After getting what he came for and exchanging a few flirty remarks with the fierce Miss Song, Novak's mood was exceptionally good.
The looming pressures and crises of the apocalypse were momentarily forgotten.
Still, Novak felt an intense distaste for Dane.
In his previous life, his interest had been drawn to someone far more intriguing—Dane's mother, Song Daphne, the 'Sage of De M-anila'.
During the apocalypse, Daphne, with De M-anila as her foundation, had established Sage Song City, a city renowned among evolutionaries.
She was at the peak of the 'Saint' rank, just a half-step away from the legendary 'Emperor' rank.
While Daphne wasn't the strongest in terms of personal combat prowess, her financial power and the influence of Sage Song City placed her among the top three leaders after the fall of society.
This was precisely why Novak had made up his mind. After the apocalypse, if he were to build a city, it would have to be on the foundation of De M-anila.
The reason was simple.
Near De M-anila, there were numerous dungeons and secret realms, rich with precious resources, materials, and equipment.
Daphne, as the city's ruler, had access to this vast treasury. From the early days of the apocalypse, she had risen steadily in power, eventually turning Sage Song City into one of the economic hubs in the safety zones constructed by the evolutionists of Faeloria Country.
What did this mean?
Even for a talented and capable woman, managing to build and maintain such a foundation proved Daphne's extraordinary nature.
Of course, Daphne wasn't just any woman.
Even before the apocalypse, her business empire was the largest in De M-anila. And while she had married young and given birth to Dane, she'd become a widow within two years. Yet, she maintained herself so well that, walking down the street, she could easily be mistaken for Dane's sister.
With her intelligence, power, and beauty, Daphne was the epitome of a top-tier woman.
Thus, Novak's comment to Dane earlier hadn't been a mere jest—he truly 'was' interested in her mother.
Novak believed that if he altered his path this time—remaining in De M-anila instead of fleeing during the initial chaos of the apocalypse—he would certainly meet Daphne again one day.
There was no need to rush.
For now, Novak had no intention of returning to the dormitory. He had no plans to interact with his roommates anymore.
With his phone in hand, Novak headed directly to the Ritz Carlton Hotel, where he had stayed the previous night. He waved his hand and booked the presidential suite for a full seven days.
The cost? A cool $20,000.
The hotel staff wasted no time in catering to such a high-profile guest. However, Novak declined any additional services like exclusive butlers or chauffeured car transfers. Money was about to become worthless, and there was no point in saving it.
As for stocking up on supplies, food, or weapons?
Novak could only chuckle at the thought.
While evolutionists still needed food, his system backpack couldn't hold that much. Besides, the system's exchange feature allowed him to trade one copper coin for a day's worth of basic supplies.
As for medicine, evolutionists rarely got sick under normal circumstances.
Weapons? What could be more valuable than the equipment that dropped from zombies?
Even firearms and explosives would soon become useless, rendered ineffective by the changes in the world's magnetic field under the influence of the universe's will.
So, despite preparing for the apocalypse, there was actually very little Novak needed to do.
Since hunting zombies wasn't feasible yet, Novak decided to enjoy the luxurious services that modern society had to offer—services that would vanish in the chaos to come.
On the table in front of him, several syringes were neatly lined up.
Each one contained dark red, virus-laden blood.
Since awakening the Virus King talent, Novak no longer needed to inject these viruses manually. Instead, as soon as his palm made contact with them, the viruses in the blood practically cheered in unison.
Virus entities, which had no intelligence or thought, instinctively recognized Novak as their king.
Then, the viruses transformed into pure evolutionary energy, completely under Novak's control.
- [Rabies virus acquired, evolution points +0.5!]
- [Hepatitis B virus acquired, evolution points +0.3!]
- [Mad Cow Disease virus acquired, evolution points +0.6!]
- […]
Incredible!
Novak felt an overwhelming urge to embrace and kiss Aria. That little nurse had really come through.
The viruses extracted from the blood today had given him over 2 evolution points!
Compared to the points he had earned when he first injected the zombie virus and awakened the Virus King talent, this haul was substantial.
Though Novak wasn't sure how Aria had managed to collect such a wide variety of viruses, these evolution points were enough to significantly enhance his power once more.
However, Novak didn't rush to use all the evolution points to awaken the Blacklight Virus just yet.
Instead, he was curious about the Infectious Disease Evolution branch and decided to explore it further.
As expected, there were several sub-branches within the tree.
- Respiratory Droplet Infection: Enables large-scale infection through airborne particles. The infection cycle is normal, and its strength depends on the target's constitution. Abilities include cold, flu, tuberculosis, infectious pneumonia, etc.
- Liquid Infection: Enables large-scale or targeted infection through bodily fluids. The infection cycle is short, and its power is strong. Abilities include immune system suppression, organ failure, etc.
These were the two standard abilities Novak had expected. However, he wasn't particularly excited by them.
