As Arlo returned to Outskirt House in the Original World, an unsettling feeling lingered within him. Despite the hopeful prospect of Elena undergoing a transformative process in his laboratory, he couldn't ignore the fact that these enhancements would grant her greater strength, but he was still worried.
Leaving the bedroom, he stepped outside, greeted by a still-dark sky and the presence of some low-level Category 1 zombies aimlessly wandering the road. In an effort to accumulate points, Arlo dispatched a few of them. However, his attention soon shifted when he noticed the zombies heading in a particular direction.
An unusual behavior, he thought to himself. "There must be a reason behind this. I need to investigate."
Carefully concealing his presence, he trailed behind them, determined to uncover the cause. After following them for a while, he arrives at an abandoned factory on the outskirts, the very destination the zombies were headed towards.
The factory loomed before Arlo, its windows broken, and its exterior dilapidated. It seemed like an unlikely place for the undead to converge. Arlo crouched behind a rusted car, observing the entrance of the factory from a safe distance. His mind raced with questions. What could possibly be drawing the zombies here? Was it a coincidence, or was there something more sinister at play?
As he watched, a figure emerged from the factory's entrance. It was a big muscular zombie which was twice the size of the Spairo 2nd Category zombie.
Arlo activated his wrist device and
[Scan Activated: Analyzing the subject]
It took a few moments to show the result, but the information he saw on the screen made him stunned.
[Pseudo-3rd Grade Category Zombie]
Name: Bolt
Body strength: 17
Powers: Can control Zombies
Talent: None
Evolution time: 2 Months 4 Days
[Note: It is 17 times stronger than the human and it has more strength than the user.
The system suggests you leave this place as soon as possible, you don't have strength to fight him.]
Arlo's heart raced as he processed the information before him. A Pseudo-Third Grade Category Zombie named Bolt, capable of controlling other zombies. The danger posed by such a creature was obvious, and the warning from the system only reinforced the gravity of the situation.
Realizing that he was outmatched, Arlo weighed his options. He couldn't take on Bolt alone, but he couldn't simply walk away either. His duty to protect his loved ones and the community drove him to confront this new threat head-on.
While he was deciding his next move, a zombie shouted at him from behind, which alerted all the zombies near him. Even Bolt, who was initially having his feast.
"Damn... I have been discovered by him, now there is no chance to kill him."
Arlo's heart raced as the zombies turned their attention toward him. With each passing moment, the horde grew more agitated, their hungry groans filling the air. He knew he had to act quickly to escape this situation.
Thinking about his route of escape, Arlo started to run in a specific direction. However, as he was on the brink of departing the Factory area, Bolt, a relentless pursuer, began chasing him, exhibiting a speed five times greater than his own. Fear gripped Arlo as he found himself in this perilous predicament, prompting him to exert his full strength while attempting to alter his course.
Desperately, he alternated between weaving through buildings and seeking temporary refuge, but all his efforts proved futile. Inevitably, Bolt closed in on him, delivering a forceful punch to Arlo's back.
As Bolt's punch connected with Arlo's back, the impact sent him flying through the air, crashing into a pile of debris. Pain coursed through his body, but he refused to let it overpower his determination. He had faced countless challenges before, and this would be no different.
Struggling to his feet, Arlo glanced around, searching for a way to gain the upper hand. His eyes fell upon a metal pipe lying nearby—a makeshift weapon that might offer him some defense against Bolt's immense strength. With a surge of adrenaline, he lunged for the pipe, gripping it tightly in his hands.
Bolt advanced, his steps thundering toward Arlo. Arlo braced himself, ready to face the formidable opponent. As Bolt swung his massive fist, Arlo dodged with a nimble sidestep, narrowly avoiding the devastating blow. Seizing the opportunity, Arlo swung the pipe, aiming for Bolt's legs.
The metal connected with a resounding clang, but Bolt's sheer power absorbed the impact, leaving only a shallow dent in his flesh.
Undeterred, Arlo tried to hit him again but, to his surprise, he got punched again but this time on his chest. Because of the impact, he was sent flying in the air and crashed into a restaurant.
After picking himself from the debris, he thought, "If I get a punch by him again, I will be dead for sure."
With a sense of urgency, Arlo reached out to Aisha while simultaneously trying to distance himself from the danger. The effects of the healing drug he had taken gradually improved his condition as time passed, lending him some much-needed recovery.
As Arlo struggled to catch his breath, he quickly relayed his dire situation to Aisha through his communication device. "Aisha, I'm in serious trouble. I've encountered a Pseudo-Third Grade Category Zombie named Bolt. He's incredibly powerful and can control other zombies. Do you have anything that can help me? I can't use teleportation because he chases me crazily. If I do use it, there is a chance that he will be teleported with me in the Space realm."
With each passing moment, the situation grew more dire. Arlo needed a plan, a strategy to overcome Bolt and escape with his life. Aisha's voice crackled through the communication device, her tone urgent yet composed.
"Master, I have analyzed Bolt's abilities and weaknesses. While he possesses immense strength and the power to control other zombies, he lacks any special talents. I suggest exploiting this weakness to gain the upper hand."
