Chapter 7: Sparks in the Darkness

The grocery store's silence was almost deafening, broken only by the occasional shuffling of their steps and the faint hum of flies circling the decaying remains scattered across the floor. Shelves once brimming with food now stood barren, their contents looted by desperate hands long before Kale's group arrived.

Asher moved methodically, scanning the aisles for anything remotely useful. His back was stiff, his movements deliberate, as though the weight of responsibility bore down on him. Iris followed closely, her grip on Kale's sword firm.

John, meanwhile, hovered near the store's entrance like a nervous rabbit, his eyes darting to every shadow. "This place gives me the creeps," he muttered, gripping his bat tightly. "We should grab what we can and leave before something—"

A loud thud interrupted him.

John yelped, spinning toward the sound. "What was that?!"

Kale, crouched near a toppled shelf, didn't even bother looking up. He held a canned good in one hand, inspecting the label as if the noise hadn't even registered. "Relax, John," he said dryly. "Probably just a rat."

"Rats don't make noises like that," John hissed.

Kale finally glanced over his shoulder, his expression a mixture of amusement and irritation. "Then maybe it's a zombie rat. Either way, screaming won't help."

The jab earned him a glare, but John kept quiet after that.

Asher called out from a nearby aisle. "Found some bottled water!" He emerged holding a half-empty pack, his expression triumphant.

"Good," Iris said, stepping toward him. "That'll help. We need to keep hydrated."

Kale smirked from his spot by the shelf. "Such a noble sentiment, Iris. Truly inspiring."

Iris shot him a look, but before she could respond, Asher interjected. "Kale, what about you? Found anything useful?"

Kale shrugged, holding up the can he'd been inspecting. "Tuna. Expired, but still edible. Want to split it?"

Asher wrinkled his nose. "No thanks."

Kale chuckled, tossing the can back onto the shelf. "Suit yourself."

Ding!

The protagonist's future partner appreciates your sense of humor. The protagonist's luck has decreased. Your luck has increased.

Kale's smirk deepened. "This is almost too easy," he thought, glancing at Iris, who was trying—and failing—to suppress a small smile.

The group's scavenging continued for a while longer, yielding a modest haul of supplies: a few bottles of water, some canned goods, and a handful of medical items. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

As they regrouped near the entrance, Kale's attention was drawn to the shattered remains of a vending machine in the corner. Something about the way the glass fragments glinted in the dim light caught his eye. He wandered over, ignoring the others' chatter, and crouched down to inspect the debris.

Beneath the shards, nestled among discarded candy wrappers, was another Talent Stone. It pulsed faintly, its glow barely perceptible but unmistakable.

Ding!

Host has discovered another hidden opportunity. Claiming this will further reduce the protagonist's luck.

Kale didn't hesitate. He slipped the stone into his pocket, his movements swift and subtle.

"Find something?" Iris asked, her voice startling him slightly.

Kale straightened, turning to face her with a casual shrug. "Just trash."

Her brows furrowed, but she didn't press the matter.

As the group prepared to leave, John's voice broke the relative calm. "Uh, guys? We've got company."

Kale turned to see John pointing toward the street outside. Three figures were shuffling toward the store, their movements sluggish yet purposeful. Zombies.

"Well, that didn't take long," Kale muttered, his hand instinctively moving toward his weapon.

Asher stepped forward, positioning himself between the group and the approaching threat. "Stay behind me," he said firmly.

Kale raised an eyebrow, amused by the protagonist's instinctive need to play hero. "You sure about that? I mean, I could take care of them if you're scared."

"I'm not scared," Asher snapped.

Kale smirked. "Then by all means, lead the charge."

Asher didn't respond, instead gripping his weapon tightly and stepping out into the street. The zombies let out low, guttural growls as they moved toward him, their decayed forms illuminated by the fading sunlight.

The fight was over quickly. Asher dispatched the first zombie with a clean swing of his weapon, his movements precise and controlled. The second went down just as easily, its head crushed beneath his boot.

The third zombie, however, managed to slip past him, lurching toward Iris with alarming speed.

"Iris, move!" Asher shouted, panic evident in his voice.

Iris froze, her grip on Kale's sword faltering as the creature closed in.

Before anyone else could react, Kale stepped forward, his movements fluid and unhurried. He swung his blade in a wide arc, the sound of steel slicing through flesh echoing in the still air.

The zombie collapsed at his feet, its head severed cleanly from its body.

Ding!

Host has gained 50 Villain Points for intervening and stealing the protagonist's chance to act. The protagonist's luck has decreased.

Kale glanced at the notifications with a faint smirk before turning to Iris. "You okay?"

Iris nodded, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and gratitude. "Y-yeah. Thanks, Kale."

Ding!

The protagonist's future partner has developed a deeper admiration for you. The protagonist's luck has decreased further. Your luck has increased.

Asher approached, his expression tight. "You didn't have to show off," he said, his tone laced with annoyance.

Kale shrugged. "I wasn't showing off. Just didn't want to see her get hurt."

The words were simple, but the effect was immediate. Asher's jaw tightened, and Kale could practically see the jealousy simmering beneath the surface.

"Careful, Asher," Kale thought, his smirk returning. "Keep this up, and I might actually feel bad for you. But probably not."

The group resumed their journey shortly after, the atmosphere tense. John, as usual, tried to lighten the mood with nervous chatter, but his efforts were largely ignored.

Iris walked beside Kale, her gaze occasionally drifting toward him. "Hey," she said softly. "Thanks again for back there. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't stepped in."

Kale glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Don't mention it."

For a moment, there was silence between them. Then Iris smiled, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "You're not as bad as you pretend to be, you know?"

Kale chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't let appearances fool you, Iris. I'm worse."

She laughed softly, and for a brief moment, the tension seemed to lift.

As they reached the edge of the city, the group stopped to take stock of their surroundings. The sun was setting, casting the world in hues of orange and gold.

"Let's find somewhere to camp for the night," Asher said, his tone serious. "We'll need to be well-rested for tomorrow."

Kale nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. The Talent Stones he'd collected weighed heavily in his pocket, their potential power tantalizingly close.

"This is just the beginning," he thought