While resting, Ying Jue explained how she had obtained the staff she used. Apparently, some zombies and monsters dropped different treasures in the form of orbs that needed to be squeezed to release the items.
Luckily, Zaid had already collected the four red orbs he had found so far. One by one, he gently squeezed each orb, watching as they pulsed with faint light and dissolved, revealing the treasures hidden inside.
[Black Coat (Common Treasure): A coat that covers the upper body. It can stop small-caliber bullets. When equipped, Strength +3, Agility +3.]
[Crimson Boots (Common Treasure): Red boots, extremely durable, easy to wear, and automatically adapt to the body. When equipped, Agility +5.]
[Black Scythe (Common Treasure): A sleek black scythe with a cold gleam. Its blade can cut through bone and steel alike. Grants +4 Strength and +6 Magic when equipped.]
[Shadow Veil Ring (Common Treasure): A black metal ring with a violet gem embedded in its center. When equipped, Mana +8 and Agility +4. Grants a passive skill: Shadow Veil – briefly conceals the user's presence when standing still.]
After equipping all the treasures, Zaid sat down and shared the snacks and water he had gathered with Ying Jue and Wei Jun. The quiet moment, however brief, felt like a breath of peace amid the chaos.
Once everyone had caught their breath, they pressed on. The three humans walked in the center of a tightly packed formation, surrounded by twenty skeleton soldiers—Zaid's summoned protectors. With each step closer to the gymnasium, the air grew heavier. The number of zombies and mutated beasts increased drastically. The clashes became more frequent. The blood on the pavement grew thicker.
Then he saw her.
Amid the chaos stood a zombie, shambling like the others—but Zaid's heart stopped.
Her.
Long dark hair, now matted with dirt and blood. A familiar face, dulled by death but still burned into his memory.
"So… that's where you were," Zaid murmured, voice tight and low, eyes filled with a sorrow that made his chest ache.
Ying Jue, who had been scanning the area for threats, glanced at him, noticing the sudden shift in his expression. "Did you… did you know her?"
Zaid didn't look away. He nodded slowly. "Yeah. She was my crush. I'd finally worked up the courage to ask her out… and she'd said yes." His voice wavered. "We were going to meet up tomorrow. For our first date."
Ying Jue's face softened. Even Wei Jun fell quiet, his grip tightening on his blade.
"Obviously… that can't happen now."
Zaid lifted his hand, commanding the skeletons to open a path for him. Silently, they stepped aside, forming a corridor through the formation. The world seemed to grow quieter around him as he stepped forward, each footfall echoing in his ears.
His heart thudded painfully against his ribs. He didn't want this. But he couldn't look away. He had to finish it.
She turned toward him, drawn by the sound. Her eyes—once warm and full of life—were now hollow and dead.
Zaid raised the scythe, its edge gleaming like midnight. He clenched the handle until his knuckles turned white.
He swallowed hard.
A part of him begged for her to remember. To say something. To hesitate. But there was nothing left of the girl he had liked—only a shell moved by hunger.
"…I'm sorry, Sun Yin."
He surged forward and ended it with one slash of the scythe decapitating her and ending the fight.
[You have absorbed the Soul Power of Level 18 Sun Yin, Strength+12]
After killing Sun Yin Zaid noticed a scroll appear on her body
[Iron Body (first order passive skill): Strength+20, Health+30]
After Zaid learned the skill they continued to head toward the gym.
Current status:
[Zaid El-Amin -Level: 15 Race: Human Job: None Title: None Strength: 85 / Agility: 75 / Health: 120 / Stamina: 70 / Mana: 250 / Magic: 230
free stat points: 30 Skills:Active: Skeleton Summoning Passive: Iron Body]