Eric's breath was steady as he walked down the desolate street, his iron pipe still slick with the blood of the last zombie he had killed. His eyes scanned the horizon, always searching for more threats. Emily followed closely, her senses heightened. The system screen flickered in the corner of Eric's vision, tallying his survival points.
Survival Points: 100.
Finally, enough for the first draw.
He opened the system menu, the "Lottery" option now available. The wheel of fortune in the system mall began to spin. A rush of excitement flowed through him. It could be anything—something useful for their survival, or perhaps something insignificant. He watched as the wheel clicked, slowing down to land on...
Congratulations! You have unlocked the Intelligent Combat Supercomputer: Ares.
Eric's eyes widened. A high-level artificial intelligence. This wasn't just any lottery prize—it was game-changing.
"Ares?" Eric said aloud, and instantly, a voice responded in his mind.
"Greetings, Master Eric. I am Ares, your personal combat strategist and tactical assistant. My functions include real-time enemy analysis, environmental scanning, and combat simulation."
Eric smirked. "This will come in handy."
Just as he was about to continue forward, Ares interrupted. "Master, there's movement ahead. Three zombies, approximately 100 meters away. One of them appears to be chasing someone—likely human."
Eric's heart raced, and without hesitation, he moved forward, signaling for Emily to follow. As they rounded the corner, he saw her—a woman running for her life, her long black hair flowing wildly as she sprinted from the pursuing zombies. She was wearing a torn leather jacket, her face pale from exhaustion.
Eric's system lit up. Potential Contractee Detected: Lara Vance, a well-known actress before the apocalypse. Compatible for Contract.
"Lara Vance?" Eric murmured, recognizing the name. She had been a global celebrity, adored for her beauty and charm. But none of that mattered now.
Without thinking twice, Eric charged forward, his pipe ready for the fight. The first zombie lunged at Lara, but before it could sink its teeth into her flesh, Eric swung his pipe with all his strength. The impact was solid, the creature's skull collapsing with a sickening crunch. Blood splattered across the street as the zombie fell lifeless to the ground.
The other two zombies turned toward Eric, growling hungrily. They were faster than most of the ones he had fought so far, their movements more erratic. Ares chimed in. "Analyzing combat scenario... These zombies have increased strength and speed due to longer exposure to the virus."
"I noticed," Eric muttered. The second zombie lunged, its mouth wide open, but Eric sidestepped it, driving the pipe through its chest, then twisting it with brutal efficiency. It gurgled, its decayed body crumbling to the ground.
As the third zombie closed in, Emily sprang into action. Using her newfound strength, she leapt over a nearby car and landed directly behind the zombie, driving a blade deep into its neck. It fell silently, twitching for a moment before going still.
Lara stood frozen, watching in awe as the two effortlessly dispatched the undead. She was clearly beautiful, even in her ragged state, with striking features that once graced magazine covers and movie screens. Her wide eyes were fixed on Eric as he approached her.
"You okay?" Eric asked, offering a hand.
Lara blinked, then smiled, her lips curving seductively. "Thank you," she purred, her voice like silk. "I don't know what I would have done without you." She stepped closer, her eyes gazing into his with practiced allure. "You're my hero."
For a moment, Lara thought she had him. She had used her beauty to manipulate countless men before the world fell apart, and she believed Eric would be no different. But as she moved closer, trying to seduce him with her charm, she miscalculated.
Eric's expression remained cold, his eyes unreadable. "I'm not here for your flattery. You're contractable, and if you want to survive, you'll sign it. I need subordinates, not distractions."
Lara's smile faltered, clearly not expecting this response. "Wait—contract?"
Ares appeared in Eric's mind again. "Lara Vance has a 95% compatibility with the contract system. Her skills in persuasion, public influence, and survival instincts make her a valuable asset."
Eric opened the contract interface. "Sign this," he said, handing her the system's contract form. "It's a life-and-death contract. You'll gain power and protection, but you'll be bound to me."
Lara hesitated, unsure of what was happening. She had always been in control, used to getting what she wanted, but now… She glanced at the zombies, then back at Eric. He had just saved her, and without him, she knew she wouldn't last long.
"Alright," she whispered, reaching for the contract. As her signature appeared on the system screen, a surge of energy enveloped her. The contract took hold, and Lara felt power coursing through her veins.
"Congratulations, Lara," Eric said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Welcome to the team."
Before they could celebrate the new addition, Ares spoke up again. "Warning: A horde of zombies is approaching. Estimated numbers: thirty."
Eric's eyes narrowed as he turned toward the sound of the approaching horde. Dozens of zombies, drawn by the noise of the fight, were shambling toward them from all directions.
Emily stepped up beside him, her blade ready. Lara, now empowered by the contract, seemed eager to prove her worth. "I'm ready," she said, her voice filled with newfound confidence.
Eric smirked. "Then let's give them a fight."
The horde moved quickly, the sound of their groans and snarls growing louder by the second. Eric raised his pipe, ready for the first strike. As the first wave reached them, he swung with brutal precision, taking down two zombies in one hit. Emily moved with grace, her blade slicing through decayed flesh as she danced between the undead.
Lara, now stronger and faster than before, fought fiercely beside them. Her movements were elegant, her attacks precise. For the first time since the apocalypse began, she wasn't just relying on her beauty—she was fighting for her life, and she was good at it.
The horde pressed in, but Eric, Emily, and Lara fought back with relentless determination. Zombies fell one by one, their bodies piling up around them. Eric's heart pounded as he swung his pipe again and again, feeling the weight of the apocalypse on his shoulders but refusing to give in.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last zombie fell, its head crushed under Eric's boot.
The street was silent again, save for the heavy breathing of the survivors. Eric wiped the blood from his face and turned to his new contractee. "Not bad," he said. "But don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're famous."
Lara gave him a tired smile, her face flushed from the fight. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
Eric glanced at the system screen. His survival points had skyrocketed after the battle, and with Ares by his side, the road ahead didn't seem as bleak as it once had.
But one thing was clear—he needed people he could trust. And in this world, trust was earned, not given.
"Let's move," Eric said, leading the group forward. "There's still a long way to go."