[Detected: Host has killed an infected. Capturing dark energy...]
[Dark energy successfully captured. Host gains 1 point.]
With three infected corpses lying at his feet, Zhu Jiu's total had risen to 4 points—still a drop in the bucket compared to his needs.
"Fatty, looks like the infected around here are nearly wiped out. Let's move to another area."
As Zhu Jiu spoke, he started toward the supermarket, intent on finding new hunting grounds.
Moving elsewhere wasn't just about efficiency. Clearing out infected in different areas also eased the survival burden on others nearby.
The more he killed, the more people had a chance to live.
Zhu Jiu wasn't a saint who would sacrifice himself for others, but neither was he a cold-blooded madman.
"This is just another miserable day for Fat Grandpa," Fatty muttered, dragging his oversized staff along. His grumbles fell on deaf ears as Zhu Jiu ignored him entirely.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from across the street.
"Who's there?!"
Zhu Jiu's eyes turned icy, and he immediately loosed three crossbow bolts toward the source of the sound.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The bolts struck nothing but air, yet the commotion flushed out two figures from the alley.
One was a towering, muscular man, built like the Hulk, while the other had thick, matted fur covering his body, resembling a werewolf.
"Evolvers?"
Zhu Jiu's brow furrowed as he raised his twin blades slightly, ready for action.
In the lawless world of the apocalypse, not even fellow humans could be fully trusted.
The werewolf raised a hand in a placating gesture, his face wearing an amiable expression.
"Relax, brothers. We mean no harm," he said with a disarming smile. "We heard some noise here and thought someone might be in trouble. Came to see if we could help."
"Since you two clearly don't need assistance, we'll be on our way. Let's go, Second Brother."
The werewolf bowed slightly to Zhu Jiu and Fatty before motioning for his companion to follow him down the opposite alley.
The muscular man remained silent the entire time, trailing behind the werewolf like an obedient shadow.
Once they were out of sight, the muscular man muttered, "Big Bro, you're too good at this. That was some performance."
"Hmph," the werewolf sneered, his previously kind expression twisting into one of disdain. "Those two idiots just got lucky and gained some power. They don't know how dangerous this world really is. I could crush them anytime I want."
"What's the plan, Big Bro?" the muscular man asked.
"We wait," the werewolf replied, his eyes glinting with malice. "Those two seem strong. Maybe they can weaken that freak for us. Once they're both hurt, we swoop in and take the prize."
"But what if they lose outright? What then?"
"Are you an idiot?!" the werewolf snapped, slapping the back of the man's head repeatedly. "If they lose, we run! You think I'm going back to save them? Use your brain for once!"
The muscular man lowered his head, seemingly chastened.
But in that moment, a glint of cold malice flickered in his eyes.
Zhu Jiu watched the two leave, remaining vigilant until they disappeared.
"Fatty," he asked, his tone sharp, "those two—they're the evolvers you mentioned seeing before, right?"
"Yeah, that's them," Fatty confirmed without hesitation. "Strange, though. When I saw them last, it was just a few hours ago, but that werewolf's energy has gotten stronger."
"His energy grew stronger?" Zhu Jiu's mind raced. Could there be another way to absorb dark energy?
Before he could delve further into the thought, an inhuman roar echoed from the alley behind him.
A swift, agile figure shot out of the shadows, lunging straight at Zhu Jiu.
"Roar!"
The creature had crept close in silence before bursting forth, leaving Zhu Jiu and Fatty little time to react.
But Zhu Jiu's Wing Chun reflexes, honed to Level 9, had become second nature. Instinctively, he sidestepped and drove his elbow into the creature's head with explosive force.
A punch like a bullet, an elbow like a cannon!
With both Wing Chun and Iron Shirt amplifying his strength, Zhu Jiu's strike packed enough power to shatter stone.
The impact sent the creature flying over ten meters, slamming it into a wall with a deafening crash.
Boom!
Even a bull would've been killed instantly.
Yet the creature merely shook its head and stood up again as if nothing had happened.
Zhu Jiu finally got a good look at it.
The being was humanoid but completely naked, its body covered in sleek, black scales. Its pure black eyes bore silvery cross-shaped pupils, and a black orb gleamed ominously from its forehead.
A long, muscular tail swayed behind it, lending it an unsettling beauty entirely unlike the grotesque infected.
The creature stood at the alley's entrance, watching Zhu Jiu warily. Despite its bestial appearance, there was a sharp intelligence in its gaze.
"Highly durable. Intelligent."
Zhu Jiu quickly assessed the creature and prepared for a fight.
Moments later, the system displayed its attributes:
[Species: Aberrant (Lightly Injured)]
[Tier: 1 Mid-Stage]
[Origin: A monster formed when an infected absorbs dark energy and mutates. Significantly enhanced physical strength, basic intelligence, and an insatiable hunger for flesh and dark energy. Its blood is highly infectious. Killing it rewards 20 points (first kill bonus: 50 extra points).]
[Danger Level: Tier 4 (Extremely Dangerous)]
Initially, Zhu Jiu hesitated, sensing the creature's danger.
But when he saw the 70-point reward, his eyes blazed with determination.
"You're mine!"
With a furious roar, Zhu Jiu charged, his blades slicing through the air toward the aberrant.
Caught off guard, the creature let out a pained howl as the blades cut deep into its flesh.
Its tail lashed out like a whip, forcing Zhu Jiu to retreat as it darted backward.
The aberrant stared at its gaping wounds, a mixture of rage and confusion on its face. It couldn't fathom why the human's demeanor had shifted so drastically—from cautious to aggressive in mere moments.
But the pain quickly consumed its thoughts. Its silvery pupils turned blood-red as it let out a guttural roar and lunged at Zhu Jiu once more.
In the shadows of a nearby alley, the werewolf observed the battle with a predatory grin.
"Fight, fight! Weaken each other, and then I'll take the prize!"