Bai Yi anticipated this outcome, as he had only defeated a single Level 1 zombie and doubted that this would suffice for significant progress. Upon summoning the status screen, he noted that only his level had increased to Level 1 (1/2), while the five attributes remained unchanged.
"Will defeating another zombie yield some experience points? If that's the case, could I level up again?" Bai Yi pondered with some excitement. He recognized the straightforward nature of his abilities; each zombie he eliminated provided experience, and reaching a certain threshold would trigger an automatic level-up. This process would result in a substantial enhancement of his capabilities, which, despite its simplicity, was ideally suited for the challenges of this apocalyptic environment.
Eager to test his theory, Bai Yi used his scabbard to nudge the partial head of the zombie that had been lodged in the opening. Almost immediately, another zombie's head appeared in its place.
Excited about the prospect of leveling up again, Bai Yi swung his knife and successfully decapitated the new zombie with a single stroke. In that instant, a burst of light enveloped him, and he felt a surge of vitality.
He quickly checked his status: "Level: Level 2 (0/4), Speed 5 points, Defense 3 points, Strength 2.5 points, Spirit 2.5 points, Constitution 2 points..."
As he had anticipated, he had leveled up again. However, his moment of triumph quickly turned to dismay as he reviewed the updated experience requirements for subsequent levels. To move from Level 1 to Level 2 required 1 experience point, Level 2 to Level 3 required 2 experience points, and reaching Level 3 to Level 4 demanded 4 experience points. This progression resembled a geometric sequence, specifically 2 raised to the (n-1)th power.
The realization chilled him; if this pattern continued, advancing to higher levels would become exceedingly challenging. Although initial gains might appear rapid, the difficulty increased exponentially at each level, leading to daunting experience requirements, particularly beyond Level 10.
With a heavy heart, Bai Yi resumed his efforts, decisively eliminating another zombie's head. The method he had developed for defeating these creatures proved exceptionally safe and efficient; without it, even his newfound abilities would make it difficult for him to withstand the relentless onslaught of zombies.
Determined, he successfully dispatched three more zombies, absorbing their experience. Yet, as he awaited the last surge of experience and heard no further commotion, he realized that the initial onslaught had ceased, with all the zombies outside having been eliminated.
Feeling faint, Bai Yi collapsed and relinquished his knife. Exhaustion set in as he rubbed his weary arms with a grimace. Despite leveling up twice, only his spirit remained diminished, while all other attributes had nearly returned to baseline levels. Regaining some physical stability, he temporarily set his anxieties aside.
Suddenly, a sharp pang of hunger struck him. The gnawing feeling tugged at him, exacerbated by the scarcity of food. Since the arrival of individuals with special abilities at the cafeteria, provisions for ordinary survivors had dwindled. Even those like Bai Yi, who scavenged for supplies, were struggling to secure enough nourishment on a daily basis.
Looking around the room, Bai Yi realized he had somehow ended up in Li Mei's dormitory during the chaos. Without hesitation, he began searching through cabinets and drawers for food.
Even those with special powers are not immune to hunger and weakness without proper sustenance. Bai Yi had limited experience in Li Mei's dormitory, but he knew where she kept her snacks.
Initially, he dismissed Li Mei's cabinet as she rarely indulged in snacks and preferred fruit. After caring for her for three days, Bai Yi recognized she would have run out of food.
Turning his attention to the other bed, he sought out the closet of a cheerful girl named Xing Xing, who delighted in snacks and watching Korean dramas. It stood to reason this would be a fruitful search.
Indeed, Bai Yi discovered a bag of bread, two bottles of mineral water, and a bag of potato chips, although many items appeared to have been taken, likely by Xing Xing or others.
Unfortunately, much of the food was spoiled; the bread had become moldy and unfit for consumption. Bai Yi reluctantly discarded it and savored the potato chips with the mineral water, relishing every crumb.
With satisfaction, he drained his bottle until there was nothing left. It was surprising how enjoyable something so trivial as potato chips could be in his state.
However, the fleeting satisfaction was merely psychological. A single bottle of water and a bag of potato chips did little to satiate his hunger. He recognized that, despite their various powers, individuals with special abilities consumed significantly more energy.
After his quick meal, Bai Yi turned to search Li Mei's desk. "That's odd—Li Mei clearly indicated it was in the drawer, so where could it be?" He rummaged through everything he could find but could not locate the jade pendant necklace Li Mei mentioned, which had been left to her by her grandmother.
