As Charvet continued his journey through the post-apocalyptic world, he wasn't alone. Other survivors scattered across the Country were struggling to adapt to the new reality, each facing their own challenges. The government had collapsed, and the world had fallen into chaos. No more drop crates, no more easy supplies. Only the strong and resilient could survive.
In a warehouse on the outskirts of Central City, survivors had barricaded themselves inside, desperate for safety. Among them was a team of players—survivalists and warriors—who had banded together, forming a tight-knit group. Mailen, the leader of this group, stood out. She was a fierce woman, level 6, ranked 17th in the nation's player rankings. Her skills were unmatched, and her leadership had brought stability to the camp. Mailen was no stranger to this kind of hardship; before the apocalypse, she had been part of a guild in the top MMORPG, The Lost Kingdom. The team had worked together for years, gaining fame for their prowess in the game. Now, they worked together to protect the survivors, relying on their experience and skills to navigate the harsh new world.
Zara, another member of the group, had discovered the Minor Healing skill book during a scavenging trip. She had become the team's healer, able to mend wounds and save lives. But her healing had limits. She could heal wounds, but not those inflicted by zombie bites—those were beyond her reach, and the team had learned the hard way that a zombie infection was a death sentence.
Carlos, a former strategist in their guild, helped plan the raids and defensive operations, ensuring the survivors were well-prepared. The camp was safe for now, thanks to Mailen's leadership and the team's dedication. But they knew the situation could change at any moment. Outside, the streets were filled with zombies, and every day was a battle for survival.
Mailen, Zara, Carlos, and two other members of their group—Dante and Lina—set out on a mission to find supplies. They were a team of five, each with their own unique skills, and together, they had become the backbone of the survivor camp.
They moved cautiously through the abandoned streets, the sound of their boots echoing on the cracked pavement. Zombies shuffled aimlessly in the distance, but the team was prepared.
"Stay sharp," Mailen said, her voice steady. "We need to find food and medical supplies. Zombies will be the least of our worries if we don't get this right."
Zara, her eyes scanning the surroundings, nodded. "I'll keep an eye on the rear," she said.
As they approached a small convenience store, the group noticed a group of zombies shuffling nearby. Without hesitation, Mailen drew her sword, and the others followed suit, preparing for a fight.
"Let's take them out quickly," Carlos suggested, checking his crossbow.
The team sprang into action.
Mailen and Dante rushed forward, slicing through the zombies with swift, practiced movements. Zara hung back, keeping her distance, but ready to heal anyone if needed. Lina darted around, her agility allowing her to avoid zombie grabs while she took out a few with her bow.
One of the zombies lunged at Carlos, but he quickly shot it in the head with his crossbow, the bolt piercing through its skull.
As the battle raged on, Mailen cleaved through another zombie, leveling up to level 7. She paused for a moment, feeling the surge of strength that came with her new level.
"Level 7," she muttered to herself, a grin creeping onto her face. "This'll make things easier."
Carlos, too, leveled up during the fight, reaching level 5. His quick thinking and deadly accuracy with the crossbow had proven invaluable.
Dante fought fiercely, his fists and a few well-aimed strikes from his machete taking down zombies left and right. By the end of the skirmish, he had leveled up to level 4.
Lina, agile as ever, danced around the zombies, shooting arrows with precision. She had just reached level 3 when they took down the last of the undead in the area.
With the immediate danger cleared, the group took a moment to catch their breath.
"Good job, everyone," Mailen said, wiping her sword clean. "Let's head inside and check for supplies."
They entered the store cautiously, finding a small stash of food and medical supplies. It wasn't much, but it would be enough to last them for a while.
As they packed up the supplies, Carlos looked around. "We should head back soon. I don't like the way the wind's picking up."
The others nodded in agreement. They were about to leave when a loud growl echoed through the air. A pack of mutated dogs appeared, their glowing eyes locked on the team.
"Get ready!" Mailen shouted.
The fight was intense, but with their newfound levels, they were stronger than before. Dante quickly took down one of the dogs with a powerful strike, while Lina shot arrows to distract the others. Carlos reloaded his crossbow, taking down another dog.
