The zombie before Alex was different. Its grotesque, muscular arms were the size of a grown man's thighs, pounding relentlessly against the metal gate, the only exit. Standing at least two meters tall, its sheer power was undeniable. The gate, though sturdy, had already dented in several places.
Obviously, this zombie was a more dangerous, stronger species.
Alex's grip on the metal pipe tightened as the zombie suddenly stopped, sensing Alex's life force and started moving towards him.
Shit.
The air around Alex tensed. His instincts screamed at him to run, but the moment he took a step back, the zombie, just five metres away, lunged at him without warning. Alex's eyes shrank abruptly.
It's fast!
He barely managed to shift his body to the side, but it wasn't fast enough.
Bang!
The zombie's massive arm struck his chest, slamming against the cold concrete wall. Without delay Alex hurriedly distanced himself leaving a trail of mist. Upon closer inspection, one would discover his left arm, left shoulder and part of his chest was missing, only a swirling mist remained. At the last moment before the zombie struck he used phase shift to turn his body to mist.
[ Phase shift: transform between full mist form, semi-solid form or fully corporeal form. In this form you're immune to physical attacks but vulnerable to energy attacks. ]
The zombie, confused, stood motionless with its arm outstretched.
Gritting his teeth, Alex pulled enough distance from the zombie. The mist moved, reforming his body to normal. He clutched his chest, still shaken.
That was too close!
His breath came in ragged gasps. His hands trembled slightly, but he forced himself to focus. The zombie, now aware of his presence, slowly retracted its arm from the wall, leaving a deep dent.
Then, it turned toward him again.
Alex nearly cursed aloud. He resisted the urge to scream, "No! Stay back!" Instead, he forced himself to move, widening the distance between them.
"How strong is that thing?" he muttered.
Asmodeus voice rang out in his mind.
"Its level is more than thrice your own. I suggest you avoid close combat and find another way out."
Alex's eyes darted to his status.
---
Name: Alex Draven
Race: Human (Unevolved)
Level: 5 (46%)
Soul Points: 349/9
Life Level: Awakened
Power Index: E
Source Index: E
Growth Index: Taboo
Strength: 14
Agility: 12
Spirit: 132
Free Attribute Points: 60
---
His brows furrowed. After killing his way here, he had manged to reach level 5 and had gained 60 free points.
If my strength is 14 points and this thing's power is three times mine... Its strength is at least 56 points or more.
His grip tightened on the metal pipe. Way beyond me.
No time to hesitate. The only way out was through that gate.
"Did you think of something?" Asmodeus asked.
Alex exhaled slowly. "I can't fight it directly... but let's see if this works."
Raising his hand, dark mist coiled around his fingers before shooting forward, snaking toward the approaching zombie. The mist wrapped around its limbs like a living thing, twisting and slithering up its body. Then, with a sudden snap, the mist opened a maw and bit down.
The zombie let out a deep, guttural growl. It sensed danger. It swiped at the mist with frantic swings, but its arms passed through harmlessly. Confused, it kept struggling, its attacks becoming increasingly sluggish.
Then, with a final shudder, it collapsed.
[ You have acquired the soul power of strong zombie level 17. +50 soul points. ]
[LEVEL UP! to level 6...]
[LEVEL UP! to level 7...]
[LEVEL UP! to level 8. You acquire 3 free stat points.]
[ You have devoured a strong zombie +17 free stat points. ]
Its once-massive body had shriveled, looking as if it had been drained dry.
Alex staggered back, his face pale from the strain. His spirit energy had nearly depleted from using both Mist Manipulation and Devouring Mist simultaneously.
His energy surged back, replenishing as he advanced to Level 8.
Despite the victory, Alex didn't have smile. His gaze remained solemn as he stared at the withered corpse.
Asmodeus' voice echoed in his mind:
"Why the long face? You won. You can leave now, wasn't that your goal?"
Alex remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"I made a mistake. A big one."
A pause. Then, Asmodeus' voice returned, slightly intrigued.
"What mistake?"
Alex clenched his fists.
"I got too comfortable and ignored something very important. My original plan was to find a safe place first, study my skills, improve them before taking risks. By then I would have higher chances.
Maybe because the zombies before this were weak and I dealt with them easily, I got careless. I didn't take the time to fully understand my abilities. And this? This fight? I only survived by sheer luck."
His gaze shifted toward the dented gate.
"Who knows what's waiting outside?"
Asmodeus listened without interruption. Then, he asked, "What are you going to do about it?"
Alex exhaled sharply. He needed to prepare.
Lifting his arm, an ethereal mist membrane flickered across his skin.
"It consumes too much energy..." he muttered.
Asmodeus scoffed.
"And when exactly do you plan to use your free points?"
Alex sighed, then reluctantly allocated them.
"Unfortunately, they're not enough."
A brief silence. Then—
"Not enough?! What do you think those points are? Rocks you can pick up anywhere? If you want more, then go hunt for them!
And don't neglect your either of your stats, they're all important. Seriously."
Alex smirked. "Alright, alright. Done."
---
Name: Alex Draven
Race: Human (Unevolved)
Level: 8 (24%)
Soul Points: 399/15
Life Level: Awakened
Power Index: E
Source Index: E
Growth Index: Taboo
Strength: 24
Agility: 22
Spirit: 152
Free Attribute Points: 46
---
He flexed his fingers, then extended his hand. A faint mist swirled, condensing into an ethereal sword over a meter long and four fingers wide.
He swung it experimentally, nodding in satisfaction.
"Not bad. This will do for now."
Asmodeus snorted.
"When are you ever satisfied?"
Alex chuckled. "No one ever complains about having too much."
"You're shameless."
A grin tugged at his lips as he turned toward the gate.
It was time to get out of here.
Outside, the campus was like hell had descended.
Bodies were littered everywhere, humans, zombies, oversized insects and animals of terrifying size. Those alive were rushing about in a disorderly manner. Alex watched in a daze students being chased by strange creatures while at the same time those creatures were killing each other. They were bleeding, screaming and crying, constantly asking for help. Alex couldn't help tighten his grip on the sword.
Asmodeus voice echoed in his mind.
" The world has changed, humans are no longer the only ones who hunt to survive. The sooner you accept that fact, the easier it'll be for you. "
Alex let out a deep sigh. He knew Asmodeus words were true, it was not so simple to change a person's mind in minutes. However, he knew his number one priority was to survive. Even if he has to claw out of this hell he had to survive.
***
A girl dashed across the cracked pavement, her white hoodie tied around her waist flapping behind her.
A three-foot-tall white cat, its bloody maw dripping with fresh flesh, pursued her with terrifying speed.
The giant cat pounced. The girl twisted mid-air, barely evading, then used the momentum of her dodge to whip her leg out, landing a fierce kick.
Myeow!
The cat screeched in pain and rage, but–the girl tripped.
The monster's bloodshot eyes widened. It pounced again, jaws wide ready to tear into her throat.
Then—A sharp flash flickered for a second.
The beast froze. A second later, its head slid off its body, rolling past the girl.
She stared in shock, then turned to her savior.
The person was naturally Alex.
"Big brother Alex?" Her voice trembled with disbelief.
Alex raised a brow.
"You know me?" He shook his head. "Forget it. Quickly! stand up and follow me if you want to live."
Without waiting, he turned, cutting down a massive wasp attacking another student.
The girl scrambled to her feet without hesitation and ran after him. She didn't dare linger any longer.
Along the way he helped save several students. And soon, others followed.
Alex led them towards the gymnasium. The only place he could think of that might still be safe.
But deep down, he knew.
Nowhere was safe anymore.