I signaled for Crystal to stay close, and we moved cautiously to the next door—the vacant apartment. This unit had been previously occupied by a lone resident, and I needed to verify it was empty. I gently pushed the door open wider and stepped inside, methodically checking each room. The space was filled with the previous occupant's belongings, but there were no immediate signs of danger. Satisfied that it was clear, I quietly closed the door, careful to make as little noise as possible. Zombies were drawn to sound, so silence was essential.
I approached the next door and knocked three times with the knuckle of my middle finger.
A guttural growl echoed from the other side. I looked down at Crystal and tightened my grip on my katana.
"Crystal, be ready."
With a powerful kick, I forced the door open. The impact sent the zombie behind it crashing to the floor, a cloud of dust rising from the old carpet. Its growl of surprise turned into a garbled snarl as it tried to get up, but I wasn't about to give it the chance.
"Go, Crystal!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the confined space as I rushed in with her. Crystal, my loyal husky, sprang into action with a fierce growl, her muscles rippling under her white fur. She leapt onto the zombie with a ferocity I had never seen before, her powerful jaws clamping down on its neck. The zombie thrashed wildly, its decaying limbs flailing as it tried to dislodge her, but Crystal held on, her teeth sinking deeper into its flesh.
I didn't waste a second. Drawing my katana, I advanced on the struggling creature. The blade glinted in the dim light filtering through the grimy windows, a sharp contrast to the darkness of the room. With a swift, practiced motion, I drove the katana into the zombie's face. The initial stab hit its target, the point of the blade piercing through its skull with a sickening crunch. The zombie's movements slowed, but I knew better than to assume it was done.
With a determined grunt, I pulled the blade out, dark, thick ichor dripping from its edge, and drove it in again, this time twisting the hilt to ensure maximum damage. The second strike hit with a finality, the zombie's body going limp under Crystal's weight. The growl in its throat turned into a weak gurgle before fading entirely. Stepping back, I took a moment to catch my breath, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest.
The room was eerily silent now, the only sound my heavy breathing and the faint hum of mana in the air. Crystal released her grip and looked up at me, her eyes bright and alert, blood smearing her white fur. I reached down and patted her head, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins.
"Good girl, Crystal," I said, my voice a mix of relief and pride. She wagged her tail, the tension in her body easing slightly.
I scanned the room, ensuring there were no other threats lurking in the shadows. The remnants of the battle lay scattered around us, broken furniture and debris testament to the struggle that had taken place. I sheathed my katana, wiping the blade clean on a rag I found nearby. As I did, I couldn't help but think about the sheer strength and determination it took to survive in this new world. Each encounter was a reminder of the dangers that lurked around every corner, and the need to stay vigilant.
"Status," I commanded, needing to see our progress.
**Name:** Dwayne Storm
**LVL:** 0
**Exp:** 40/100
**Name:** Crystal
**LVL:** 0
**Exp:** 10/100
Perplexed by the distribution of experience, I consulted the System.
"System, wasn't I supposed to receive double experience?"
**[ You have received double, but Crystal shares the experience with you. It was 20 EXP for the kill. Crystal received 10, and you received double, totaling 20. ]**
"Why wouldn't Crystal receive the same amount as me? She's my pet."
**[ You will share experience with all your contracted beasts from now on. With only one piece of the mana diamond, your experience is doubled but split between you and your pet. As you acquire more beasts, the share will be divided among them. With more mana diamond pieces, the experience bonuses will improve significantly. ]**
Realizing the necessity of mastering my time and space elements, I knew I needed to focus. Survival was becoming increasingly uncertain. We returned to my apartment and locked the door behind us. I settled onto the couch and began to concentrate, trying to sense the mana in the air. After about ten minutes, I detected a subtle energy around me. I envisioned creating a thin layer of energy around my body, refining it until it felt like a second skin. When the shape solidified, I heard the familiar ping from the System.
**Ping!**
**[ Name skill ]**
**Time - Speed Suit**
**[ Time - Speed Suit - By creating a thin layer of time mana around the body, the user increases their time flow by two. Speed ×2 and 10 mana per second during use. LVL 1 ]**
Experimenting with the new skill, I found it easier to use now that it was formalized. It also had levels, which suggested future enhancements. I leaned back, reflecting on this progress.
Next, I turned my attention to the space element. Using Crystal as a test subject, I attempted to manipulate the space around her. Controlling mana on another being proved more challenging than expected. Instead of trying to restrict her whole body, I focused on one paw. This approach worked better. After successfully confining her foot, I heard the satisfying ping.
**Ping!**
**[ Name skill ]**
**Space - Shackle**
**[ Space - Shackle - Using space mana to impede a foe's body parts. The user can restrain the body part based on their strength and intellect. Higher opponent strength or intelligence makes it easier for them to break free. 15 mana per second during use. LVL 1 ]**
I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and poured some into a bowl for Crystal, feeling drained from the intensive mana use.
"I wonder if I can help Crystal develop a lightning element skill," I mused.
"Is there any way I can help Crystal with her lightning element?"
**[ No, Crystal, like all animals, will naturally develop their elemental skills. These abilities are instinctual. ]**
"Well, that's a shame. Looks like it's all up to you, girl. I'm counting on you."
"Woof! Woof!" Crystal barked, her tail wagging as if to assure me she was up to the task.
With that, I felt a renewed sense of determination. We had a long road ahead, but at least I wasn't alone. Together, we would face whatever challenges this new world threw at us.