Using a cold or a cough to deal with zombies or evolutionists seemed absurd, even though Novak knew that the Virus King's version of these abilities would be far from ordinary.
Still, the idea seemed almost too comical.
Just as Novak was about to exit the evolutionary tree, something caught his eye—an obscure, almost hidden evolutionary path at the bottom of the tree. It appeared dim, likely because he didn't have enough evolution points to fully unlock it.
But what he saw made his breath catch.
- Mental Infection: Enables large-scale or targeted infection through mental power. The infection cycle is extremely short, and its strength depends on both the user's and the target's mental fortitude. Potential effects include anxiety, schizophrenia, mental breakdown, and more.
Novak's pupils narrowed in shock.
Chapter 0015: Mother and Daughter!
Novak chose not to invest his evolution points in the Spiritual Infection option.
It wasn't because he didn't want to, but because he simply wasn't qualified yet!
- [Unlocking Spiritual Virus Infection requires 10 evolution points and a mental power attribute ≥ 50.]
Clearly, this Spiritual Infection was a special evolution in the virus infection branch.
But 10 evolution points? For Novak, that was an enormous amount, not to mention the requirement of 50 mental power points—an attribute far beyond his current reach.
Perhaps if he advanced further in the awakening of the Blacklight Virus, or if he reached level 10 and focused all his free attribute points on his mental power, he might stand a chance.
However, neither of these options was possible at this moment.
For now, the Blacklight Virus would have to do.
- [Progress in awakening the Blacklight Virus has increased! Current progress: 0.4%. Additional attribute increases: Strength +22, Agility +22, Constitution +22, Spirit +22! Life recovery speed +200%!]
Zero point four percent.
The enhancements at this stage were limited to additional attributes and a remarkable boost in life recovery.
Still, the incremental gains were becoming harder to come by.
Yet Novak was well aware of the true power hidden in the Blacklight Virus.
What frustrated him, however, was the lack of the most basic effect—devouring.
With the devouring ability, Novak was confident he could accumulate evolution points far faster by consuming zombie viruses.
But for now, it felt like a struggle.
Let alone unlocking advanced abilities like claws, heavy strikes, transformation, gliding, or even memory reading—those legendary powers would have to wait.
The road ahead was long and grueling.
Despite his frustration, Novak wasn't in a rush. Feeling the new strength coursing through his body, he fell into a deep sleep, after sending a glance at the little nurse, Aria, who had messaged him that she was on duty at the hospital and couldn't leave today.
Sleep was the best way for his body to adapt to the increased power.
Meanwhile, on the other side of De M-anila City…
In the Ocean Blue Villa area, where some of the city's wealthiest businessmen and elite resided, one particular luxury villa stood out. Despite the late hour, it was still brightly lit.
In the living room, a surveillance video played repeatedly on a large TV screen.
A video that should have been confined to police stations or hospitals.
The footage captured a young man moving with lightning speed as he fought and killed a zombie.
Seated on the sofa was a woman clad in a light, thin, purple-red gauze nightgown, which accentuated her enchanting figure beneath the shadows.
Even more striking than her beauty was her cool demeanor, a natural allure combined with an icy grace.
But tonight, no one was appreciating her beauty.
Her gaze was fixed on another woman in the room.
This second woman had a stern, military-like presence—her bodyguard, Nicole.
"Nicole," Daphne said, her voice calm but questioning. "Could you do what he's doing?"
She gestured toward the video, where the young man had subdued the virus-mutated monster with remarkable ease.
Nicole, the bodyguard, shook her head. "Impossible, Madam. You saw how fast that thing moved—it's no longer human. And the most dangerous part is that the virus transmits through nails and teeth."
She glanced at the screen again, her brows furrowed. "To be honest, that young man doesn't seem fully human either. His speed is unnatural, and his knowledge of the human body is extraordinary. If I were facing him unarmed, I doubt I'd last more than five seconds."
His speed was unnerving.
Even at 0.25x slow motion, the surveillance footage was barely able to capture the young man's movements.
Daphne nodded, absorbing her bodyguard's assessment.
Still, Nicole wasn't ready to concede her pride. She added, "However, we're still living in a modern society. No matter how fast he is, he's not faster than a bullet."
"Not faster than a bullet."
Daphne raised her eyebrows slightly but lingered on another phrase Nicole had said: "modern society…"
Before she could dwell on it further, the sound of footsteps interrupted her thoughts.
"Madam, Miss Dane is back!" the housemaid announced from the entrance.
Hearing that her daughter had returned, Daphne's face brightened, and she quickly instructed, "Bring her in!"
Moments later, Dane, still yawning, joined her mother in the living room. But as she approached, her eyes lingered on her mother with a curious expression.
Dane suddenly recalled what that insufferable man, Novak, had said earlier.
"More interested in her mother?"
Even though Dane found Novak revolting, she had to admit—her mother's charm was undeniable.
