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 down from the rooftop, his eyes fixed on the zombies below. They stood still, their eyes fixed on the sky, their usual relentless movement halted. Min-ho and Hana flanked him, their faces etched with concern.
"Hyung, we're sorry we couldn't meet your expectations," Min-ho said, his voice laced with regret.
Min-su's expression remained neutral. "I never expected you to master the techniques. You've only grasped them superficially."
Hana's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, Oppa?"
Min-su's gaze didn't waver from the zombies. "You can't perform those techniques without mana. You lack the fundamental understanding."
Min-ho's brow furrowed. "But how do you do it, Hyung?"
Min-su's voice was matter-of-fact. "I know mana's essence and how it functions. I can burn my life force to simulate it, but that's not an option for you. You're unaware of mana's existence."
Min-ho and Hana exclaimed in unison, "That's unfair!"
Min-su's tone turned somber. "I lied to you, Min-ho and Hana. I told you that you could learn those techniques to motivate you to train harder. But the truth is, without mana, you'll never be able to use them."
Min-ho and Hana's faces fell, their eyes widening in shock.
"Why did you deceive us, Hyung?" Min-ho asked, his voice laced with disappointment.
Min-su's expression remained unyielding. "I did it to push you beyond your limits. You needed to believe it was possible to reach your full potential."
Min-su's tone remained calm. "Stop complaining. If you want to truly master those techniques, come here."
Min-ho and Hana stepped forward, their eyes fixed on the zombies below. The creatures suddenly shook violently, their bodies contorting in unnatural ways.
"What's happening to them?" Hana asked, her voice laced with unease.
Min-su's gaze never wavered. "They're awakening their Nexarion. It will take over their nervous system, granting them normal human speed and strength beyond that of a normal human."
The rooftop fell silent, the only sound the distant moans of the zombies as they awakened to their new abilities.
Min-su's gaze remained fixed on the zombies below, their moans and groans carrying up to the rooftop on the warm summer breeze. "In about five minutes, their Nexarion will fully awaken, and they'll be able to see us from down there. But their minds won't be under its control yet, so they won't have any intelligence. They'll just claw at the walls, unable to figure out how to come here."
He paused, his eyes locked on Min-ho and Hana, the sun's rays casting a golden glow on their determined faces. "Once they've fully mutated, we'll head down and eliminate all 23 zombies. But first, ingest the Nexarion I gave you."
Min-ho, Hana, and Min-su popped the Nexarion into their mouths, the bitter taste dissolving quickly. Min-ho's strength surged, his muscles bulging as they grew denser, his veins visible beneath his skin. Min-su and Hana's speed increased exponentially, their bodies humming with energy, their hearts racing with anticipation.
With newfound excitement, they rushed down to the ground floor, their footsteps echoing off the walls, their weapons at the ready. The air was thick with tension as they faced the snarling zombies, their eyes fixed on the trio with a feral intensity.
The battle was intense, the clash of steel on flesh, the scent of sweat and blood filling the air. Min-ho's roar of triumph echoed through the ground floor as he took down zombie after zombie, his strength overwhelming.
Hana's speed was a blur, her daggers flashing in the dim light, her movements graceful and deadly.
Min-su's calm and collected demeanor belied his lethal efficiency, his katana slicing through the zombies with precision splitting most of them into two.
In just half an hour, the zombies lay motionless, defeated. Min-ho and Hana stood victorious, their chests heaving with exhaustion, their eyes gleaming with pride and exhilaration. Min-su, however, remained calm and collected, his expression serene, his eyes gleaming with a quiet satisfaction, like a night sky filled with stars.
Min-su's asked, "How's your newfound strength?"
Min-ho and Hana exclaimed in unison, "Wonderful!" and "Great!" their voices filled with excitement, their faces flushed with exhilaration.
Min-su chuckled, his smile widening, "Haha, this is only the tip of the iceberg." He paused, his gaze drifting off, lost in thought.
Hana's curiosity got the better of her, her eyes wide with wonder. "By the way, Oppa, how strong were you in your previous life?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to break the spell of the moment.
Min-su's smile turned enigmatic, his eyes clouding over like a moonlit night. "At the pinnacle," he said, his voice low and husky, his gaze distant, as if seeing into a past long gone. "I was fighting alongside my comrades and friends, but we were vastly outnumbered. Our forces numbered in the thousands, while the zombies swarmed in hundreds of millions."
He paused, his chest heaving with a sigh. "The battle raged on for weeks, the sounds of gunfire and screams echoing through the streets, the smell of blood and smoke hanging heavy in the air."
His eyes snapped back to the present, his expression serious, his voice firm. "But this isn't the time for reminiscing. We need to rescue those survivors, if they're still alive." He turned to face them, his eyes burning with determination. "Let's move out."
Min-ho and Hana nodded, their faces set with determination, their weapons at the ready. The trio moved out, their hearts pounding with anticipation, the air thick with tension.
The trio stood in front of the entrance, Which is just a metal gate and beyond that gate is a parking lot, their eyes fixed on the building before them. The structure of building similiar to Min-su"s building. Min-ho asked, "What floor are they on, Hyung?"
Min-su's gaze was steady. "8th floor. Our plan is to head straight there and rescue them. We'll avoid engaging in any unnecessary fights, as there may be fully mutated variables that you can't handle."
Min-ho and Hana nodded in unison, their faces set with determination. They knew the risks, but they were ready to face whatever lay ahead.
With a deep breath, the trio entered the building, their weapons at the ready. They headed for the stairs, their footsteps echoing off the walls.
The air was thick with tension as they ascended, Min-ho and Hana exchanged a nervous glance, their hearts pounding in their chests. Min-su led the way, his eyes fixed on the path ahead, his expression calm and collected.