The deafening bang against the dormitory door echoed through the silent hallway.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Each impact shook the wooden door as dust drifted from the ceiling.
Hunter tightened his grip around the Beginner Tyrant Blade. Although he had only held the weapon for a few seconds, it felt strangely familiar, as if it had always belonged in his hands. Crimson patterns glowed faintly along its dark blade, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat.
His breathing slowed.
The fear that had nearly consumed him moments ago had faded. In its place was an unfamiliar calm.
[Passive Skill Activated: Tyrant Aura.]
[Fear Resistance Increased.]
[Mental Stability Improved.]
Hunter looked toward the barricaded entrance.
Three monsters were scratching at the door, letting out low growls that sounded more like wild beasts than humans.
His enhanced senses allowed him to hear every movement.
They weren't alone.
At least seven more zombies were wandering the hallway.
He glanced at the status screen once more.
Hunter
Level: 1
Race: Half Human / Half Tyrant
Health: 100/100
Energy: 100/100
System Points: 100
His fingers trembled slightly.
"I have to fight..."
Running forever wasn't an option.
His parents were still somewhere in the city.
If he remained weak, he would never reach them.
Hunter inhaled deeply before pushing the heavy desk away from the door.
The banging immediately intensified.
The wooden frame cracked.
Splinters flew across the room.
With one final impact...
CRASH!
The door burst open.
The first zombie stumbled inside.
Its face was covered in dried blood, and half of its jaw had been ripped away. Dark veins covered its entire body while its crimson eyes locked onto Hunter.
A translucent screen appeared above the monster.
Mutated Zombie
Race: Infected Human
Level: 1
Threat Rank: F
Health: 50/50
Skills: Infectious Bite
Weakness: Head
"So the system can identify monsters..."
The zombie roared and lunged.
Hunter instinctively sidestepped.
Its claws narrowly missed his chest before smashing into the wall.
Without hesitation, Hunter swung his blade.
Slash!
The sword cut cleanly through the zombie's shoulder.
Black blood splattered across the floor.
The monster screeched but continued attacking.
It felt no pain.
Hunter quickly retreated.
"So even if I injure them..."
"They won't stop."
The second zombie entered the room.
Then the third.
Three against one.
Hunter's heartbeat accelerated.
His hand instinctively reached toward the glowing icon inside his status window.
Monster Mode.
He didn't hesitate.
"Activate."
A crimson shockwave erupted from his body.
Dark-red energy wrapped around his muscles like burning flames.
His eyes turned scarlet.
Black markings spread across his arms and neck.
An overwhelming pressure filled the room.
Monster Mode Activated.
All Base Attributes +200%
Pain Resistance Increased.
Predatory Instinct Enhanced.
Duration: 15 Minutes
Hunter disappeared.
No...
He moved so quickly that the zombies couldn't react.
Boom!
His fist smashed into the first zombie's head.
The skull exploded like glass.
The headless corpse collapsed instantly.
Level 1 Zombie Eliminated.
Experience +20
System Points +10
The second zombie attacked from behind.
Hunter turned effortlessly.
His Tyrant Blade flashed.
The zombie's body split into two.
Experience +20
The third monster roared before charging recklessly.
Hunter stepped forward instead.
One clean slash.
Its head rolled across the floor.
Experience +20
Silence returned.
Hunter stared at the three corpses lying before him.
His breathing remained perfectly steady.
Monster Mode had transformed him into something terrifying.
He wasn't just stronger.
He had become a natural predator.
Then...
The corpses began dissolving.
Black mist rose from each body before converging into three crimson crystals.
The system chimed.
Blood Essence Detected.
Would the Host like to absorb it?
Hunter hesitated.
The crystals looked strangely beautiful.
Yet instinct told him they were meant for him.
He reached out.
The moment his fingers touched the first crystal, it dissolved into crimson light.
Warm energy flooded his body.
Blood Essence Absorbed.
Strength +1
Energy +5
The second crystal vanished.
Speed +1
The third followed.
Perception +1
Hunter's eyes widened.
"So I can grow stronger by killing monsters..."
A smile slowly formed on his face.
This wasn't just survival.
This was evolution.
Suddenly...
A scream echoed from somewhere below.
"Help!"
The voice belonged to a young woman.
Hunter rushed toward the broken window and looked into the university courtyard.
More than twenty zombies surrounded three students.
A young man was desperately swinging a metal pipe while protecting two girls behind him.
He was already exhausted.
One zombie bit into his shoulder.
He screamed in agony.
The two girls cried helplessly.
Hunter clenched his fists.
He had already witnessed enough people dying today.
He wouldn't ignore them.
Even if saving them was dangerous.
The system suddenly displayed another notification.
Emergency Side Mission
Save at least one survivor.
Reward:
• Random Skill Book
• 200 Experience
• 50 System Points
Failure:
No Penalty
Hunter smiled faintly.
"So even the system wants me to save them."
He grabbed three healing potions and placed them inside his storage space.
Then he looked toward the hallway.
Nearly a dozen zombies were wandering outside.
His Monster Mode still had over ten minutes remaining.
Hunter slowly raised his Tyrant Blade.
A murderous aura erupted from his body.
For the first time since the apocalypse began...
He chose to hunt.
Instead of waiting for monsters to find him...
The monsters would become his prey.
As he stepped into the bloodstained hallway, every zombie within sight turned toward him.
Hunter didn't retreat.
He charged forward.
The hunt had officially begun.