The two teams moved out from the shelter in tight formation. Captain Reyes had split them carefully: Marcus Kane's group of six (including his usual crew and two armed security guards) headed toward the armory on the east wing of the upper floors. Ted's smaller team — four people total — made for the infirmary wing on the west side. Elena Voss led the way with her pistol ready, Ted right behind her, followed by a nervous second-year student named Liam and a middle-aged nurse named Dr. Patel who knew the layout best.
The stairwell they climbed still carried the stench of the previous day's slaughter. Dried blood streaked the walls, and occasional low moans echoed from distant corridors. The emergency lighting flickered weakly, casting everything in sickly yellow tones.
"Stay sharp," Elena said quietly, voice barely above a whisper. "We move in, grab what we can, and get out. No heroics."
Ted nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. Hunger Sense painted faint cold pulses across his mental map — at least half a dozen infected scattered on this level. His Necro Essence sat at a comfortable 89, but he needed more if he wanted to evolve beyond Level 1. The System had teased a shop interface earlier, yet it remained locked behind higher levels or specific quests.
Marcus's group had already split off with cocky confidence. Ted had caught the bully's parting smirk — the same one from academy hallways. "Try not to get eaten, Harlan. Wouldn't want to have to rescue you again."
Ted ignored it. Focus on survival. Focus on staying hidden.
They reached the infirmary corridor. The double doors hung half-open, one panel dented inward. Inside, overturned gurneys, shattered glass vials, and several bodies — some still, some twitching — littered the floor.
"Fan out but stay in sight," Elena ordered. "Liam, help Dr. Patel with the medical cabinets. Ted, you're with me on watch and grabbing supplies."
Ted gripped his scavenged metal pipe tighter. His stats made it feel lighter, more like an extension of his arm. As the others moved deeper into the room, he and Elena positioned themselves near the entrance, scanning the hallway.
Hunger Sense flared. Three infected signatures closing in slowly from a side passage.
"Movement," Ted murmured. "Coming from the left."
Elena raised her pistol. "How do you know? I don't hear anything."
"Footsteps… faint ones," he lied quickly. "Trust me."
Seconds later, three shamblers rounded the corner — former students and staff, their uniforms torn, skin gray and eyes milky. They moved with that awkward, hungry lurch, drawn by noise or scent.
Elena fired twice. The first shot dropped one cleanly through the head. The second grazed the shoulder of another. "They're getting tougher!"
Ted charged the remaining two before they could reach her. His boosted agility let him close the gap fast. The pipe whistled through the air, crushing the first infected's skull with a wet crunch. He followed up with a strong kick to the second, sending it stumbling back into the wall. One more overhead swing finished it.
Elena stared at him, breathing hard. "You're stronger than you look, Ted. That kick… most guys couldn't do that without enhancements."
"Adrenaline again," Ted said, forcing a weak grin as he wiped the pipe on a nearby curtain. Inside, he felt the familiar cold surge as the System quietly absorbed the necro-energy from the kills.
*[Necro Essence +7]*
*[Necro Essence +6]*
*[Necro Essence +8]*
Total now: 110. A decent haul, and no one had seen the absorption.
Dr. Patel and Liam returned with arms full of bandages, painkillers, antibiotics, and a few auto-injectors. "We got most of what we need," the nurse reported. "But there's a locked refrigerated unit in the back with stronger antivirals. Might help if the virus mutates further."
Elena nodded. "Ted and I will clear the back. You two guard the entrance."
As they moved deeper into the infirmary, the air grew colder and the moans louder. A new notification flashed for Ted alone:
*[Side Quest: Silent Harvest]*
*Absorb necro-energy from at least 2 Infected without alerting your team.*
*Reward: +20 Necro Essence, Unlock Basic Shop Access (Limited).*
*Failure: None, but missed opportunity.*
Ted's pulse quickened. Shop access could change everything — new skills, maybe ways to mask his changes better.
In the back room, two more infected waited near the refrigerated unit — a doctor and a patient, both turned. They lunged the moment the door opened.
Elena raised her pistol, but Ted moved first, shoving her gently aside. "I've got them!"
He dispatched the first with two swift strikes, then grappled the second, using his superior vitality and strength to slam it against a cabinet. The creature's head cracked on impact. While Elena checked the unit for supplies, Ted quickly absorbed the essence from both bodies, keeping his movements natural.
*[Necro Essence +9]*
*[Necro Essence +7]*
*[Side Quest Completed: Silent Harvest]*
*[Reward: +20 Necro Essence. Basic Shop Access Unlocked!]*
**Updated Status:**
**Host: Ted Harlan**
**Level: 1**
**Strength: 13**
**Agility: 15**
**Vitality: 16**
**Necro Essence: 153**
**Skills:**
- Basic Undead Regeneration (Passive - Low)
A new blue window appeared in his vision:
*[Necro Shop (Basic) Available]*
Current Essence: 153
- Minor Flesh Mask (50 Essence): Temporarily hides pale skin and minor decay for 48 hours.
- Enhanced Regeneration I (80 Essence): Improves healing speed.
- Zombie Sense Upgrade (30 Essence): Extends detection range.
- Locked advanced options...
Ted felt a surge of excitement mixed with caution. He could afford the Flesh Mask now — perfect for staying hidden longer.
Elena pried open the refrigerated unit and loaded a small case with vials. "Got it. Let's move before more show up."
They regrouped with Liam and Dr. Patel and began the careful retreat toward the stairwell. The haul was good: medical supplies that could save lives back in the shelter.
But as they reached the main corridor, trouble found them.
Marcus's team burst from a side hallway, bloodied and breathing hard. One of Marcus's friends was limping, a fresh bite mark visible on his calf despite a makeshift bandage.
"Armory's overrun," Marcus snarled. "Lost two guards. These things are evolving — one was faster, almost intelligent."
His eyes landed on Ted, narrowing. "You lot look too clean. How many did you kill?"
"Enough," Elena replied coolly. "We got the meds. Let's get back."
Marcus stepped closer to Ted, voice low and threatening. "I'm watching you, Harlan. You're different since yesterday. Too calm. Too strong for a nobody."
Ted met his gaze evenly, the new shop option tempting him to spend on the Flesh Mask immediately. "Just trying to survive, same as you."
Before Marcus could push further, a loud crash echoed from the far end of the corridor. A dozen infected poured into view — faster than before, some with elongated limbs or darker, mottled skin. The virus was already mutating.
"Run!" Elena shouted.
The combined teams sprinted for the stairwell, gunfire and pipe swings mixing with the rising chorus of moans.
Ted felt the hunger stir lightly again, but also something new — the System's quiet promise of growth amid the chaos.
As they slammed the shelter doors shut behind them, breathing hard and delivering the supplies to relieved cheers, Ted slipped away to a quiet corner.
He opened the shop mentally and selected the purchase.
*[Minor Flesh Mask activated. 50 Essence deducted. Remaining: 103. Duration: 48 hours.]*
His skin tone normalized further. The faint chill in his veins felt masked.
For now, he could blend in.
But Marcus's suspicion lingered like a shadow, and the mutated zombies outside signaled that the real nightmare was only beginning.