Mailen and Zara worked together, Mailen distracting the remaining dogs while Zara healed her teammates. Just as the last mutated dog lunged toward Lina, Mailen stepped in, delivering a fatal blow to its head. The fight ended, but it was clear they were all exhausted.
"We should head back," Zara said, checking her supplies. "We've got what we need."
Mailen nodded. "Let's go."
Just as they turned to leave, a loud growl echoed from behind them. The ground trembled beneath their feet, sending a shiver of dread through the group. Mailen's eyes snapped to the source of the sound.
What they saw made their blood run cold.
A massive mutated dog emerged from an alleyway, and it was unlike anything they'd encountered before. Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and its body was bloated with muscle. It had two heads, both snapping at the air, a snarling fury in each mouth. Its fur was matted with dirt and blood, and the ground trembled with every step it took.
The system alert sounded in their ears, cold and mechanical.
[Warning! Level 10 Boss Monster Detected: Two-Headed Mutated Dog]
Mailen's eyes widened. A level 10 boss? This wasn't just another fight. This was a monster far beyond their capabilities.
"RUN!"
she yelled, urgency in her voice. "We need to get back to camp, now!"
But the mutated dog didn't give them a chance. With a bone-crushing roar, it sprinted toward them with unnatural speed, its jaws snapping open and shut.
"Move!" Dante shouted, already pulling Lina by the arm as they fled.
Mailen and the others ran as fast as they could, but the beast was faster. It was upon them in an instant, and its first head lunged for Carlos, its teeth sinking deep into his arm. Carlos screamed in agony, but there was no time for hesitation.
Mailen turned, rushing toward the creature with her sword drawn, hoping to draw its attention away from the others. She swung her blade, but the dog's massive paw batted it away with ease. The impact sent Mailen tumbling backward.
"Mailen!" Zara screamed, but there was no time to react. The dog's second head whipped around, snapping toward Zara with terrifying speed. It missed by inches, but the force of its bite was enough to send Zara stumbling.
Lina was the first to fall. The dog's jaws closed around her, lifting her off the ground. She screamed, but it was silenced in an instant as the dog shook her violently, tearing her body apart. The team was paralyzed with fear and horror as they watched Lina disappear from their sight, her blood splattering the ground.
"Lina!" Carlos screamed, his voice breaking. But there was no time for mourning. The creature was already hunting for its next victim.
Dante fired arrows at the beast, but it didn't flinch. The arrows bounced off its thick hide. Mailen tried to steady herself and move closer, but the fear was overwhelming. The once confident and fearless group was now filled with panic.
"Run!" Mailen screamed, but Carlos couldn't move. The loss of Lina had shattered his resolve. He was too stunned to react.
Before anyone could do anything, the mutated dog lunged again, this time at Dante. It grabbed him with its powerful jaws, lifting him into the air. Dante struggled, kicking at the air, but it was no use. With a sickening crunch, the dog's bite ripped through his body.
The team was down to three: Mailen, Zara, and Carlos—each filled with fear, their will to fight fading. They could hear the creature's growls echoing behind them, growing louder with each step.
"Get up, Carlos!" Mailen shoute
But Carlos, devastated by the loss of his friends, couldn't move. His legs were like lead, his heart gripped by terror.
Carlos and Lina had been more than just teammates—they had been lovers. Their bond had only grown stronger through their time in the game and the chaos of the real world. Losing her, especially in such a brutal way, shattered Carlos.
As Mailen and Zara dragged him into the building, Carlos barely seemed to notice. His mind was consumed by the image of Lina's lifeless body, her scream still ringing in his ears. The horror of her death haunted him.
Once inside, Mailen and Zara tried to shake him out of his daze, but Carlos sat slumped in a corner, staring blankly at the floor. His breathing was shallow, his eyes distant. His body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds, and his heart was heavy with grief.
Zara glanced at Mailen, worry in her eyes. "He's lost, Mailen. He won't move."
Mailen didn't answer immediately. She knelt beside Carlos, her voice calm but firm. "Carlos, listen to me. Lina wouldn't want this. She fought for you. She fought for all of us. We can't give up now."
