"Not now… not here," he muttered to himself, gritting his teeth. He planted his hands firmly on the cracked asphalt, trying to push himself up, but his arms trembled and gave out under his weight. He fell back with a grunt, his body refusing to cooperate.
In the distance, the guttural groans of approaching zombies grew louder. Panic began to creep into his mind, but he fought to suppress it. He scanned his surroundings desperately, his eyes landing on a silver Toyota Camry parked a few meters away. The driver's door was there, the interior illuminated faintly by the overhead light. It looked intact.
[Congratulations! You have killed one of the mutated zombies named Mawbeast-vetr!]
[You received 50,000 gold coins and 4,500 experience points!]
[Your level has risen to 7!]
[You have killed one of the mutated zombies named Mawbeast-vert minions!]
[You received 30,000 gold coins and 3,000 experience points!]
[Your level has risen to 8!]
"I just… need to get there," Advik Bhardwaj muttered, his voice strained. He didn't have in the mood to check, with every ounce of strength he could muster, he began crawling toward the car, dragging his battered body across the asphalt. Every movement sent sharp jolts of pain through his side, but he clenched his jaw and kept going.
The groans grew closer.
Advik Bhardwaj's heart raced as he glanced over his shoulder. Two zombies emerged from an vehicle behind, their shambling forms silhouetted against the flickering light of a nearby streetlamp. Their white eyes locked onto him, and they let out guttural growls as they quickened their pace.
He growled, forcing himself to reach for the Glock 17 holstered at his side. He drew the suppressed pistol with a shaky hand, took aim, and fired.
Phfft!
The first zombie dropped instantly, the round piercing its forehead and splattering dark ichor onto the pavement.
Phfft!
The second zombie followed moments later, collapsing into a heap just feet from where Advik Bhardwaj lay. He exhaled sharply, his hand trembling as he lowered the pistol.
With renewed determination, Advik Bhardwaj clawed his way to the Camry. His fingers gripped the edge of the open door, and he used it to pull himself up. Pain flared in his side, but he ignored it, dragging his body into the driver's seat. Once inside, he slammed the door shut and locked it, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Leaning back against the seat, Advik Bhardwaj glanced around the interior. It was clean, with no signs of blood or damage. His eyes fell on the key fob resting in the center console. Relief flooded his chest.
"I made it," he whispered.
[System Notification: User health critical. Suggested action: Use a Health Injection to alleviate pain and restore functionality.]
Advik Bhardwaj was blinked his eyes at this message, his mind sluggish as he processed the words. "Health Injection?" he muttered, pulling up the system interface with a thought. His fingers trembled as he navigated to the shop, scrolling through the categories until he found it.
[Health Injections - Exclusive to User]
Small Health Injection: 1,000 Blood Coins
Effect: Relieves minor pain and heals small injuries.
Medium Health Injection: 2,500 Blood Coins
Effect: Relieves moderate pain and heals medium injuries.
Large Health Injection: 5,000 Blood Coins
Effect: Relieves severe pain and heals critical injuries.
The descriptions were straightforward, and the word "exclusive" caught his attention, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. His injuries were painful but not life-threatening, so he selected the Medium Health Injection.
[Item Purchased: Medium Health Injection – 2,500 Blood Coins]
[Remaining Blood Coins: 277,600]
A sleek, cylindrical injector materialized in his hand. The device was simple, with a glowing blue liquid visible inside the transparent chamber.
Advik Bhardwaj inspected it for a moment, then pressed the injector against his upper arm, gritting his teeth as he pressed the button. A soft hiss sounded as the device delivered the liquid into his bloodstream.
The effects were immediate.
A warm sensation spread through his body, starting at the injection site and radiating outward. The sharp pain in his ribs dulled, then faded entirely. The throbbing ache in his shoulder disappeared, replaced by a feeling of relief so profound it was almost euphoric. Advik Bhardwaj sat up straighter, his breathing steady for the first time in what felt like hours.
"Wow," he muttered, flexing his fingers. His strength returned, and the fatigue that had been weighing him down lifted as if it had never been there. "This thing's a lifesaver—literally."
The system chimed again, as if responding to his thoughts.
[Medium Health Injection successful. Current condition: Optimal. Proceed with caution.]
Advik Bhardwaj opens the car door, and stood up slowly, testing his balance. There was no pain, no stiffness. It was as if he hadn't just fought a mutated zombie and narrowly escaped death.
He glanced around the parking lot, the silence almost unnerving after the chaos he had endured. His survival instincts kicked in as he quickly get inside car, then lock the door, ensuring everything was secure. Satisfied that he was safe, he leaned onto the worn seat in the car, finally allowing himself to relax. For now, he wanted to take a rest.
Then after 5 minutes, he then opened the car door, then he quickly reached the first floor, then he entered inside one of houses, then he quickly check the house, confirmed that there is no zombies here. Then he quickly collapsed on the coach, then he fell sleep.
It was early in the morning. Marking it second day since the zombies emerged from every corner of the globe. New Delhi, a place where he was now, being one of them.
Advik Bhardwaj just woke up and was in bathroom, scrubbing every bloodstain off his arms and face. The water ran red as it swirled down the sink, carrying away the dried remnants of his brutal encounters. He stared at his reflection in the cracked mirror, exhaustion lining his face.