Once the Second Level zombie was dispatched, the zombies because disorganized and chaotic. With their major source of control gone, they become fish on chopping blocks for the trio.
Old Pipe, Daddy Ye, and Ice quickly dispatched them, the last corpses dropping to the ground with sickening thuds.
Finally, Leon turned to them.
His purple eyes held a deep gaze that made their skin tingle in alarm.
"Young man. We really appreciate your help. If not, we might have not left here unscathed." Old Pipe smiled, though his gaze continued to flick to Leon's injuries which were closing at a fast pace.
'Such monstrous regeneration! Is that his class?'
"We're from the Evermore Refugee camp. If you're interested, you can join us. I can see that you're a good fighter." Ice said calmly, her eyes locking with Leon's.
"Hmm."
Leon barely hummed, then turned to Daddy Ye, "Have something to say?"
Unlike his mates, Daddy Ye's face was grim. His hands tightened on his axe.
"What... are you?" He asked hesitantly.
Leon didn't answer immediately, instead gazing at the window where Anna was peeking from. Sighing, he turned his gaze back to the three humans.
"What can I say? I'm the most humane zombie in this world." He spread his arms wide, as if declaring a prideful position.
Silence.
"You were turned." Daddy Ye said slowly. "However, you still retain your rationality."
Leon nodded. He felt like a burden was finally off his shoulders. Hiding the fact that he was a zombie—was not an option. No matter how long he kept it a secret, it was bound to be out. And then, whatever relationship he had formed, would shatter like fragile glass.
"That's rare. Almost impossible if I weren't seeing you." Ice muttered, stunned.
Leon calmly walked to the mutated dog's corpse. With a single tug, he dug out the essence crystal and tossed it to her.
"You don't need the body right? If you'll excuse me."
Holding the legs of both the mutated dog and the Second Level zombie, he pulled the corpses into a dark corner—for reasons unknown, yet known.
"Is he... eating them?" One of the workers who had hidden inside the supermarket asked shakily.
No one answered him. After all, the undeniable sounds of flesh being torn and bones being crushed reached their ears.
Coming together, the three fighters discussed what to do.
Old Pipe appeared conflicted. "Although I want to think otherwise, bringing him to the shelter might be a bad decision."
Ice's azure eyes blinked. "Why?"
Instead of explaining, Old Pipe gestured for Daddy Ye to talk.
"The other hunter teams. They'll only see him as a crystal source." The man sighed. "And if they try to fight him, I'm sure many will die."
Ice nodded, understanding their point. "Then what do we do?"
Old Pipe shrugged. "You see, the only thing we can do is..."
...
Twenty minutes later, Leon reappeared with dark blood staining his lower mouth. Wiping it off with his sleeves, he called out loudly.
"Anna! Come down here."
Although his actions surprised everyone present, they waited patiently for the so called 'Anna' to show up. A few moments later, Anna appeared from the same building Leon came from, her expression guarded.
Putting an arm round her shoulder, Leon introduced her with a smile.
"This is Anna. My sister's friend and currently my housemate."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'll cut to the chase. I'm not here to join you." He declared. "I'm here to recruit you."
Old Pipe raised a brow. "Recruit us?"
Leon nodded nonchalantly. "Obviously you wouldn't agree, but I'd like us to make a bet."
Daddy Ye's brows furrowed. "What bet?"
"You see this girl?" He tapped Anna. "I can make her into someone as strong as, if not stronger than you in three days."
His smile turned into a grin.
"Right now, she's still a non-evolved. So... what do you think?"
Old Pipe went silent, deep in thoughts.
'If he can truly make her powerful in three days... that's an unimaginable feat.' He took note of Anna's shy and fearful personality. Also, a person couldn't gain experience overnight. 'Along with the fact that the girl isn't a brave one, I'll bet.'
"Alright." He spoke up. "I agree to your bet. If she's as strong as us in just three days, we'll join you. Though there are still things left undiscussed."
Leon calmly nodded. "Good. I'll see you in three days."
Carrying Anna in a princess carry, he bolted away, disappearing into the streets moments later.
"Wait, we didn't agree on a location." Ice realized.
"Don't worry. He'll find us." Daddy Ye answered, his gaze fixed on where they last saw him.
...
As Leon ran about the streets, he heightened his senses to the max while keeping an eye on Anna.
"Do you feel anything?"
He asked.
"F-feel a-anything?!" Anna stuttered, thoughts wandering.
Leon deadpanned. "A special pull, or your mind telling you to go somewhere."
Anna calmed, realizing what he meant. Concentrating, she said softly. "East."
Instantly, Leon changed directions. And as soon as he did, his senses locked on something that made him smile.
A few minutes later, he stopped before what was a game shop, and carried Anna inside.
"We're here."
He stood before a particular machine that looked odd amongst others. It wasn't too big—the size of a washing machine. On its surface board was a system interface and a small hole meant for dropping something inside.
"What... is that?"
Anna asked, still clinging to Leon. Leon stared at her blankly. Wouldn't she get off him? Or did she get comfortable being carried like that? Anyway, he answered her question.
"This... is a Reward Crucible."
Anna grew confused upon hearing the name. What was this strange machine used for and why were they looking for it?
Still carrying her, Leon stepped forward to operate it. With a few basic clicks, the screen powered on.
[Reward Crucible]
[What do you wish to purchase?]
Leon stared at it for a moment, memories of his past life flashing. This particular machine had caused a lot of deaths—by lighting up greed in humans. Several of them must have appeared on different parts of the world.
Shaking his head, he checked the displayed options and their cost.
[Warrior Class Card - 15 Colorless Essence Crystals]
[Gardener Class Card - 12 Colorless Essence Crystals]
[One-Star Attack Disk - 18 Colorless Essence Crystals]
[First Level Evolution Potion - 8 Colorless Essence Crystals]
[Two-Star Greatsword - 26 Yellow Essence Crystals]
[Second Level Evolution Potion - 13 Yellow Essence Crystals]
[One-Star Whipsword - 17 Colorless Essence Crystals]
Many others were listed but only these seven caught his attention.
'This is a First—Second Level Reward Crucible.'
The Reward Crucible had different levels. The higher level ones produced higher ranked rewards for purchase. However, this particular one was capped at the Second Level Evolution.
"Alright. Let's get you guys an evolution potion."
Leon fetched his crystal bag. Picking out 16 Colorless Essence Crystals, he put them into the hole and clicked on the [First Level Evolution Potion] twice.
A rune appeared above the machine and two small bottles containing transparent liquid dropped into Leon's grasp.
Without glancing at them, he stored them, then continued his purchase.
Using all the crystals he had on him, he bought the Warrior Class Card, the One-Star Whipsword, and the One-Star Attack Disk.
With that, he exhausted all the colorless crystals on him.
"Hmm. It'd be troublesome taking this back today. I'll come carry it tomorrow." He sighed.
Covering the machine with a rag to obscure it from others, he began to return home.