A Crack in Perfection

Chapter 20: A Crack in Perfection

Lucian leaned against the ruined wall of an abandoned skyscraper, staring at the moonlit wasteland ahead. He wasn't invincible. Not yet.

Tonight had proven that.

His knuckles were still throbbing from the brutal fight with the Variant. He had won, but it had taken more effort than expected. His system had absorbed its vitality, strengthening him further—but that fight had been too close.

For the first time since the apocalypse began, Lucian felt something resembling pressure.

He glanced at his arm. A thin crack-like wound ran across his forearm where the Variant's claws had grazed him. It was healing fast, but not instantly.

A flaw.

Lucian hated flaws.

The Weight of Leadership

Behind him, the women in his group whispered among themselves. The fight had shaken them. Evelyn was the first to speak.

"You're hurt," she said, stepping toward him.

Lucian didn't answer. His mind was elsewhere.

He had unlimited storage, the strongest system, and a growing harem of stunning women. Yet, deep down, he knew something was wrong.

He wasn't unstoppable. Not yet.

"Lucian," Evelyn pressed, her voice softer. "You're bleeding."

Lucian sighed, glancing at the dried blood on his sleeve. "It's nothing."

"But—"

"Enough." His voice was calm, but firm. Evelyn flinched, but nodded.

The others fell silent. They trusted him. Feared him. Desired him. But they also saw something else tonight—his limits.

A Dangerous Realization

Lucian didn't sleep. He sat on the edge of the ruined rooftop, scanning the city below. The Variant wasn't the real problem.

The real problem was that he had been too arrogant.

He had relied too much on his system and overwhelming power, assuming that nothing could threaten him. But the world was changing. The zombies were evolving.

If he didn't push himself harder, one day something might come along that could actually kill him.

Lucian clenched his fists. He couldn't allow that.

He needed more weapons, more strength, more control.

Morning Comes with a New Challenge

At sunrise, Lucian led the group through the ruins. They needed to resupply. Food, medical supplies, ammunition—everything had to be replenished.

Evelyn walked beside him. "What's our plan?"

"We're raiding the underground bunker in the city center," Lucian said.

Evelyn hesitated. "The one that belonged to the military?"

Lucian nodded. "If there's anything useful left, it's there."

The problem? That bunker wasn't abandoned.

It was controlled by survivors. Armed ones.

And not the friendly kind.

To Be Continued…