When they opened the door, they saw rescuers standing outside. Their eyes lit up with hope.
Lorraine was the first to speak, her voice filled with worry. "Is it clear outside now?"
The five rescuers, dressed in military uniforms, nodded. They knew exactly how important each of the people inside was—it was their priority to get them out safely.
Especially Samminah—her parents held considerable power and influence.
One by one, the group slowly stepped out, their hands raised slightly in caution. The rescuers handed them some beef jerky and water. They took it gratefully, devouring it like starving wolves.
They moved forward carefully. Everything seemed to be under control. One of the soldiers spoke, "There's a shelter nearby with many survivors. Come with us."
They nodded and followed, relieved that the danger had eased. Most of the zombies had been cleared along the path, but the sight on the streets was harrowing. The city had fallen into chaos.
Could all of this really have happened in just a few days?
The silence was deafening. The streets were littered with corpses—both zombies and humans alike. The air was heavy with decay and death.
Aria nearly threw up at the sight. Trish, walking just behind, accidentally stepped on someone's body. She froze, looking down with disgust and horror.
Slowly, they reached the shelter.
It was crowded—many people were eating or waiting, their faces gaunt with hunger. At the center of the shelter stood a tall woman with a striking figure. Her long white hair was tied into a high ponytail, and she wore a sleek black dress. Her beauty was undeniable, but the cold authority in her eyes was even more striking.
She looked around and sighed, raising her voice, "Don't be greedy. Share the food with others."
Immediately, people listened. The atmosphere shifted.
One of the military men accompanying the group stepped forward and said, "Obey Maria. She holds the authority here."
The girls looked at one another, nodding silently. Each of them stood out in their own way, their beauty and presence unmistakable in the crowd.
Maria turned her gaze to them, her voice firm and commanding. "Go clean that area."
She pointed to a section of the shelter piled with bags, garbage, and all kinds of filth.
At first, no one moved.
Jasmine hesitated, wrinkling her nose in disgust. Samminah looked away, clearly appalled. Even Lorraine frowned, unsure how to react.
But then—surprisingly—Trish stepped forward. Without a word, she began cleaning.
Everyone else looked at each other, stunned, and reluctantly followed her lead.
At least… they were safe now. That's what they told themselves.
---
Meanwhile…
It was midnight, and I was checking the system.
---
[Territory System]
Point: 555
Rank: F
Fortress: [Territory 100 Meters] [1200 Points to upgrade]
Technology: [Below Average]
Robots: [6]
Ability: [TR, CM, SL, V, HS, TS, FM]
Technology upgrade: [1000 Points]
Robot: [Cost 100 Above Average Robot] [Cost 500 Points]
Ability Lottery: Scrap Ticket 0, Bronze Ticket 0, Silver Ticket 0, Golden Ticket 0, Diamond Ticket 0, Ruby Ticket 0, Legendary Ticket 0, Mystical Ticket 0
System Shop: Supplies, Equipment, Foods
[Cost upgrade 25]
[Storage Space Unlimited] {700 Billions of Water, 3 Million worth of Meat, Medicine, Armory, Tents, Lights, Etc...}
---
I looked at the system and finally laid down. I could barely catch a break. I needed rest.
Tomorrow, I'd start again. I needed to grow stronger. Most of the fruit from the meteor hadn't been gathered yet. I needed to get to them first.
Time passed, and I slept peacefully for the first time in days.
---
The Next Morning…
I looked outside. Within 50 meters, the ground was completely cleared. No trees, no debris—just empty land.
Thinking about my next steps, I started with my usual routine. Noel was already up, training her telekinesis. She was making incredible progress. I could already see how helpful her power would be in the future. I couldn't let her potential go to waste.
From what I remembered, the fruit from the meteor could trigger breakthroughs. Slowly but surely, my body would grow stronger with every fruit I consumed.
But the problem? The enemies guarding the area were usually Super Zombies.
I decided to upgrade my robots to a better version.
Spending 500 points, I watched as the transformation occurred. They evolved, now standing nearly seven feet tall. I gulped.
Their guns looked futuristic, almost like something from a sci-fi movie. The weapons gleamed with deadly energy. Just one shot from those guns could likely obliterate a Nightmare Zombie.
Getting this level of power this early on almost felt like cheating—but it was necessary.
My plan now was clear: I would farm the fruit from the meteor. From what I knew, there were higher-tier zombies in the area—Super, Stellar, and worse.
Back in the past, those zombies were considered mid- or low-level threats. But now, there were new levels: High Threat Level, Extreme Threat Level.
Each one was a walking disaster.
But for now, I didn't need to worry. The fortress was strong enough. We were safe—temporarily.
I walked up to the second floor and called out, "Noel, I'm going out for a while. Want to come with me?"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. She immediately paused her training.
Even though it had only been a day, she could already manipulate four swords at once, controlling them with enough precision to strike zombies in their vital spots.
We left together, leaving two robots behind to defend the base. They were powerful enough to take down even mutated zombies.
On the way, we didn't encounter any threats. Four upgraded robots accompanied us, scanning and protecting every direction.
After 45 minutes of walking, we reached the back of the hotel.
One kilometer ahead, the meteor loomed in the distance.
Noel stood stunned, eyes wide with awe.
I gently nudged her shoulder, bringing her back to reality. She nodded and stepped forward, staying close beside me.
But the closer we got, the heavier the air became.
I felt it instantly—the pressure, the suffocating sense of danger.
A Super Zombie was near.