The syringe glinted in Lucas's grip, filled with viscous amber liquid.
[Basic Stamina Serum: Elevates physicality to Peak Human tier.]
A holographic chart flickered:
Feeble → Average → Athletic → Peak Human → Genetic LimitBeyond that? Awakened. But those details were locked.
Lucas smirked. No point waiting. Even if he trained to Athletic, the serum would still boost him to Peak.
Now or never.
His hands moved on instinct—finding a vein, plunging the needle.
Fire flooded his veins.
Muscles ripped. Bones cracked. Every nerve screamed.
He bit his tongue until copper filled his mouth. Silence was survival.
Outside, thousands of infected prowled. One shout, and he'd be overrun.
Sixty seconds of agony.
Then—clarity.
Lucas flexed his hands. The fire axe felt weightless. His hearing sharpened, catching whispers he'd never have noticed before:
"—anyone help—"
"No! Stay back!"
"Monsters! Someone—
A woman's voice. Desperate. Close.
Lucas edged to the window, pressing against the wall. Never expose yourself.
The realtor's office backed into a residential complex. A hundred yards away, a figure in a strapless evening gown perched on a rooftop ledge.
High heels. No mobility.
Idiot.
Her shrieks had drawn a pack of seven infected. They clustered below, arms outstretched, moaning.
Opportunity.
But caution first. Did these things track scent? Heat?
[System Alert: Infected prioritize sharp sounds. Current distraction = optimal engagement window.]
Lucas grinned. System-approved slaughter.
He equipped his gear—helmet, riot shield, fire axe—then crept to the back door.
[System Warning: Rusted hinges. Sudden movement = screech.]
He exhaled, easing the door open millimeter by millimeter.
Creak.
The infected twitched.
The woman's next scream saved him.
Lucas slipped outside, shield raised.
"Over here! Help me!" She waved frantically.
Perfect bait.
He advanced, axe ready. The infected never turned.
"Careful! One scratch and you're dead!" she yelped.
Lucas tuned her out.
First strike: A downward chop. The axe sheared through the nearest infected's skull like wet paper.
Black blood sprayed.
The others didn't react.
This was going to be easy.