A Looming Threat

Of course, Sarah deserved some benefit. Before the apocalypse truly unfolded, honing her skills against zombies could potentially awaken a latent talent within her. While Alex couldn't predict such an awakening, he could provide her with a solid foundation for growth. Additionally, he believed Sarah's police force would've completed their assignment regarding the zombies.

His hunch proved correct. Sarah readily agreed to his plan, revealing a secure location beneath her father's villa specifically designed to house these creatures.

Night's Descent

Night shrouded the world in an oppressive gloom. Alex, Sarah, and Alice piled into a car, heading towards the Mayor's villa. This time, Alex's demeanor was devoid of amusement. He understood the distinction between play and business. While role-playing served as a stress outlet and a way to pass time, it ultimately fueled his power growth. Tonight, he sensed the imminent arrival of doomsday, his eyes glinting with a chilling, murderous intent. This was a night of bloody carnage, a necessary step to strengthen himself.

The Mayoral Mansion

The once familiar mansion now exuded a sense of foreboding as Alex approached with a grim purpose. He hadn't anticipated such a violent encounter within its walls.

They descended to the basement, a vast, empty space save for imposing iron cages. Tempered glass panels separated them from the occupants – a horrifying spectacle of shambling, ravenous zombies. Each cage housed upwards of twenty of these creatures, with a rough estimate placing the total close to two hundred!

Amazement flickered across Alex's face. How could they have acquired such a substantial number of live zombies before the full-blown apocalypse?

Just then, a long-dormant notification from the system chimed in his mind. Apparently, his system had integrated lost data, unlocking new features. [SEVERAL HOSTILE CREATURE WITHIN RANGE] flashed on the screen, followed by [SOME LOST DATA HAVE BEEN RETREIVED]. The system continued, processing and assimilating the recovered data. [ASSIMILATION COMPLETE] and a series of new messages materialized: [FOR EVERY HOSTILE CREATURE KILLED, HAVE A CHANCE TO GET A LOOT] and [TITLE SYSTEM UNLOCKED].

Alex was stunned. The system had evolved, offering the possibility of loot drops upon defeating hostile creatures. Additionally, a title system was now in play. Intrigue piqued his curiosity – what rewards would these new features hold?

Zombies, the harbingers of civilization's demise, wouldn't erupt instantaneously. The chaotic mana unleashed by the red moon and those portals had been subtly permeating the world for nine days now. This insidious force had begun to infiltrate human bodies.

Those with weaker constitutions and severe genetic defects would succumb first, succumbing to the transformation with frightening speed. Individuals with relatively healthy bodies and minor defects would experience the outbreak closer to the apocalypse's peak.

The former cases were statistically rare, though hospitals across New York City were already witnessing isolated incidents of zombification. This demonstrated that while the probability was low, the sheer number of people it affected became significant.

Mayor Michael, a powerful figure in New York, had evidently conducted extensive research on zombies. Capturing these average, feral zombies wasn't a challenge for him.

Alex observed the scene – over twenty black-clad figures stood vigilantly before the tempered glass, each armed with a firearm. Sarah, seemingly emboldened, glanced at him.

For everyone gathered, the tempered glass represented a precarious barrier between them and a living nightmare. Even firearms proved ineffective unless aimed precisely at the head. Coupled with their athletic speed, these zombies posed a lethal threat.

However, for Alex, this was a different scenario. This was his playground.

"Open the door!" Alex declared, a confident smile playing on his lips. He was ready to unleash his full potential, his mind already calculating the experience points he was about to harvest.

Sarah exchanged a look with him before issuing a command. But before her words could fully form, Alex's voice resonated through the chamber, cutting through the glass. "Open them all! Why waste time? Emily's waiting for me at home!"

Sarah's anger flared. "Then open them all!" she barked through gritted teeth.

A deafening roar echoed as all the iron doors simultaneously slammed open. The sluggish minds of the zombies didn't register the reason for their sudden release. However, their primal urges, fueled by an insatiable hunger for flesh and mana, propelled them towards Alex in a surge of unbridled rage.

The vast basement, spanning thousands of square meters, had morphed into a monstrous feeding ground for the undead. Sweat beaded on the foreheads of Alice and the policemen. Faced with a horde of nearly two hundred zombies, their standard-issue Type 54 pistols offered little resistance. These weapons would be ineffective within minutes, leaving the officers vulnerable and unlikely to escape with a whole body. Fight was a futile option – the expansive, empty space offered no opportunity for evasion. The only way to subdue these creatures required overwhelming firepower.

In this dire scenario, all eyes turned to Alex, the lone figure who had strode into the arena of chaos.