1.
I was momentarily lost in the sweetness of the strawberry jam, but the situation was still far from good. Cleaning up the inn had gone well enough, but now came the truly difficult part.
'Tutorial zone followed by the beginner hunting grounds. Now it feels like a mid-level hunting area?'
Or maybe even a high-level one. The inn and the village were worlds apart in scale, and the number of zombies was completely different too.
The moment I stepped out of the building, enemies were everywhere. Zombies could come lunging from anywhere, anytime.
'It'd be great if there were other survivors to fight alongside.'
Unfortunately, that seemed unlikely. I hadn't heard a single sound since last night. They might be hiding somewhere, but I wasn't holding my breath.
In the modern world, people were at least somewhat familiar with zombies thanks to all the movies and games. Plenty of folks probably knew what to watch out for.
'Of course, knowing and actually doing it are two different things.'
At the very least, understanding that they were zombies and that getting bitten turned you into one made all the difference. In that sense, the situation here was dire.
Not just this village, but other villages, cities, and even the capital—imagining they'd all turned like this was utterly hopeless.
A shallow wave of despair washed over me, but I shook my head to clear it.
'Don't believe it until I see it with my own eyes.'
For now, I needed to focus on the goal right in front of me.
The key to clearing the zombies in the village was avoiding detection. They didn't react to the cries of other zombies, but everything else set them off.
I didn't know the mechanics behind it, but based on what I'd seen so far, that was the rule. So, no carrying anything loud like a shield.
'Unsettling, but no choice.'
'A bow would be perfect right now.'
Surprisingly few mercenaries used bows. They were hard to master, and one slip could hit your own allies.
That's why I'd chosen the spear. Simple to wield, easy to handle, and it kept enemies at a safe distance.
Smashing through a zombie skull with human strength wasn't easy, but with my Strength boosted by the status window, it was a breeze.
'Here goes.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Name: Hanson Lv. 21
'Level 21, huh.'
Three kills for just one level up. The experience requirements had definitely increased.
'Does it take two zombies? Or three?'
I could test that later. More importantly, the shop.
Current Gold: 62G
My gold had gone up from before. So yeah, zombies dropped it.
'This is pure honey.'
Zombies give experience and gold. How could things get any better? Now I had even more reason to hunt them down.
'Let's keep going.'
First things first: clear the area around the inn.
'Stick to the alleys as much as possible. Take out the ones lurking there first.'
⚔ STATUS UPDATE ⚔⚡ Strength: [12 → 13]
I pumped a point into Strength and moved out again. I checked nearby buildings for zombies, but none were shambling around.
'Did they run off scared or something?'
I let out a dry chuckle at my own ridiculous thought and kept walking.
Right next to the inn was a stable. It wasn't run by the inn itself, but it was close enough that plenty of mercenaries stabled their horses there.
'Those guys were usually high-rankers.'
Only those who could afford the fees and had learned to ride could pull it off.
Typically nobles or top-tier mercenaries.
'Any horses left inside?'
I approached the stable building.
I didn't open the door. I just peered through to see what was on the other side. No signs of life, though.
'These things pop out from nowhere.'
I crept up cautiously and eased the door open, spear grip tensed tight.
The ominous creak of hinges.
I had one foot inside, spear at the ready.
A chilling grip latched onto my leg just as I swallowed hard. I jolted in horror and kicked out.
Thud!
The zombie sailed across the room with a meaty smack, then started crawling back like nothing happened.
Stab!
I pierced its skull before it could reach out again.
"Holy shit, that scared me..."
I nearly screamed. That would've brought every zombie in the area running.
'Close fucking call.'
It was so dark and the dirt floor muffled sounds. Plus, I'd been hyper-focused on what was ahead.
'No horses, huh?'
I scanned the floor thoroughly this time, but not a single horse in sight.
They must've all been ridden out of here.
'Would've been nice to have one left.'
I felt a twinge of regret, but food was already an issue, and I didn't know how to ride anyway.
Maybe it was for the best. Horses were noisy and high-maintenance.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Name: Hanson Lv. 22
'Looks like two zombies per level up.'
Good thing it wasn't three.
⚔ STATUS UPDATE ⚔💨 Agility: [12 → 13]
I added a point to Agility and gave the stable another once-over. Looking for anything useful or lingering zombies. Surprisingly, it was completely empty.
'Expected more zombies here.'
Guess all the noise in the streets had drawn them away.
Stable cleared. Next up: the tavern nearby.
'This one's gonna be tricky.'
This area was where most mercenaries gathered. Plus, the village square was right next to the tavern.
'Proceed with caution.'
I stepped outside, looped back to the inn to confirm no zombies nearby, then hopped the fence and headed to the tavern.
Peeking through the window, the inside was a total wreck.
'No different from the inn.'
At a glance, it looked like a bunch of drunks passed out after a bender, but really, it was zombies playing dead.
'Think I can handle this.'
Still, tight quarters favored a sword, so I'd brought the shield too. I propped the spear by the back door and drew sword and shield.
"Hoo..."
Deep breath, then eased the door open. No creak this time.
A low groan.
The door to the kitchen adjoined the main room. One zombie was thrashing with its head stuck in the oven.
'What an idiot.'
As I crept toward it, a black shadow lunged from the side in a blur.
Bam!
My arm reacted on instinct.
A heavy impact through my hand, and a zombie crumpled to the floor. It started rising immediately, teeth bared.
Slash!
I severed its head. Another crawled from the floor. I turned left—another under the table and chairs, shoving obstacles aside as it stood.
"Fuck, seriously!"
Running outside now was too risky. I'd have to clear them all here.
Crunch!
I stomped the crawling one's skull. Thick boot sole or not, I felt bone shatter and mush give way.
Confirmed it stopped moving, then grabbed a table leg from the kitchen. Big, but not heavy.
This was Strength 13.
⚔ STATUS UPDATE ⚔⚡ Strength: [13 → 14]
No, 14.
'This'll be my barricade.'
To get from the hall to the kitchen, they'd have to clamber over a waist-high wooden bar. Block the entrance, and I could force one-on-one fights.
'If they vault it, that's another story...'
Nothing I could do then but back up slowly and fight.
Groooan—Stab!
Sword through the gap before it reached the entrance. Pulled back, another rushed to fill the void.
Thud!
It slammed into the barricade and toppled forward. The table shifted slightly from the impact. I crushed its head underfoot and swung at the next one charging in.
Slash!
Blood sprayed, flesh and head hitting the floor. I booted the skull away, then raised my shield fast.
Bam!
Heavy jolt up my arm, but I held ground this time.
Grinning, about to counter—then an arm whipped over its shoulder. Next came teeth, then another strike.
Overwhelming numbers meant endless attacks. The barrage forced me back.
'Gotta take them one by one.'
Grinding my teeth, sword thrusting forward again—then, beyond the horde, something odd.
A lone zombie perched on an upright table, like a beast with all four limbs up top. Unusually long legs.
"Jumper!"
They called it a "pouncer" back home too. Cute name, but facing one killed any such thoughts.
Thud!
Because its leap speed and distance were insane.
"Fuck!"