Suddenly, a dagger flew out from Elsa's waist, tracing a beautiful arc in the air before it struck the zombie's cracked forehead with perfect precision.
Burst!A loud sound followed as the dagger pierced straight through, destroying the creature's brain tissue. The steel handle quivered where it stuck, and the second-level zombie collapsed heavily to the floor. No matter how strong it was, once the brain was destroyed—it was dead.
Elsa gasped for air, gripping the steel frame beside her. That final strike had been dangerously close—though she had gained grandmaster-level Bajiquan from Ethan, her body was far from as monstrous as his. The battle had been a narrow victory.
"Good job," Ethan said softly, pulling Elsa into his arms and gently wiping the sweat from her forehead.
"Master…" Elsa murmured. Though her strength had not fully faded, her body relaxed completely against him, eyes full of tenderness and relief.
"Master, thank you…" she whispered. Elsa knew clearly that without the ability Ethan had given her, killing this zombie would have been almost impossible.
At the same time, Ethan could sense her loyalty rising rapidly through the system—95 points and still climbing. At that level, even without doing anything, it would eventually reach 100 on its own.
"You're still so polite to your master? Then you'll be punished~" Ethan said playfully, wrapping an arm around the beautiful policewoman in his embrace.
[— NSFW content omitted —]
[System Notification]
[Ding! Elsa has slain a second-level zombie. The host gains 20 shared points.][Ding! Second-level zombie crystal detected — may be exchanged for points, or melted to expand system storage.]
Ethan split the zombie's skull with his blade, retrieving a walnut-sized blue crystal from within. It pulsed faintly with energy — not all second-level zombies had these, but the stronger they were, the more likely they would form.
He held it in his palm, feeling a faint warmth radiate from it. There was no foul smell — rather, a subtle, refreshing scent. It even made him want to… eat it.
"Hey, System," Ethan said in his mind. "Why does this crystal feel edible?"
[Zombie crystals are formed by the condensed essence within a zombie's body. They can strengthen physical fitness and may assist humans in awakening abilities. The higher the crystal's level, the higher the awakening probability.]
"Oh? So there's a chance to awaken an ability early?" Ethan's eyes gleamed with interest. His base stats were close to perfection, but still short of 100. Early awakening sounded tempting.
[Swallowing a second-level zombie crystal provides a 1 in 1,000 chance of awakening an ability.]
Ethan sighed. "One in a thousand? Forget it." Still, after some thought, he popped it into his mouth anyway. Even if it didn't trigger an ability, it would boost his basic stats.
[Zombie virus within crystal has been purified for the host. It is safe to consume.]
He bit down. It was crunchy and tasteless.
Opening his panel, Ethan checked the numbers:
Strength: 76Speed: 71Attack: 80
"Not bad. About five points gained across the board," he nodded in satisfaction. No ability, but a worthwhile boost.
Ordinary people wouldn't survive eating these — the virus would infect them instantly. Only Ethan's system could neutralize it and convert the essence safely.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ethan teased, noticing Elsa's flushed face and adoring gaze.
"N-No reason… I just think the master looks so handsome… I really like you," she whispered shyly. Normally, she'd never say something like that—but now, her expression was full of affection.
Ethan chuckled. "Then I'll give you plenty of time to admire me later."
They continued onward and arrived at one of Jiangcheng's largest high-end shopping malls. Once a bustling center of luxury, it was now deserted and half-ruined. Expensive jewelry, clothing, and cosmetics lay scattered everywhere.
Elsa's eyes sparkled — even at the end of the world, a woman's love for beauty never dies.
"What's there to choose?" Ethan grinned. "Just take everything."
He waved a hand, and a wave of cosmetics vanished into his storage space, leaving Elsa wide-eyed. She already knew her master was powerful, but seeing it in person still made her heart race.
They raided stores one by one — Chanel, Longines, CK, Gucci — until every shelf was cleared.
Then Ethan's gaze caught something on the second floor. "Oh? Lingerie? Interesting."
He stepped into the store with interest. Rows of revealing outfits greeted him — lace, silk, bunny suits, even teacher uniforms.
"This one's good," Ethan said, holding up a blue outfit. "Go change and show your master."
Elsa's cheeks flushed crimson as she stared at the risqué clothing, her head lowering shyly. It was a police-style uniform — short enough to expose her stomach, the top barely covering anything, and the skirt almost non-existent.
She took it with trembling hands and turned to go to the fitting room—
—but Ethan stopped her.
[Yo, you guys can check out my patrion, where there is 25 chapter ahead.]
patreon.com/EroSe