Carlos's eyes didn't meet hers. His hands trembled, and his face twisted with grief. "I can't... I can't do this without her... Without her, I have nothing."
Mailen's heart broke for him, but she pushed past her own pain. "You're not alone, Carlos. We're still here. You're still here. We fight for each other. We keep going. For Lina. For everyone."
Carlos looked down, his eyes wet with unshed tears. He shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't fight anymore. Not without her."
Zara stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. The weight of their loss pressed heavily on all of them. The two-headed dog was still out there, hunting them. But in that moment, Mailen knew they had to find a way to get through it.
"Carlos," Mailen said, her voice soft but steady, "we need you. We can't stop now. You owe it to Lina to keep going. We all do."
Carlos's gaze finally lifted, and for the first time, there was something more than sorrow in his eyes—determination. He wiped his face, still trembling, but his resolve started to return. "For her... I'll keep fighting."
Mailen nodded, her heart swelling with relief. "We're in this together. We've always been."
Zara gave a nod of agreement, her hand still resting on Carlos's shoulder. "We'll survive this, no matter what."
Carlos stood up slowly, taking a deep breath. The pain was still there, but now, it was driving him to keep going. They couldn't change what had happened, but they could honor Lina's sacrifice by staying alive.
Carlos's mind raced, struggling to focus through the pain of losing Lina. The loss hit him hard, but he knew he had to pull himself together. The others were counting on him now. He couldn't let their deaths be in vain.
"We can't fight it," Carlos said, his voice hoarse. His eyes met Mailen's. "We're not strong enough."
Mailen, Zara, and Carlos were hiding inside the building, the walls shaking with each crash from the two-headed dog outside. It was only a matter of time before the structure collapsed completely. Carlos thought fast, his gaze flickering around the room for an idea.
"I'll be the bait," Carlos finally said, his voice steady but filled with resolve. He looked at his teammates, his heart heavy with guilt, but also a spark of hope. "I'll draw its attention away from you two, and you can escape. It's the only way."
Zara immediately shook her head.
"Carlos, no. We can't ask you to—"
"Listen," Carlos cut her off, locking eyes with her. "You two are faster. You can run and find safety. If I can get the dog's focus on me, it'll give you both the chance to escape. We're wasting time sitting here."
Mailen, who had been quiet until then, spoke up. "You're crazy. That thing will tear you apart."
Carlos felt a wave of sadness, but he didn't waver. "It's better me than any of you. I've seen what it can do. I won't let it kill you." He paused for a moment. "We'll use the alleyways. Once it's distracted, you can get away. Just don't look back."
Zara opened her mouth to argue, but Carlos put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm doing this. We don't have time to argue."
Mailen let out a heavy sigh. "If you're going to do this, we're doing it together. We don't leave anyone behind."
Carlos nodded. "We stick to the plan, and we all get out."
The plan was simple, but dangerous. Carlos would make himself the target. While the two-headed dog was focused on him, the others would use the opportunity to escape, running through the alleyways and keeping a safe distance.
Carlos felt the weight of their lives on his shoulders, but he wasn't afraid. His mind was clear now. He was ready to face the monster. And if it meant buying the others time, he would give everything.
Mailen stepped forward. "We need to do this now. Let's go."
Carlos moved toward the door, heart pounding. His teammates followed, ready to put the plan into motion. He took one last look at them, then stepped outside, drawing the attention of the two-headed dog.
The monster roared, its eyes locking on Carlos. It growled, its two heads snapping to attention. Carlos felt his stomach tighten with fear, but he didn't falter. He had one chance.
"Now!" Carlos shouted, as he turned and ran, leading the dog toward him. Mailen and Zara quickly darted in the opposite direction, running as fast as they could.
Carlos could hear the sounds of the monster behind him, its massive paws pounding the ground, but he focused only on keeping it distracted. He darted through alleyways, narrowly avoiding debris as the dog chased him, its growls growing closer.
He kept moving, adrenaline coursing through his veins. If he could just buy enough time...
Then, from the corner of his eye, he saw Mailen and Zara getting farther away, and a sliver of hope shot through him.
They were getting out. He was doing this.