Her mother's rich, red curls framed her pale, flawless skin. Even without makeup, she radiated a natural allure. The long, graceful swan-like neck supported a pendant diamond necklace, nestled within a very prominent cleavage.
With her hourglass figure, her mother exuded an aura of irresistible elegance.
Daphne, oblivious to her daughter's thoughts, gently warned her, "You shouldn't go to school for a while. Stay home."
"What? Why?" Dane asked in surprise.
Dane, being a lively young lady, was hardly the type to stay cooped up at home.
But her mother's serious expression made her hesitate.
"What's going on, Mom?" she asked softly.
Daphne glanced at Nicole, who picked up the remote and changed the video on the screen.
Suddenly, a gruesome image filled the large TV. A monstrous face with bared teeth and claws, its purple-black veins bulging, eyes wild and bloodthirsty, appeared.
Dane instinctively recoiled at the horrific sight, then glared at her mother in disbelief.
"Mom… since when did you start watching zombie movies? That scared me!"
Daphne glanced at her daughter but said nothing. Instead, she let the next video play.
This one was blurrier, but it was raw footage with no filters—no staged scenes.
A zombie tore into a passerby's neck, gnashing through flesh, veins, and arteries in a matter of seconds.
The brutal reality of the scene made Dane shudder.
Realizing this wasn't a movie, her face paled. "Mom…"
Without flinching, Daphne sighed, "As unbelievable as it seems, I think we're looking at something real. And while I don't believe these mindless zombies can destabilize our society, it's better to be safe than sorry. So, stay home for now."
This time, Dane didn't argue.
But just as she nodded in agreement, the final video started playing on the screen. Her eyes widened in shock, and she pointed at the TV, screaming.
"Ah… Mom, why is 'he' there?!"
Her outburst drew the immediate attention of both Daphne and Nicole.
Chapter 0016: 001 Chat Group!
Daphne glanced at the TV, her surprise evident.
The screen was still displaying the last video she had discussed with Nicole, which included several clips of a zombie being taken down. During their earlier discussion, they had analyzed the young man's strength in the footage.
But now, based on her daughter's reaction, it seemed like she knew this person!
Daphne had spent most of the past few years focusing on her career, and she hadn't paid much attention to her daughter's personal life.
Meanwhile, Dane, though shocked by the scenes on the screen, showed no signs of embarrassment.
"He's from my school! I've been chasing him, but he's been blind to it and kept refusing me. Seems like he's been getting close with a nurse at the hospital recently too!" Dane huffed in frustration. Then, noticing something on the screen, she added, "Wait... that nurse in the video—that's her! Haha, so he's a hero saving a damsel in distress!"
Daphne didn't concern herself much with her daughter's romantic entanglements. After all, not many boys could resist her charm. But upon learning that her daughter knew this young man, her interest was piqued.
From her perspective, it was clear the boy's skills were far from ordinary. He also seemed to be aware of the changes happening in the world—this keen insight was one of the reasons Daphne had successfully established herself in De M-anila, expanding her late husband's estate and positioning herself well for the potential chaos ahead.
"Has he changed recently?" Daphne asked, her voice sharp with interest.
Caught off guard, Dane hesitated for a moment before responding, "I haven't seen him much these past few days. But I did run into him this afternoon. He seemed different—changed somehow—but I can't put my finger on what exactly..." She trailed off, her thoughts drifting.
Recalling something Novak had said to her earlier, Dane hesitated, feeling a bit conflicted. But with her mother clearly intrigued by Novak, she gritted her teeth and decided to spill the truth.
"He... he said he wasn't interested in me, Mom. But... he did say he's very interested in you!"
Daphne blinked in surprise, her fox-like eyes flickering with amusement. She didn't seem to notice her daughter's embarrassment at all. Instead, she focused on the young figure in the video, a small, enigmatic smile forming at the corners of her mouth.
"Interested in me, is he? Well, in that case, I'd like to meet this intriguing young man myself."
Without paying much attention to Dane's astonished expression, Daphne, a woman with ambitions greater than most men, simply waved her hand dismissively. "Alright, go get some sleep. And remember, don't go out these next few days."
——
Morning.
After a night of rest, Novak felt the cells and viruses in his body had grown more stable. After showering, he stood in front of the mirror, observing the well-defined, cheetah-like muscles covering his body. Hidden beneath that lean frame was an immense reservoir of explosive power.
Novak smiled, feeling the growing strength within him. His hand instinctively reached for the Time Hourglass hanging around his neck. He couldn't help but wonder if the hourglass would reveal its true powers when the Field of Gods and Demons trial officially began—when the apocalypse and the will of the universe collided.
He had a hunch that the hourglass held surprises beyond his imagination.
Glancing at the clock, he noted the date: June 8, 2023—8 AM. There were six days and sixteen hours left before the end of the world.
