The massive roar in the distance caused everyone to tense up, but a system notification momentarily drew their attention.
[Wave 2 Starting... Mission Difficulty Will Increase Due to the Number of People in the Group.]
"Damn my bad luck...!!" Zane cursed internally, clenching his machetes so hard his knuckles turned white. Now he understood what had happened at that moment, and why the zombies seemed smarter than before—it was because that thing was present. A Class "E" monster, something no one at their current level should be able to face.
They had been only three in his memory, and now they were thirteen. The poor children, although hidden in the van, counted toward the difficulty tally, drastically raising the danger and causing the system to send a monster of the appropriate difficulty level.
The counter showed 1 hour until the start of Wave 2. Zane had to use that time to prepare his team.
"Listen up! We have an even bigger problem now. The difficulty shot up because of the number of people. We have to level up right now!" Zane shouted over the radio. "Put in your stat points. I advise, out of the 5 points, put 3 in DEX, 1 in STR, and 1 in REC. Prioritize being fast and resilient so you can escape if necessary. Zombies are slow. Though they might seem dangerous, you just need to dodge their attacks and bites, and you'll be fine."
Everyone nodded and started concentrating on their HUDs. But inside the van, little Thomas, seven years old, broke the silence. He emerged from the vehicle, his face serious.
"I want to fight, Zane!" The boy wasn't screaming in panic; he was making a declaration.
Karla, his mother, immediately panicked, pleading. "No, please! Zane, don't let him! He's my son, he's only seven!"
Zane looked at the boy. "I'm sorry, kid. Your mother said no, so go back to the van and hide..."
Despite his words, Thomas held firm in his decision.
"No. I'm going to defend my mom, no matter what."
The boy's eyes showed a determination and courage that many adults lacked. His hardened gaze, his eyes full of fire, his desire to fight, were genuine. His resolve would shame many men who had just fled.
Zane smiled as he saw that look, reminding him of a boy he had known back then, during the faction wars. He looked at him more intently.
"What's your name, kid?"
"Thomas Vexen," Thomas said, without hesitation.
And then, the memory hit Zane. He had unintentionally gained an unimaginable treasure. He had even thought at one point that they were a burden, not knowing that this was the best thing that could happen to him in this world.
Thomas Vexen! The Beast of the North.
In the future, Thomas would be known as the Ice King, a ruthless killer warrior, an ice mage who could wipe out large armies by himself. His strength came from a unique devotion: he fought for his sick mother, whom he had turned into a harmless zombie. He fought to cure her, locking her in an icy prison.
Many mocked him and even tried to kill his mother for being an abomination. But the Ice King decorated his zone with ice statues of all those who dared to challenge him. Not even the other five Kings dared to step into his territory without first asking permission. That was how powerful he would become in the future.
Zane laughed, a genuine laugh, the laugh of a man who had just won the lottery.
"That's how a man should be, Thomas Vexen," Zane said, nodding. He handed him a combat knife he had picked up at the police station. "Take this. In the system, put everything into INT (Intelligence). And put one point in REC (Recovery) from time to time. You'll thank me in the future."
Karla asked, panic in her voice: "Why are you doing this? He's my son! You have no right!"
Zane didn't hesitate, his voice becoming solemn and mature, speaking from his past life's experience.
"Mrs. Carla, sometimes, watching those we love die is harder than fighting to defend them. Even if you forbid him, the boy will find a way to fight or put himself in danger. It's better that he fights alongside you than doing it carelessly alone."
Chloe was surprised by how wise and mature Zane sounded. She bit her lip, feeling her heart race at how her childhood friend had become a strong, wise, and determined leader when the occasion called for it.
To the side, Liam just chuckled softly and gave his friend a secret thumbs-up, thinking: "She's almost yours, champ."
Clenching her teeth, Karla nodded fearfully while putting her stat points in as Zane had advised.
"No matter what happens, I won't let my son get hurt... if anything happens to him, I'll kill you all!"
Her conviction was strong, and she was ready for whatever was necessary for her son.