Chapter 5: A Deal of Survival
Jin's eyes locked onto the girl.
She was dirty, clearly exhausted, yet her hands clutched the metal pipe like her life depended on it—which it probably had, several times by now. The light from the cracked ceiling flickered, casting long shadows behind them.
His four controlled zombies stood still, silent and obedient.
She didn't look like a threat. But then again, nothing in this world was as it seemed anymore.
"You… You can really control them?" she asked again, more certain this time.
Jin shrugged, keeping his expression neutral. "Looks like it."
The girl took a hesitant step forward, lowering her pipe slightly. "I need your help. Please."
Jin crossed his arms. "With what?"
"There's a military base not far from here," she said quickly. "About six blocks south. It's hidden underground, and only a few people know the entrance. My brother was stationed there. If he's still alive… maybe there's still food, weapons, maybe shelter."
Jin raised an eyebrow. "Military base, huh? Sounds like a jackpot."
She nodded eagerly. "Take me there. Help me get inside. I'll give you something valuable in return."
His interest piqued. "Oh? And what would that be?"
The girl reached into the side pouch of her torn backpack and carefully pulled out a faintly glowing blue crystal—the kind Jin had risked his life to obtain just hours ago.
"A heart crystal," she whispered. "I… found it near an abandoned alley. I was going to use it, but…"
Jin stepped closer, curiosity in his eyes. "But what?"
Her hand trembled as she held it up. "I saw someone try to absorb one. He screamed—like his body was on fire. He collapsed, shaking, and his veins turned black. Then he… stopped moving."
"Dead?"
She nodded, terrified. "I was too scared to try it after that. I thought it would make me stronger, but…"
Jin took a deep breath.
He already knew why. The system had told him during his first absorption attempt:
"Normal humans have a chance to reject the crystal's power. Failure can result in death."
That's why absorbing one was a gamble for the average survivor. But not for him.
He had a system. It regulated the power, distributed the energy, and made sure his body didn't reject it. But he couldn't say any of that out loud.
If others knew about his system, they'd either try to use him or hunt him.
So he kept his face emotionless and replied, "So instead of using it yourself, you want to trade it for my help?"
She nodded quickly. "Yes. Please. Just help me reach that base."
Jin's mind was racing. Another crystal meant more power—and a step closer to survival. Maybe even dominance.
But he had to be cautious.
"Alright," he said after a moment. "Deal."
The girl's eyes lit up in relief. "Thank you…"
"Name?"
"Lena," she said. "I was with a group before… we got separated two days ago."
Jin nodded. "Call me Jin."
They left the mall under cover of night. The streets were deadly silent, but Jin wasn't afraid. His four controlled zombies—two standard walkers, one bruiser, and the recently-acquired stealth type—scouted the way ahead.
Lena walked close behind him, eyes darting at every noise.
"You've survived this long on your own?" Jin asked casually.
"I've been lucky," she replied. "But I won't last much longer by myself."
"You don't have to lie. Luck doesn't keep you alive out here."
She looked at him for a moment, then sighed. "I ran. Every time things went bad, I ran. My brother always said the military base was safe, that if anything ever happened, I should go there."
Jin nodded. "We'll find it."
After 30 minutes of cautious travel, they arrived at the outskirts of the hidden military zone.
Tall broken walls blocked the view of what used to be an armory, now a graveyard of rusted vehicles and broken tech. But Lena pointed toward a pile of debris.
"There," she said. "There's a hatch under those barrels."
Jin signaled his zombies to move the barrels. They obeyed silently.
Sure enough, a thick steel hatch lay underneath, half-covered in dirt. It looked untouched.
Lena moved forward to open it but stopped. "What if it's locked?"
Jin gestured, and his bruiser zombie slammed a fist down on the lock. It cracked open with a metallic snap.
Dust filled the air as the hatch creaked open.
They descended slowly.
The corridor below was dark, but clean—surprisingly clean. Emergency lights flickered weakly, and faint humming could still be heard through the walls.
"Someone's keeping the power running…" Lena whispered.
"Or it's on auto," Jin muttered. "Stay alert."
They explored room after room—barracks, supply closets, briefing rooms. They found a few sealed food packets and some water.
Then, in a locked security chamber, Jin found ammo cases, old military knives, a combat vest, and a rusted pistol with four rounds left.
"No guns for me," he said, taking the vest and a new combat knife. "But this'll help."
Lena gathered medical kits and a flashlight. Her hands were shaking, but her eyes were determined.
"This place is still secure," she said. "Maybe we can make this a base."
Jin nodded. "For now."
Then she reached into her pocket and held out the crystal.
"As promised," she said.
Jin took it, and the familiar system window opened:
[Heart Crystal – E Rank] Obtained
Absorb Now?
Jin didn't hesitate. "Yes."
The crystal dissolved in his palm, and once again, the warmth spread through him like fire—but this time, it was faster. His body pulsed with strength.
+3 Stat Points Gained.
System Level Up – +2 Bonus Stat Point.
[Jin – Zombie Controller]
• Strength: 7
• Agility: 7
• Intelligence: 8
• Luck: 4
• Control Slots: 4
• Stat Points: 2
He smiled inwardly, hiding his excitement.
"I'm getting stronger. And faster than any normal human ever could."
He distributed two more points into Strength and Intelligence, and saved the other two.
"System," he thought. "What's next mission?"
[Mission: Secure and Fortify a Permanent Shelter]
Reward: +1 Control Slot, +2 Bonus Stat Points
Perfect.
He turned to Lena, who sat on an old chair, eating half a protein bar. "You said your brother was here?"
She nodded slowly. "I don't know if he's alive… but I have to look. Even if I die doing it."
Jin said nothing. A part of him respected her courage. Another part reminded him: everyone's replaceable in the apocalypse.
Still, having someone like Lena around might be useful. She knew places. She was brave. And she trusted him.
That last part?
Dangerous.
That night, they set up in the control room. Jin ordered two zombies to patrol the upper floor. The bruiser stood at the stair entrance like a silent guardian.
As Lena slept for the first time in days, Jin stared at the ceiling.
His body felt stronger. His zombies obeyed without fail. His system was evolving with him.
But most of all… he was starting to like it—this power.
He wasn't just surviving anymore.
He was becoming something more.
End of Chapter 5
Want to continue with Jin exploring deeper into the military base with Lena—or have a rival "Controller" appear with stronger zombies?