Lucas nodded and called out, "Hurricane leap!" Although he had never used a skill before, he imitated the actions of characters in MMORPGs. Calling out the skill's name would supposedly activate it.
"Step back a bit," he instructed Lucy, preparing himself mentally. With determination, Lucas initiated his jump.
"Whoosh!" The sound of rushing wind accompanied his ascent into the air. He opened his eyes wide, taking in the surrounding city. Although he couldn't see everything, he remembered the landscape he had laid eyes on before.
However, his flight was brief. In a mere three seconds, he began descending abruptly, which startled him.
"AHH!"
As Lucas let out a startled scream, she instinctively prepared to catch Lucas, but he descended gracefully, like a leaf gently blown by the wind.
"HAHA!" Lucas burst into laughter, amused by her puzzled expression as he dusted off his pants. "Let's leave quickly. Our noise might attract more attention than we can handle."
Still chuckling, they began to run, attempting to minimize their footsteps' sound.
"Lucy, turn in that direction. I spotted a group of humans over there," Lucas instructed, his memory still fresh from the aerial view he had just experienced.
At that moment in the air, Lucas felt like he was soaring, even though he had never skydived. He had soared freely, unattached to any equipment, taking in the city's ruins below. Although he couldn't see far or zoom in on specific details, one sight had captured his attention—a lone male human fleeing zombies, seeking refuge with a group of fellow humans.
His gaze remained fixed on Lucy as they continued running. "I observed a man running towards a group of humans with food while I was in the air. I think we should head there. It might give us a better understanding of the city's situation."
Nervousness crept into her voice as Lucy questioned, "Are you certain this is a wise choice?" After all, her knowledge of zombie movies taught her not to blindly trust strangers in a zombie apocalypse.
"Don't worry," Lucas reassured. "With our current strength, dealing with them shouldn't pose a problem. However, if they're unaware of the system like you were before, then…"
He paused for a moment. "If things take a turn for the worse, mentally prepare yourself to defend against other humans."
As they reached the corner near the mini-mart, Lucas's expression grew serious. He retrieved his spear and dagger.
Lucy's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. "Wait, Lucas, did you just tell me to prepare for killing a fellow human? Like, someone just like us?"
Lucas responded firmly, "Lucy, we have to be ready. There are too many potential risks in joining a large group during a zombie apocalypse."
Understanding the gravity of his words, he handed her the black katana. "This time, try slicing through the zombie's corpse. It will help you mentally prepare for the possibility."
Feeling her hand begin to sweat and tremble, Lucy struggled to come to terms with this new reality. "Lucas, this is different. I'm not sure I can do it."
Observing her trembling hand, Lucas comforted her with a pat on the back. "I'm not saying you have to do it right now. I'm just emphasizing the need for preparedness. Think it over."
While he himself didn't desire to take human lives, the circumstances had forced his hand. He also wanted to survive, and the uncertainties of forming alliances in this new world were undeniable.
Was it the satisfaction of turning his life around or the thrill of leveling up through zombie kills? He couldn't discern, but at this moment, strength felt as essential as currency—except now, money had lost its value, and strength was paramount.
"There are only about five zombies over there. When I rush in, you take them out while I keep one distracted for you, okay?" Lucas strategized, looking at Lucy with determination.
Noting her continuously apprehensive and bewildered expression, Lucas spoke with empathy. "Alright, I don't want to come across as harsh, but we're the same age. It's important to muster courage. I just want to help you prepare mentally and strengthen your resolve."
Contemplating his words, Lucy nodded, and with that, Lucas sprang into action. Grasping the spear firmly with both hands, he thrust it through the zombie's chest, pinning it to the mini-mart wall.
"Lucy!" Lucas's urgent shout snapped her out of her reverie. Swiftly refocusing, she brandished her katana and proceeded to sever the zombie's neck. With one zombie dispatched, Lucas hurried to deal with another.
"Take care of these two; I'll handle the rest," he instructed, pointing out the nearest zombies, which were approximately eight feet away.
"Um… alright," Lucy replied hesitantly. Though not entirely feeling herself, she lunged toward the approaching zombies. A powerful kick decapitated one, while another kick incapacitated the second, allowing her to plunge her katana into its chest, as Lucas had advised.
"Should I?" she murmured, her katana poised as she glanced at Lucas, who was finishing up his own encounter. Lowering her katana, she reached into the zombie's chest, her eyes fixed on Lucas as she twisted the blade. The sound of teeth chattering resonated as she thrust the katana into the zombie's mouth, twisting it until she witnessed the creature's life extinguished.
Rewards promptly followed her actions.
---
[Level 1 Zombie Killed, Awarding 50 Exp!]
[Level 1 Zombie Killed, Awarding 50 Exp!]
[Level 1 Zombie Killed, Awarding 50 Exp!]
[Received 15 Coins!]
---
Turning away, she caught sight of Lucas's smile. His words echoed in her mind; "Perhaps this is truly for the best." Removing her katana from the zombie's mouth, she couldn't help but notice the difference in sensation from cleanly severing a neck. It felt disturbing, as though she had ended a human life.
Lucas extended an orange juice to her, offering a small measure of comfort. "I got this from the market I mentioned earlier. Let's gather more supplies from the mini-mart while you process your feelings."
As they entered the mini-mart, they found the shelves nearly emptied. "Looks like others got here first," Lucas observed, his gaze falling on a lifeless zombie on the floor. He headed to the beverage section, still well-stocked with appealing drinks but lacking water bottles. He began storing drinks in his pouch and asked, "How are you holding up?"
Lucy nodded in response, unable to articulate her emotions. She was grappling with a mixture of nausea and disgust. Though she had eliminated zombies before, today's experimentation forced her to confront the fact that these creatures were once human.
"Unless that person is a criminal, I doubt they would be nonchalant about killing zombies, even though zombies are just walking dead human corpses," Lucas explained. Hearing his words, Lucy, lost in thought, found a modicum of solace in her racing mind.
"I can't quite put it into words, Lucas. It's just awful. It feels like I've taken a human life, not ended a zombie." Her words faltered as tears fell, the nausea she felt earlier gradually subsiding.
"I'm still young; I haven't even had a job or my first kiss. This is so difficult. I'm not a murderer," her voice carried bitterness, her gaze distant. Lucas, uncertain of how to console her, met her gaze. He had no insight into the life of a city girl like Lucy, nor the teachings of her schooling.
"It's okay, really. Even with the world in chaos, we have each other. I'm sure your parents would want you to keep going," he offered, though the words felt awkward on his tongue. Having grown up without parents, he couldn't be certain if his reassurances were adequate. The thought of Lucy's parents, knowing she was shedding tears like this, weighed heavily on him. Her parents had undoubtedly cherished and shielded her.
As Lucy's tears fell, he couldn't help but look at her with a hint of envy for the love she had received from her parents. Yet, he wasn't envious; he was pained by their shared predicament. Beside him, Lucy curled into a fetal position, her sobs echoing through the abandoned space. He gently patted her back.
"Let it all out; it's alright," he encouraged, his voice a gentle anchor. He had already weathered six years of isolation and solitude. He understood this feeling all too well.
Sniffling and wiping at her eyes, Lucy whispered, "I'm sorry for being so weak. I try to be strong, but it all builds up inside, and it hurts so much… so much."
"You can let it all out. I'll be here," Lucas replied soothingly, his voice a steady reassurance. No one was perfect, no one was eternally strong or impervious. Humans bear their flaws and vulnerabilities. It was okay to cry when loneliness and fear grew too overwhelming. Lucas knew this intimately, having experienced it himself.