The Only Way to Save Them

"Kid, do you see the last room on your left?" Theo pointed down the hallway toward the room where he'd left his sister.

The boy nodded.

"Good. I need you to run there and get inside. Stay quiet, okay? My sister is inside, tell her I'm doing good and that I'm so cool, alright?"

Another nod.

"Tell her to cover the glass window on the door and block it with something," Theo instructed.

He had noticed how some MB Infectees down the hallway kept slamming their bodies against glass windows, likely drawn by the sight of human movement inside. Worse, some doors were slightly ajar because of their lever-style handles, which the infected accidentally pulled down in their mindless assault. The doors had no locks.

Theo felt bad for the patients inside, especially those unaware of what was happening or those without guardians to protect them.

Further down the hall, he saw families and hospital staff still trying to approach one another, some attempting to calm others down despite the chaos. Even security guards on the far end of the hallway were struggling to contain the situation, though it was clear they were quickly losing control.

"Go now," Theo urged, watching as the child sprinted toward the door. The room was only a few steps away, and as soon as the boy slipped inside, Theo let out a relieved breath.

'Now, back to business.' He would clear the area near where his sister was hiding.

He pulled the IV pole from the infected woman's corpse and turned to face the slow-moving MB Infectees ahead of him.

"Time to rack up some points," he muttered, gripping his weapon and stepping forward. They were sluggish, which made it easier to take them down one by one. If they moved any faster, he knew he'd be in trouble.

[Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin]

By the time he cleared the five MB Infectees near his sister's room, Theo was panting. He could still hear gunshots echoing through the building, drawing some of the infected away, which worked in his favor.

The hospital he was in, judging by the uniforms of the nurses he'd taken down was Metro Doctors Hospital, the largest private hospital in Metropolis City. He was still in just one wing of his floor, not even a quarter of the hospital.

Screams and sobs came from the other wings. Through the glass windows of some rooms, he spotted survivors trembling in fear, some quietly weeping.

"Stay quiet and don't let them bite you," Theo warned those he passed inside their rooms who weren't infected. "I think that's how it spreads, just like in zombie movies. Also, block the glass window and the door."

Many of them already seemed to understand that, nodding in agreement.

As Theo continued patrolling the halls, taking down two more MB Infectees, a sudden announcement crackled through the hospital's emergency speakers.

"Attention all survivors: Find a safe place and remain hidden. Stay silent, and do not approach anyone displaying strange behavior or signs of infection. Under no circumstances should you allow yourself to be bitten.

The military is currently sweeping each floor, eliminating the infected and rescuing survivors. If you have been bitten but remain conscious and in control, there is a chance you are immune. However, you must isolate yourself from the uninfected and wait for military personnel to assess your condition.

I repeat: Do not engage the infected. Stay hidden and wait for rescue."

He clicked his tongue in frustration and muttered, "They should've made that announcement sooner… It's already too late."

A sudden whisper from behind startled him. "Psst."

Theo turned to see an elderly woman peeking her head out from a door.

"Why are you wandering around? Get in here and stay put with us! Are you trying to get yourself killed?" she scolded.

Theo scratched his head, offering an awkward smile. "I'm just taking care of the ones I can handle," he muttered.

"You'll get yourself infected doing that! Just wait for the military to come rescue us, young man," she snapped, her tone laced with concern.

Theo chuckled lightly. "Appreciate the advice, Granny. Just make sure to block the door and cover the glass window. Stay safe, I'll see you around."

With that, Theo pushed forward, taking down more MB Infectees along the way.

[Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin]

His breath came in heavy gasps. "I get tired way too easily," he panted.

Spotting a water dispenser near the nurse's station, he grabbed the gallon jug and drank straight from it, chugging as much as he could.

[Ding! +3 Health Regeneration, +2 Resistance to Fatigue, +1 Detoxification]

Theo wiped his mouth with his sleeve. It seemed that every hundred grams of water he acquired brought rewards that would benefit his body.

After more than a liter of water, he already felt a little better. His exhaustion wasn't gone, but it wasn't as overwhelming as before. He went to the nurse's station to find a better weapon. Fortunately, a glint of metal caught his eye in the pantry, a kitchen knife. Grabbing it, Theo tightened his grip and set off toward the source of more snarls.

"Let's see how well this works," he muttered.

Theo continued to stab each MB Infectee he encountered, taking them down one by one. With every kill, he not only gained EXP and Gold Coins but also received a new notification.

[Ding! Basic Mutation Power Unlocked

Enhanced Physique: Strength, agility, and endurance slightly increased

Adaptive Healing: Minor wounds recover faster]

The notifications fueled his determination. His body felt lighter despite the extra weight, as though something had shifted inside him.

'I guess I really gained superpowers somehow... and it's leveling up,' he thought, pushing forward.

[Ding! Basic Mutation Power Unlocked

Kinetic Pulse: Releases a short-range energy burst]

[Ding! Note: Mutation powers will evolve with further combat experience. Keep fighting to unlock more abilities]

Theo paused for a moment, his eyes landing on an infected child banging its head against the elevator buttons. The child's neck was torn open, bleeding heavily from the bite.

He hesitated, knife gripped tight in his hand, watching the child. It wasn't attacking anyone, more focused on the blinking elevator push button lights.

He clenched his fists, feeling a wave of hopelessness wash over him. The child seemed so helpless, just mindlessly drawn to the lights of the buttons.

His hands trembled, and he shouted silently in his mind, 'Can they still be saved? Is there hope for them?'

[The infection has stripped them of their humanity. Once transformed, there is no turning back. The virus is relentless and there is no cure, only destruction.]

The words were cold, final. His chest tightened. The truth was clear now. The only way to save them was to end their suffering... to end their lives.

He walked towards the child, aiming to strike when someone suddenly grabbed him and threw him to the ground. A flurry of punches rained down on him.

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