"Tang!" Ken came running into the hall, panting. Nobody seemed to be following him. Looking at the bodies of the Risen, Ken doubled over and started puking. Steadying himself, Ken stood up straight and started walking around the hall. Probably looking for me or my body. My vision was blurred by the blood stuck on my face but it seemed that Ken had a weapon in his hands as well.
As he got closer to me, I managed to make out the form of his weapon. It was a broom with a sharp tip where it broke off. "Ken…." I struggled to speak. Killing the Risen had taken every ounce of energy from me.
Name: Tang Jun Wen
Age: 18
Race: Human
Condition: Exhausted (Weak)
LV: 2 (Upgradable)
Abilities: Death's Grasp
Points: 10
Mana: 100
Health: 100
It surprised me to see my level raise. Counting back, I realized the point gap between LV 1 and LV 2 was 100. There was a button writing 'Upgrade' but I didn't have the time to check it out yet.
"Ken…" I tried calling out again.
Luckily, he heard me this time and started turning towards me. Upon spotting me, he gasped.
"Tang Jun Wen! What the hell happened here? I was at the field as soon as I woke up. I didn't even have any memory of how I was there. Weren't we at the hall?" Ken asked anxiously as he helped me up.
I wanted to explain everything that happened, but whenever I tried to explain what happened, my throat shut up by itself. Suddenly, a thought struck me. Using the blood around me, I wrote several words that make no sense at all. Writing 'pixie', I pointed at it and fingered someone talking to me.
"A pixie talked to you?" Ken asked. I nodded and smiled. I figured that with the understanding between the both of us, Ken could understand what I was saying. With a little bit of effort, I managed to get the message across.
"So you got across the bug again, but in this case, I'm not gonna say anything." Ken laughed and helped me up. Glancing at the bodies of the risen around me, he asked "So… You did this all by yourself?"
Nodding my head, "What's your level now?" I asked Ken hoping that he was at the same level as me. "LV 1. About 20 points. What about you?"
I sighed. A little disappointed, if Ken managed to get to LV 2 like me, he would be a great help in this apocalypse. "I'm now LV 2. The gap between LV 1 and LV 2 is 100 points. Keep up the progress, we need to level up as soon as possible. Only then do we have a chance of surviving in this apocalypse."
Catching my breath, I asked Ken "Food?"
Ken grinned. "Well, I had a moment of panic that you weren't you. But right now, I see you haven't changed at all." Pulling a pack of biscuits out of his pocket, he handed it to me. I knew food was going to be scarce in the near future. And Ken was someone who tries pleasing everyone. Everyone would be finding him for food if they knew there was still food with him. So I decided to finish up what he was having before eating up what I scavenged at the canteen.
Munching the biscuits, I gulped them down in a big bite and heaved a great sigh.
Name: Tang Jun Wen
Age: 18
Race: Human
Condition: Exhausted (Recovering)
LV: 2 (Upgradable)
Abilities: Death's Grasp
Points: 10
Mana: 100
Health: 100
Great, I was finally recovering. Ignoring Ken's questions, I muttered "Upgrade"
Strength: 10 +
Stamina: 10 +
Wits: 23 +
Max Mana: 100 +
Max Health: 100 +
Grimacing, I decided to upgrade my stamina. My stamina was just too weak, a little fight, and I was already rendered exhausted.
Strength: 10
Stamina: 15
Wits: 23
Max Mana: 100
Max Health: 100
Suddenly, I didn't feel as tired as I was.
Name: Tang Jun Wen
Age: 18
Race: Human
Condition: Normal
LV: 2
Abilities: Death's Grasp
Points: 10
Mana: 100
Health: 100
I nearly laughed out loud. Standing up, I stretched and asked. "What's the condition outside?" Hearing this, Ken's face darkened. I could tell he didn't want to talk about it. Probably our friends dying before him. I decided to let the topic drop but to my surprise, Ken opened his mouth and talked about it.
"Most of the people we knew are dead. Eden, Maximoff, Jay, all dead." Ken stifled a sob and continued. "I never knew… people can change so much in an apocalypse. Renata, our class rep? She… she tried to push me to the zombies… if I hadn't acted quick enough, the one bitten would've been me…"
I felt shocked to hear this. It never occurred to me that Ken would push back the one who pushed him to death. Normally, he would've just put on a smiley face and shrugged it off with a smile. I patted Ken on the shoulders. "You did the right thing. At that moment, it was either your death or her death. You just protected your own life."
"As for Demetria and Devora, they tried saving me. Luckily, they didn't get bit. I hid them in a closet as I came to find you." Hearing this, I snorted. "And have you forgotten why did they do so? Those two lovebirds are head over toe for you. They'd do anything for you."
Ken stared at me and opened his mouth to speak, but he decided to keep it to himself and shut his mouth up. "Ken, let me make this clear to you. We are in an apocalypse; I need you to keep that saint personality to yourself. NEVER trust anyone, keep everything for yourself. Especially food, weapons, and medicines. Do you get me?"
Ken wanted to protest but I cut him off with a glare. "If you want to continue setting off with me, you must abide by my rules. Ken, trust me. It isn't long before you can see people killing each other for points or resources. And I ain't gonna sugar coat it. I WILL do the same thing if I need to."
Turning around, I pulled Scalpel out from my inventory and started walking towards the corridor. "Wait," Ken said as he pulled my hands. "I understand your motive, Tang. And I know you're serious about this. But promise me you won't hurt any of the innocent. Promise me."
I nodded my head silently. To be frank, I didn't have the slightest trust in myself holding on to that promise. "C'mon Ken, we need to go."
"Go? Where can we go? There's a barrier outside of the school, we are totally trapped here. Unless, of course. You have a plan." Ken shrugged his shoulders. "You DO have a better plan right?"
Raising Scalpel up, I smiled.
"What better plan can there be except leveling up ASAP?"