Unleashing Skyfall Fist for the First Time

Adam stepped past the charred remains of a burned-out sedan, his eyes scanning the surroundings with unwavering vigilance. Wisps of smoke still curled up from the rubble, adding to the eerie stillness of the dead city. Occasionally, the wind would sweep through shattered glass, producing a sharp whistling sound that echoed through the deserted streets.

"Did you use to live around here?" he asked, his voice calm yet alert.

They were on the main highway of West Jakarta, in the eastern district that was once bustling with shopping centers and tourist attractions. Now, all that remained of its former glory were collapsed buildings, cracked asphalt, and abandoned vehicles with open doors, as if their owners had fled in a panic.

Amel flinched at the question. She glanced around, her slightly watery eyes reflecting the ruins of the city. There was something in her gaze—a painful nostalgia.

"Yeah, boss... My house used to be behind Matahari Mall, in the Kayasa residential area," she replied, her voice trembling. She raised her hand, pointing toward the once-grand shopping mall, now reduced to ruins.

What was once a symbol of urban luxury had become a monument to death. An explosion had torn apart most of its front entrance. Shattered glass lay everywhere, and from one of the upper-floor windows, a lifeless corpse hung limply—perhaps someone who had chosen to jump rather than face the terror inside. The stench of decay wafted from within, mingling with the metallic scent of blood and rusted iron.

Adam gave a slight nod. He could feel Amel's sorrow—the loss of her home, her family, her past life. But amidst his thoughts, another realization emerged. He had always believed life had treated him unfairly, that his struggles and hardships were unique. But now, seeing Amel—who once came from a privileged background—struggling in this same merciless world, he understood that no one was truly more fortunate.

"What about you, boss?" Amel asked, trying to divert the conversation. Her steps quickened slightly, walking beside him.

Adam cast her a brief glance before returning his focus to the road ahead. He lowered his Viper Sniper rifle into a ready position.

"I used to live around here too. This road was often part of my bus route to work."

Amel's curiosity grew. "What did you do for work?"

"Retail store," Adam replied casually. "I'm not from Jakarta. I was born in North Sumatra, Nias."

Amel fell silent for a moment before finally voicing the question that had been on her mind.

"Boss... don't you want to look for your family?"

That question made Adam pause briefly. He let out a slow breath, his gaze fixed on the distance.

"My parents have been gone for a long time. My uncle and aunt in North Sumatra... they're probably gone too."

Amel looked at him with an expression that was hard to decipher—a mix of sympathy and guilt for having asked.

Adam resumed walking. He recalled Captain Rio's explanation back at the computer shop—that mutants and zombies had mostly emerged from the seas and forests. His hometown was a coastal village, inhabited by fishermen.

There were no military outposts there. Just a small police station with three aging officers.

The chances of his family surviving? Almost zero.

Adam didn't allow himself to dwell on the thought for too long. He had to keep moving forward. If one day he became strong enough, he would uncover what had truly happened to his village. Even if the chances were only one percent, he wouldn't stop.

Now it was Amel who felt sorrow for Adam. They had both lost everything. They both had no one left.

Without saying a word, she quickened her pace to walk beside Adam. She didn't want to leave him alone with his thoughts.

They continued down the vast highway, dust swirling in the air, reducing visibility. The harsh midday sun only deepened the somber atmosphere, the shadows of crumbling skyscrapers looming like giants ready to collapse at any moment.

Suddenly, a rumbling sound came from the sky.

Adam glanced upward. A helicopter flew in the distance, its blades kicking up gusts of wind that sent dust spiraling along the road. He watched carefully—every helicopter sighting in this new world carried meaning. It could be a sign of surviving military forces, or a harbinger of catastrophe that had just unfolded elsewhere.

Without a word, Adam resumed walking, navigating through the debris-littered streets. Not long after turning at an intersection near Matahari Mall, he raised his hand, signaling Amel to stop.

"There are some zombies up ahead," he whispered, taking cover behind the burnt-out remains of a jeep.

Adam glanced at Amel. "Have you ever fought a zombie before?" he asked, making sure. If not, then it was time for her to start. As his subordinate, he couldn't allow her to remain weak or afraid of facing the enemy.

Amel swallowed hard. "No, boss..." her voice quivered slightly. She could already guess that Adam wanted her to fight on her own.

"Activate your ability. Take down those three zombies over there," Adam commanded firmly.

Amel hesitated, gathering her courage. "But boss… could you show me just once?" she asked hopefully. Though she knew she had to follow orders without question, her instincts told her she should observe first.

Adam studied her in silence. He could see the fear in her eyes, something that reminded him that Amel was not like him. She hadn't grown up in the harshness of village life. She was a city girl, the daughter of a wealthy family who was suddenly forced to survive in a world that had turned into hell.

A realization crossed his mind. He was pushing her to change too quickly. Without a second thought, he reached out and held her shoulder just as she was about to stand up.

"Wait. I'll show you first," he said finally, standing up straight.

Amel was surprised. "But boss, I'm willing—"

Adam waved his hand dismissively. "No need. As a leader, it's my duty to teach you." His faint smile conveyed that he was more than just someone who gave orders—he was someone she could rely on.

Amel stared at him silently, then slowly nodded. A warmth replaced the fear that had gripped her moments ago. "Be careful, boss…" she whispered softly.

Adam nodded before stepping forward. Ahead, three zombies were feasting on the corpse of a construction worker near the roadside. The stench of rotting flesh assaulted his senses, but he had long grown used to it.

"I'll try out my new martial arts skill," he murmured, narrowing his eyes. As he moved closer, he felt his body become lighter, his movements sharper.

'My speed has increased… Is this the effect of reaching 50 stat points?' he thought. Confidence surged through him.

One of the zombies lifted its head, its vacant stare meeting Adam's. Its face was marred with deep gashes, rotting flesh dangling from its jaw. Its cloudy eyes fixated on him hungrily.

Adam stood firm. He activated Skyfall Fist. Instantly, glowing green markers appeared on the zombie's body, highlighting its weak points.

The zombie let out a guttural growl and began charging toward him. Adam felt a strange pull inside him, like an invisible force guiding him toward the target. The green markers turned red, and his body surged with energy.

'A compulsion to attack?' he mused.

In an instant, his body shot forward. Five meters, four meters… then two. His fist moved on instinct, glowing with a brilliant blue aura as he swung a straight punch.

BOOM!

Blood splattered. The zombie's head exploded like a watermelon smashed by a sledgehammer. But Skyfall Fist wasn't done yet…