Dynamic

Hayashi looked at the option to use the [Pet Growth Item] and ultimately decided against doing so.

"No." He smirked, opening the System only to look at a timer.

"TIME UNTIL BROKEN DOWN: 00 DAYS: 03 HOURS: 40 MINUTES.

"Alright...the second timer seems to be on schedule. Time to go." Hayashi mumbled, picking up the cat and running into town. More zombies emerged but were quickly dispatched by Hayashi: armed with his [Hornet Emporer] slingshot. Looking through his inventory, he noticed an option for accessories noting his only accessories: An iPod, Headphones, and a boombox. He picked up the headphones and iPod.

Once picked, they materialize in his hand as if pulling it straight from his subspace.

"Equip?" Hayashi hesitantly questioned the System as the icons disappeared and the items appeared in an appropriate place.

"Nice." Hayashi scrolled through the iPod. It buzzed as he put in his request. He sprinted off to town: attempting to make it before sundown, letting Ni-Liv pick off those in the way.

PING!"

Ni-Liv Has leveled up LVL 4 >> LVL 5

"Mew!" The cat glowed and felt fuzzy for a moment before shaking and following Hayashi.

"It's kinda...Empty here. Maybe we can establish survivor camps around. After all, the zombie apocalypse is getting too easy."

Hayashi walks around nonchalantly before getting notified by the System.

"PING!"

Survive Zombie wave

Distance: 20 km

"Wow, just kill me and bury me alive, why don't you?" Hayashi turned on his heel and armed his slingshot with a <Stinger> round as he activated his abilities. His immediate surroundings shifted; green wind encompassed him.

[Elemental attunement]

[7 Element Channeling]

"Let's go!" he called out.

[Hunter's Footsteps]! (Speed)

Hayashi activated the skill, now moving faster. His body became lighter, and his feet barely touched the ground. Ni-Liv glowed with the same aura as they encountered the zombie wave made from E3 and E2 zombies, with a few weaker F3 mutants. A mutant stood above them.

"[Strong Shot]!" Hayashi's fingers gripped the pouch as he lined up his shot. However, two figures leap into the way. Their shots draw attention with a loud "CLANG!" A woman's feet touched the ground, and a boy ran to her side, her charge presumably.

"Sorry, Kid; these guys are ours!" The woman said, now pulling up a mask, lowering her body to an almost squat; her body tensed before she launched into the air. The boy, standing behind her, lifted his shield and bore the brunt force. The impact pushed the boy back. His knees buckled under the pressure.

His shield should've bounced the attack off.

The D1 mutant snarled, rearing its head. The boy seemed only armed with a shield as he guarded the woman against damage.

The skill and precision the boy exercised spoke to his proficiency. Hayashi supported them from long range with [Strong Shot] while irritating the woman.

"[Strong Shot]!" Hayashi's shots at the weaker zombies ran through them and effortlessly offed them.

"[Arcane Shield]!" The kid said, defending the woman.

"[Arcane Star]!" The woman throws a shuriken that cuts through the zombies' legs. The imbalance makes them fall and crack their own skulls.

"Thanks, Kid!" The woman looked toward Hayashi while waving.

Hayashi gives them a thumbs up before the woman with a mask gets kicked by the D1 mutant. She made no move to completely dodge or ascend, simply taking a step back to reduce impact.

She's the [Shinobi] Class, and that boy is the [Defender] Class! Hayashi analyzed as the boy went over to his guardian.

"[Arcane Shield]!"

The kid spoke as his mother was recovering from the kick. It looked like it hurt, but she shook it off or attempted to. Hayashi noticed how she was holding her side.

"T-Thanks...kid...No...Minato..." The woman said, air getting back into her lungs.

"Ni-Liv! Come on!"

[Eye of the Hunter]

[Elemental Attunement]

[7 Element Channeling]

[Hunter's Footsteps] (Speed)!

[Chain Rush]!"

Hayashi activated multiple skills at once, now speeding past the woman and child with Ni-Liv. Hayashi's body acts as a barrier to the attacking horde.

"Kid! Hurry and get her outta here!" Hayashi yelled at the kid who was just standing there. He nodded, his damaged shield still armed while the woman limped away with him.

Hayashi noticed his attack was blocked by a blade.

"Rank D1 mutant, Swordsman..." Hayashi said as his weapon stopped glowing, "I didn't expect to face you so soon...Ni-Liv! Attack!"

"MEOW!" The companion ran behind the D1. His claws attacked quickly, aided by the wind effect. This time the green wind coated its claws and whipped out into a projectile-based attack.