Taking a deep breath, Novak opened his phone.
In the Post Bar's private messaging section, there was a long string of messages from "I'm not a troll." It seemed that after Novak hadn't responded, this guy had sent another request:
[I'm not a troll: Hey, Brother White, why not add me on X-Ta! My handle is Ian Bark@—it'll be easier for us to communicate!]
Ian's persistence amused Novak, and he appreciated the initiative. However, he had no interest in adding another contact on X-Ta. Instead, he reopened the System Panel.
The Will of the Universe had a robust feature set for evolutionaries like Novak. Once the apocalyptic trial officially began, a wide array of tools would become available, including a forum and numerous other functions. But even now, as an early-stage pioneer, Novak had access to some key features—like the group chat function.
Creating a chat group cost only one gold coin. After setting up the group, evolutionaries could invite others to join using their unique ID numbers. Alternatively, members could also join by inputting other evolutionary numbers, subject to the group creator's approval.
With no network restrictions, this system was quite convenient.
After some thought, Novak decided to spend the gold coin and create his own group.
[Congratulations! You've successfully created an evolutionary group (Number: 001). Please name it.]
Novak blinked at the prompt. Despite all this time passing, he figured there were definitely other pioneers like Ian who had awakened, yet no one had created a group? Well, perhaps not everyone had a gold coin to spare just yet.
As he scrolled through the various name options, he decided to stick with something simple. What could be more impressive than the number one chat group?
[Confirmed!]
[Evolutionary Novak, you've successfully created Chat Group No. 001!]
A slight smile spread across Novak's face as he gazed at the new group on the interface. He was confident that this group would one day become the most elite circle in the entire apocalypse—a key pillar in his future communications and influence.
Just as he sent the group number to Ian via Post Bar, his phone rang unexpectedly.
Novak raised an eyebrow in surprise. In this digital age, most communication happened via X-Ta or messaging apps. Phone calls were typically from scammers, salespeople, couriers, or delivery services.
But as soon as he answered, a soft yet authoritative voice spoke on the other end.
"Hello, Student Novak, this is Song Daphne."
"???"
Chapter 0017: Daphne's Temptation!
What?
Novak blinked, surprised. Did Dane actually repeat what I said to her mother?! He thought.
Isn't this girl a bit too bold?
Despite his initial surprise, Novak quickly grew thoughtful. He had never underestimated the kind of people who stood at the top of the city—those with vast information networks, wealth, and power beyond the imagination of ordinary citizens.
The fact that they had tracked him down and made contact wasn't merely because of some offhand remark he made to Dane.
A smile tugged at Novak's lips. He hadn't expected to make contact with Song Daphne so soon, not before the apocalypse had even started. But there was nothing to fear. In fact, he might even stand to gain something from it.
After all, in his previous life, he had not been that much worse off than those at the top. Though he hated to admit it, back then, Novak had the powerful backing of the Dark Mother Goddess. Even though she couldn't fully manifest herself in the apocalyptic world, her influence was far beyond what most evolutionaries could comprehend.
"Hello, Aunt Song," Novak answered, his tone steady and composed.
On the other end, Daphne's voice was calm and unhurried, and her smile was almost audible.
"You're Dane's classmate, correct? She talks about you often. I've spoiled Dane since she was young, but because of my career, I haven't had much time to get to know her circle of friends. She doesn't have many close companions in college. How about we meet and have a face-to-face chat? I'd love to hear more about her university life. What do you think?"
Novak wasn't fooled by Daphne's charm. He especially believed the part about Dane being spoiled—that was obvious. But as for the rest of her story, he didn't buy it for a second.
If other people didn't know, he certainly did.
Daphne owned a significant share of Ateneo De M-anila, meaning she was essentially a board member of the university. As long as Dane didn't blow up the school, there were plenty of administrators ready to clean up after the young heiress.
After all, Novak's election to the vice president of the student union in his sophomore year had been overturned simply because he refused Dane's advances. He was hit with a dimensional reduction strike—his status stripped with just one word from above.
Of course, Novak didn't have any lofty principles about staying away from "easy money." If he could rise to the top by marrying into wealth and inheriting the Song family fortune, who wouldn't be tempted?
But Novak saw Dane's character for what it was—entitled and overbearing.
Not that it mattered much anymore. With the apocalypse looming, the old rules would soon be irrelevant. In fact, things had already begun to change.
As Daphne continued to speak, saying what was essentially nonsense, Novak's smooth, magnetic voice replied with ease, "Sure. Just tell me when and where."
——
De M-anila, Westin Hotel, Riverfront Window Lounge
Novak finally met the woman known as Song Daphne.
Even after seeing countless women in his previous life, during the dark days of the apocalypse—famous actresses, idols, and even those he had personally kept close—he had to admit that the woman in front of him ranked among the most stunning he had ever seen.
