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.