Chapter 62
Theo’s body suddenly ached and his breath came shallow. He browsed his system interface again with a quick mental command.
“System, are there no recovery items I can use to restore my HP and MP?” he muttered under his breath. He wanted to be sure before spending more EXP to restore the stats drained during his last fight.
A prompt blinked into view.
[Available Recovery Items Detected]
Basic Med Pack (+40 HP)
Standard Energy Shot (+40 MP)
Use Items Now? YES / NO
Theo let out a relieved breath. “Perfect. Confirm p>
His body tensed for a moment as the system took over. A gentle warmth spread through his chest as his internal injuries were patched, and a cool rush filled his veins as energy returned to his limbs.
[+40 HP Restored]
[Updated HP: 124/150]
[+40 MP Restored]
[Updated MP/EP: 81 / 150]
He flexed his fingers and rolled his shoulders. “Much better p>
Theo opened his system interface again and tapped on the newly unlocked menu.
[Gold to EXP Conversion Menu]
Rate: 100 Gold Coins = 250 EXP
Limit: 1,000 Gold Coins/day (limit increases with Rank)
His eyes narrowed. “So that’s the cap… Guess I can only convert 1,000 for now.” He tapped the button.
[Converting 1,000 Gold Coins p>
[+2,500 EXP Gained p>
[Remaining Gold: 2,549]
[Current EXP: 19,890]
He quickly opened his weapon menu and selected his standard double-edged axe. It was worn but reliable. “Time to give it a boost,” he muttered.
[Upgrade Available: Increase Base Damage by +10 p>
[Cost: 2,000 EXP]
Theo tapped the confirm button without hesitation. “Let’s make this thing bite harder p>
The moment he confirmed the upgrade, a brief hum vibrated through the system interface.
[Upgrade Successful p>
A faint glow shimmered along the edges of his axe in the weapon display. It looked the same, but Theo knew better. The system’s upgrades were subtle but powerful. One clean hit could now do far more damage, especially if combined with his abilities like Gale Fangs or Pyre Burst.
He gave a small, satisfied nod. “That should even the odds a bit p>
A notification popped up again.
[Remaining EXP: 17,890]
He glanced toward the edge of the ruined building, the wind shifting around him like it recognized the change. With his axe sharper, his powers upgraded, and new system hints guiding him, Theo felt more prepared than ever.
As Theo stepped onto the cracked tiles of the first-floor main production hall, the familiar scent of rust and rot inside a red zone area hit him. He moved with caution, the faint wind trailing his steps with Wind Veil lightly active, masking his movement and heat signature.
Then he heard them.
Low snarls. Guttural breaths.
[Warning: Multiple MB Infectees detected nearby p>
Theo ducked behind a toppled conveyor belt and peered around.
Five… six… seven… eight… ten. All hunched, twitching figures, MB Infectees, staggered between the rusting machinery and scattered debris. Their skin was pale and cracked, eyes glowing faintly like sick embers. Some dragged their limbs. Others had long, distended claws. One twitched violently near an oil drum, jaw snapping open and shut.
They hadn’t noticed him yet. Then… Bang!
A sudden thud echoed from the far side of the hall. The source of this content ɪs.net
Theo’s gaze shot to a corner office enclosed in reinforced glass and metal framing. It was the manager’s office. The interior lights flickered faintly, and he caught a glimpse of movement, three people. Survivors?
They’d barricaded the door with metal racks, file cabinets, and shelves, desperately blocking the only entrance. One of them, a man, held a steel pipe, while the other two, a woman and a teenage boy, were crouched and trembling behind a desk.
A raspy hiss came from the infectee closest to Theo. Its head snapped up. It smelled something.
[Combat Pulse Assist: Danger spike detected. Host is being sensed p>
“Time to clean up,” Theo muttered under his breath. He gripped his upgraded axe, the weight feeling just right in his hand. The edge gleamed faintly as wind swirled around it.
Then he burst forward.
[Aero Dash: Activated]
In an instant, he zipped between two infectees before they could react, landing a crushing cleave into the nearest one’s neck. Its body whirled sideways.
[Gale Fangs: Triggered p>
A slicing arc of wind surged from his blade, hitting another infectee mid-charge and severing its leg clean off.
The rest of the horde turned in a frenzy, roaring as they charged toward him. But Theo was already gone, Shadow Step blinking him into the shadow of a broken forklift. He emerged from behind them with another slash and wind burst, cutting down a third.
The survivors inside the office stared wide-eyed through the cracked glass.
“Is that… an AMS p>
Theo didn’t hear. He was already moving again. Two infectees leapt at him from opposite angles.
[Predator Reflex: Active – Danger approaching left and rear p>
He spun mid-air, his axe smashing one down while his foot slammed the second away into a pile of steel beams. He exhaled sharply.
Three left.
But they were circling now. Theo narrowed his eyes, then activated Pyre Lure. A flickering ember clone appeared near a stack of crates. Two infectees roared and lunged toward it. Theo didn’t waste the chance. Using Ember Step, flames erupted under his feet as he zipped across and crushed them both in one powerful swing.
Only one infectee remained. It paused, baring yellowed teeth. Theo threw a metal pipe to the side. The infectee turned.
[Silent Strike]
One step. One strike. The creature’s head rolled as its body fell limp.
Theo straightened, breathing hard. The wind slowly calmed around him.
[Threat neutralized. 10 MB Infectees eliminated p>
He sheathed his axe on his back and looked toward the survivors’ office.
The man with the pipe was staring at him with disbelief. “Who are you p>
Theo gave a small nod. “Just someone passing through p>
Brix had already provided him with detailed intel on all active Red Zones. This particular textile company had approximately thirty people believed to be trapped inside. Knowing that, Theo had expected more resistance but the building was eerily quiet now.
Then Theo glanced at the fire exit and asked, “Are there more survivors upstairs p>
He noticed how the three survivors exchanged uneasy glances.