She wore a tight-fitting purple cheongsam that accentuated her curves, and on her feet were Versace high-heeled sandals that didn't quite match the setting, but nonetheless caught the eye. Her pale toes, painted a deep shade of purple-red, were surprisingly striking.
"Hello, Novak~" Daphne greeted him warmly, rising from her seat and extending a hand. As she did so, her gaze swept over him, assessing.
Novak's appearance was decent, but it was nothing that would normally impress Daphne. What struck her was the look in his eyes.
Most young men would have ogled her by now, but Novak's gaze was steady and unflinching, as if he could see right through her. It made Daphne feel a bit uncomfortable, but not in a way that offended her.
Instead, she found it intriguing. Smiling seductively, she said, "Novak, you're quite handsome! If I were 20 years younger, I'd probably be chasing after you, just like my daughter~"
This woman certainly knew how to play her cards.
Novak smirked. "No need to wait 20 years, Aunt. If I had the chance now, I'd pursue you! It's not every day I meet someone as stunning as you."
"The most beautiful?" Daphne teased.
"No. Second."
"Oh?" Daphne chuckled, her amusement clear. "So, I'm not number one?"
Even though Novak's words lacked finesse, she played along with a grin.
But Novak wasn't offering empty flattery—he was simply being honest.
He shook his head. "That's right. The most beautiful is someone named Hell Rose."
Daphne paused, genuinely taken aback by his response. She had expected Novak to spout some basic flattery, not to actually mention someone specific.
"Hell Rose? Is she foreign?" Daphne asked, clearly intrigued.
Novak's smile widened, revealing his perfectly aligned teeth. "Not quite. She's an alien."
Dark Mother Goddess, real name: Heloth Andashir, also known as Hell Rose.
Daphne blinked, confused for a moment before bursting into laughter. Her laughter, though elegant and restrained, was genuine, and Novak could tell she was genuinely amused by his words.
"Well then," she said, "how about we order something to eat? It's my treat, and then we can discuss Dane."
Despite her playful demeanor and stunning appearance, Daphne's questions about Dane's university life were fairly direct and transparent. She wasn't hiding her interest, but Novak wasn't particularly bothered by it. He had already forgotten most of what he had learned in school, but he played along, giving vague answers that were just enough to satisfy her curiosity.
However, as their conversation went on, Novak noticed something. He occasionally glanced around the lounge with growing interest, sensing that Daphne might be planning something.
It seemed he was right. Less than half an hour later, a scream echoed through the hotel.
An all-too-familiar scene unfolded.
A grotesque, purple-black zombie with bulging veins, bloodshot eyes, and pitch-black claws suddenly emerged from a nearby hall and charged straight toward them.
Novak's lips curled into a smile.
Daphne's little "temptation" wasn't particularly subtle, was it?
Chapter 0018: Such A Temptation, Don't Play It In The Future!
The zombie in front of them was drenched in blood, with bits of flesh clinging to its palms and mouth. This creature wasn't some random mutation; it had clearly been planned.
As the few remaining diners screamed and bolted toward the stairs, it became obvious that nobody wanted to stick around for what could either be a crazed murderer or a zombie. Both were bad news for any bystanders.
However, Daphne stood frozen in place, paralyzed with fear. As the grotesque creature hurtled toward them with unnatural speed, it seemed as if she had been put under some kind of spell—unable to move a muscle.
Novak, on the other hand, smiled faintly as if oblivious to the approaching danger. He calmly pierced a piece of steak on his plate with a knife and fork and took a bite, his demeanor completely unaffected.
He looked up at Daphne, who was visibly tense, while the zombie closed in on them with the speed of a full-grown man sprinting at full force.
A roar echoed through the air.
The smell of blood was now thick in the room, and in the corner, Nicole had already aimed her Type 54 pistol at the charging figure. She was prepared to shoot the zombie dead the moment it got out of control.
But just as the creature reached within two steps of their table, Novak suddenly stood up.
No one could see what happened next. Not even Daphne, who was right there, could follow his movements.
In less than a second, the ferocious zombie was pinned to the high-end wooden dining table. Its hands, now overlapping in an awkward position, were skewered by a sharp steak knife, trapping the creature in place.
Dark, blackened blood splattered across the table, staining the barely-touched steak.
Yet despite the pain it should have been feeling, the zombie remained crazed in its hunger for flesh. But strangely enough, even though it was an uncontrollable monster driven by the virus, it seemed to ignore Novak completely.
From beginning to end, its bloodshot eyes were fixated on Daphne. Even as it remained pinned to the table just half a meter away, its gaping, bloodied mouth continued snapping wildly in her direction.
Frenzied.
Desperate for flesh.
Daphne, despite all her experience and composure, had never come face-to-face with something so horrifying. She could feel the raw terror this creature emanated.
But what truly chilled her was the faint smile on Novak's face as he sat back down, nonchalantly pinning the zombie's hands without bothering to finish it off as she had expected.
