Few days later, after relentless hunting and grinding through the system's new daily quests, Damian found himself on the roof of a particular building. He remembered that this was once a radio station, before the apocalypse.
He stared at his status screen, which was still showing a loading bar.
Ever since he had defeated his last zombie the previous day, it had been like this.
"Hey system, what is exactly wrong now?" Damian said with a hint of frustration in his tone.
"I'm just as confused as you… but there are a few ideas that pop up."
"Hmm… what are they?" Damian asked curiously.
[Host should not be too impatient. Host should just wait and see.]
Damian shrugged, as if already expecting that reply. "What about these evolution points? What are they used for?" he thought, not expecting a real answer.
But surprisingly, the system answered.
"Evolution points can be utilized for racial advancements and path unlocks. The Evolution Tree will be unlocked when host reaches level five."
"Great. More vagueness," Damian muttered, his voice a dry rasp.
But before he could complain further, a ping echoed in his mind.
[UPDATE COMPLETE]
Then, a few seconds later, another ping appeared in his head.
[Evolution Tree Unlocked.]
[Host current race: Runner. Please select a sub-evolution path within your race.]
[Warning: Further racial evolution (e.g., Runner → Abomination) requires higher host level and rare catalysts.]
Before Damian could even process the options, the system added one more line—almost ominously.
[Note: Evolution paths are permanent. Once chosen, other paths close forever. Choose wisely.]
Damian blinked. Permanent? The weight of those words settled in his gut.
After the message disappeared, he immediately checked out his status.
---
Name: Damian Cross
Level 5 Zombie (Runner)
Biomass Consumed: (0–100,000)
Evolution Points: (131)
HP: 350
STG: 40
DEF: 25
AGI: 70
STA: ????
END: 40
INT: 30
Skills: Bite (Lv2), Basic Regeneration (Lv3), Claw (Lv3), Hunger Sense (Lv1)
Hunger Gauge: 70% (Satisfied)
---
DAILY QUESTS COMPLETED:
· Kill ten level 2 zombies (100/100) — COMPLETED
Rewards: 5 Evolution Points
· Kill fifty level 3 zombies (50/50) — COMPLETED
Rewards: 10 Evolution Points
· Kill thirty level 4 zombies (30/30) — COMPLETED
Rewards: 20 Evolution Points
---
EVOLUTION MENU
He clicked the Evolution Menu, and several icons popped up.
---
RUNNER SUB-EVOLUTION PATHS
Path of the Ghost — 100 EP
Focuses on Stealth, Perception, and Misdirection
Path of the Reaper — 100 EP
Focuses on Lethality, Critical Strikes, and Precision
Path of the Pack Alpha — 100 EP
Focuses on Leadership, Minor Horde Control, and Coordination
---
As Damian read through the brief descriptions of each path, he couldn't help but ponder which one suited him best.
"I'm not fond of charging into battle… why don't I just pick the Path of the Pack Alpha? Heh heh heh."
[Host has chosen the Path of the Pack Alpha.]
"Wait—WHAT?! No, no! I was just pondering! Wait—!"
But the system seemingly ignored him and continued the process.
[Sub-evolution beginning…]
A strange sensation flooded through Damian's body—his very essence twisting, reshaping, becoming something more.
[Evolution completed.]
[Host has been awarded the title 'Alpha'.]
[+10 AGI, +15 INT, +5 END granted.]
[Path skills unlocked: 'Frenzy Call' and 'Pack Link' acquired.]
---
[Skill Description: Frenzy Call (Lv1)]
Force up to ten nearby zombies to focus attack on a target of your choice. 40% chance of skill failure. 40% chance of zombies turning hostile after target is deceased. High stamina cost.
[Skill Description: Pack Link (Lv1)]
A faint psychic link connects you to your minions. You can see through their eyes for brief moments.
---
…
…
[STATUS SCREEN UPDATED]
---
Name: Damian Cross
Title: Alpha
Level 5 Zombie (Runner)
Biomass Consumed: (0–100,000)
Evolution Points: (31)
HP: 350
STG: 40
DEF: 25
AGI: 80
STA: ????
END: 45
INT: 45
Basic Skills: Bite (Lv2), Basic Regeneration (Lv3), Claw (Lv3), Hunger Sense (Lv1)
Hunger Gauge: 70% (Satisfied)
Path Skills: Frenzy Call (Lv1), Pack Link (Lv1)
Minions: 0/5
---
DAILY QUESTS COMPLETED:
· Kill ten level 2 zombies (100/100) — COMPLETED
Rewards: 5 Evolution Points
· Kill fifty level 3 zombies (50/50) — COMPLETED
Rewards: 10 Evolution Points
· Kill thirty level 4 zombies (30/30) — COMPLETED
Rewards: 20 Evolution Points
---
EVOLUTION MENU
Path of the Pack Alpha
Skills: Frenzy Call (Active), Pack Link (Passive), ????, ????, ????
---
…
…
"Hey system, I never told you I wanted to choose this path. Now see what you've done." Damian's voice dropped low. "So what happened to the other paths?"
"The other paths are closed. Host can only follow a single path."
"Sheesh… that's a downer. Aren't you supposed to, like, give me some OP level sh*t?" He sighed. "So, are you going to explain all this I'm seeing? 'Cause I don't understand most of it."
"Sigh… system will try to explain it in a way children can understand."
"…Huh? Wait, what did you mean by that? Are you trying to imply that I'm dumb?"
"Host has begun walking the path of evolution. As I said before, zombies are divided into different races: Walker, Runner, Abomination, Mutant, and Horror. Each race has its own sub-evolution paths."
"What host just went through was a sub-evolution on the Runner race. Later, if host upgrades his race, he can acquire access to different paths."
"What about the path skills? How are they different from my basic skills?" Damian asked.
"Path skills, just like the name suggests, are skills acquired from the path you choose. Different paths have different skills. Unlike your basic skills, path skills can only be upgraded with EP."
"Hey!! If it's like that, why can't I see it in my status?"
…
…
"Aren't you going to answer me?" Damian said.
"Host should check his current status again."
Immediately, Damian checked his status and saw an upgrade icon below his skills in the evolution menu. After clicking it, a new interface appeared in his mind.
---
[UPGRADES]
Frenzy Call (Active): Lv1 → Lv2 (70 EP)
Pack Link (Passive): Lv1 → Lv2 (50 EP)
---
"Hey! Come on, this cost is enormous! I spent around two weeks just to acquire one hundred EP. I had to eat and kill hundreds of zombies. Please reduce the cost," Damian said, trying to look pitiful.
"Host is mistaken. It's not that I don't want to help, but I'm not the one in control of it."
"But you're the one that just added the upgrade section! Is it that you're trying to push me to eat more flesh? Come to think of it, where does the flesh even go? 'Cause with the amount of biomass I've eaten, I should be bloated by now."
…
…
"So we're back to you ignoring me?"
"Yes…"
(- _ -)