"PING"

COMPANION SKILL UNLOCKED:

[Syncro-Syphen](LVL1)

A shriek of agony erupted from the mutant; a gash marred its skin from shoulder to waist along its back. The victory was short-lived as the enraged mutant made a gash of its own on Hayashi's arm, followed by a quick punch. The air was pushed out of him almost instantly.

The wound opened, and blood spewed out at an alarming rate. Hayashi's sleeve is in tatters and stained red.

"Not cool! Ugh!" Hayashi winced in pain as he got up and steadied himself. The monster was now interested in Ni-Liv. Hayashi readied his slingshot; a shock of pain ran up his arm. He clenched his teeth and pulled back.

"Opportunity...[Strong Shot]!" Hayashi fires a wind-enhanced <Stinger> round at the mutant right into one of the claw mark gashes on its back. Another shriek in pain in response. The monster threw off Ni-Liv to attack Hayashi.

"That's it, idiot! Follow me!" The aura around Hayashi changed to a light blue as the element on his chest changed to a lightning bolt.

[Chain Rush]

His ability activated, his body becoming supercharged. While the swordsman lowered his blade and pulled his wrists up to lift the sword's edge towards Hayashi. It didn't do damage as Hayashi simply avoided the attack.

The swordsman tried again. This time Hayashi held the blade catching it with the arch of his slingshot. His vision blurred, and his arm felt odd.

They're numb. Fuck.

[Shinobi-Art: Shuriken Storm]

The words were music to Hayashi's ears. The woman tossed what seemed to be black mist. It ebbed and blocked the sun. The mirage drew the attention of the mutant. Hayashi wasn't a fool and ran for where the voice had come from.

"[Razor Shield]!

[Shield Bash]!"

The kid tried to copy what Hayashi did while using multiple skills at once and ran towards the sword-swinging mutant. The block was successful, even reflecting the damage done. The shock created a stunning effect disabling the mutant's arm. The mutant noticed and shot off a kick that broke the shield, launching the child back.

"Good job, kid! I'll make you a new shield when I get back to base!" Hayashi shouted at the kid and seemed proud of him as Ni-Liv stepped in front of the boy. "Now, let us take care of the rest! Ni-Liv!

[Chain Rush!]"

The aura changed once again. This time an orange ambiance coated his body. The symbol now changed to a mountain symbolizing the earth.

"Mew!" The cat attacked with its claws again. It had black stripes across its body and face. A symbol similar to a trident was adorned on its forehead. Ni-Liv aimed at the sword that the mutant carried as the swordsman swung its blade. Only for Ni-Liv to cut it in half; a new skill revealed itself.

PING!

COMPANION MOVE UNLOCKED:

PLATIUM CLAW

"Nice skills Ni-Liv!" Hayashi complimented his companion.

Hayashi ripped off his sleeves. They were bloodied and the literal definition of dirty, but he had no choice. Hayashi turned his arm, assessing what kind of bandage was necessary. He raised his shirt collar to his mouth and lifted his arm. Hayashi bandaged himself just above the highest gash.

Once his finger managed to fasten it, he put one edge of the bandage in his mouth and held the other tightly to make it as tight as possible.

He let himself lie down and breathe for a moment before rolling onto his stomach and getting up slowly. He paid attention to his breathing as he made his way to rejoin the battle.

He peeled the bark off a tree and scooped dirt into his palm. He coupled it with his skill.

[Create Munitions]

Several pellets rematerialized in his hand from his materials.

[Elemental Attunement]

The Earth symbol glowed orange as the pellets were replaced. His aura disappeared, but it clung tightly to his weapon.

"[STRONG SHOT]!"

The shot pellet glowed before being reshaped into a spearhead. The spearhead followed the path that Hayashi's pellet would've.

Its armor shattered on impact. It didn't stop until the mutant was hit with an attack that seemed to explode on contact. The mutant fell panting as it drew its last breath.

"Mew..." The cat meowed at Hayashi, licking his face as the woman approached with the child.

"PING!"

Mission: Survive the Zombie wave- Complete! Rewards: +500 XP and Skill: Arcane: Snipe, Defeated the zombie wave!-

Bonus:

Modification Menu

Defeated the D1 Mutant: Hulking Swordsman!

Armor Piercer Set!

"PING!"

You have created a new skill; Would you like to name it?

"Thank you, sir, you were a great help..." The woman said, looking at the boy who smiled at him. She held the boy's shoulder, pulling them both into a bowing position.

"No, Thank you. You were a huge help," Hayashi told the woman before moving to the child. He extended his arm to the boy and patted his head. "And you too, kid. You're a brave boy."

"T-Thank you..." the teen accepted the head pat from Hayashi before he got up. "Let's divvy up the rewards now.

[Harvest]!"

Hayashi harvested the mutant, and the resource orbs were instantly stockpiled. They revealed a sword, some iron, and some armor that could be equipped.