The creature continued its mad attempts to lunge at her, teeth gnashing in the air.
Daphne's breath hitched as she forced herself to remain calm. "Novak… what is this? Is it… like the zombies from the movies?"
Novak glanced at her, still smiling. "Shouldn't Aunt Song know better than I do? Didn't you arrange for this thing to be left here?"
He turned his gaze to the corner, where Nicole stood, weapon ready. "And you, beauty in the corner, you can lower that piece of iron now."
At that moment, Daphne's face paled even further.
Novak, without breaking his calm, gestured toward the zombie. Though its hands were pinned to the table, he leaned closer the creature, allowing its head to inch closer to Daphne's face.
Even Daphne, with all her composure, instinctively flinched and leaned back.
But Novak's grease-slicked hand came down gently on her head, forcing her to remain still. She couldn't move. All she could do was watch as the monster's bloodied mouth drew nearer, its foul breath now inches from her face.
"Let go of Madam!" A voice barked.
Novak glanced at the armed bodyguard, who was now pointing a Type 54 caliber pistol at him, along with a burly man in a black suit standing behind him.
These bodyguards, armed in such a blatant manner, were a clear indication of Daphne's influence in De M-anila.
But Novak remained completely unconcerned. He had long anticipated Daphne's moves and her attempts at manipulation.
Guns? He didn't care about them. After the apocalypse began, most firearms would be rendered useless, nothing more than hunks of metal. And even now, although a direct hit from a Type 54 might be a challenge for his constitution, with his agility and reflexes already reaching near-superhuman levels, none of them could even dream of hitting him.
So Novak paid them no mind. Instead, he looked back at Daphne, who was struggling to maintain her composure. Without hesitation, he pushed the zombie's head even closer to her.
Boom!
A loud, muffled shot rang out. But Novak only looked at Daphne with calm indifference as he dodged the bullet, a smile tugging at his lips as he uttered a single warning.
"This is the first—and the last—time."
At that moment, Daphne's expression shifted. She finally understood what kind of monster Novak truly was.
More importantly, she realized that behind his coldness, there was no room for negotiation. He really could kill her and everyone else in the room if he wanted to.
Hurriedly, she stammered, "It's… it's just a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding!"
Novak chuckled. He had never truly intended to kill her. His hand, still slightly greasy, moved from the back of Daphne's head to her cheek, gently brushing her soft skin with his fingertips.
"You don't have to beat around the bush, Aunt Song. If you have something to say, just say it directly. It's boring to play games like this. And most importantly, my time is quite precious. Don't waste it with these childish tricks."
With that, Novak gripped the zombie's head like it was a ball, and with a swift motion, he twisted it.
Crack!
The zombie's head snapped clean off, its neck twisting like a child's toy. Bits of sticky flesh and dark, congealed blood spilled out, much like the filling of a twisted ham sausage.
The severed head thudded to the ground, while black blood poured from the neck, splattering across Daphne's elegant purple cheongsam.
Novak smiled coolly, leaning in to whisper in her ear, "Go change your clothes. Then we'll talk again."
Without another glance, he turned and waved, stepping casually into the elevator as if nothing had happened.
Daphne sat motionless, the cold dampness from her seat slowly spreading beneath her. Her eyes fell on the broken corpse at her feet and the severed zombie head on the plate. She could no longer hold back her emotions.
For the first time, Queen Song, the woman who commanded so much power in De M-anila City, broke down in silent tears!
Chapter 0019: Zombie Mask! Chat Group Members!
The sun shone brightly, and the streets were crowded with people. Despite the rapid approach of the police station's patrol cars, no one noticed Novak's departure.
He couldn't help but feel a twinge of emotion.
If only things could remain this way before the apocalypse erupts!
Aside from everything else, today's gains were substantial.
Even though his evolution points didn't increase much—barely scraping together a single point from absorbing the zombie virus after direct contact with its blood—he knew there were other things that mattered as well.
Evolution points were just one part of the equation.
Experience and currency were another. He had earned ten times the normal experience and currency, although in the grand scheme of things, it only amounted to ten experience points and ten copper coins. Hardly enough to make a noticeable difference in leveling up.
But the tenfold drop rate? Now, that was exciting!
He glanced at his system backpack.
This time, there were no blueprints, which wasn't surprising. Blueprint drops were notoriously rare. However, finding fully equipped items instead of blueprints? That was definitely more convenient.
One particular drop caught his eye, though it felt a bit cumbersome, even for someone as indifferent as Novak.
[Zombie Mask]
[Armor - Face and Head (Grade F)]
[Constitution +2, Strength +2]
[Wearing Requirement: Evolver]
[Note: Don't worry, this isn't a mask worn by zombies. It just looks a bit like one...]
It was a black mask. At first glance, it resembled the zipper mask worn by Kaneki Ken from the anime 'Tokyo Ghoul', complete with teeth, a red tongue, and splatters of blood across the front.
