The Zombie Claw

Alice's voice pierced the quiet car, startling Sarah.

"Captain Sarah, there's an officer. He accidentally cut his hands while collecting the zombie nails."

Sarah, just settling into the driver's seat, raised an eyebrow.

"Where's the injury? How careless can they be? They can't even handle a simple task. Alice, what's the plan?"

"He's waiting for your orders, Captain."

"Well, if the infection hasn't spread, then cut—" Sarah's words were cut short by Alex's calm instruction.

"No. Let them continue collecting nails. They'll bring the injured officer with them."

Both women were stunned. Alex had already climbed into the passenger seat, unzipped the snakeskin bag, and began inspecting the zombie nails with a practiced eye. Satisfied, he nodded.

Sarah, a woman of reason, understood that this mysterious man had his methods. Trusting his judgment, she simply gave Alice a look before joining Alex in the car. She wanted to ask questions, but Alex ignored her, and had already taken out the drawing of the zombie claw.

Sarah, a perceptive woman, noticed something extraordinary.

The parchment Alex pulled out of his backpack transformed into a gray-black light, engulfing the zombie nails. In a blink, both the parchment and nails vanished.In their place, a dark light pulsed brightly for ten seconds, revealing a sight Sarah had never witnessed before – a glove! Made entirely of a gray-black, non-leather material that resembled bone chips, it sent shivers down her spine.But the most terrifying aspect was the three pitch-black claws extending from the back of the hand. Each exceeded twenty centimeters in length and gleamed with a metallic sheen, promising effortless penetration.

Unfortunately, it was only a right-handed glove. However, for Alex, it was enough.

He examined the stitched-together, cold-blooded-animal-scale-like claws with a hint of surprise in his eyes. Satisfaction flickered across his face.

[Zombie Claw]

[Weapon - Fist Suit (Grade E)]

[Description: Claws soaked in zombie mana and blood, possessing unimaginable tearing strength and a strange blood-sucking ability.]

Stats:

Agility +0.7 Strength +0.5

Attributes:

Absorbing Claw (Passive): Each successful attack steals life force from the enemy, bolstering the user's strength. This accelerates damage and health recovery.

Phantom Claw (Active): Upon activation, grants +5% Agility for a minimum of 2 points and a +10% attack speed boost.

[Requirements: Agility > 15, Host Level > 5]

This was perfection. Alex, who had high expectations, was pleasantly surprised. He exhaled, satisfaction evident in his voice.

"This is what I call the best!"

The glove boasted both a passive and an active ability. The passive blood-sucking attribute significantly enhanced his endurance in battle. While he couldn't utilize the full potential due to current limitations, he could still equip it.

As Sarah watched in astonishment, Alex stretched out his hand. The sharp, bone-pieced claw seemed to come alive, instantly wrapping itself around his palm. His mind moved, and the three extended claws retracted smoothly into his hand.At first glance, Alex's right hand appeared to be adorned with a simple gray-black glove. Only with a thought could he unleash the deadly zombie claws, capable of ending a life in an instant.Content, he tested the claws with a few swings.

Turning to Sarah, he asked, "You recorded everything that just happened, right?"

"Uh, yes. But I can have them delete it immediately," Sarah stammered.

"No. Send me a copy later."

Sarah, taken aback, could only nod in agreement.

Alex, with a mischievous grin, planned to send the video to the group he created – a group of powerhouses and potential early awakeners. He wanted to send a shockwave, a hint of the power wielded by the "Monarch of Lightning." This would plant a seed of respect in their minds.

The car sped back towards mainland New York, arriving shortly at the villa complex. Alex, eyes closed, entered the villa. The living room illuminated, Alex and Sarah settled in, while Alice rushed in with a man whose face was turning an alarming shade of blue.

"Captain, Aaron's dying!" exclaimed Alice, gesturing to the burly man in his thirties. The six-foot-tall figure, his muscles usually bulging, was now a canvas of bulging veins on his face. A high fever of forty degrees Celsius threatened to render him unconscious.

Alex didn't waste a moment. He saw the telltale signs – the infection spreading rapidly through the man's body. A glance at his nails confirmed his suspicion – a faint grayish-white discoloration. Without the intervention, Aaron would be a goner in five minutes, only to rise again as a zombie.

"Did you bring the zombie blood, Alice?" Alex asked, his voice devoid of panic but laced with urgency.

"Yes!" Alice confirmed, rushing back out and returning with a large gasoline drum filled with the crimson liquid.

The sight of the blood made Sarah frown. Are you sure that's safe? Won't it just accelerate the infection. Sarah thought.