Shadows of Doubt
The walk back to Safe Zone Delta was a quiet one, the scavenging crew trudging through the ruined streets with their haul of looted bandages and expired painkillers. The air was heavy with the aftermath of the fight—blood stained their clothes, and the distant moans of zombies echoed behind them. Alex trailed at the back, their mind buzzing with questions.
The system screen floated in their vision, invisible to the others:
**Status:**
- **Name:** Alex Carter
- **Level:** 2
- **Class:** Undetermined
- **Stats:**
- Strength: 6 (+1)
- Agility: 4
- Endurance: 7 (+1)
- Intelligence: 7
- Perception: 6 (+1)
- **Virus Resistance:** 98% (-2% from bite exposure)
- **EXP:** 50/150
**Active Quest: Kill 5 Grunts**
- **Progress:** 0/5
- **Reward:** 100 EXP, Basic Weapon
- **Penalty for Failure:** -10 Virus Resistance
Alex glanced at their arm. The bite mark was still raw, a jagged ring of torn flesh, but it hadn't blackened or spread like it should have. The system's level-up had dulled the pain and stopped the infection—for now. That "Virus Resistance" stat gnawed at them, though. It had dropped two percent just from the bite. What happened if it hit zero?
"Keep up, Alex," Marcus barked from ahead, snapping them out of their thoughts. His tone was gruff, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—suspicion, maybe. "Don't make me regret letting you live."
Alex nodded quickly, clutching their crowbar tighter. The crew had seen them survive a bite, something unheard of in Safe Zone Delta. Whispers were already spreading among the others, their sidelong glances cutting deeper than any zombie's teeth.
Lena fell into step beside Alex, her voice low. "You okay? That was... intense back there."
"Yeah, I'm fine," Alex lied, forcing a smile. "Guess I got lucky."
"Lucky doesn't cover it," she said, frowning. "I've seen bitten people turn in minutes. You're different."
Alex's stomach twisted. Lena was sharp—too sharp. If she figured out something was up, it wouldn't be long before Marcus did too. And in this world, "different" could get you a bullet in the head faster than a zombie could bite.
"Just adrenaline, maybe," Alex mumbled, picking up their pace to avoid more questions.
---
The gates of Safe Zone Delta creaked open, and the crew shuffled inside. A small crowd gathered, eager for news of the run. Riley pushed through, their messy brown hair bouncing as they ran to Alex.
"You're back!" Riley threw their arms around Alex, oblivious to the blood and grime. At 16, Riley was all wiry energy and optimism, a stark contrast to the safe zone's grim reality. "Did you get my inhaler?"
Alex pulled a battered inhaler from their pack and handed it over. "Found it in the pharmacy. Should last you a while."
Riley grinned, but their smile faltered as they noticed the bite mark. "Alex, what happened to your arm?"
"It's nothing," Alex said quickly, pulling their sleeve down. "Just a scratch."
Riley's eyes narrowed, but before they could press further, Marcus stepped forward, addressing the crowd. "Run went fine. Got some meds, lost no one. Alex took a bite but seems clean—for now."
The murmurs grew louder. "A bite?" "No way they're not infected." "We should quarantine them!"
Alex felt the weight of dozens of stares. They wanted to shrink away, but Riley grabbed their hand, grounding them.
"Enough!" Marcus raised his voice. "They're not turning yet. We'll watch them. Anyone got a problem, take it up with me."
The crowd dispersed reluctantly, leaving Alex with a sinking feeling. Marcus's protection wouldn't last forever—not if suspicion turned to fear.
---
That night, Alex sat on the edge of their cot in the cramped shack they shared with Riley. The safe zone's dim lights flickered through the cracked window, casting shadows on the walls. Riley was asleep, clutching the inhaler like a lifeline. Alex envied their peace.
The system screen flickered into view again, unbidden:
**Daily Quest Available: Endurance Training**
- **Tasks:**
- Push-ups: 0/50
- Squats: 0/50
- Run 2 km: 0/2
- **Reward:** 50 EXP, +1 Endurance
- **Penalty for Failure:** -5 Virus Resistance
Alex stared at it, incredulous. Push-ups? In a zombie apocalypse? It sounded absurd, but the penalty loomed large. They couldn't afford to lose more Virus Resistance—not when they didn't know what it meant to hit zero.
Quietly, they slipped outside into the safe zone's empty streets. The night was cold, the air sharp with the tang of rust and decay. Alex dropped to the ground and started the push-ups, muscles trembling from exhaustion. Each rep felt like defiance against the bite, against the world that wanted them dead.
