Previously, all he had received were skill cards.
But this time, he obtained a talent card, an entirely different type!
Talent Card
Name: Iron Shirt
Level: 1
Effect: +5 Constitution, 20% Physical Damage Reduction
Restriction: None
Description: "Speak the harshest words, take the hardest hits."
Leonard tried equipping the card into his skill slot, but it showed as incompatible.
Talent cards were different from skill cards, they couldn't be used the same way.
He would have to level up to unlock talent slots. For now, it was unusable.
"So basically, I've got an item I can only use in the future."
Leonard fiddled with the card for a bit, then stored it in his dimensional backpack.
Next, he picked up the new equipment.
Spring Iron Fist
Level: 4
Type: Weapon
Attribute: Physical
Attack: 20
Durability: 35/35
Effect: Press the button to launch the iron fist at a target within 2.2 meters, dealing 85% physical damage and knocking the enemy back.
Cooldown: 3 seconds
Description: "Taking a punch from me is no joke."
This weapon had 4 more attack points than the Madman's Saw!
Plus, it came with a ranged attack feature.
Leonard examined it in his hands.
Its handle was made from connected pipes with a spring mechanism in the middle. One side had a button, and the top was connected to a metal fist about 25 cm in diameter. The surface was decorated with graffiti, giving it a street-style vibe.
The name fit perfectly, Spring Iron Fist.
The metal fist was linked to the spring; pressing it launched the fist outward.
It could also be used like a hammer, swinging to smash enemies.
Leonard tried a few moves and felt this thing might really come in handy.
"Time for an upgrade!"
Getting a new weapon always felt good like getting a new wife.
He replaced his gear and took out the bottle of rosemary spray.
Tonight's battle wasn't over yet.
"Hey there, mister. Thanks for saving me earlier. Why don't you just stay the night? Wouldn't it be nice if it were just the two of us?"
Rebecca came closer with a forced flirty smile and reached out to touch Leonard.
"I still need to go kill zombies. I can't stay. But here, take this. It'll keep you a lot safer. Just stay inside and don't move around."
Leonard sprayed her a few times with the bottle. A notification appeared showing the effect was active and a countdown began.
This rosemary spray could be detected if used at close range.
But for someone like Rebecca, hiding indoors, it worked fine. It would keep her safe for a few minutes.
Leonard sprayed himself a couple of times as well and walked out with his new weapon.
Rebecca couldn't stop him. She shrank into a corner, praying she could survive until dawn.
She could feel it Leonard only saw her as a tool, not someone he was interested in.
This kind of transactional relationship gave her no sense of security.
Creak... Creak...
Two zombies crouched over a player's corpse, enjoying their dinner like horror-themed mukbang streamers.
Leonard, holding the Spring Iron Fist in his left hand, approached them from behind and aimed at one of them.
Click!
The spring mechanism extended, launching the iron fist with force. It slammed into the zombie's back.
The zombie flew across the hallway and hit the wall.
Both zombies turned and stared at Leonard with bloodshot eyes, howling in rage.
The iron fist auto-retracted and locked into place.
Leonard tested the weapon's combat power, pretty decent.
Especially in one-on-one fights, keeping some distance made things easier.
"Rawr! Rawr!"
The zombies rushed him.
Leonard turned on his flashlight, the UV light driving them back, then swung the Spring Iron Fist like crazy.
Crack! Crack! After a series of strikes, one zombie's head exploded.
With just one left, Leonard kept his distance, using the Spring Iron Fist to control the fight.
Every time the zombie approached, he knocked it back and waited for the cooldown.
Repeat.
Until he finished it off.
This fight went much smoother.
Leonard even started to grasp a rhythm in battle.
After a quick loot run, he jumped into the next wave of action.
He cleared out all the zombies on the 8th floor by himself.
When the last one fell, his level rose to 6, boosting all his attributes.
These dead zombies had become stepping stones in his growth.
The other players noticed Leonard's level in the group chat.
Level 6!
And it's nighttime!
That meant Leonard had just been out hunting zombies, which explained the level-up.
[He leveled up again! I'm still level 2 and he's already 6. How is the gap this big?!]
[Obviously, he went outside to hunt zombies. If you're jealous, go out and fight too.]
[Boss, if you're up for more zombie killing, come to the 11th floor! There's this one zombie that keeps jumping around. It's terrifying!]
[Lies! There's no such thing! You're all tricking me! Let me out! Let me out!]
Leonard saw the chat.
"So the Jumping Zombie is on the 11th floor. Guess it's worth the risk."
Killing mutated zombies came with high rewards, they always dropped loot.
He had already killed one earlier, giving him some confidence.
But each mutant was different.
This Jumping Zombie probably had insane jumping power.
Time to go upstairs.
Leonard gripped the Spring Iron Fist and climbed upward.
On the way, he ran into a lone zombie and took it out with triple .
Eventually, he reached the 11th floor.
He could hear heavy sounds, followed by human screams.
The Jumping Zombie must've been attacking someone.
Leonard snapped into focus, moving forward cautiously with sharp eyes scanning both sides of the hallway.
Rooms lined both sides.
A zombie could jump out at any moment. It was no time to let his guard down.
At the end of the hall, he turned the corner.
And saw it.
A zombie with a severed human head in its mouth, chomping away.
This one looked different.
Its legs were massive. Its thighs were thicker than Leonard's waist.
Its posture resembled animal hind limbs: narrow at the bottom, wide at the top, muscles bulging.
It was the Jumping Zombie.
Halfway through its meal, it sensed something.
It looked up, locking eyes with Leonard.
The two stared at each other intensely.
Leonard knew if he moved closer, the perfume would no longer mask his scent.
"Whew... Another tough fight coming."