Consumption Skill

At Greenland Industrial University, Wang Gang sat beside Liu Ru in the grandstand of the sports field.

A few dozen meters away, another couple was engrossed in their passion. The girl nestled in the boy's lap, her arms coiled around his neck, their lips locked in an almost frantic exchange, reminiscent of pecking birds. His hand, initially resting on her back, began a slow descent until it disappeared beneath the waistband of her jeans.

A soft, intoxicated moan escaped her lips as she closed her eyes in surrender.

The sight stirred a primal reaction in Wang Gang. Overcome by impulse, he reached for Liu Ru's hand.

She withdrew it immediately, bestowing upon him an all-too-familiar rejection. "Wang Gang, thank you for keeping me company. You're a great guy, but there's no future for us."

The words struck with the force of a thousand unseen wounds.

Then, as if that weren't enough, Liu Ru stood up, a flicker of awkwardness flashing across her face. "Zhang Jiayu just apologized to me on WeChat. He's on his way here. If he sees me with you, he'll be upset. I should go."

Before Wang Gang could fully process her words, she turned and descended the steps of the grandstand.

This time, the damage was doubled—a critical hit straight to his soul.

He remained motionless, watching until her silhouette vanished completely. Only then did the surge of anger and disillusionment bring him back to himself.

His thoughts erupted in furious curses.You manipulative bitch! Are you playing me? Do you think I'm just some backup you can summon at will and discard just as easily?

This was the third time. Every time she broke up with Zhang Jiayu, she sought Wang Gang out for comfort, only to return to her lover's arms once her wounds had healed.

But no more. Wang Gang had tolerated enough. He may have loved Liu Ru, but he wasn't a fool. He refused to be strung along like a puppet.

From this moment on, he vowed—he would never again be ensnared by this woman's games.

Just as he cemented his resolve, three brilliant streaks of light slashed across the sky.

The next instant, they struck the wooded area beyond the northern end of the sports field. Explosions roared in succession, shattering the night with thunderous force.

Then, the ground trembled violently, as though the earth itself had awakened in fury.

A shockwave of immense power erupted from the impact site, sweeping across the field. Wang Gang and everyone around him were flung into the air like fallen leaves in a storm, before crashing unceremoniously to the ground, unconscious.

Time became an abyss.

When Wang Gang finally came to, the others around him were also beginning to stir.

Disoriented, he gazed around at the chaotic scene, struggling to piece together what had just happened.

Then—

A scream split the silence.

"Shit! Guan Tong, what the fuck are you doing?! Have you lost your mind?! Stop biting me—AAAHH!!"

A girl had thrown herself onto her boyfriend, her teeth sinking savagely into his neck and face. He writhed and howled in agony, desperately trying to break free.

The onlookers stood frozen, horror carved into their expressions.

And then—

"Darling… what—what are you doing? No—!"

Another boy suddenly snapped, shoving his girlfriend to the ground and tearing into her flesh with rabid fervor.

Chaos ignited.

More and more students turned on one another, the same horrifying phenomenon unfolding across the field.

Wang Gang felt a chill seep into his bones.

What the hell is happening?

Have they… have they turned into zombies?!

It was absurd, but the grotesque scene before him was uncannily reminiscent of every zombie movie he had ever watched.

As his mind reeled, a petite figure appeared before him—a young girl clad in an impossibly short skirt, its hem barely covering the lacy edge of her underwear.

She batted her long lashes, dimples deepening in an enchanting smile.

"Master," she purred, "congratulations! You have officially entered the apocalypse. I am Sophia, your personal system guide and devoted maid. I'm here to help you survive. All you have to do… is nod."

She struck a provocative pose, and with her well-endowed frame, the movement sent tremors rippling across her chest.

Wang Gang didn't hesitate. "Yes! I accept! Give me power—quickly!"

He knew from every survival horror story—if he wanted to live, he needed an advantage.

Sophia's lips curled mischievously. "Very well, Master. The system grants you the skill of… Earth Consumption."

"…What?" Wang Gang blinked, struggling to process her words. "The hell is Earth Consumption supposed to mean?!"

Sophia giggled. "Soil is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium—essential elements that, once absorbed, will fortify your body. You will become an unstoppable berserker!"

"…Are you serious?"

"Try it and see."

Skepticism warred with desperation. Wang Gang hesitated for only a moment before scooping up a handful of dirt and shoving it into his mouth.

To his astonishment, the soil melted like fine chocolate, seamlessly assimilating into his body.

A rush of vitality surged through him, invigorating every fiber of his being.

"Master," Sophia's voice chimed sweetly, "this batch contained high levels of nitrogen, which enhances muscular elasticity and strength; phosphorus and calcium, which reinforce bone density to steel-like resilience; and potassium, which optimizes cellular function, amplifying your endurance."

Wang Gang was dumbfounded. No digestion required? Direct absorption? What kind of cheat ability is this?!

Overcome with exhilaration, he abandoned all restraint. Kneeling, he began shoveling soil into his mouth with manic urgency.

Sophia's cheeks flushed crimson as she watched his feverish enthusiasm. If he treats me the way he treats that dirt… A scandalous thought flickered in her mind, sending warmth creeping up her neck.

Two minutes later, a sudden crackling resonance filled Wang Gang's body.

"Master, congratulations! You have ascended to Berserker Rank One! You now qualify for a system lottery draw."

A massive roulette wheel materialized in his mind.

Without hesitation, Wang Gang slammed the activation button.

The wheel spun wildly before halting on a previously obscured option. As the mist dissipated, a gleaming bow materialized.

"A Sun-Slayer Bow," Sophia announced. "A first-tier weapon, capable of eliminating zombies and creatures of the same rank in a single shot."

"…Where are the arrows?"

"It doesn't require them. The bow condenses surrounding air into explosive projectiles."

Delighted, Wang Gang wasted no time. He nocked an invisible arrow, aimed at a ravenous female zombie gnawing on her boyfriend, and released.

A streak of translucent energy shot forth, piercing the back of her skull and exiting cleanly through her forehead.

The undead girl collapsed instantly.

Just then, a desperate cry rang out.

"HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!"

Wang Gang turned—only to see Liu Ru and Zhang Jiayu sprinting toward the field, two zombies in ruthless pursuit.

At the last second, Liu Ru shoved Zhang Jiayu into their grasp, sacrificing him without hesitation.

The creatures descended on him, their hunger redirected.

Liu Ru, however, wore a radiant smile as she approached Wang Gang. "Wang Gang! Save me! I'll be yours forever!"

He looked at her.

Then he lifted his leg—

And kicked her squarely in the stomach.

With a strangled gasp, she soared through the air before crashing to the ground in a limp heap, sliding another meter before falling still.

Trash like her wasn't even worth a second glance.