**Push-ups: 1/50… 2/50…**
A rustling nearby made them freeze. Alex grabbed their crowbar and crouched, peering into the darkness. A lone Grunt shambled out from behind a pile of debris—an escapee from a breach in the wall, probably. Its groans were low and guttural, a sound Alex knew too well.
**Quest Update: Kill 5 Grunts**
- **Progress:** 0/5
An idea sparked. If they could kill it quietly, they'd make progress on the quest and prove the system wasn't a delusion. Alex crept forward, heart pounding, and raised the crowbar. The Grunt turned, its milky eyes locking onto them, but before it could lunge, Alex swung.
The metal cracked against its skull, and the zombie crumpled with a wet thud. A chime rang in Alex's head:
**Grunt defeated. +20 EXP**
- **Quest Progress:** 1/5
- **EXP:** 70/150
A rush of adrenaline hit them, followed by a faint warmth as their body felt slightly stronger. The system was real—and it rewarded them for fighting.
But the noise had consequences. A shout came from the wall. "Zombie inside! Someone get it!"
Footsteps approached fast. Alex bolted back to the shack, slipping inside just as guards arrived at the scene. Through the window, they watched as the guards dispatched the already-dead Grunt, cursing about lax security.
"Close call," Alex muttered, sinking onto their cot. Their arm throbbed, and the screen updated:
**Virus Resistance: 97% (-1% from combat exposure)**
Every fight chipped away at it. They'd have to be careful.
---
The next morning, Alex woke to Riley shaking them. "You were muttering in your sleep about 'levels' or something. Bad dream?"
"Something like that," Alex said, rubbing their eyes. They couldn't tell Riley about the system—not yet. It was too risky.
At breakfast, the crew gathered in the mess hall, a dingy room filled with mismatched tables. Marcus sat at the head, doling out rations. When Alex approached, he slid them a smaller portion than usual.
"Prove you're not a liability today," he said, his tone clipped. "We're hitting a Danger Zone—a warehouse two miles out. Rumors say it's got food and weapons, but it's crawling with undead. You're coming."
Alex nodded, though dread coiled in their gut. A Danger Zone meant Runners, maybe worse. But they couldn't back out—not with Riley counting on them, and not with the system whispering promises of power.
As the crew geared up, Lena pulled Alex aside. "I don't know what's going on with you, but I've got your back. Just... don't do anything stupid out there."
"Thanks," Alex said, managing a small smile. Lena's kindness was a lifeline, but it came with a cost—her curiosity could unravel their secret.
---
The warehouse loomed ahead, a hulking shadow against the gray sky. Its windows were smashed, and the stench of rot wafted from within. The crew fanned out, weapons ready, as Marcus gave the signal to advance.
Alex's system pinged:
**Urgent Quest: Clear the Warehouse**
- **Objective:** Eliminate all hostiles (0/15)
- **Reward:** 200 EXP, Mystery Box
- **Penalty for Failure:** -20 Virus Resistance
Fifteen zombies. Alex gripped their crowbar, pulse racing. This was no simple Grunt patrol—it was a test of survival.
Inside, the warehouse was a maze of overturned shelves and spilled crates. The crew moved cautiously, but Alex's Perception stat kicked in, catching a faint shuffle to the right. They signaled Marcus, who nodded and led the group toward it.
A pack of Grunts emerged, five in total, their decayed hands clawing at the air. Marcus and the others sprang into action, but Alex hung back, waiting for an opening. When a Grunt broke free, heading straight for Lena, Alex lunged.
The crowbar smashed through its head, and the familiar chime sounded:
**Grunt defeated. +20 EXP**
- **Quest Progress:** 2/5 (Kill 5 Grunts)
- **Warehouse Progress:** 1/15
"Nice one," Lena said, catching her breath.
But the fight wasn't over. A guttural roar echoed from deeper in the warehouse, shaking the walls. Marcus's face paled. "That's no Grunt."
From the shadows, a Brute lumbered into view—twice the size of a man, its flesh bulging with unnatural muscle. Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, locking onto the crew.
"Run or fight?" Marcus yelled, gripping his axe.
Alex's screen flashed:
**Hidden Quest Unlocked: Slay the Brute**
- **Reward:** 500 EXP, Rare Skill
- **Penalty for Failure:** Immediate horde spawn
Their heart sank. Running wasn't an option—not with the system pushing them forward. They tightened their grip on the crowbar and stepped up beside Marcus.
"Fight," Alex said, their voice steadier than they felt.
Marcus grinned, a rare glint of approval in his eyes. "Alright, kid. Let's see what you've got."
The Brute charged, and the warehouse erupted into chaos.