"C-Can you let Noona have the sword, Sir...?" Minato asked Hayashi as he looked at it.

"Of course, kid here. I'll take the armor, and the kid can take the [Iron]." He handed the woman the sword by the flat of the blade.

"Wait, that's not fair: What's he supposed to do with some pieces of [Iron]?"

"Simple," Hayashi took the iron ingots in hand to craft a new shield for the boy. "Please watch closely.

[Eye of the Hunter]!

[Elemental Attunement]!

[7 Element Channeling]

[Create Arms]!"

Hayashi said as a light shone from the iron ingots. Hayashi sacrificed 2x [Leather] from his inventory to create a [Light Buckler] with the same design as the rough shield but with extra benefits from the skills he just used.

He handed the shield to the boy.

It was lighter, more durable, had elemental Resistance, and excellent <<Mana>> conductivity from the inside. Magical Resistance on the outside and one skill known as [Divine Miror] was inscribed into the shield rand.

"Woah...You made him a new shield... Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" The woman hopped up and down and smothered him.

"Those asshole Blacksmiths in the town wanted to harass me if they were to make a new shield for Minato! You have no idea how much this means!" The woman hugged the grey-haired boy a bit too much to the point his body went slack

"Is this real...?" Minato poked the shield with a stick, activating the shield's ability.

[Reroute]

The stick snapped instantly from touching the shield, and the fragments shot back at the boy with twice the force.

"Mhm, Take good care of it, travelers," Hayami gestured to his arm, "I should be on my way," Hayashi said. Now, picking up Ni-Liv and his armor. Hayashi deposited them all into his subspace.

"Wait! Can you take us to your camp, please?" The woman begged Hayashi while still holding her side.

"Your name?" he asked.

"Huh?" She seemed confused.

"I'm asking for your name." Hayashi pressed.

"Inoue Chiyo...And this kid is Yoshida Minato..."

"Mew!" the kitten joined in: putting its paw in the air for Minato to shake.

"Kitty!" Minato dropped to his knees and pet the companion.

Now that Minato was closer, I could see him better. He had platinum brown hair that was slicked back with three spiked points at the front. He had a thin frame and a smile that shined like the sun. He was young but not naive: probably early teens. 14?

Hayashi's gaze turned to Chiyo. Chiyo looked a bit older than Minato. Maybe in her 20's? She had orange hair and auburn brown eyes, her suit makes her look like an empress if you put her in a ninja suit. She wore a well fit suit with two parts and thin chainmail inside with a leather waistbag strapped to her, it seemed to be where she kept her throwing weapons.

His gear consisted of a white tee-shirt and a jeans jacket that seemed a little big on him. He had jeans and grey sneakers. Leather straps crossed his chest for his shield holster. His lower arms looked thicker than the rest of his arms, as did his upper legs. The bulge was created by some sort of padding. Cotton? Wool? Hayashi made a mental note to see if he could replace it with Sorbothane from the base.

Hayashi's gaze turned to Chiyo. Chiyo looked a bit older than Minato. Maybe in her 20's? She had orange hair and auburn brown eyes, her suit was fitted, but the sleeves looked looser. It was a dark red that was accented with black undersides. Her gear was complete with a bag at her waist; presumably to house her throwing weapons.

"I'm Hayashi. That's my partner and pet, Ni-Liv. Come on, let's get to the base. We'll decide what to do after we recover from our wounds." Hayashi offered to pick up Chiyo; she declined, of course. Saying she didn't want to burden him any further. Minato picked up Ni-Liv, petting him as he trailed behind.

"Mew!" The cat meows, pulling itself out of Yoshida's arms: earning an upset sight from the boy. Ni-Liv walked beside Hayashi as they made it to a landmark a few meters before they reached base.

"Want to take a break or keep going?" Hayashi asked the two, now stopping dead in his tracks while staring at a zombie with its back turned.

"Break!" Yoshida said, now sitting down on the ground and sighing in relief

"Break..." Chiyo looked pale. Her voice was quiet and hoarse when she spoke and had been progressively quieter.

"Ni-Liv?" Hayashi looked at the cat

"Meow!" The cat sits down, only staring at Hayashi, who takes out his slingshot and shoots a nearby zombie in the head, killing it instantly.

"Okay, let's rest here." Hayashi takes out a little bit of food from his inventory, a few sandwiches: [Tamago Sando] [Katsu Sando] and [Fish Sando]

"Let's Eat!" Chiyo said as Hayashi took the fish sando, pulling a piece for Ni-Liv to eat. The companion pounced on it immediately, purring loudly. Chiyo took the [Katsu Sando] and gave the Tamago Sando to Yoshida, who also hungrily began to eat.

TO BE CONTINUED...