The group moved cautiously through the dark warehouse, where the air was thick with the scent of decay and old blood. The faint light seeping through small cracks in the ceiling barely illuminated their surroundings. Zayn walked forward with steady steps, his blue eyes gleaming in the darkness as he carefully observed his surroundings.
This place was different from the others they had passed through. Despite the destruction that filled every corner, the warehouse was not entirely empty. They knew something was watching them—something unnatural, something far more dangerous than an ordinary zombie.
"Stay alert. Don't split up," Zayn said in a low but firm voice.
"There's something here..." the black-haired girl muttered, gripping her weapon tightly.
At that moment, a deep growl echoed through the warehouse, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching from the darkness. Adrenaline rushed through their veins, and a tense anticipation filled the air. Suddenly, a massive creature emerged—a hulking figure, far larger than any zombie they had encountered before. Its cracked skin pulsed with a sickly glow, and its crimson eyes burned with an eerie light. Behind it, more ordinary zombies began to appear.
"Oh great, we're in big trouble this time," Liam said with a sarcastic grin as he readied his weapon.
"Now's not the time for jokes. This isn't a normal zombie," the girl said, her tone serious.
"It's a mutant," Zayn confirmed, tightening his grip on his sword as he prepared to fight.
The battle erupted instantly. The mutant charged forward with terrifying speed, its sheer size making every step shake the ground. Zayn barely dodged the first strike, feeling the force of the attack from the wind that accompanied it. He countered with a precise slash, but his blade barely left a scratch on the creature's hardened flesh.
"It's armored!" Zayn called out as he leaped back to avoid another crushing blow.
"What do we do?!" one of the team members shouted as the ordinary zombies began to swarm them.
But Zayn was not one to back down easily. He took a deep breath, allowing the energy of his system to flow through him. A familiar sensation coursed through his body—that feeling of something awakening inside him, something dark and powerful.
In an instant, his expression changed. The calm look in his eyes turned sharp and predatory. His once composed demeanor shifted into something far more dangerous.
"Is this all you've got?" he murmured coldly before dashing forward at an incredible speed.
With a single, charged strike, he managed to crack the mutant's tough exterior, but it wasn't enough to bring it down. The creature roared in fury, swinging its massive fist at him, but Zayn twisted his body at the last moment, evading the blow and countering with another deep slash.
Meanwhile, the black-haired girl fought alongside him, moving gracefully between the ordinary zombies. Her twin daggers flashed in the dim light as she cut through them with swift precision. Though the sight of blood unsettled her, she knew this was the only way to survive.
Liam and the others split into smaller groups, each of them fighting to the best of their ability. This was a critical moment—there was no room for hesitation or fear.
"Zayn, we need to end this quickly! We're getting overwhelmed!" the girl shouted as she beheaded a zombie with a swift motion.
Zayn didn't respond, but he focused all his energy on his next move. He knew the mutant wouldn't fall easily—he needed to deliver a decisive strike.
"Alright... let's see how much you can take," he muttered to himself before launching into the air.
Using the warehouse wall as a foothold, he propelled himself toward the mutant at a blinding speed.
In a single, precise moment, his blade descended, carrying a surge of energy. The impact struck the mutant's head with devastating force, cutting through its skull and piercing deep into its core.
The mutant collapsed with a thunderous crash, sending tremors through the floor and knocking over nearby crates.
The ordinary zombies hesitated, as if realizing what had just happened, before slowly retreating into the shadows, vanishing without a trace.
Heavy breaths filled the air as the team stood there, catching their breath. Zayn stepped back, gripping his slightly injured arm.
"Is everyone okay?" he asked, his gaze scanning his teammates.
"Yeah... barely," Liam replied, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"You were terrifying out there, Zayn," the black-haired girl said, her red eyes wide with awe.
Zayn didn't respond, but he sheathed his sword and returned to his usual demeanor. He knew his other side was becoming stronger with each battle, and he had to be careful.
"We need to move before more of them show up," he said, glancing at the fallen mutant.
Despite their victory, they all knew this was just the beginning. Something bigger was waiting for them—something far more dangerous than a mere mutant zombie.
After gathering supplies from the warehouse, they set off toward their next destination.
The road ahead was dark, but they were ready for whatever lay ahead.
This war was far from over. True safety was still a long way away.
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End of Chapter 9