Ryan Steele stood in the blood-soaked dorm room at New York University, staring at the floating blue panels with wide eyes. The two zombies that had killed him moments ago were now nothing but gray dust on the floor. Power surged through his veins like liquid fire.
"Status," he muttered, his voice steady for the first time since the apocalypse began.
System Name: God-Tier Devourer System
Host: Ryan Steele
Level: 1 (50/200 EXP)
Attributes:
Strength: 7 (+2)
Agility: 7 (+1)
Vitality: 4
Intelligence: 7
Skills: Basic Regeneration (Passive – Heal minor wounds over time)
Special Ability: Devour – Consume any organic or inorganic matter to gain EXP, attributes, and random skills. No limits.
Inventory: Empty (Unlocked at Level 1)
A savage grin spread across his face. "This is real. I'm not weak anymore."
Screams and wet moans echoed from the hallway outside. More zombies were coming. Dozens of them. Ryan's heart raced with hunger instead of fear.
"Time to eat."
He kicked open the door. Three zombies in torn student uniforms shambled toward him, their milky eyes locking onto fresh meat. The closest one lunged, jaws wide.
Ryan didn't dodge. He grabbed its rotting arm and activated his ability.
"Devour!"
[Ding! Devouring Low-Level Zombie Corpse...]
[Gain: +1 Strength, +1 Agility, +35 EXP]
[Random Skill Acquired: Zombie Detection (Passive – Sense nearby undead within 50 meters)]
The creature crumbled to dust in his grip. The second zombie clawed at his shoulder. Basic Regeneration activated immediately, closing the wound in seconds.
"Devour again!"
[Ding! Devouring Low-Level Zombie Corpse...]
[Gain: +2 Vitality, +40 EXP]
Level Up!
Current Level: 2 (25/300 EXP)
Attributes Updated:
Strength: 10
Agility: 9
Vitality: 6
Intelligence: 7
Ryan felt his muscles expand and his movements become lightning fast. He laughed out loud as the third zombie charged. One powerful punch crushed its skull. He immediately devoured the remains.
[Ding! Devouring Low-Level Zombie Corpse...]
[Gain: +1 Strength, +1 Agility, +30 EXP]
[Total EXP this wave: 145]
The hallway fell silent. Ryan opened his new Inventory. A small pocket dimension appeared in his mind. He could store items now.
A weak voice came from the next room. "Ryan! Help me!"
It was his roommate Jake, hiding under a desk, bleeding from a shallow bite on his leg but still human.
Ryan rushed in and devoured the half-turned zombie attacking Jake. He pulled his friend to his feet.
"Jake, stay close to me. My system is special. I can get stronger by consuming these things."
Jake stared at him in shock. "You just turned those monsters to dust with your bare hands. What the hell happened to you?"
"Later. We need to get out of this building."
Before Jake could reply, the entire building shook violently. Heavy footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Ryan's new Zombie Detection skill went crazy.
[Ding! High-Level Threat Detected – Mutated Zombie (Level 5) approaching! Distance: 12 meters.]
Ryan's eyes narrowed with excitement. Power flowed through him. The mutated zombie burst through the stairwell door at the end of the hallway. It was massive, nearly seven feet tall, with one arm mutated into a jagged bone blade dripping black ichor. Its milky eyes glowed red.
"Jake, get behind me," Ryan said coldly.
The creature roared and charged, swinging its bone blade arm. Ryan dodged with his improved agility and grinned.
"Perfect. More food has arrived."
He cracked his knuckles as the monster rushed toward them. The real feast was just beginning.