Disclaimer: This novel is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real events, people, or places is coincidental. The author does not endorse or promote any harmful or illegal activities, including violence, discrimination, or harmful survival practices. The novel's content is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as a guide for real-life survival or preparedness. Always prioritize safety, respect, and well-being in your actions and decisions.
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Min-su asked, "Do you want to see what happens if we ingest a Nexarion?"
Min-ho and Hana nodded curiously, their eyes fixed on the crystal in Min-su's hand.
Min-su swallowed the Nexarion, closed his eyes, and prepared himself for the transformation. Suddenly, his body turned red, and veins appeared on his skin. He gritted his teeth in pain, but it soon subsided.
As the pain ceased, Min-su's body returned to its normal condition, but with noticeable changes. His body had become lighter, yet his attack power remained the same. Muscles had appeared on his legs, and his reflexes and agility had improved significantly. His pale white skin had turned a healthy shade, indicating that he had recovered his lost life force.
Min-ho and Hana watched in awe, their eyes wide with wonder. "What...what just happened?" Min-ho stuttered.
Min-su's blue eyes locked onto Min-ho's as he said, "This is mutation." He continued, "My body has improved, and now I can use the One Mind technique with much less strain."
He then turned to Min-ho and said, "Now, get some rest for a few hours. I'll go and think of a way to barricade the stairs going down. We'll meet back here at 2 pm and head to the 8th floor to clear it."
With that, Min-su took the nylon rope with him and exited the apartment, leaving Min-ho and Hana to rest and process what they had just witnessed.
Min-su stood in front of the stairs, thinking for a few seconds before entering the neighboring apartment. He searched for anything that could make a noise and gathered various objects, tying them together with the nylon rope. He then hammered a few nails into the wall and used the stairs' railings and those nails to secure the rope, creating a makeshift alarm system.
With some time to kill before meeting up with Min-ho and Hana, Min-su decided to test his body's condition. He stretched his limbs and performed a series of exercises, gauging his strength, agility, and reflexes. His eyes narrowed as he focused on his movements, assessing his overall physical abilities.
At 2 pm, Min-su returned to the apartment, donning his bulletproof vest and strapping his katana to his back. He instructed Min-ho to get ready, and Min-ho followed suit, wearing his own bulletproof vest and securing his machetes on his back. They exited the apartment, heading towards the eighth floor.
En route, Min-su explained to Min-ho that he needed to clear the floor alone, as he wanted Min-ho to adapt quickly and become strong enough to stand on his own without support. Min-su planned to train Hana soon and wouldn't be able to assist both of them simultaneously. He wanted Min-ho to be capable of holding his ground and protecting Hana if needed.
Upon reaching the eighth floor, they encountered four zombies mindlessly wandering about. As the zombies caught their scent, they began moving towards Min-su and Min-ho. Min-su nudged Min-ho forward, saying, "Go! Remember to dual-wield and aim for a single swipe decapitation. If any get too close, kick them back to create distance."
Min-ho unsheathed his machetes, assumed a wide-legged stance, and prepared for battle.
Min-ho charged forward, his machetes flashing in the dim light. With a single sweep, he decapitated the nearest zombie, the head flying off in a bloody arc. He swiftly stabbed the second zombie's throat with his other machete, yanking it upwards and splitting the skull in two. A kick sent the third zombie crashing to the ground, and Min-ho quickly decapitated the fourth zombie before finishing off the fallen one.
Breathing heavily, Min-ho stood panting, his body drenched in sweat and zombie blood. He turned to Min-su, a triumphant grin on his face. "Mission Accomplished."
Min-su nodded in approval, patting Min-ho's back. "Well done." But his expression turned serious as he continued, "But the work is not done."
Min-ho's face fell, exhaustion etched on his features. He looked like he was about to collapse, but a glance at Min-su and their surroundings jolted him back to reality. With a resigned sigh, he followed Min-su silently, his legs heavy with fatigue.
Min-su and Min-ho stood in front of the apartments, Min-su assigning their tasks. "I'll enter 801, you take 802. Remember, first, clear out any zombies in sight. Then, search carefully for any others. Only when you're sure it's safe, scavenge for useful items."
Min-su continued, "Focus on non-perishable food like canned goods, snacks, and medicines. Also, gather knives, wires, flashlights, batteries, and extra clothes. We need to stock up for the long haul."
Min-ho raised an eyebrow. "Don't we have enough knives in our apartment?"
Min-su chuckled. "In this apocalypse, we need to use and waste weapons like water and conserve other useful resources like diamond. And mark my words, a few months from now, essential items like food, water, medicine, and weapons will become as valuable as diamonds. Meanwhile, luxury goods like gold, diamonds, and jade will become as worthless as dirt."
Min-ho's eyes widened, grasping the gravity of their situation.
Then, Min-ho and Min-su entered their respective apartments to scavenge. Min-ho encountered a child zombie, which he quickly dispatched. He then searched for other potential threats and found a woman zombie, likely the child's mother. He killed her as well, feeling a bitter taste in his mouth. But he recalled Min-su's words: "By killing them, we're freeing them from this hell." Min-ho steeled himself and began searching for useful items.
Meanwhile, Min-su opened the door to apartment 801, and a massive grey zombie came into view. Its hands were clasped together in a praying gesture, and Min-su's face lit up with a wide smile. "What an icing on top of a cake," he exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.