38 Zombies

Curiosity fueled Victor's inquiry about the origin of the villagers he had encountered. Yet, the villagers seemed hesitant to divulge their precise location, shrouding their village in secrecy fueled by suspicion of him. While some individuals might have been more open, ultimately, the exact details were of little importance to him. What he truly needed was a sense of direction, and the old man dutifully indicated the path.

With the group behind him, Victor hastened towards the area where the zombies were rumored to roam. Aware of their contagious nature, he discreetly scanned the villagers for signs of infection before leaving their company, relieved to find no one undergoing the ghastly transformation.

In a swift moment of contemplation, Victor recognized the potential for this to be a viral outbreak, possibly even affecting the city of Akaosanuri. This was a significant factor that dissuaded him from joining the group en route to the city. The prospect of navigating through hordes of infected individuals or getting caught in chaotic scenes conflicted with his objectives, rendering Akaosanuri an unfruitful destination for information gathering.

'Visiting that city would likely yield little of value,' he concluded, his conviction unwavering.

Guided by his intuition, Victor strode purposefully in the intended direction. Yet, even before he reached any settlement, the ominous sight of zombies confronted him. Their appearance was consistent with the old man's description. Swiftly, he was plunged into combat, methodically dispatching them with pragmatic precision.

His attacks eschewed using Qi, instead relying on raw physical prowess to break necks and crush skulls. Aware of the infectious potential of their blood, he took every precaution to avoid contamination. The battle unfolded methodically, but the number of adversaries grew steadily, compelling Victor to reassess his strategy.

Realizing that prolonged engagement was proving counterproductive, he sprang upward, seeking refuge in the branches of a tree. From this vantage point, he surveyed his surroundings, meticulously analyzing the distribution of zombies. Identifying a less-infested direction, he drew his bone sword, executing a seamless leap back into the fray.

The growls of the mindless zombies filled the air as he landed, immediately dispatching one by thrusting his sword into its neck before twisting to sever its head. This grim dance of death continued, each move executed with precision to minimize blood contact. Minutes elapsed, and Victor managed to thin their numbers, granting himself more maneuvering space. Seizing the advantage, he deployed bone projectiles shaped like knives, hurling them accurately into the skulls of his adversaries.

As his efforts bore fruit and experience points materialized in his notification window, a new message appeared, prompting Victor's curiosity. The cryptic notification left him pondering, intrigued by the enigma it presented.

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

[Title acquired! You have acquired 'Human Murderer'!]

[No description.]

---

Name: Victor Hunt

Title: Feral Demon

Age: 16

Level: 72

EXP: 0011/1255

HP: 1255/1255

MP: 0/0

Strength: 130

Vitality: 126

Agility: 118

Intelligence: 123

Skills: [Observation], [Monster Taming], [Killing Spree], [Human Murderer]

Condition: Tired

Integration: 4.3%

---

As the updated status window appeared before him, Victor's gaze remained locked on the unfamiliar and perplexing words that adorned the screen. A sense of bewilderment took hold, as the [Title] he had acquired diverged from convention by manifesting below the [Title] section and alongside his skills. Despite the peculiarity, a semblance of understanding began to emerge.

'Why...? Is it because a [Title] needs to resonate with the masses in order to truly earn its place, and for it to create a buzz, it must first linger in the [Skills] section? It's perplexing yet oddly plausible.'

This unexpected occurrence led Victor to conclude that the description of a [Title] could be contingent upon the perceptions of others. The [Title] was, after all, a reflection of external recognition, bestowed upon him by others. Yet, with no witnesses to his zombie massacre, the [Title] had likely surfaced due to his own acknowledgment of the situation. He reasoned that delving into the complexities of the [System] was a futile endeavor, especially considering the elusive nature of the phenomenon.

'That's a logical perspective to adopt. The [System] remains an enigma, even to me, and its true nature is shrouded in mystery. The facility's experiments on us were likely attempts to decipher its intricacies through our interactions with it.'

Setting aside this line of thought, Victor understood that dwelling on such matters was unproductive. His attention returned to the puzzle of the zombie outbreak, a subject that continued to captivate his interest. His immediate goals remained focused on investigation and revenge, acknowledging that solidifying his understanding and skills was of paramount importance.

Victor's thoughts shifted as he noticed distant houses coming into view. A childlike glee lit up his expression, prompting him to approach the village with a renewed sense of anticipation. Yet, upon reaching the village gates, his enthusiasm was tempered by the sight of a lone zombie shuffling aimlessly. A sigh escaped him as he retrieved a bone knife, using it to swiftly dispatch the undead threat.

It dawned on him that his weaponry was in dire straits. His bone sword was teetering on the edge of disrepair, rendering any attempts at restoration futile. With the village's former inhabitants in mind, he speculated that he might find a replacement weapon among their belongings.

'Before anything else, I should find new attire. It's a rare chance to refresh my appearance,' he mused, recognizing the value of blending in within the village while he sought both sustenance and a suitable weapon.