The world looked different now.
Ren opened the closet door.
His new Night Vision made everything look like a black and white movie. He could see the dust in the air.
He stepped into the kitchen.
It was a mess. Blood was everywhere. It covered the floor and the counters. It looked black in his vision.
Bodies were scattered around. Students. Teachers.
Ren walked carefully. He didn't make a sound.
He saw movement in the dining hall.
Three of them.
[Mutated Student (Lvl 3)]
[Mutated Student (Lvl 2)]
They were eating a security guard.
One of them looked up. It was wearing a varsity jacket.
Ren knew him. It was Brad. The guy who used to bully him.
Brad's face was half gone. His jaw was hanging loose. But his eyes were still mean.
He saw Ren.
Brad roared. It sounded like tearing metal.
He ran at Ren.
Ren was faster than before. But Brad was huge.
Ren grabbed a boning knife from the counter. It was long and sharp.
Brad swung his fist. Ren ducked.
Ren stabbed the knife into Brad's shoulder.
It hit bone. The knife got stuck.
"Crap," Ren said.
Brad grabbed Ren. He pulled him close. His breath smelled like rotten meat.
Ren couldn't break the grip. Brad was too strong.
[Strength Check Failed.]
Ren kicked Brad in the crotch. It didn't hurt him, but it made him stumble.
Ren fell back. He landed near the stove.
His hand touched something heavy. A cast-iron skillet.
Brad lunged again.
Ren swung the pan.
CLANG.
It hit Brad in the head. The skull cracked.
Brad fell down. He was still twitching.
Ren climbed on top of him. He hit him again. And again.
Smash.
Finally, Brad stopped moving.
[Target Neutralized.]
[Level Up! You are Level 2.]
Ren sat there. He was covered in black blood.
He waited to feel bad. He just killed a guy he knew.
But he didn't feel bad. He felt hungry.
[High Quality Biomass Detected.]
Ren looked at Brad's shoulder. The muscle there looked tough.
Ren ripped the stuck knife out. A chunk of meat came with it.
"You were always a jerk," Ren whispered.
He ate the meat.
It tasted sour. Like lemons.
[Gluttony Activated.]
[Strength +3]
[New Skill: Dash.]
Power flooded Ren's body. His muscles felt harder. He stood up.
The other two zombies were staring at him.
They stopped eating the guard. They looked scared.
Ren picked up the knife. He smiled. His teeth were black with blood.
"Who's next?"