The hub's daily rhythm continued without mercy. After the tense weekly scan, Ted was assigned to perimeter duty, a six-hour patrol along the outer cleared zone with Elena, two regular soldiers, and one of Marcus's crew members named Jax, who kept shooting suspicious glances his way.
The air outside the walls was thick with the ever-present stench of decay. Rubble from collapsed buildings littered the streets, and distant moans carried on the wind. Ted kept his pipe strapped to his pack, walking with the group while **Basic Horde Sense** painted a mental map: scattered lesser infected within 80 meters, their simple states registering as constant, dull hunger.
Elena walked beside him, their Ally Bond making small gestures feel coordinated, a slight shift in her stance warned him of movement ahead before the others noticed.
"Stay alert," one soldier said. "Last patrol reported a surge in activity near the old overpass."
Half an hour in, the first contact came. Five shamblers shambled out from behind a wrecked truck. The team dispatched them quickly with gunfire and melee. Ted contributed visibly but held back his full strength, absorbing essence from two kills during the chaos.
*[Necro Essence +8]*
*[Necro Essence +9]*
Progress toward the milestone quest: 2/5 commanded/redirected.
Jax wiped blood from his knife, muttering loud enough for Ted to hear, "You always seem to be in the perfect spot, Harlan. Almost like you know where they'll come from."
Ted shrugged. "Just paying attention."
They pressed on. Horde Sense flared stronger near the overpass, a group of eight lesser zombies clustered in the shadows beneath the structure, plus one intelligent variant lurking on the upper level, directing them with low clicks.
The soldier in charge signaled to engage. "Clear them out. We don't want them wandering closer to the walls."
As the team advanced, Ted saw his opportunity. While the others focused on the main cluster, he slipped to the flank where three lesser infected had broken away. Using **Basic Horde Sense** actively, he spent 20 Essence to send a weak pulse of confusion ,making two of them hesitate and turn slightly toward each other instead of attacking.
The distraction worked. Ted finished them with efficient pipe strikes, absorbing the energy cleanly.
*[Necro Essence +10]*
*[Necro Essence +7]*
*[Milestone Quest Progress: 4/5 redirected.]*
The intelligent variant noticed the odd behavior and let out a sharper command. It leaped down, acidic drool dripping from its mouth.
Elena reacted first, firing to draw its attention. Ted flanked it, using his boosted agility to close the distance fast. In the heat of the fight, he tested the sense again,spending another 15 Essence to make one nearby lesser zombie stumble into the variant's path, buying him a perfect opening.
He brought the pipe down hard on the variant's head, ending the threat.
*[Necro Essence +14]*
*[Subtle Influence Milestone Quest Completed!]*
*[Reward: +100 Necro Essence. Basic Horde Command Skill Unlocked (Weak control over small groups of lesser zombies – costs Essence per command, limited range and duration).]*
**Updated Status:**
**Host: Ted Harlan**
**Level: 2**
**Strength: 22**
**Agility: 20**
**Vitality: 22**
**Necro Essence: 564**
**Skills:**
- Basic Undead Regeneration (Passive - Low)
- Enhanced Regeneration I (Passive)
- Minor Flesh Crafting (Active)
- Basic Horde Sense (Passive)
- Basic Horde Command (Active – Weak)
The new skill felt like a door cracking open. Ted could now weakly influence small groups, not full control yet, but enough to create openings or distractions in future fights.
The patrol finished clearing the area without further incidents. On the way back, Elena fell in step with him again. "You did something back there, didn't you? Those zombies hesitated at the perfect moment. Twice."
Ted kept his voice low. "The power is growing. It's helping us stay alive. I'm still learning how to use it without… becoming something else."
She didn't push, but the trust in her eyes was clear. The Ally Bond buff pulsed warmly.
Back at the hub, the successful patrol earned the team praise and extra credits. But as they entered the gates, Marcus was waiting near the entrance with Jax, who had apparently reported the "odd behavior" during the fight.
Marcus stepped forward with a cold smile. "Heard you had another 'lucky' patrol, Harlan. Jax says the zombies acted weird around you. Colonel's been informed. Next scan might not be so forgiving."
Ted met his gaze steadily. "We cleared the threat. That's what matters."
The tension hung heavy as the group dispersed for evening duties. Ted retreated to a quiet corner, reviewing his new skill. Basic Horde Command could change everything, but using it inside or near the hub was suicidal.
A new System notification appeared:
*[Main Quest Update: Hub Integration – Growing suspicion detected. External opportunities increasing. Reach Level 3 to unlock stronger command abilities.]*
The walls of the hub offered protection, but they also trapped him under constant watch.
Ted needed to grow stronger, and soon.
The dead outside were waiting.
And inside, so were his enemies.