Chapter 12 - Baby killer

Zixin burst through the door leading to the fire escape, his heart racing as he descended the metal stairs two at a time. The stale air outside filled his lungs, but the freedom was short-lived. He had barely reached the bottom when a familiar chime echoed in his mind, pulling him to a sudden halt.

Ding!

The notification floated before him, illuminating his surroundings in a faint, eerie glow.

{You have unlocked the "Baby Killer" title.}

Zixin rolled his eyes in disbelief. "Who wants to be called a baby killer?" he muttered, shaking his head in irritation. He didn't have time for titles, especially not one like that.

As he dismissed the notification, another one followed, this time more detailed and immediate.

{Defeated level 3 zombie.}

A rush of adrenaline surged through him as he processed the information. He had faced a powerful foe and come out alive. He couldn't deny the thrill that coursed through him, but it was overshadowed by the sickening image of the creature's death.

{You have leveled up from Level 2 to Level 3 Human.}

His exhaustion began to fade, replaced by a surge of strength. The weight of his recent encounters lightened as the system continued to inform him of his upgrades.

{Health and stamina stats maxed out. Strength increased by a point. Reward for mission completion: random.}

The anticipation of a reward sparked a flicker of hope within him.

A window materialized in front of him, detailing his current status:

[Name: Yu Zixin

Level: Level 3

Race: Human

Job: Undetermined

Mode: Easy

Strength: 6(10)

Dexterity: 7(10)

Health: 100(100)

Stamina: 10(10)

Luck: 2(10)

Mana: 230(500)]

Zixin stared at his stats, feeling a surge of annoyance. Seriously? My luck is still low? He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. What do I have to do to boost my luck in this hellhole?

He shook his head, trying to shake off the frustration. No point in dwelling on that. Time to keep moving.

Suddenly, something shiny rolled by his foot, catching his attention. He glanced down and saw a small, gleaming ball. What's this now? He bent down and picked it up, and as soon as he did, a blinding light erupted from it, making him squint.

Once the light faded, he found himself holding a broken broom—the very same one he had used to jab the baby monster in the eyes. He stared at it blankly. "Seriously? A used broken broom?" Disappointment washed over him. "First, a poisonous mushroom that supposedly helps me grow, and now this? Great."

As he inspected it further, the broom's properties popped up in his mind:

{Prop: Broken Broom

Strengthened by the baby's blood. Now it's the baby killer's weapon.

Damage: Instant kill up to level 3 zombies.}

A flicker of hope sparked within him. "Okay, okay, this isn't total garbage," he muttered, clutching the broom like a lifeline. With a surge of determination, he dashed down the stairs toward the parking lot.

The moment he stepped outside, a chorus of moans and grunts hit him like a brick wall. Oh hell no. His heart raced as he realized the door must've broken; zombies were swarming the area.

"Shit!" he cursed under his breath, quickly turning back and heading up to the first floor. Gotta stick to the safer zones for now.

The zombies on this level were just level one—easy pickings. He navigated through the hallway, swinging his broom with reckless abandon. Each swing felt good, a release for the pent-up anxiety building inside him.

{Defeated a level 1 zombie.}

{Defeated a level 1 zombie.}

{Defeated a level 1 zombie.}

{Defeated a level 1 zombie.}

{Defeated a level 1 zombie.}

The notification pinged in his mind again and again. "Ugh, stop with the notifications already!" he shouted, exasperated. He was in no mood for a constant reminder of his zombie-slaying spree.

After a quick sweep of the first floor, he made his way to the side of the building. Peering down, he felt a rush of relief—no zombies in sight at the back. He quickly grabbed onto the pipes running down the side of the building and slid down, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

Landing softly on the ground, Zixin glanced around cautiously. The street was eerily quiet, but he wasn't about to let his guard down. With the broom in hand, he felt a little more ready for whatever came next.

Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. "Alright, let's get the hell out of this nightmare," he set off down the street, the shadows stretching around him as the sun began to dip below the horizon.