiped the keycard he had found on Floor 2.
> Access Granted.
The door slid open with a hiss, revealing a long, dimly lit corridor. The walls were lined with strange markings, and the floor was littered with debris.
"Why does this feel like a trap?" Alex muttered, stepping inside.
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The Restricted Room
At the end of the corridor, Alex found a large metal door slightly ajar. He pushed it open, revealing a room filled with strange equipment—computers, medical machines, and shelves lined with vials of an unknown substance.
In the center of the room was a large containment chamber, its glass walls fogged over. A faint red light blinked on the control panel next to it, indicating that the chamber was powered down.
"What the hell were they doing here?" Alex whispered, his eyes scanning the room.
The system chimed, drawing his attention.
> Objective Updated:
Investigate the Containment Chamber.
Alex approached the chamber cautiously, his hand hovering near his pistol. Wiping away the condensation on the glass, he peered inside—and froze.
A figure was slumped in the chamber, its body unnaturally thin and covered in strange, glowing veins. The system identified it immediately:
> Subject: Experimental Infected (Dormant)
Danger Level: Unknown
Before Alex could react, the red light on the control panel turned green.
> Warning: Containment Chamber Activating.
"Ah, crap," Alex muttered, stepping back as the chamber began to hiss and rumble.