After sniffing it cautiously, Novak was relieved to find it had no peculiar odor. He casually put it on, despite the strange looks from passersby.
He didn't mind. In fact, he strolled leisurely down the street.
He hadn't intended to frighten Daphne earlier. But the woman was so full of herself, her self-assuredness grating.
Novak wasn't someone who tolerated people trying to manipulate him, but he also understood that Daphne wouldn't back down so easily from something as trivial as fear. On the contrary, it would only pique her curiosity.
After all, Daphne had the ambition to match her own strength. And witnessing Novak's overwhelming power, revealed without any effort to conceal it, must have left a lasting impression.
In modern society, laws governed everything because there were no individuals with the kind of personal power that could transcend the rules. But in the apocalyptic world to come—the Trial Field of Gods and Demons—personal strength was everything.
The world was about to undergo a massive transformation. Only those who could adapt to these changes and see the bigger picture would rise to power in the new world.
As Novak casually strolled, something in the distance caught his eye. He entered a store and bought a few things that piqued his interest.
Feeling satisfied, he walked out of the pet shop in a good mood.
It was then that he received a message from Aria.
He hadn't expected the nurse to be so resilient. Of course, Novak hadn't exerted much force when they last met. If he had, no one could have withstood it—his four-dimensional stats, especially his Constitution, were now at a level where few could even come close.
Still, it was clear that Aria was eager. After finishing her night shift, she called him, not the least bit sleepy, even after lying down for a while.
Novak took her to the Ritz-Carlton Presidential Suite, where they spent the entire afternoon together.
During their time, Novak even tested out some of the props he had picked up from the pet store. Although Aria had initially resisted, she eventually gave in under his insistence.
Unfortunately, Aria's physique didn't quite meet Novak's preferences. Though her energy and passion were impressive, her neck wasn't slender enough to fully arouse his interest.
In his mind, the golden chain and collar would have looked much better around Daphne's elegant, porcelain-like neck.
Letting the now-exhausted Aria rest, Novak treated himself to a relaxing spa massage at the Ritz-Carlton. With his eyes closed, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind:
[Evolver number 007 'Ian Bart' has applied to join Chat Group 001!]
"Hm?" Novak opened his eyes, surprised. He had thought Ian had been eaten by zombies by now. It took him a full day to finally apply to join the group!
[Ding! Evolver No. 007 'Ian Bart' has joined Chat Group 001!]
A special dialogue box appeared in front of Novak.
[Ian Bart: Boss White! Brother White! This is incredible!]
[White Emperor: What are you so excited about? Haven't you experienced enough miracles in the past few days?]
[Ian: Hehe, well, this is just unbelievable! Boss White, where are you? Can I come hang out with you?]
Novak raised an eyebrow.
[White Emperor: The apocalypse is just a few days away, and you still dare to run around? I've already told you everything you need to know. Focus on improving yourself; we'll cross paths eventually.]
[Ian: Wait...]
[White Emperor: Develop your abilities. Stay close to the nearest hospital, and if possible, practice with zombies to get used to blood and combat. Most importantly, don't die...]
Novak left it at that. He wasn't one to be stingy with advice, but he also wasn't about to babysit anyone. Setting up the group chat had been more of a casual move. He was looking for capable individuals who had awakened early, preparing for the inevitable arrival of doomsday.
His goal was to establish a reliable network for information and trade, just like the wealthy circles that thrived in modern society. Connections were key—just like in martial arts novels where various factions would gather.
That was his idea. He didn't plan on playing caretaker during the critical early days of the apocalypse. People's minds hadn't yet adapted to the new reality. It wasn't just raw talent that would ensure survival and strength—it was their mindset.
Facing the apocalypse correctly was crucial.
Doomsday was far from a game, even if the Trial Field of Gods and Demons was presented in a game-like format. In reality, it would be unimaginably cruel.
Novak had no interest in helping everyone adjust. He wanted to grow stronger himself. And who knew when people's true intentions would turn dark?
He didn't need loyal subordinates. What he needed was a functional circle of connections he could use when necessary.
And that was enough.
With this thought in mind, Novak finished his spa treatment and returned to his suite, opening the Post Bar interface again.
To his surprise, besides Ian's messages, several private messages had accumulated in the background.
As expected, Faeloria's large population means that while early awakenings are rare, there are still a few who experience them.
And once someone searched for key terms on the internet, they would inevitably be directed to him!
What Novak hadn't expected, however, was that among those messages, he found a truly remarkable person.
Chapter 0020: Past Emperor! Doomsday Rules!
D-aet City.
A figure with disheveled hair stood by the shore, drenched as if he'd just climbed out of the sea like a water spirit. Yet, the wetness didn't bother him. His eyes were fixated on the phone in his hand, oddly untouched by the water.
