Evolve or die, evolve or die, evolve or die…
That thought sparked something in Mai. All her life, she had been looked down on, disregarded. Even her family hated her, they were poor, and as a "female," she couldn't bring them out of poverty.
What a load of shit. She had walked up alone, worked hard, and fought to become someone. She had proven them wrong but had she proven herself wrong?
Her position as someone's servant still lingered; she had become Lucien's secretary. The struggle, the drastic measures, using everything she had… did it matter now?
Did she still want to use her body in the apocalypse? No. No, no… even if she could, even if she would, she needed enough power to survive longer.
No.
Fucking no!!!!!
"I… I don't want to be just another random sex thing. I want to become someone… evolve… get stronger, even if it's with Lucien," Mai whispered, shaken.
How could she still think like that? Was her self-esteem, her self-worth, really so low that even her thoughts were crooked?
Was she happy being a plaything for men?
Well… outright fuck that.
"Lucien… this beast… let's kill it," Mai said, clenching her fist. The men around her shivered, she had suddenly gone cold.
Why? What happened?
Were Lucien's words that powerful? Or did they hold another meaning to awakeners?
Well… maybe both.
"Erm… why did she change so much? I was just trying to get her to agree, not motivate her," Lucien thought, raising an eyebrow.
But as long as it worked, then it was fine.
"Listen carefully, Mai. We have faster reaction speed, stronger strength, and all that but this isn't from knowing fighting skills or martial arts," Lucien said.
"This is because of how strong we are. Everything seems slow and adequate… but that thing, it's way stronger. We can't beat it without proper fighting skills," Lucien continued, while Mai bowed her head in thought.
Yes. Lucien was right. They truly had no fighting prowess but after awakening, their stronger bodies and faster reactions were blessings. They could react, and their bodies could attack, even though they hadn't been trained in combat.
"Mai, one thing you should know: our strength isn't refined enough. So instead of rushing to break through to the next level when we can, let's refine our strength first. Take this vial. On my command, drink it. We have 30 minutes, let's make it count," Lucien said, looking at Mai.
In his hand was a dark tube, only a few inches long.
Looking at the moving dark substance inside, Mai felt an urge to puke.
"What… what's that?" she asked, fighting the impulse to recoil.
"Take it," Lucien commanded in a low voice.
Mai gulped and took it.
"Only if you knew how much it cost," Lucien muttered, closing his eyes in despair.
[Low-level Power Refining:
Once used, a being will gain knowledge of refining its power to the absolute realm, allowing it to release damage multiple times its normal output.] — 100,000 SP
[Trial Low-level Power Refining:
30-minute duration. Within this time, a being's understanding of its realm will improve, especially in battle against a stronger being. Its power will be refined and may evolve to the absolute of that realm.] — 5,000 SP
"Damn it, system… even loan sharks aren't this greedy. What do you mean I can take a loan of 10,000 SP but have to pay back 12,000 SP?"
Lucien wanted to cry, but no tears came. Earlier, while in despair thinking they might die, the system had actually provided a solution but damn, Lucien seriously considered risking it all in the fight. That would have been dumb though.
"Lucien, isn't this poisonous? And where did you get it?" Mai asked, glancing at the vial again.
"Poisonous… witch. That's 5,000 SP. Do you know how hard it is to even get 500 SP? It would take a month to repay… ahhh, bitch even if it's poisonousi will drink it," Lucien muttered, almost crying.
"Okay, Mai, enough. It's almost time," Lucien said, taking a deep breath as his expression grew serious.
Mai stayed quiet, her eyes returning to the seven-foot elite zombie. Its thin frame and long limbs were devouring corpses. By now, a dim red aura covered its body.
Remembering its earlier evolving status, Lucien knew it was time to act and one reason he wanted to kill this elite zombie now was clear.
Who knew what it could evolve into if left unchecked?
Lucien also took his own vial and waited.
"Since my system won't tell me anything, I have to figure out if this elite zombie will be weaker or stronger while evolving. Common sense says it would be weaker—but common sense doesn't apply in an uncommon world," Lucien whispered, making his decision.
"Drink it… now."
Without fear, Lucien popped it open and drank.
Bitter.
The taste was so repulsive that he started cursing the 18th-generation system. Funny thing, it had no scent, but the taste was horrible.
For Mai, it was even worse. She collapsed, her body spasming violently.
"Fuck," Lucien groaned. But thankfully, it only lasted a minute.
"Are you okay?" he asked, bending down towards her.
"Cough… cough…" Mai coughed, her face darkened.
"Killing me shouldn't be that hard, right?" she frowned, and Lucien chuckled.
Suddenly, his face froze.
"What's this?" Lucien thought. The world slowed. A huge rush of sound hit his ears. He felt slight pulling sensations.
Wait… what am I hearing?
He moved his arm, and multiple sounds echoed.
[Improving…]
[+0.1 Strength, +0.01 Speed]
"Wait… what?" Lucien's eyes widened.
"Lucien, what's this? I suddenly feel cold… everything is so slow… and there's a small increase in energy. Lucien, where did you get this vial from?" Mai asked, shocked.
"Later, Mai. For now… the zomb—ie," Lucien said, turning back and freezing.
Behind him, the guards were gone.
"What is it?" Mai asked, stretching to see what had caused Lucien to freeze.
"What!!!" Her hair stood on end. They were gone?
Boom…
Suddenly, a loud sound erupted beside them. Both perked up in fear.
Right there lay a mangled, bloody torso.
It gave Lucien and Mai the answer.
That was the body of the head of the guard.