As time passes, many secrets of the post-apocalyptic world are bound to unravel.
From the sudden emergence of zombies to the rise of the enigmatic gifted—these phenomena will one day be laid bare.
When that day comes, a new order will inevitably take shape.
Miles possessed extraordinary abilities, but there was a glaring flaw.
To date, he had no offensive capabilities. This meant that should he face an adversary with combat-oriented powers, he would have no means of defense.
"It's time to start investigating this seriously," Miles muttered, deep in thought at the dining table.
His gaze fell on the steaming plate of beef before him. Curious, he willed it into his mental space.
Minutes later, he retrieved the beef, and the steam still wafted from it, undiminished.
As expected, time was suspended within his space.
But what about living beings?
Miles's eyes swept toward Lisa, who flinched under his scrutinizing stare.
"You…" Lisa stammered, her face flushing. She stood abruptly. "Didn't you already get your fill this morning? Can't you at least let me eat in peace? I'm completely drained."
Living in the villa for a week, Lisa hadn't had a moment's rest.
The kitchen, the bathtub, the sofa, the basement—even during her research, Miles had left her little reprieve.
Was this man a reincarnated terrier? Even the hardest-working mule couldn't compare to his relentless energy!
Miles ignored her protest. He focused on her intently, but no matter how hard he concentrated, Lisa remained firmly planted where she stood.
"It seems the space doesn't work on humans," he murmured to himself. "But why, then, can I store live chickens and ducks?"
Could it be that his spatial power had levels of restriction?
If so, perhaps he could only store smaller living creatures at his current level, with humans being too complex.
This revelation sparked a new thought.
If his mental space operated on levels, then it might be possible to enhance it.
But how?
Miles had never considered this possibility until now. The threat Sini posed, coupled with Lisa's subtle warnings, had triggered an epiphany.
He was far less secure than he had believed.
Setting down his chopsticks, Miles retrieved a protective suit from his space and began putting it on.
"Where are you going?" Lisa asked, her voice tinged with concern.
She thought Miles was fed up with her culinary failures and planned to find someone better. A sudden pang of insecurity gripped her.
Though she was just a servant in his eyes, being his only one offered a sense of exclusivity. What if the new woman was not only a better cook but also more beautiful?
In a villa with only one man, the arrival of another woman meant divided attention—a risk Lisa wasn't willing to take.
Miles, oblivious to her spiraling thoughts, opened the intricate security door.
"I'm going to see if I can store a zombie in my space," he said casually.
He stepped into the yard, where Ella remained chained.
Her reaction to his presence was immediate and violent, her struggles intensifying as he approached.
The chains groaned and clattered under the strain as she clawed and snapped at the air, desperate to reach him.
Miles maintained a safe distance, fixing his gaze on her.
Suddenly, a warm current surged through his mind.
It was an indescribable sensation—like the euphoric release after an intense climax or the refreshing relief of an icy drink on a scorching day.
Before him, Ella abruptly collapsed to the ground, as if the energy animating her had been entirely drained.
This was unprecedented.
Since her captivity, Ella had been a ceaseless whirlwind of rage, her strength seemingly boundless. Yet in mere seconds, she was rendered motionless.
Curious, Miles stepped closer.
Ella's crimson eyes slowly returned to their natural hue, her veined and discolored skin fading to a pale, human-like tone.
But as her transformation completed, her breathing stopped.
In less than two minutes, Ella had gone from a ferocious undead to a lifeless corpse.
Miles's expression shifted from shock to elation.
He could feel it—absorbing Ella's energy had triggered a change within his mental space.
The once opaque, snow-covered fog seemed to lift slightly, revealing faint glimpses of clarity.
"What are you doing?"
Lisa's voice startled him. Standing at the doorway, she stared in disbelief at Ella's lifeless form.
"Is she… dead?" Lisa asked hesitantly.
"Perhaps," Miles replied indifferently, rising to his feet.
That night, long after Lisa had fallen asleep, Miles left the villa.
Lisa stirred slightly, hearing the faint creak of the door. A part of her knew Miles was keeping secrets, but she chose not to pry.
After all, she had given him her everything. Shouldn't that be enough to earn his trust?
Miles, meanwhile, ventured beyond the villa's perimeter for the first time since the apocalypse began.
With his pistol drawn and loaded, he moved silently toward the neighboring villa—the one now converted into a holding cell for captured zombies.
In the bedroom, three zombies thrashed against their chains as he entered, their aggression palpable.
Without hesitation, Miles focused his gaze on them.
Three distinct waves of warmth coursed through his body, leaving him invigorated.
His mental space grew clearer, the fog receding further with each absorption.
Though he couldn't yet see what lay beyond the mist, Miles felt certain: the more energy he absorbed, the stronger his abilities would become.
He moved on to another room.
Within half an hour, Miles emerged from the villa, his steps lighter, his spirit uplifted.
Glancing at a nearby trash can, he decided to test his newfound strength.
With a mere thought, the can vanished into his space—faster than ever before. He no longer needed intense concentration; a simple glance sufficed.
His abilities had undeniably advanced.
A satisfied smile played on his lips.
It was time to hunt for more zombies.
The rate at which the fog cleared seemed tied to the energy he consumed. The more he absorbed, the slower the progress, much like the diminishing returns of leveling up in a game.
But he was ready for the grind. Each step forward brought him closer to mastering his potential.