On the screen, the browser's search history revealed a chaotic list of terms:
- 'Special abilities'
- 'Paranoia'
- 'Kepler-22b Proving Ground'
- 'Cosmic Will Evolver'
These searches reflected everything the young man had experienced recently. Only Vince knew the full extent of what he had been through.
He cast a glance at the ocean behind him.
This was no ordinary seaside tourist spot. Here, on this stretch of D-aet City's coast, apart from the distant fishing boats returning to port, only a few children were combing the beach for shells and crabs.
Under normal circumstances, Vince should've been dead a day ago. The storm had been fierce, and their fishing boat capsized. Of the dozen or so people on board, none survived—except him.
Vince gazed at the distant sea, confusion swirling in his mind. The ocean, which brought both life and wealth, was like the indifferent hand of fate—blessing some, destroying others without a second thought.
But now, he felt something profoundly strange.
He raised his hand slowly.
Nearby, droplets of seawater began to move toward him, gathering into a floating sphere in his palm. The miraculous sight drew the attention of nearby children, who stared in awe.
And then, something even stranger appeared before Vince's eyes, like a status bar in a video game.
He didn't know why he was spared when the sea claimed the others. But everything he was experiencing now felt so real.
In a frantic effort to understand, Vince searched through his phone. After entering countless keywords, he stumbled upon a peculiar website:
'Cosmic Will Evolution Forerunner Post!'
The page greeted him with a cryptic message:
'"Congratulations to those who have found this post and can comprehend its meaning!"'
'"You are ahead of the rest!"'
'"In the future, those who appear here will shine brightly!"'
'"I bless you and look forward to meeting you one day!"'
'- White Emperor'
"White Emperor?" Vince murmured, his lips trembling. The water sphere in his palm and his improbable survival still left him in a daze. But now, he had no time to dwell on it.
Forerunner. Cosmic Will.
These words flashed before him like riddles.
Whoever this White Emperor was, they knew something about what was happening.
Vince typed a nervous message about his situation and sent it. To his surprise, he received a reply within twenty minutes. Clutching his phone like a lifeline, Vince read the simple response:
[White Emperor: Search for chat group No. 001 in the Cosmic Will and apply to join.]
A chat group?
Vince had noticed this feature earlier but hadn't explored it. He quickly followed the instructions, and his request was accepted immediately.
[You have joined chat group No. 001. You may modify your nickname in the group.]
Finally, Vince had found others like him—people who might help him understand what was going on!
His excitement was palpable, but what he didn't expect was that the group had only three members, including himself.
Holding back from speaking right away, Vince carefully read through the group rules:
'This chat is a communication platform for gifted evolvers.
Members may not insult one another (disputes can be resolved in person).
Members may not ask for personal details.
To become true evolvers on the Kepler-22b Proving Ground and protect both yourself and those you care about in the coming apocalypse, strive to grow stronger and survive.'
The message was clear. What Vince had experienced wasn't a hallucination. His newfound ability to control seawater was real.
Suddenly, a message popped up in the chat:
[Your King— Bart: Haha, finally, a newcomer!]
[Your King—Bart: Check the group rules and Doomsday Rules, rookie!]
Doomsday Rules?
Curious, Vince clicked on the group's files and found a document titled Doomsday Rules. He opened it:
The apocalypse will officially begin at midnight on June 15. If you feel safe, you can sleep through the night—just don't be surprised if zombies chew through your skull by morning. The zombie virus doesn't mutate evolvers' genes. As long as you're not injured by zombies, you won't become one. Zombies are far more dangerous than the ones in TV shows, movies, or books. The apocalypse's threats extend beyond zombies. Resources aren't as important as you think. Talent is the core of an evolver's power, but courage, resolve, and caution are your greatest tools for survival in the trials ahead. The human heart can be scarier than any monster. In the early stages, Agility and Constitution are key to surviving.
Vince read each point carefully, his heart racing. These weren't just warnings; they were survival guidelines, like navigating a storm on the open sea where every misstep could cost him his life.
The group's other member, Ian, was already cracking jokes. But Vince could sense the weight of what was coming, and the gravity of the White Emperor's words.
Ian's carefree attitude contrasted sharply with Vince's growing sense of dread.
——
The legendary Suicune!
Novak hadn't anticipated encountering such a powerful emperor from his past life so soon.
With just one hand, Suicune could transform an entire city into a force as powerful as a nation!
Still, Novak remained silent.
Given his age and personality, Ian is considered a master at setting the tone and energizing the atmosphere in the group.
Meanwhile, Novak has shared various survival strategies and precautions for a potential doomsday scenario within the group.
As the White Emperor, he needs to stay calm and distant. Otherwise, it's unclear if he can keep these trendy people under control during an apocalypse.
After seeing the famous Suicune chat casually for a long time with the easygoing Ian…
No new members applied to join the group for the next half day.
Then, Novak received another message on his phone. It was from Daphne.
Had she recovered already?