The battlefield fell silent.
The mangled remains of the Elite Zombie slowly dissolved into crimson particles, carried away by the wind like burning embers. Around Hunter, dozens of zombie corpses covered the university courtyard. The smell of blood filled the air.
The three survivors could only stare.
They had witnessed something impossible.
A single young man had slaughtered an entire horde and defeated a monster that looked capable of destroying buildings.
Hunter ignored their shocked expressions.
His attention was fixed on the floating golden chest before him.
Epic Skill Chest
Would the Host like to open it?
[YES] [NO]
Hunter chose YES.
The chest burst open in a flash of dazzling golden light.
A torrent of crimson energy poured into his body.
The System's voice echoed through his mind.
Congratulations!
Epic Skill Acquired!
Tyrant's Dominion (Epic)
A supreme aura possessed only by true Tyrants.
Effects:
Suppresses enemies weaker than the Host by up to 40%.
Reduces enemy movement speed by 20%.
Allies within 30 meters receive a 20% increase in combat ability.
Killing enemies while the skill is active grants additional experience.
Energy Cost: 20
Duration: 10 Minutes.
Hunter's heartbeat quickened.
An area skill.
Unlike Monster Mode or Tyrant Mode, this ability could influence everyone around him.
He smiled faintly.
"The stronger I become... the stronger everyone fighting beside me becomes."
Before he could continue reading the notifications, another screen appeared.
Elite Blood Crystal Detected.
Warning.
Absorbing the crystal carries a 35% chance of intense pain.
Benefits cannot be guaranteed.
Would the Host like to absorb it?
Hunter didn't hesitate.
"Absorb."
The crystal dissolved into liquid crimson light and entered his chest.
Immediately—
"ARGHHHH!"
Hunter fell to one knee.
Every bone in his body felt as though it were being crushed.
His muscles convulsed violently.
Dark crimson veins spread across his arms before disappearing.
The pain lasted nearly a minute before finally subsiding.
Hunter gasped for breath.
Elite Blood Crystal Successfully Absorbed.
Bloodline Purity
1% → 3%
Strength +5
Vitality +5
Energy +5
New Passive Ability Unlocked
Blood Regeneration
The Host slowly regenerates injuries outside combat.
During combat, regeneration speed increases slightly.
Hunter slowly stood.
His body felt lighter.
Stronger.
His Tyrant bloodline had taken another step toward awakening.
Suddenly, one of the girls cautiously approached him.
She had shoulder-length black hair and wore the torn uniform of Horizon National University.
"Thank... thank you for saving us."
Hunter looked at her but remained silent.
The apocalypse had only begun.
Trusting strangers could get him killed.
The young man who had fought with the metal pipe painfully stood up.
"My name is Ethan."
"I'm not asking you to protect us..."
"But please let us follow you."
"We'll only die if we're alone."
Hunter remained quiet.
The System suddenly interrupted.
Side Quest
Build Your First Team
Objective: Recruit three trustworthy survivors.
Reward:
Party System Unlocked
Shared Experience Enabled
Rare Equipment Box
Failure: No Penalty.
Hunter looked at the three survivors again.
The System seemed determined to push him toward building a team.
After a moment, he nodded.
"You can follow me."
"But listen carefully."
"If any of you betray me..."
"I won't hesitate."
The three quickly nodded.
None of them doubted his words.
After everything they had witnessed, they knew Hunter possessed the strength to back up every threat.
Just then...
A loud explosion echoed from somewhere beyond the university gates.
BOOM!
Black smoke rose into the sky.
The ground trembled.
Hunter immediately activated Blood Sense.
His expression changed.
"There are hundreds..."
Beyond the campus walls, countless red silhouettes were converging on the university.
Not dozens.
Not hundreds.
Thousands.
The survivors felt the ground shake beneath their feet.
Then they heard it.
An endless chorus of horrifying growls.
The zombie horde had found the campus.
Hunter slowly gripped the Tyrant Blade.
His eyes burned with determination.
"Staying here is suicide."
"We're leaving."
As they hurried toward the university's main gate, none of them noticed a pair of golden eyes watching from the rooftop of the administration building.
Unlike the zombies...
This creature remained perfectly still.
Its lips curled into a sinister smile.
It had witnessed Hunter kill the Elite Zombie.
And now...
It had chosen him as its prey.