Chapter 3

The butcher was highly skilled.

[You selected the butcher class. You obtained 3 vials of blood and the method to create blood vials.]

[Main tasks have been issued. Upon completing all main tasks, you will fully acquire this ability and retain the enhanced attributes. An additional ability will be granted upon completing the hidden task.]

Ethan didn't check the main task immediately but studied the specific abilities of the butcher.

[Blood Vial: Can absorb 100 points of damage and lasts for one day.]

[How to make a Blood Vial: Extract 1000 ml of blood from a creature and process it using special techniques.]

Ethan felt disgusted by the vials full of thick blood, curious about the collector's mindset and intentions.

Despite the gross factor, the effects were potent. Three vials could absorb 300 points of damage, while an ordinary pistol could inflict only 50 points. 

In other words, these vials could allow him to take six bullets without harm.

Moreover, considering the zombies outside were only capable of biting and scratching, the damage would be minimal.

Before the vials' effects wore off, Ethan wouldn't have to worry about being bitten or infected by the virus.

He then checked the main tasks.

[Main Tasks: 1. Survive for one year, 2. Kill 10,000 zombies, 3. Build a shelter for at least 100 people, 4. Kill 10 leader-level zombies, 5. Achieve an average attribute score of 100.]

[Special Tasks: 1. Develop an immune serum, 2. Rebuild a human base capable of restoring human civilization within a century.]

"The main missions aren't too difficult; surviving a year should be manageable. However, the special missions are complex, requiring significant manpower."

Ethan knew these special missions were challenging, but fortunately, they weren't mandatory.

After searching the room, Ethan realized there was no food. He needed to venture outside to find sustenance.

From the information in the room, it appeared the zombies had been active for three months, like a planned conspiracy that erupted globally. Not only humans but animals too were infected.

Even the military forces were affected, allowing these low-level monsters to overwhelm human society.

The flame of civilization was almost snuffed out, with only a few fortunate individuals surviving.

Watching the zombies downstairs resorting to eating grass and dirt, Ethan understood what he couldn't figure out while watching zombie movies: if no one consumed zombies, wouldn't they starve?

Evidently, they evolved into creatures capable of eating anything, even waste. Eating humans was merely a preference; eating dirt was a necessity.

Ethan found two fire axes in the hallway, one handheld and one strapped to his back. There were too many zombies, and the axe would dull with overuse.

For safety, Ethan used a Blood Vial before leaving the building.

A dark red shield enveloped his body, looking particularly eerie.

Ethan stepped outside, and the nearby zombies, smelling a living person, slowly turned towards him.

"The speed of these zombies is so slow."

Ethan couldn't help but comment, walking up to a zombie and casually decapitating it with the axe.

He felt indifferent, like killing monsters in a game.

[Zombie killed. The butcher class marks the species, increasing damage by 1%.]

[Zombie killed. The killer ability activates, granting Zombie Teeth.]

[Zombie Teeth: Increase damage and penetration by 1 point.]

"Not bad."

Ethan grinned. Although the boost was minor, the abundance of zombies was encouraging.

The death of one zombie seemed to incite the others, causing them to move faster. But to Ethan, they still seemed slow.

Bang, bang, bang—Ethan dispatched a small group of zombies with ease.

Thanks to the free attribute points from the killer ability, it was manageable for Ethan, despite his basic attributes.

Ethan kept his objective in mind—finding food and a new place to stay.

A large supermarket was conveniently nearby; he hoped it still had supplies after three months.

After more than ten minutes, Ethan reached the supermarket entrance.

The door was closed, and wandering zombies couldn't open it.

As Ethan approached, the zombies noticed him and started to move toward him.

Ethan cleared the zombies from the door area and inspected the entrance.

"It seems someone closed it deliberately. Are there other survivors inside?"

Looking up, Ethan saw a figure watching him.

"Hey, scram! This place is ours!"

A voice from inside the supermarket called out, trying to drive Ethan away.

But Ethan wasn't intimidated. If there were people inside, they probably had enough food.

Ethan assessed his inventory, noting he had killed at least fifty zombies along the way.

However, the killer ability wasn't guaranteed, activating only about ten percent of the time.

[Zombie Heart: Increases strength by 1;]

[Zombie Liver x2: Restores 1 life point per minute;]

[Zombie Ribs x2: Increases physical fitness by 1;]

These items were commonly dropped by zombies, and Ethan used them all.

Combined with the 5 strength points from the butcher class, Ethan's strength had reached 10 points, granting him the power to deliver at least a thousand pounds of force with a punch.

"Look, I just need some food. Give me a little, and I'll leave."

Ethan didn't want to resort to violence. He was willing to find another place if necessary.

But the person inside wasn't receptive, throwing a chair from the upper floor.

Ethan dodged but couldn't avoid the spit from the person.

"Who do you think you are, asking me for food?!"

The man's tone was hostile. In this apocalyptic world, food was precious—every morsel mattered.

Ethan wiped the disgusting spit from his face, swinging his fire axe at the door.

"You think your three points of strength can break down this mall door? Dream on!"

The man was confident the door would hold; it was a 20-centimeter-thick steel alloy door, capable of withstanding a car crash.

Ethan saw the shallow mark his axe left on the door and had to admit the door was sturdy.

Ignoring the man's taunts, Ethan left the supermarket.

If 10 strength points weren't enough, what about 20? Or 30?

Ethan headed to a nearby convenience store and searched the area.

He found a bottle of water and some bread that had been stepped on.

Fortunately, the bread was still wrapped and edible.

Ethan quickly consumed the food and water, regaining his strength to continue his zombie-killing spree.

One disturbing sight was the zombies devouring the recently killed one.

The scene was gruesome, but in a world where food was scarce, Ethan resisted the urge to vomit.