Amid the heaving mass of ordinary zombies, Lucas Kane spotted the slink of Crawlers and the bulbous sway of a few Broodmothers. Every so often, a shadow more than three meters tall drifted behind a teaching block—only an arm ever showed, human in shape but monstrously overbuilt, veins like cables, muscle ready to burst.
One look told Lucas that thing outclassed Crawlers and Broodmothers by a wide margin.
Most survivors would have gone weak-kneed at the sight. Lucas's mouth, however, tugged into a hungry line. All he saw were Energy Cores—resources piled in plain view. A windfall like this didn't come often. It had to be used well.
His gaze slid to the main gate of Sunhaven University—and halted. The Security Office there was rubble, rebar sticking out like exposed bone. A lone Crawler prowled along the cracked wall.
A cold thought pinched his chest. Jessica Moore…
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Jessica Moore: You there, Lucas?
Relief loosened in him. Of course—Sunhaven had multiple entrances, more than one security post. She had to be in another booth. Looking closer, the ruined kiosk's rebar was already rusted through; it had been destroyed long ago. And a Crawler didn't have the bite to tear down reinforced concrete anyway.
Lucas: What's up?
Jessica: A bunch of people want bows. Everything you gave me is already reserved. Not sure if you have more—if you do, I'll tell them.
Also, the buyers sent offers: Energy Cores ×10 + Icebloom ×5; Bulk Instant Noodles ×5 + Bloodstained Keys ×10 + Carbonated Drinks ×5; Skill: Basic Mechanics + Skill: Advanced Electrical Engineering; Basic Physique Potion ×1 + Steel ×100…
Cross check what I forward so no one skimps. I figured you were busy, but demand is crazy and I'm drowning in orders.
Organized, clear, and considerate—that was Jessica.
Lucas: Got it. I'll handle it when I'm back.
Jessica: You're still outside? Then stop texting and stay safe. Just ping me when you're home.
Lucas: I'm fine. Cleared everything around me. How are you? Is that Crawler still nearby?
Jessica: I'm safe. Been tracking it for you. It's still circling, just headed toward Teaching Building No. 1.
He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. They'd only known each other a few days and never met face to face, but the thought of her getting eaten sat wrong with him.
Jessica: Oh? So you're worried about me.
Lucas: I'm asking about the monster. Don't trust anyone in the apocalypse. Not me, not anyone. Especially not pretty women—trusting the wrong person is suicide. Understand?
Jessica: So you do think I'm pretty.
Lucas: I'm saying keep your guard up. Focus on the point.
Jessica: I know, I know. I can protect myself. Back in school plenty chased me; it wasn't hard to spot who wasn't genuine. You're… different.
He cut the chat before it drifted further.
The sun sagged toward the horizon—about an hour of light left. No way to clear Sunhaven's sea of dead before dark. Better to stock wood and craft more bows through the night.
He targeted a roadside line of trees.
You obtained Wood ×7, Sprouting Branch ×2.
You obtained Wood ×5, Sprouting Branch ×1.
He kept at it until the sun was almost down, then slipped back into the residential complex with Wood ×356 and Sprouting Branch ×177.
First thing at home: strip the gore soaked clothes and recycle them—Clean Cloth ×5—then, with Clothing Master, stitch a fresh tracksuit. A long shower sluiced away sweat and blood. He fished ice from the freezer, poured a glass of soda, and stood by the eighth floor window, sipping while the dead city held its breath.
Even zombie killing felt like a day job now.
Lupo had dropped where he stood, a warm heap at Lucas's feet. For all his battle growth, he was still a pup—dozing, smacking his lips like he was tasting something good.
Ten seconds to the streetlights. Lucas liked that moment—the illusion that civilization still had a pulse.
The seconds passed.
No bloom of light.
The sky darkened to ink. Tonight was a waning moon—dim to begin with. Then the sudden, absolute blackout rolled over the city. No streetlamps. No windows. Just a depthless dark where even an outstretched hand vanished.