Chapter 13

Now I had a new problem: three zombies locked in to me, and I couldn't deal with the three at once. The solution? Rush towards the closest, finish it before the others join. And that's exactly what I did.

"Glenn, distract the other two. You don't have to fight them, just draw their attention." I said without looking. I know he was a dependable guy, so I was sure he wouldn't leave me to deal with them when my life was on the line, but I'd keep an eye on them. I don't trust anyone blindly.

I charged at the nearest walker growling at me, and found a little complication. The poor fellow was two inches taller than me, and had his hand extended in a grabbing motion, which limited my attack avenues. I wasn't sure I'd be able to hit him clean on the head, but I tried nevertheless, but I didn't use my ability.

*PAW*

Sure enough, I missed his head, hitting him on his upper chest instead, causing him to stagger backwards. I followed up with another swing, hitting him on the shoulder. He staggered and fell on his back. I took the opportunity to look at Glenn, drawing the other two's attention away from me, while Jim and Theodore were sprinting to reach us, having finished with their first target.

I unsheathed my big ass knife from its leather scabbard on my belt, and rushed towards the walker trying to get up. I used my weight, along with [Empowered Strike], plunging it straight to his forehead through his skull. 'Thank god for big ass knives…'

* Ding*

Several notifications popped up, but were automatically hidden. The system was smart enough to know that I was kinda busy right now.

Jim and Theodore were hitting another walker now, while Glenn was drawing the last one away. That's my new target. I charged at him again. Ideally, I'd want to use my knife thanks to its piercing power, but it needs something to block it from the other side, otherwise it wouldn't pierce. So I settled for my trusty bat. Two empowered bonks later, it was motionless on the ground.

I took out my knife and went to the victim of my teammates' bats, plunging it on their head to make sure. I remember too clearly the scene of Hershel walking by a 'dead' corpse, just for it to suddenly wake up and grab his leg, prompting them to amputate it.

I did the same for their first corpse as well. I didn't bother with mine, as I already had the EXP notification, so it was pretty dead. I was surprised that it didn't bother me much, thrusting my knife into the gory mess. Did I find it disgusting? Absolutely. But it wasn't on the level of affecting me physically. At most, I would say: 'Oh no, is that its brains? Ew… Anyway…'

"You're really something, man…" Theodore said, panting heavily. "You got my respect."

"Thanks." I was panting as well, I exerted a lot of efforts in the previous fight, sitting at 40 SP. If I meet another bunch of walkers, I'd probably run the other way. I was in no conditions to fight again. We waited a bit to catch our breath.

"I'll go call the others to come here. They must be worried sick." Glenn said, before he went away. Now, it was time to look at my notifications.

< 1 EXP Gained ! >

< 1 EXP Gained ! >

< Skill Gained! >

[Weapon Mastery: Bat. (Passive)] LVL 1

You find using bats as a weapon easier.

Increased damage when using a bat to hit your enemies.

Note: The effect extends to similar weapons.

< 5 EXP Gained ! >

< 1 EXP Gained ! >

< [Empowered Strike] has leveled up! >

[Empowered Strike. (Active)] LVL 2

Cost : 9 SP

Empower your next attack, increasing its speed and damage.

( Speed & Damage increase based on DEX and STR )

< 2 EXP Gained ! >

< Quest Complete : Raiding Atlanta City.

Description: You have convinced your teammates to go to Atlanta City. Use this opportunity to gain more resources and earn more experience.

*Requirements:

->Resources: None.

->Experience Gained: 10/10

*Rewards:

-> One Handed Axe

< Quest Changed. >

Title: Survive Atlanta City.

Description: Gather enough resources and leave Atlanta City.

*Requirements:

-> ???????

*Rewards:

-> ???????

<>

( Image Here )

I had to resist the urge to grin maniacally. I have made so much progress, just by fighting three zombies. It wasn't easy, it wasn't safe, but it was totally worth it. I earned a new skill, which I know is responsible for the 5 EXP gain, and upgraded my [Empowered Strike], which earned me more EXP and reduced the cost. It might not seem like much for now, but it was already a win in my books. The quest reward, however, is the best thing that came out of this.

Opening my inventory, I found out that the axe's icon was highlighted, and didn't take any inventory space. It seems that items gained through rewards go directly to an 'unlimited' inventory space, just in case my inventory was full, I'd guess. I'm not sure if it'll remain the case once I take it out, not that I could take it out right now in front of company, I'll have to make up some excuse about finding it later.