Squelch.
The zombie's skull split open under the weight of Lucas Kane's axe, its rotten fluids splattering across the pavement in a putrid spray. The creature collapsed in a twitching heap.
Lucas stared at it, breathing steady.
He hadn't expected his enhanced body to be this strong. Not even close.
He'd chopped through bones before—during late-night kitchen prep with frozen soup bones and cleavers. He remembered the force it took, even with a butcher's knife. And the human skull was the densest bone in the body.
Now? He was cleaving through undead heads like they were watermelons.
The axe didn't snag. No hesitation. No resistance.
One clean hit, one corpse down.
From behind, a shriek split the air.
"AAAAH—!"
Mia Gold had just watched the entire execution from the rain-covered ledge of her apartment building. Her scream rose another octave, shrill and piercing.
Thanks for the distraction, Lucas thought wryly. But he didn't have time to lecture her.
Three more zombies fell in quick succession—each stroke swift and deliberate.
Whack.
Whack.
Whack.
The last two turned toward him at last, snarling.
A female zombie lunged first.
Lucas ducked his head, shield up, helmet braced. The undead woman slammed into him, only to be deflected sideways. She skidded against the wall.
The second zombie dove for him. Lucas kicked it straight in the chest, sending it sprawling. He brought the axe down in one fluid motion.
Squelch.
Blood and gore painted the ground.
The first zombie staggered upright again.
Lucas didn't flinch. He jammed the riot shield beneath her chin, held her at arm's length—then cleaved straight down.
CRACK.
The blade split her skull from crown to chin.
It was done.
Eight bodies. No wounds. No fatigue.
Lucas stood in the middle of the blood-soaked alley, his breath calm and even.
A week ago, I would've collapsed after swinging this thing twice, he thought. Now, I could go ten more rounds.
He glanced at the corpses.
Glowing prompts shimmered faintly above each one.
[Collect]
Lucas reached toward the nearest body.
It vanished in a flash of light.
[You collected: Energy Core ×1, Lighter ×1, Mutated Fertilizer ×3]
His brow furrowed.
Mutated Fertilizer? He opened his inventory. The item appeared as a pulpy mass—half-rotten flesh, half sludge.
Gross.
Thankfully, the spatial ring suppressed all odor and residue. Still, it looked revolting.
He moved on.
[You collected: Energy Core ×1, Car Key ×1, Mutated Fertilizer ×3]
[You collected: Room Key ×1, Building Keycard ×1, Mutated Fertilizer ×2]
[You collected: Energy Core ×1, Mutated Fertilizer ×5]
One by one, the bodies were harvested.
By the end, he had a decent haul:
Energy Cores ×3
Mutated Fertilizer ×30
Lighters ×2
Car Key ×1
Building Keycard ×1
Room Key ×1
Currency: 325 Aquarian Credits
Lucas reviewed the loot.
[Mutated Fertilizer]: Speeds up growth of crops and livestock. Combine 10 units to create Advanced Growth Fertilizer.]
[Energy Core]: Increases physical attributes. Current upgrade progress: 0/100.
[Aquarian Credits]: Usable in vending machines to purchase packaged food with surprisingly long shelf life.]
Standard items like the keys and lighters had no descriptions—useless without context.
Then, as if summoned by thought, a system prompt appeared:
[Car Key]: Belongs to an "Aiguo" off-road SUV. Try your luck in the underground parking garage.]
[Keycard]: Access to Building 3, Unit 2.]
[Room Key]: Access to Floor 5, Room 2, Building 3, Unit 2.]
Lucas's lips curled into a smile.
Not junk after all.
With the right tools—and the right intel—he could secure transportation, shelter... maybe even food.
He slipped the physical keys into his pocket, leaving the rest in the ring.
Behind him, Mia's voice echoed again.
"Hey! Don't leave me here! Are you just going to abandon me?!"
Lucas didn't turn around.
This wasn't a charity mission. He barely had enough supplies for himself—one can of luncheon meat, two bottles of water.
And Mia?
She was loud, panicky, and wearing heels.
A walking zombie magnet.
Survival was a numbers game, and her presence tilted the odds against him.
This isn't about romance. It's not about being a hero.
It's about living long enough to see tomorrow.
He made his way to the entrance of Building 3.
It was tall and fortified—an apartment block with reinforced glass and alloy-steel framing. Without the matching keycard, it would be impossible to force open.
Lucas raised the card and swiped.
Beep-beep.
The red light blinked green.
It still has power.
Click.
The lock disengaged.
And the door opened.