Chapter 32

- Xenon -

I chose a random direction, really. I had no idea where I was going, but it doesn't really that much. With the map constantly updating itself, I can't possibly get lost. I drove by a few walkers, and even though some of them were in the middle of the street, I managed to go around them. I met quite a few, though I didn't have the the misfortune to stumble upon a big hoard. At most some stragglers, groups of five walkers.

However, the sound of my car would eventually star drawing them more and more, so I had to prepare for the eventuality that I might face a big hoard soon enough. Worst case scenario, I find another way to go back to camp.

At one point, I noticed a walker in blue uniform, a policewoman from the looks of it. I stopped my car, took out my hatchet, and went to greet her. She probably had a weapon on her I could use, so I'm not missing on the occasion.

On second thought, I didn't use the hatchet, but brought out the throwing knife. I need to try out just how effective my knife throwing is against a real walker. There were three of them in the immediate vicinity I should be worried about, but I could deal with three measly walkers, hmph.

When I reached the ten meters mark, I took my aim and shot the first knife. It hit her right on the nose, but it didn't kill it. It was stuck, alright, but it wasn't of any use to me.

I backed off right away and tried aiming for the eye-socket next. I missed it on the first throw, my knife zooming into the distance, hitting a wall and falling on the ground. I took aim again, this time, I did managed to hit it right in the eye, but it still didn't kill it.

I took aim again at its other eye, but I used [Empowered Strike] in tandem with my throw, resulting in a much higher force. And the result was immediate, as soon as the knife burried itself in her eye, it fell down to the ground dead.

'So, ten meters is manageable, but I have to use my skill and aim for the eyes to penetrate their skull. Good to know.'

I had 16 throwing knives left, so I had to do more tests. I aimed for the forehead this time. It turns out I need to decrease the distance to around six meters with [Empowered Strike] to kill them. The knife couldn't penetrate through their foreheads without empowering it, so I will have to spend extra stamina every time.

< 1 EXP Gained ! >

< 1 EXP Gained ! >

< 1 EXP Gained ! >

After offing the other two, I collected my beloved knives and cleaned them on their relatively dirty clothes, then checked the policewomen for anything on her. She didn't have her service weapon, regrettably. I assumed she had been using it before she was bitten, and dropped it to the ground when the biters were on her. I did find a walkie talkie on her, which I gladly took, along with her gun holster. I might find one later, so you never know. I drove off after.

- 20 minutes later -

I was going at a low speed, because the higher the speed on this stupid pickup, the more noise it makes. I'll have to get rid of it as soon as possible.

I noticed a bar in the corner, and decided to make another stop. Though, there was a little issue with that idea, namely the eight walkers roaming about the place. They weren't huddled up, so I was fine for the most part. I parked my car right in the middle of the street, and got out.

Now, I could easily manage them if I used successive [Empowered Strikes], because of how much SP I had, but its toll on the body was not to be underestimated, especially when used in close succession. So, while it should be a walk in the park for me with my knife throwing skills, I tried not to abuse it, switching between hatchet and knives each time, using the car as a cover to block the walkers I didn't want to face.

< 8 EXP Gained ! >

< [Proficiency: Knife Throwing. (Passive)] has leveled up! >

[Proficiency: Knife Throwing. (Passive)] LVL 4

Increase the speed and damage of your throws.

<>

Okay… I'm sensing a pattern here… the first time I've leveled up [Empowered Strike], it was when fighting zombies, even though I had been using the skill for a while. And I am absolutely certain I threw more than 500 knives before I got to level 3 in knife throwing… How come it's leveled so fast when I used it to kill a few zombies? The only theory my mind supplied was that skills gain more experience when used in live combat.

Now, the reason I stopped behind the bar is very simple: movies. I can't count the number of times I've seen a bartender pull a gun from behind the counter, so it's safe to assume every bar has one, right? I don't have much to lose by checking anyway.

I tried open the door, but it was clearly closed. I could break the glass on the frame and make my entry, but it's going to make too much noise. I'd rather put my trusty crowbar to use, even if it will take more time.

I eventually got it open, even if it took my five minutes, mainly to get used to it. The bar was thankfully empty, since it was closed when I found it. And so, I began searching the whole place for anything of use to me.

I wasn't particularly interested in drinking alcohol: I was a control freak, and having my body out of my control for however long doesn't sit well with me, so I would be surprised in myself if I ever drank any. But I still took a single bottle with me, in case I needed it to disinfect a wound. I didn't have much meds with me, I had no chance to take any without them noticing. I started looking under the counter, I found a few drawers, and thankfully, one of them did contain a pump action shotgun, along with a box with twenty ammunition. As far as I was concerned, this stop was already a huge success. I put them both in my inventory, from now on, I'm keeping a firearm there just in case, though I'll try to replace it with a handgun if I find any. I did make sure to load it before, so it could be ready to fire once I pull it out.

This wasn't a pub, I couldn't see any food on the menu, except from some light snacks. I found some crisps, cookies and similar sweet or salty snacks, which I took with me. It wouldn't do to leave them here, would it?