The cold night settled over the city like a blanket of ash.
Jaden crouched beneath the collapsed overpass, the faint hum of his system glowing in his vision. Rare Lock #007 blinked steadily, the seal broken by the key fragment he'd fought so hard to get.
He took a deep breath and whispered, "Unlock #007."
The lock shimmered, then shattered open with a resonant click. A warm wave pulsed through Jaden's body, like electricity threading beneath his skin.
[#007 Unlocked]+3 Strength+2 EnduranceSkill Gained: Adrenaline Surge (Active – Lv. 1)Loot: Reinforced Combat Vest (Rare)
His muscles tingled as power flooded his limbs. He flexed, feeling the surge of strength — heavier, faster, tougher.
He reached down and pulled on the new vest, its fabric thick but surprisingly light, etched with armored plates. It fit perfectly, as if made for him.
"Level up," he muttered with a grim smile.
But the moment of calm shattered.
A guttural roar echoed through the streets.
Jaden's Danger Sense flared instantly.
"Get ready," he told Tess over their comms.
The ground trembled beneath their feet.
From the shadows emerged a monstrous shape—an elite zombie unlike any they'd seen.
It towered twice as tall as a man, muscles swollen and misshapen. Its skin was cracked and oozing, with jagged bone spikes jutting from its shoulders. A terrible, guttural growl vibrated through the air.
Jaden's heart pounded.
"Boss-level," he muttered.
The creature charged, its heavy steps shaking the ground. Jaden activated Adrenaline Surge, and a fierce heat spread through his veins, pushing him beyond his limits. His senses sharpened, his reflexes doubled.
He met the beast head-on.
His reinforced vest absorbed the first crushing blow that would have shattered ribs.
He slashed with his folding knife, aiming for the creature's exposed neck. The knife bit deep, drawing thick black blood.
The zombie roared in fury and swiped a massive claw toward Jaden.
He dodged, rolling aside just in time, the claw tearing through concrete where he'd been moments before.
"Keep it moving!" Tess shouted from behind.
She swung her crowbar and knocked a nearby zombie away as more of the infected poured out of the alleyways.
Jaden gritted his teeth and charged again.
Adrenaline Surge gave him strength and speed, but he knew it wouldn't last long.
He needed a plan.
As the creature lunged, Jaden aimed for its exposed spine, slashing repeatedly.
A metallic clink echoed.
Something on his vest activated—a hidden compartment slid open, revealing a compact taser.
He grabbed it and fired.
The creature convulsed, stunned for a split second.
That was enough.
Jaden rolled back, pulling out the Energy Drink he'd saved.
He downed it, feeling the buzz of energy flood his system again.
With renewed vigor, he launched himself at the beast.
This time, he used his environment—leading the creature into a narrow alley lined with rusted pipes.
It charged blindly.
Jaden dodged at the last second, and the creature slammed into the pipes, causing a chain reaction of collapsing metal.
Trapped and injured, the elite zombie howled in rage.
Jaden moved in for the final strike.
With a powerful slash, he severed its head clean off.
The massive body crumpled to the ground.
His System chimed triumphantly.
Lock #011 AcquiredBasic Lock (Unlocked)
Jaden exhaled sharply.
"Tess, you there?"
"Yeah. That was… intense," she said. "You okay?"
"Better than okay. Let's keep moving."
As they disappeared into the shadows, Jaden glanced down at his system stats:
Level: 3Strength: 10Endurance: 6Agility: 6Perception: 3
Skills:– Danger Sense (Passive – Lv. 1)– Sprint Boost (Active – Lv. 1)– Adrenaline Surge (Active – Lv. 1)
Inventory:– Reinforced Combat Vest (Rare)– Folding Knife (Uncommon)– Energy Drink (x1)– Bandage (x1)– Smoke Bomb (x1)
The world was darker than ever.
But Jaden Knightley was ready to face it.