Name: Sam
Level: 0
Ability: Conqueror's Genome
EXP: 40 / 100
HP: 45 / 100
Mana: None
Strength: 8
Agility: 9
Endurance: 8
Intelligence: 9
Perception: 10
Vitality: 10
Stat Points: 0
---
Sam was looking at his stats while sitting in front of the door. He didn't focused on the horrors taking place elsewhere.
He wasn't worried much about more zombies attacking him either—he was covered in zombie blood himself. Safer than most people.
What really bothered him was... he couldn't get any information about his SSS-rank ability.
He tried asking the system, but it didn't reply.
He could only guess it was some kind of biology-based power. After all, it had a skill like Adrenaline—only stronger.
Speaking of the skill, he could now use it twice now.
But after that, he would end up exactly where he started. He had to make it count. Use it only in critical situations—for now at least.
Click…
Suddenly, he heard the door unlock.
A man with black hair, probably in his fifties, peeked out. He saw Sam and let out a surprised gasp.
"Ah, it's you—from the house next door," the man said in a hushed tone, probably thinking zombies would attack if he spoke too loudly. Smart thinking on his part, Sam thought.
"Yeah, name's Sam. Pleasure to meet you," he replied, unsure how to hold a conversation in a situation like this.
"You killed these… things?" the man asked, glancing down at the mangled bodies.
"I did, yeah," Sam said flatly. He didn't see the conversation going anywhere. Honestly, he just wanted to get back to his room and bandage his shoulder.
The man's eyes widened as he noticed the wound.
"Hey, that looks like it hurts. Come inside—we've got first aid stuff," he offered.
Sam didn't have anything better to do. The man would probably offer some medications too.No harm in that.
But wasn't this a little reckless on his part?
Sam had a fresh wound from fighting zombies. What if he was infected? The man's whole family was inside. Either he knew more about the infection… or he had completely lost it.
Still, he opened the door wider and let Sam in.
---
As he stepped inside, Sam saw a woman—maybe in her late forties—standing with a frying pan in her hand. Two kids were behind her. On her left was a girl about Sam's age with brown hair, holding a kitchen knife. On the right stood a boy with the same hair as the man, slightly younger, clutching a baseball bat. Boy was frowning at his direction.
None of them looked particularly alarmed—probably overheard the entire conversation.
"Uh… so, this is my family," the man said. "That's my wife, Mira. My son, Ron. And my daughter, Lena. I'm Jim."
Then he turned to them. "Guys, this is Sam—our neighbor. He's the one who dealt with those things banging on our door."
"Ah—why are we standing here talking?" Jim added quickly, before anyone could reply. "Let's sit down and talk properly."
So they moved into the guest room.
---
They all gathered in the dimly lit space. With no electricity, the room was illuminated by a single burning candle.
Mira applied some ointment on Sam's shoulder and wrapped it with bandages. As expected, the food wasn't much—just a few snacks.
"So, did you guys know about this whole thing?" Sam asked. He wanted to know if the system notifications had been different for everyone.
"We know this whole thing started two days ago. It said something about powers being given," Mira answered.
I guess it's the same for everyone, Sam thought.
"So, what kind of powers have you guys awakened?" he asked, genuinely curious. Especially about the ranks. Would they have S-ranks too—or just lower ones?
"...Actually, none of us have awakened any," Jim said in a low voice.
That came as a shocker. But it made sense. They hadn't tried to fight the zombies—just gathered weapons to defend themselves if needed.
Luckily for them, Sam was around.
"So? What was the plan? How long were you expecting to stay here?" Sam asked.
What would I have done if I didn't awaken any powers? Hide or fight?
"I don't know. We just planned to stay here as long as we could. Then go to some secure area—like a police station or military facility. I mean… they'd probably be safe from all this, right?" Jim explained. It wasn't groundbreaking plan, but it was practical.
"What kind of powers did you awaken?" Lena asked curiously.
"It's a power-boost type ability. D-ranked," Sam replied. He was prepared for the question the moment he asked about theirs.
"D-rank? Like those games?" she asked again.
She didn't seem to know abilities had ranks. That was on him to reveal the rank.
"Yeah... like F or E being the lowest and A or S being the highest. I don't know for sure though," he explained.
"D-rank? Heh, that's low," snickered Ron.
Now that Sam thought about it… Ron had been glaring at him since the moment he entered.
Did he have a grudge?
Sam had never interacted with this family before. So why the hostility?
I haven't even tried hitting on his sister... Wait. Could it be…?
Maybe he awakened some power and hasn't told anyone. Maybe he wanted to save them at the last moment—you know, hero complex.
And I kinda ruined his plan?
Well, as long as he kept that hostility to himself, it'd be fine. Otherwise, Sam wouldn't mind showing him some edgy character energy.
"...And WE haven't awakened any. So we're the lowest of the low, as far as powers go," Mira quickly added, trying to diffuse a tension that wasn't even there.
"As you know, the virus has infected every life form. Many people are turning into zombies. The world won't function like it did before. I doubt help will arrive anytime soon. Considering all that, you may want to adapt," Sam said.
Maybe there would be shelters later on. But not now. With food running low, no electricity, and the outbreak getting worse… survival without powers would be hell.
Still, I kinda want to see how they'll survive. IF they'll survive. Would be a great achievement, if you ask me.
"What would you do?" Jim asked him.
"I would go out and try to save as many people as I can," Sam lied smoothly.
They were shocked at his hero-like response. Except for Ron. He made an ugly face—one that made Sam want to punch him.
"Can I ask you a favor?" Jim said.
No, Sam wanted to say. But he decided to listen first.
"Please take my kids with you," the man pleaded. "I don't know how long we'll survive. But I want them to survive. I want my wife to be safe too, but she won't leave me."
His wife gave him a small smile.
"No, Father!! We won't go without you!! You'll come with us or we won't go!" Lena shouted.
"Yeah, I won't go with him either," Ron added, still glaring.
"You'll have to go. You both need to survive. And your survival rate is higher with him than with us," Mira said, backing Jim's plan.
Why no one's asking my opinion? Sam thought.
"Sorry, but I'll have to say no," Sam said, ending the discussion. "I'll be fighting most of the time. The kids will be in danger."
Sorry, but first, I have to guarantee my own safety. Everyone else comes later.
The discussion was over.
Sam stood up, ready to leave.
"Good luck and stay safe," Jim said.
"You too," Sam replied and stepped out of the house.
He needed to find more zombies and kill them. He wanted to become strongest. The king of this boring world.
He'll make this world a exciting place
The world...
was his for the taking