Bai Yi was certain he had never seen such a pendant over the three days of caring for Li Mei, nor in the three years they had been companions. Although she often claimed to wear it close to her body, he had never actually witnessed it.
While somewhat amusingly ironic, Bai Yi and Li Mei had known each other since their second year of high school, yet their relationship had never progressed beyond holding hands.
It wasn't due to a lack of desire, but rather the pressures of academia and subsequent experiences had halted their progression.
Understanding the importance of the pendant to Li Mei, Bai Yi felt a pang of guilt. A team was scheduled to search the girls' dormitory today for supplies. After listening to Li Mei's heartfelt pleas, Bai Yi, who had planned to stay behind, agreed to accompany her.
Such a request was not denied; even as an ordinary survivor, Bai Yi had demonstrated remarkable resilience in battling zombies. Many with special abilities preferred to work alongside capable individuals, recognizing the value of teamwork in formidable situations.
Seated in a slightly dejected state after failing to retrieve the pendant, Bai Yi contemplated how to explain this to Li Mei. The thought of her tears over a lost heirloom weighed heavily on him.
Time was not on his side; with darkness approaching, Bai Yi was determined not to remain alone outside the cafeteria. He retrieved the backpack he had left in the dormitory days prior, intending to grab some items to take back to Li Mei.
In truth, there wasn't much of significance. Li Mei came from an average background and didn't indulge in shopping, leading Bai Yi to shove her diary and a few pieces of jewelry and cosmetics into the bag.
Though the ordinary black backpack was spacious, it contained only one set of his clothes. Yet, as he reached inside, his attention was drawn to something unusual. A light screen suddenly manifested in front of him.
"Is this a system backpack?" Bai Yi exclaimed, excitement coursing through him as he observed the empty slots on the interface, where only two items were present.
The first was a water bottle, displayed with the number 4 in the lower right corner. The second was a distinctly red and white piece of meat.
"How do I extract it?" Bai Yi wondered aloud, but his hands felt strangely heavier. As he extended his hand, a transparent glass water bottle appeared in his palm as if conjured from thin air. He was taken aback, realizing the item was absent from his backpack. As he withdrew his hand, the light screen vanished.
Instead, a new display popped up on the water bottle: "Heavenly Spring Water: Extracted from the energy essence of monsters. One pound quenching thirst for an entire day. Long-term consumption may enhance energy levels and recovery rates."
Bai Yi was astonished and quickly set the bottle down before returning to his backpack. The light screen reappeared, showing that the water quantity had decreased by one, leaving a remaining number of 3. The meat item retained its count at 2. Following this thought process, he conjured a piece of crystal-clear meat.
Taken aback by the development, he realized he had underestimated the extent of his abilities. After defeating six zombies, he now possessed three bottles of water and two pieces of meat in his inventory. The orbs of light that rose from the fallen zombies were evidently rewards for his efforts.
Yet, uncertainty lingered regarding the edibility of these items. Bai Yi hesitated at the thought of consuming food derived from zombies.
With determination, he gritted his teeth, opened the water bottle, and took a cautious sniff. To his astonishment, it lacked the unpleasant odor he had feared; instead, it exuded a refreshing coolness. He took a tentative sip, instantly feeling invigorated as his thirst was quenched. Encouraged by the invigorating taste, he consumed half the bottle in swift gulps.
A wave of rejuvenation swept over him, revitalizing every fiber of his being. "Refreshing!" Bai Yi exclaimed, exhilarated by this unprecedented experience of hydration.
Meanwhile, he examined the meat roll, which displayed the following information: "Jade Fat Meat: Extracted from the energy essence of monsters. Half a pound serves as a full meal. Long-term consumption can enhance physical fitness and accelerate recovery from injuries."
Could it truly be edible? With its promised benefits, Bai Yi took a bite, and the flavorful juices exploded in his mouth. Despite being cold, it was remarkably tender and reminiscent of expertly prepared red wine beef. The meat had a rich texture, enveloped in a gel-like sheen.
As he devoured the roll and alternated between bites of meat and sips of water, Bai Yi realized he had consumed the entire half-pound piece before he could comprehend it fully. Content, he leaned back and let out a satisfied belch. This was undoubtedly the most gratifying meal he had enjoyed in the past two years!