Chapter 9: Power is Everything

The station was now behind us, a graveyard of forgotten truths. The city stretched ahead—dangerous, unpredictable, and filled with the undead. But now, there was something else lurking in the ruins.

Survivors.

We moved carefully, avoiding the main roads. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over broken buildings and burned-out vehicles. The air was thick with the scent of decay, but something else lingered too—smoke.

"Someone's burning something nearby," Zhao Yue muttered.

I nodded. A campfire. Survivors.

We followed the scent, moving through alleys until we reached an old supermarket. Inside, the flickering glow of firelight danced against the shattered windows. People were inside.

Zhao Yue tensed. "Think they're friendly?"

I scoffed. "Doubt it."

I stepped forward, knocking the barrel of my machete against the doorframe. The murmurs inside halted.

Then—a voice. "Who the hell is it?"

The door swung open, revealing a young man in a leather jacket, his hair slicked back, a shotgun slung over his shoulder. Behind him, a dozen rough-looking men and women sat around makeshift tables, their eyes narrowing at us.

"You look lost," the man said, smirking. "This is our place."

I studied him. His posture was too relaxed, his grin too self-assured. A wannabe warlord. A punk playing king in the ruins of a world he never ruled.

"We're just passing through," I said. "Not looking for trouble."

"Trouble?" The man chuckled, stepping closer. "You're standing in my camp, buddy. Everything here is mine—the food, the weapons, and the people."

His gaze slid to Zhao Yue. His smirk widened. "Especially the women."

Zhao Yue stiffened. My fingers tightened around my machete.

I exhaled. Some people never learned.

"You should put that machete down, pal," the man continued, waving at his men. "Wouldn't want things to get messy."

His lackeys chuckled. One of them, a brute of a man, cracked his knuckles.

I tilted my head. "You want me to put down my weapon?"

The man grinned. "That's right."

I nodded. Then—I moved.

In a flash, I was in front of him, my machete slicing through the air. A clean, precise slap.

The sound echoed through the supermarket. The man stumbled, crashing into a stack of canned food.

Silence.

His men stared. He blinked, eyes wide, disbelief plastered on his face.

Then came the rage.

"You—"

Another slap. Harder.

He fell again, knocking over a chair. Blood trickled from his split lip.

I sighed. "I told you. We're not looking for trouble."

Zhao Yue smirked. Mei giggled softly.

The man scrambled back, face red with anger and humiliation. His pride was shattered.

"Kill them!" he roared.

His men moved.

I dodged the first punch, driving my knee into the attacker's stomach. He choked, doubling over. Zhao Yue fired her gun—a perfect headshot.

The others hesitated. Fear crept in.

I grabbed a chair, swinging it into another's face. Teeth scattered to the floor. The brute who had cracked his knuckles earlier lunged at me.

I let him.

His punch sailed past my head. I caught his wrist, twisting it sharply. A sickening snap.

He screamed.

I shoved him away, stepping forward. The rest backed off, eyes darting between their fallen leader and the two of us still standing.

"You were saying?" I asked, brushing dust off my sleeve.

The leather-jacketed leader groaned, clutching his face. His men did nothing.

Zhao Yue tilted her head. "Looks like your 'kingdom' isn't so loyal."

The man glared up at me. "You think this is over?"

I crouched beside him. "Oh, it's over."

I grabbed his shotgun, checking the rounds. Fully loaded. Nice.

"You run this place like a thug," I continued. "But there's a new rule in this world."

I pressed the shotgun barrel against his forehead.

"Power is everything."

He gulped. His men stayed silent.

I stood, tossing the gun to Zhao Yue. "We're taking supplies. You try to stop us, you die. Understood?"

He nodded weakly.

I smirked. Pathetic.

We left with bags of food, medicine, and ammunition. As we stepped outside, Zhao Yue let out a laugh.

"I have to admit," she said, adjusting the shotgun. "That was satisfying."

I shrugged. "Some people only understand force."

She glanced at me. "You're different than I expected."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

She hesitated, then sighed. "You're ruthless. But you're not cruel."

I didn't respond. What was I supposed to say?

I had learned my lesson in my past life. Kindness got you killed.

But maybe—just maybe—I hadn't lost all of it yet.

[Level Up!] [+3 Stat Points Earned]

[Special Reward for Dominating Young Master!]

B-Rank Skill: Phantom Slash (A lightning-fast sword strike that leaves an afterimage) Weapon Obtained: Reinforced Katana (+10% damage against mutated zombies) +10 Bonus Stat Points

I exhaled. A katana. Finally, a real weapon.

I pulled up my system panel and began allocating the stat points. More strength. More agility. I was just getting started.

The city stretched ahead, full of danger.

But this time, I wasn't afraid.