Arlo listened intently, his mind racing to absorb Aisha's information. He knew he had to act quickly before Bolt closed in on him again.
"Master, the only option you have is to trap him in a place so you can have some time to use teleportation."
Arlo understood her and said, "Do we have some bombs in our inventory?"
"Yes Master, we have them... Send 10 bombs into my storage ring."
Ten bombs appeared in his storage ring from the Space Cube which was already in the ring.
"Master, what are you planning to do?", before he could answer her question, he got punched again. He was fortunate that he had recovered pretty much to withstand another blow.
And crashed into an office building wall. He ordered, "Scan this building, if it has any living humans or not."
A few seconds later, Aisha said, "Master, this building is clear, but what are you thinking."
Arlo smiled and said, "I am going to blow this building to trap him so I can use the teleportation."
Arlo's plan was risky, but it seemed like the only way to gain an advantage against the formidable Bolt. He knew he had to act swiftly to execute his strategy.
With the bombs in hand, Arlo quickly assessed the layout of the office building. It had multiple floors, and he needed to ensure that the explosion would be powerful enough to trap Bolt inside without causing harm to himself.
Carefully, Arlo placed the bombs strategically throughout the building, aiming to create a chain reaction that would seal off the exits and prevent Bolt from pursuing him further. Every second counted, and his heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination.
As the bombs were in place, Arlo activated the detonation sequence from a safe distance. The building trembled, debris flew, and the sound of the explosion reverberated through the air. Arlo knew that time was of the essence, so he wasted no time and initiated his teleportation ability, aiming to escape the crumbling structure before Bolt could break free.
In the Space realm, Arlo appeared in the laboratory and said, "I have just avoided death today. Aisha put me in the Hibernation pod next to Elena... And how much time will it take to recover me?"
Aisha explained and said, "Master, you are not feeling much pain because of the Strengthen process but you are seriously injured right now it will take at least Six hours to recover your previous strength."
Arlo inquired further, "So that means I will awaken after her, right?"
Aisha nodded affirmatively and responded, "Yes, Master."
Shaking his head, Arlo entered the hibernation pod, preparing himself for the healing process ahead.
As Arlo settled into the hibernation pod, he couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and anticipation. His encounter with Bolt had been a close call, and he knew he needed time to recover before facing the formidable zombie again. Closing his eyes, he let the healing process take hold.
Time passed slowly as the healing energies coursed through Arlo's body.
In the darkness of the pod, he dreamed of battles fought and victories won, drawing strength from the memories of his past triumphs. His determination never wavered, and with each passing moment, his wounds mended, bringing him closer to full recovery.
Six hours later, as the hibernation pod's timer reached its limit, Arlo slowly opened his eyes. The glass surface slid open, and he emerged, feeling renewed and ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.
As he stepped out, he saw Elena standing nearby, fully recovered from her own enhancement process. Her eyes met his, filled with concern and relief. "Arlo, you're awake," she said, her voice a mixture of worry and relief. "I'm glad to see you're okay."
Arlo smiled, a mix of gratitude and determination shining in his eyes. "Thanks, Elena. I'm alright now, thanks to Aisha and the healing process.
"What is the time now? Let's have breakfast together with your father in my mansion. I will be waiting for you.", Arlo smiled and teleported himself into his mansion. He left because he wanted to take a shower to clean himself.
As Arlo arrived at his mansion, he felt a wave of tranquility wash over him. The familiar surroundings offered a sense of comfort from the chaos of the outside world. He went to the bathroom to have a shower. When he came out, Aisha greeted him and said, "Master, Ms. Elena and her father is waiting for you in the garden."
Arlo nodded, "Tell them that I will be there in a few moments.", Aisha left after receiving Arlo's instructions.
Arlo made his way to the garden area, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.
Elena and her father were already seated at the table, engrossed in a conversation. They looked up as Arlo entered, their faces lighting up with smiles of relief and happiness.
"Arlo, we're glad to see you safe and sound,"Mr. Reynolds said, his voice laced with genuine concern.
Arlo nodded, grateful for the support and care he received from Elena's family. "Thank you, Mr. Reynolds. I managed to escape a close encounter with a powerful zombie, Bolt. But I'm here now, and I'm determined to find a way to deal with him."
Elena reached out, taking Arlo's hand in hers. "We'll find a way to deal with him."
When breakfast was finished, Arlo said to Elena, "Elena, come to my room when you are finished, we are heading out today to see if we can find any survivors and save them from trouble."
Elena nodded and said, "I will be there in a moment."
He then looked at her father and said, "Mr. Reynolds, we are heading out, but you don't need to worry, we are not going to tackle that beast."
Mr. Reynolds smiled and said, "I am not concerned about her, because I know you are with her and stop calling me by my name. Just call me father-in-law."
When Elena heard her father's words she couldn't help but blush and gave a cold look to her father."
Seeing her reaction, Mr. Reynolds couldn't help but laugh. While Arlo smiled and said, "Yes father-in-law."
"Now I shall take my leave."