Chapter 6: Blood and Rewards

The morning air was thick with decay.

We moved swiftly through the abandoned streets, keeping to the shadows. The infected had scattered during the night, but they weren't gone. They never were.

Zhao Yue stayed close, her pistol drawn. Mei clung to her side, silent but watchful. Smart kid.

I took point, machete ready. My system had been quiet since the last fight, but I knew it was watching. Waiting.

Then, I heard it—the guttural growl of a predator.

A pack of infected lurked near a burned-out police station. Four… no, five of them. Their bodies twitched unnaturally, heads snapping toward us at the slightest noise.

I grinned. Perfect.

"Stay back," I ordered.

Zhao Yue opened her mouth, but I was already moving. Time to test my limits.

I launched forward, blade flashing.

The first infected lunged. Too slow. I sidestepped, slashing clean through its neck. One down.

The second came from my right. I twisted, bringing my machete up just in time to bury it into its skull. A wet crunch. It fell limp.

[+50 EXP Earned]

[+2 Stat Points Available]

I grinned. The system never failed to deliver.

But I had no time to revel in it. The next infected lunged, its jagged teeth snapping inches from my throat.

I ducked, driving my boot into its chest. It staggered back, and I brought my blade down in a vicious arc. Its head split open like an overripe fruit.

[+50 EXP Earned]

[Common Loot Dropped: Rusted Dagger]

I barely registered the notification as the last two infected rushed me at once.

One grabbed at my arm. Mistake. I yanked it forward, driving my knee into its stomach before ramming my machete into its temple.

The final one screeched, claws swiping wildly. I rolled under its attack, grabbed the rusted dagger from my inventory, and slammed it into its throat.

It gurgled, black blood spraying, before crumpling at my feet.

[+100 EXP Earned]

[Level Up!]

[+2 Stat Points Available]

[Common Loot Dropped: Reinforced Gloves]

I exhaled sharply, wiping my blade clean. Efficient. Clean. No hesitation.

Zhao Yue and Mei stepped forward cautiously.

"You just took on five of them alone," Zhao Yue said, eyes narrowed. "That's… impressive."

I shrugged, checking my inventory. The gloves weren't much, but they were better than nothing. I equipped them with a thought.

"Let's keep moving."

Zhao Yue hesitated. "That… thing you do. The way you fight. It's not normal."

I met her gaze. "Nothing in this world is."

She didn't push further, but I could see the questions brewing in her eyes. She was starting to notice.

Mei, on the other hand, just stared at me like I was some kind of hero.

I wasn't.

As we moved, I pulled up my stats:

[Name: Xiao Jian] [Level: 3] [Strength: 10] [Agility: 12] [Endurance: 9] [Intelligence: 8] [Available Stat Points: 4]

I allocated +2 to Strength, +2 to Agility. Survival favored speed and power.

Zhao Yue spoke up. "Where are we heading?"

"There's a supply cache near the east sector," I said. "We restock, then find shelter before nightfall."

She nodded, accepting my judgment. Good.

The sun was rising higher, and the streets were growing quieter. Too quiet.

I tightened my grip on my machete. Something was coming.

We entered a narrow alleyway, broken cars and debris blocking most of the path.

Then, a low, gurgling sound echoed.

A new notification popped up.

[Warning: Mutated Variant Detected]

My grip tightened on my weapon. Just great.

Zhao Yue tensed beside me, gun raised. "What is that?"

I didn't answer. Because I saw it.

A hulking figure stepped from the shadows. Twice the size of a normal infected, its skin covered in jagged bone-like protrusions. Its eyes gleamed with unnatural hunger.

"Shit," I muttered.

The beast lunged.

I barely dodged in time, rolling to the side as its massive claw tore through the air where I had just stood.

I struck fast, aiming for its throat. My machete barely cut through its thick hide. Too tough.

It swung its arm, sending me flying into a rusted car.

[HP -15]

Pain shot through me, but I forced myself to stand. This wasn't going to be easy.

Zhao Yue fired, her bullets slamming into its chest. The creature barely flinched. Armor plating.

I scanned its body. Weak point… weak point… there!

Its legs. Unprotected.

I sprinted forward, dropping low. My blade slashed at its knee joint.

The monster roared as it stumbled.

[Critical Hit!]

[+120 EXP Earned]

Zhao Yue took the chance, unloading her clip into its face. Its head snapped back, black ichor spraying.

I saw my moment.

I leaped, driving my machete straight through its exposed throat. Deep. Brutal.

The beast gurgled, staggering.

[Mutated Variant Defeated!]

[+300 EXP Earned]

[Loot Acquired: High-Durability Armor Vest]

[Level Up!]

[+2 Stat Points Available]

The creature collapsed, twitching before going still.

I exhaled, pulling my blade free. That was too close.

Zhao Yue holstered her gun, breathing heavily. "That… was new."

I nodded. "They're evolving."

She paled. "Great."

Mei peeked out from behind a dumpster, eyes wide. "You killed it?"

I sighed, stretching. "Yeah."

She smiled. "You're strong."

I looked away. I had to be.

Checking my inventory, I equipped the new armor. More protection never hurt.

I pulled up my stats once more:

[Level: 4] [Strength: 12] [Agility: 14] [Endurance: 10] [Intelligence: 8] [Available Stat Points: 2]

I allocated both into Endurance. I needed to take more hits.

Zhao Yue wiped blood from her cheek. "We need to move. Fast."

I agreed. If there was one mutant, there could be more.

The apocalypse was just getting started.