Author's note:
"Dear readers,
I want to apologize for not being able to upload any chapters for the past six days. Unfortunately, I've been dealing with an illness that has left me unable to write or post new content.
I know how much you love this story, and I'm deeply sorry for the inconvenience this has caused.
Thank you for your understanding, patience, and support during this time. I appreciate your well wishes and kind thoughts.
Thank you for your loyalty and dedication to my work.
Sincerely, [Devil_Yagami]
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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 instructed Min-ho, "You know how we have an emergency water storage in case the rooftop water runs out? We'll use it now. Go fill it up and search all the apartments from this floor to the eighth floor for similar emergency water storage. Fill them up too, because tomorrow at around 3 pm, the power supply will go out, and we need to store as much water as we can before then."
Min-su continued with a serious face, "I'll take care of starting the water pump on the ground floor to fill the water storage on the roof"
Min-ho objected, "But going down to the ground floor is very dangerous, Hyung!"
Min-su reassuringly said, "I'll be okay."
Min-ho headed out to fill the emergency water storage tank and made a surprising discovery - six additional tanks beyond their own. Meanwhile, Min-su embarked on his mission, descending to every floor, with his remarkable speed and agility, he evaded detection by the four to five zombies roaming each floor.
Reaching the ground floor, Min-su spotted three zombies near the switchboard and five more outside the main gate. He swiftly dispatched the three zombies, their heads dropping to the ground. Next, he sprinted towards the main gate, closed it, and activated the pump switch. The sound attracted the zombies, but Min-su didn't linger. He raced back up to the sixth floor at incredible speed, leaping over the makeshift alarm and knocking on the apartment door. Min-ho opened it, and Min-su entered with a smile. "What happened?" Min-ho asked, and Min-su replied, "Perfectly done."
The zombies from the ground floor to the third floor were now distracted by the sound, wandering aimlessly in search of a target.
Min-su announced, "Tomorrow, we'll head to the fifth floor. I'll train Hana while Min-ho clears the other apartments." Min-ho turned to Hana and asked, "Which weapon would you prefer, knives or blunt weapons? We only have those left in the apartment." Hana chose knives, and Min-su offered tips on their use. "Aim for the eyes or temple, as those are the best ways to reach the brain and kill the zombie."
Min-su then added, "There's something else I forgot to mention." Min-ho and Hana asked in unison, "What is it?" Min-su explained, "You know how a half-mutant's Nexarion upgrades one of our physical attributes, and a full mutant's Nexarion creates a new one? Well, the power you have before creating a Nexarion becomes your base power. After creating a Nexarion and mutating, you become even more powerful from that level."
Hana understood, "So, the more stronger we are before creating a Nexarion, the more stronger we'll become after creating one?" Min-su nodded. "That's right. This is why we'll ingest many half-mutant Nexarions to become stronger before creating our own nexarion. Being inside a variable hub will help us do that."
Min-su continued, "In my previous life, I ingested many half-mutant Nexarions, but I created a balanced base, which was one of my biggest mistakes. But in this life, I won't make the same mistake. We won't be taking any half-mutant Nexarions, we'll gather them, divide them equally, and take them on the 13th day, the day before every zombie goes through their first mutation."
Min-su's determination was palpable as he concluded, "Now, get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us, and we will survive this apocalypse, no matter what." Min-ho nodded in agreement, "Yes, we will. And it's certainly possible since we have you, a Returner."
Min-su chuckled, "Returner, huh? That's a cool title, but you shouldn't use it in front of anyone. It contains too much information." Min-ho joked, "As you order, my lord, haha." His lighthearted response eased the tension, and the group headed off to rest, ready to face the challenges ahead.
The group woke up well-rested, refreshed, and ready to tackle the day ahead. The sound of water overflowing from the rooftop water tanks filled the air, a soothing background noise. Min-su headed to cook breakfast after washing up, and the aroma of freshly prepared food soon filled the apartment.
After breakfast, Min-su instructed everyone to get ready. Min-ho pointed out a concern, "We only have two bulletproof vests. What about Hana?" Min-su reassured him, "She'll wear mine. I'm strong enough to protect myself." Hana donned Min-su's vest, feeling a sense of security and gratitude. She equipped herself with a few knives, ready to face the challenges ahead.
As they entered the fifth floor, a lone zombie shuffled in the corridor, its eyes fixed on them. Min-su instructed Hana, "Hana, take care of this one. You need to face your fears and reality." Hana nodded, her voice trembling, "Y-yes, Min-su."
Min-su placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Remember, I'm here to protect you, but you need to learn to stand on your own. Steel your heart and stab it in the eye." Hana took a deep breath, her body shaking with fear. She gripped her knife tightly and charged at the zombie.
"Good job, Hana!" Min-ho encouraged, but Min-su added, "She did very well for her age. Hana, you're fifteen, and to face this kind of danger, you're doing great." Min-ho's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know her age, Hyung?"
Min-su smiled. "I've been to her apartment once. Now, let's move on. Min-ho, take apartment 501. Hana and I will take 502."
Inside 501, Min-ho found two zombies, including a blue zombie that smiled creepily at him. His face turned pale, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead. "Oh no...this is bad." He turned to flee, but the blue zombie noticed him and lurched forward. Min-ho sprinted out of the apartment, narrowly avoiding the zombie's grasp.
He burst into apartment 502, finding Hana fighting a zombie and Min-su watching over her. "Hyung, danger!" Min-ho warned, out of breath. Min-su swiftly dispatched the blue zombie that had followed Min-ho. Hana finished off the zombie she was fighting, her chest heaving with exhaustion.
"What happened, Min-ho?" Min-su asked, his eyes scanning the area.
Min-ho explained, "There's also a Sad Face in 501...I couldn't handle it." Min-su nodded. "Let's go. Hana, stay close." As they entered 501, they encountered the sad face.
"You were asking how I killed him, right? Watch closely"
Min-su demonstrated his Singularity Strike technique, instantly appearing behind the Sad Face and decapitating it. The group gasped in awe.