Bai Yi experienced intense pain, as if he could perceive the inner workings of his body. The meridians connecting his organs felt torn and then reassembled by a powerful force.
He was determined to survive, realizing he had no alternative. Over the past week, those injured by zombies invariably perished; if he did not act, he would share the same fate.
His thoughts turned to a theory proposed by a biology professor, who suggested that ordinary people could not consume corpse cores because they had not been exposed to acid rain, which seems to create a genetic similarity between individuals with special abilities and zombies. This led Bai Yi to wonder if ordinary people could first be exposed to the zombie virus and then consume the corpse core, potentially eliminating the virus and granting them superpowers.
Though this was merely a hypothesis, he had no means to test its viability given the scarcity of corpse cores. The professor's unconventional theory had caused quite a stir until yesterday, when he tragically did not return from a supply search.
Driven by desperation and possessing a corpse core, Bai Yi made the fateful decision to consume it without fully contemplating the consequences. However, even with his preparation for transformation, he was unprepared for the excruciating pain that followed. His cries drew the attention of zombies outside, causing the already fragile dormitory door to shake.
Bai Yi's focus shifted away from the zombies; his consciousness fluctuated as he endured the agony in his left arm, feeling as if it were seared by a hot iron. The pain intensified to the point where he felt compelled to rip off his arm.
In a moment of peak suffering, veins stood out on his body as blood surged through his vessels. Exhausted, he let out one final scream, only to subsequently smile, his physique drenched in sweat.
"I succeeded! I didn't die! I didn't turn into a zombie!" he exclaimed, feeling a strange energy coursing through his revitalized body, replenishing his strength.
Despite the chaos outside, Bai Yi knew he needed to act quickly. Survival depended on combatting the immediate threat, regardless of his newfound abilities.
With clarity following the intense pain, he now understood his powers and their applications. "So this is what it feels like to have special abilities. Remarkable!" he thought, feeling an unprecedented strength. Though still fatigued, he felt a resurgence of vigor.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged this as a mere illusion; his physical state was not genuinely enhanced, unlike those with special abilities he had observed previously.
He pondered, "Could they also be concealing their abilities?" His skepticism was hard to shake. If others were withholding truths, it was unlikely that his girlfriend would do the same. Did this mean his ability was distinct?
Determined to learn more, Bai Yi placed his left hand on the wall, willing a ten-inch light screen to emerge. Clarity washed over him as he read the displayed information: "Constitution 5 points, Spirit 8 points, Strength 4 points, Speed 5 points, Defense 3 points... Note: The highest standard for survivors is 10 points!"
In spite of his attractive appearance, Bai Yi recognized his meager physical attributes, which he had long accepted as part of himself. Although he excelled academically, physical prowess had often eluded him, and his lifelong inability to engage in sports was a lingering disappointment.
Understanding the significance of the displayed data, Bai Yi interacted with the screen, prompting a new message: "Would you like to consume your own attributes to generate a soul weapon? Note: This option is unique and irreversible."
After a brief moment of consideration, he chose "Yes." With scant alternatives available in a vulnerable position, it felt like a necessary risk. The moment he confirmed his decision, a piercing pain surged through his temples, and a dark energy began to materialize before him.
"Ah! The pain!" This new sensation resembled the peeling of silk threads, not quite unbearable yet overwhelming in its powerlessness. As the dark light solidified, Bai Yi sensed a rapid depletion of his strength and spirit.
Gritting his teeth, he leaned against the wall, battling the feeling of imbalance. The solidified object before him took shape—a sword, its craftsmanship exquisite and detailed. Its scabbard was dark wood, the guard dark silver, and the handle elegantly wrapped in leather, trailing a long leather cord adorned with a metallic skeleton hand.
Before he could fully comprehend the weapon's appearance, the dormitory door shattered under relentless assaults from zombies, leaving a gap through which a decayed arm lunged.
Without hesitation, Bai Yi drew the sword, instantly connecting with its power. With a swift motion, he brought the blade down on the advancing arm.
To his dismay, he realized the strike lacked the force he expected; the blade became lodged against bone despite its sharpness. The zombie's arm struggled to withdraw but became ensnared. In a moment of sheer horror, the arm was torn off, but Bai Yi reclaimed the weapon and retreated.
Just then, a decayed head pushed through the weakened doorway, its ghastly features clawing at Bai Yi's composure.
Instinctively, he gripped the sword tightly, ready to confront the horrifying creature. Despite the threat, Bai Yi remained resolute, leveraging his training and composure to deliver a decisive blow, redirecting a surge of newfound strength as he engaged. He dodged the collision, narrowly escaping a grim fate.