Author's note: I know I was a bit late but I have kept my promise and once more, I thanks everybody for supporting my novel.
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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 gazed at the grey zombie which had a sad face, a hint of a smile on his lips. "What great luck to meet you, sadist." He knew this zombie's reputation - it has a fetish, just like Smiley Face. It would lure attackers with its seemingly vulnerable state, only to reveal its true nature when they were exhausted. The sad face would contort into a creepy smile, traumatizing its victims before tearing them limb from limb.
Min-su knew he wouldn't have stood a chance against this zombie a few hours ago, but now, with his enhanced power, he was eager to test its defenses. He gripped his sheathed katana, focusing his life force into the blade. Though not yet mutated, his past life experiences allowed him to convert his life force into mana, which he slowly accumulated in the katana.
With a deep breath, Min-su whispered, "Singularity Strike." Then, with a burst of incredible speed, he seemingly teleported behind the zombie, his katana still sheathed. Min-su's speed was so fast that unsheathing his katana and slicing the throat of the zombie was unable to be caught with the naked eye. The sad face's head dropped to the ground, a smooth cut visible on its neck. Min-su then extracted the Nexarion from the skull, cleaned the apartment, and scavenged for useful items.
After 20 minutes of cleaning and scavenging the other appartments of this floor, Min-ho and Min-su met at the staircase. Min-ho boasted, "I can now take on a horde of five zombies!" Min-su only smiled, and led Min-ho to the rooftop. As they emerged, they spotted a lone zombie standing near the edge. Min-ho asked if he should kill it, but Min-su shook his head. "Killing isn't always the best option. Use your brain, Min-ho. The walls here are low, so let's just push it over."
Min-su demonstrated, dashing towards the zombie and giving it a slight push. The zombie's leg hit the wall, and another gentle push sent it tumbling to the ground, its body shattered. Min-su turned to Min-ho and said, "You're not ready yet. Let's see how well you can fight. Get five meters away from me."
Min-ho complied, and Min-su tossed something towards him. Min-ho caught it, shocked, and asked, "Where did you find this, Hyung? Why are you giving it to me?" Min-su replied, "Swallow it and ready your weapon. I'll come at you."
Min-ho swallowed the Sad Face's Nexarion and soon experienced similar symptoms as Min-su. However, unlike Min-su, his body's muscles improved, and he felt an additional layer of muscle. As Min-ho examined his body, Min-su announced, "I'm coming!" Min-ho was caught off guard and barely blocked Min-su's attack.
Min-su jumped back, creating distance, and attacked again. This time, Min-ho blocked it easily. After a few minutes of fighting, Min-ho wondered why Min-su seemed to be getting faster. But it was actually Min-ho who was getting slower. Eventually, one of Min-su's attacks landed, and his katana sliced half an inch into Min-ho's muscle. Min-su pulled back, and blood began to flow. Min-ho's face contorted in fear as he asked, "What will happen to me now?" and burst into tears.
Min-su reassured him, "Stop crying like a baby! You've consumed a Sad Face's Nexarion, which enhances your defense and vitality. The bleeding will stop, and your body will recover." As predicted, the wound healed quickly, and Min-su ordered Min-ho to stand up and continue fighting. They trained for hours until sunset, returning to their apartment exhausted. Hana opened the door, shocked to see Min-ho covered in blood and leaning heavily on Min-su for support.
"Am I having a Déjà vu" She wondered what had happened outside.
After entering the apartment Min-ho went to wash up and Min-su went to cook dinner, Hana was helping him.
After dinner, they unpacked their loot, and Hana's curiosity got the better of her. "Min-su Oppa, what were you doing outside?" she asked. Min-su explained how they cleared the eighth floor of zombies and his fight with another half-mutant, a Sad Face. Hana wondered why there were so many half-mutants, and Min-su revealed that their location was a "variable hub," where half-mutants didn't fight each other, unlike in other areas.
Min-ho asked for clarification on variable hubs, and Min-su explained that in such areas,the amount of Half-mutants are more than one and here half-mutants don't fight each other. Hana inquired about the Sad Face's demise, asking if Min-su used the One Mind technique again. Min-su revealed that he employed a different technique, "Singularity Strike," which could pierce any defense and was particularly effective against single opponents.
Hana asked about the Nexarion, wondering if it looked different from Smiley Face's. Min-su gestured to Min-ho, who smiled, and Min-su revealed that Min-ho had swallowed it. Hana asked Min-ho how he felt, and he described the experience as gaining an additional layer of muscle and a significant boost in vitality.
Hana observed, "I thought I noticed you'd grown in physique, Min-ho, but I thought it was just my imagination. But it's real, isn't it?" Min-ho continued, "At first, I liked it, thinking I was now stronger than average people. But what happened after that, I didn't like at all." Hana asked why, and Min-su interjected, "I just trained him a little." Min-ho exaggerated, "A little?! You trained me to death! For a few seconds, I even saw the Reaper, and even he was pitying me!"
Hana wondered why Min-su didn't take the Nexarion, and Min-ho chuckled, "Do you want to tell her, Hyung, or should I?" Min-su nodded, and Min-ho turned to Hana, his expression serious. "Your happy times end tomorrow, Hana. From tomorrow on, you'll be coming with us." Fear flashed across Hana's face, but Min-su reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll be with you always."