Su Han walked towards the city, flipping through the Quest Book as he went. The quest to kill ten Viral Organisms was complete. He tapped the icon with his blocky finger to submit it and retrieved the reward – the Profession Module.
It looked like a pure black digital watch. Strapping it to his wrist, a virtual projection screen flickered to life. A model of his blocky avatar hovered on the main page, with stats listed below:
**[Name: Su Han]**
**[Age: 20 (Remaining Lifespan: 80 years)]**
**[HP: 20]**
**[ATK: 6]**
**[DEF: 3]**
**[STR: 3]**
**[STA: 3]**
**[MOV SPD: 1]**
**[ATK SPD: 1]**
**[REGEN SPD: 1]**
**[CAST SPD: 1]**
*Hmm… Very stat-heavy… Like a modded game.* A strange expression crossed his blocky face. He looked at the 'Profession' tab at the top.
Clicking it, the title *[Basic Tier 1 Professions]* appeared. The page was divided into irregular sections, each labeled with a profession name and its associated weapon type:
* **Brawler:** Bonus with hand/fist weapons.
* **Guardian:** Bonus with defensive/shield weapons.
* **Marksman:** Bonus with ranged weapons.
* **Spellweaver:** Bonus with staff weapons.
* **Blademaster:** Bonus with blade/sword weapons.
* **Alchemist:** Bonus with item-based weapons.
"All look pretty decent!" Su Han's eyes gleamed as he clicked through the sections. Suddenly, a small, unmarked section at the edge caught his attention. He tapped it.
The section shattered, revealing text:
**[Hidden Profession: Resonance Warrior - Bonus with Manifestation Weapons (0/1 Slots Available)]**
*Only one slot? I'm taking it!* He clicked the selection button without hesitation. The page faded, replaced by three intricate biological reliefs.
**[Choose Your Resonator:]**
**[Dragon of Despair - Manifestation Weapon: Devourer Greatsword]**
**[Primordial Dread - Manifestation Weapon: Scythe of Terror]**
**[Goddess of the Nether - Manifestation Weapon: Arcane Dirk]**
"Option… three." With only 3 STR, the heavier sword or scythe seemed less ideal than a dagger. He pressed the **Goddess of the Nether**. Ancient runic symbols materialized in the air, coalescing into a half-meter-long shortsword.
**[Arcane Dirk]**
**[Quality: Tier 0 - Useless (Upgradeable)]**
**[ATK: 7]**
**[Durability: Unlimited]**
**[Weapon Skill: Moonlit Night (Cost: 6 months lifespan. Envelops a 100-meter radius in darkness, creating a Lunar Domain. Boosts user's stats by 100% within.)]**
*This skill… feels more suited for the zombies? And the cost is half a year! Better stick with the Peach Wood Sword for now.* He clipped the Arcane Dirk to his belt and looked back at the screen. Rows of notes now appeared:
**[Profession change grants no skills. Use weapon skills temporarily.]**
**[Leveling grants Stat Points (5 per level) for attribute allocation.]**
**[Killing mobs has a chance to drop Universal Skill Books. Can also be purchased.]**
**[Killing Nether mobs or exploring the Nether yields a high chance of Resonance Warrior Skill Books.]**
*The Nether? Gotta survive the Overworld first…* He shook his head ruefully. As he watched, a new choice appeared:
**[Path of Destiny - Choose based on your future plans (Cannot be changed until stage quests are complete):]**
* **Resist the Calamity (Leveling Path - Rewards favor Equipment)]**
* **Save Our Kin (Protector Path - Rewards favor Items)]**
* **Lay Low (Survivalist Path - Rewards favor Resources)]**
* **Breeder's Path (Fertility Path - Rewards favor Lifespan)]**
* **Endure Humiliation (Infiltrator Path - Rewards favor Organs)]**
* **Delve into Research (Biochem Path - Rewards favor Potions)]**
* **Scheme in Shadows (Puppetmaster Path - Rewards favor Minions)]**
* **Embrace the Kill (Dark Path - Rewards favor Forbidden Arts)]**
* **Restore the Glory (Primordial Path - Rewards favor Bloodlines)]**
"This…" *Is kinda insane.* Judging by this, the rewards must be fixed, and many would likely be sold to others. That meant lifespan would be the most valuable resource early on…
*Breeder's Path? No way!*
"Gotta go Leveling Path! Eighty billion people back on Earth – equipment buyers will never run out!" He clicked **Resist the Calamity**. The other paths faded away.
*Ding~*
The first quest appeared:
**[Main Quest: Killing Vanguard]**
**[Objective: Clear 125 Level 1 Viral Organisms at the Substation.]**
**[Reward: Choice of one Stone-tier weapon.]**
*125?! Maybe I should've picked Survivalist…* Su Han scratched his head and glanced back at Xiao Ling. "Xiao Ling, what Path did you choose?"
"Ah..." She wrung her blocky hands together, a blush blooming on her flat cheeks. "B-Breeder's Path..."
Silence fell over the forest. Su Han turned forward and picked up his pace. Xiao Ling hurried after him, flustered. "E-Each Wither Skeleton born gives three years of lifespan! And if they're not mutants, they leave us right after birth..."
"Three years per kid? The cost-benefit ratio doesn't add up."
Xiao Ling lightly tapped her fingers together, her large silver eyes stealing glances at his back. "F-From conception to birth... it only takes three days... The lifespan will add up quickly..." Her voice was soft and pleading.
*This girl really is terrified of dying.* "So the quests are just... having kids?"
"Mm... Seems like it, for now..."
Su Han fell silent, his mind reeling. *An ordinary single guy from Earth, now stuck 'breeding' with a Wither Skeleton girl?* *Though… she is kinda cute. If her head was round and features 3D…* *Ahem.* *Anyway… stuck with it now.* He scratched his head and slowed down, letting Xiao Ling catch up. He explained his task.
Hearing he needed to kill 125 zombies, her expression froze, fear flashing in her silver eyes. But after a moment, she suppressed it and nodded softly. "I... understand... When... do we go?"
"This afternoon. First, we find some beds in the city, scavenge supplies, then check the police station."
"Beds..." Xiao Ling's cheeks flushed an even deeper red. "...Mm," she murmured shyly.
Su Han couldn't help but marvel inwardly. *These natives really aren't different from regular girls. Cuter, even. No dowry demands, no...* *Cough!* He cut off that train of thought and tightened his grip on the Peach Wood Sword as they reached the forest's edge, stepping onto the city outskirts.
They hid behind a street corner, surveying the main road. Several humans, leading their own Collaborators, were fighting back. Some stood on high ground, slowly whittling down zombies. Others were being dragged down and torn apart.
"Zombies are faster than us... Need to allocate points to Move Speed." He opened his virtual projection and dumped 5 points each into Move Speed and Attack.
**[ATK: 7]**
**[MOV SPD: 2]**
*5 points per +1 stat. Acceptable range.* Now he could outpace the zombies. Time to head into the city!