It wasn't his first time seeing this high-tier abomination.
The Licker Zombie's elongated tongue flickered as if it was tasting the air. Its half-exposed brain pulsed steadily and it was a very outrageous proof of the virus's cruelty.
'The previous Licker Zombie I encountered doesn't have this feature... Did he get injured, which made its brain visible?' Shane thought, as if he couldn't help but feel that having an exposed brain would make things a lot easier for them.
Nonetheless, this virus was definitely incredible. If it was a human with an exposed brain, they should definitely be incapable of surviving for a prolonged period even if they were Survivors with higher stats.
'I hope this will be quick...' Shane thought as he felt the presence of other Zombies moving to his location.
Shane drew his weapon once again, his Legendary Hatchet... It was an incredibly light weapon with unparalleled sharpness among his weapons. It was also short and perfect for combat in tight spaces.
Well, he couldn't really use his firearms in this tunnel as he might pass out from the soundwave that would follow after. Although he had incredible strength, he didn't want to try testing his limit while he was here alone.
Soon, the Licker Zombie pounced on him, which was quite surprising... He thought it would just use its tongue like the other Licker Zombie and use it like a whip.
Anyway, Shane just sidestepped and avoided the attack like normal. However, he struck with his hatchet, slicing a part of its shoulder in the process. No weapon skill was involved, just a quick hack of his weapon!
The Licker screeched, its barbed tongue rushed towards Shane!
Bang!
Shane managed to deflect this attack with the flat side of his hatchet and this tongue hit the wall of the tunnel instead!
The mine's walls trembled from the impact!
Shane stepped back a couple of times but his eyes remained on the Licker Zombie... Then, in an instant, its elongated tongue flickered...
In a blink of an eye, its whip-like tongue was slashing at him!
Whoosh~
Perhaps, Shane's Survival Instincts kicked in as he was able to sense it coming and its direction!
He then used his Phantom Dash!
This Skill used a bit of his Spirit Points, but he didn't care!
His body blurred, almost ethereal.
The tongue missed by a hair's breadth...
'You're still too slow!' Shane then reappeared behind the creature, his hatchet arcing downward.
The blade bit into the Licker's spine, but it twisted, its carapace deflecting the blow!
'So tough?!' Shane was surprised as he realized how strong Shinja was since he was capable of cutting this Zombie with much ease.
Nonetheless, the fight wasn't over yet.
Survival Instincts surged as he sensed that Licker Zombie's attempts to kill him.
Shane sidestepped, avoiding the Licker's second tongue!
'This... You can do that? Are you a Licker Leader Zombie or something?!' Shane was shocked seeing this second tongue that could've killed him if not for his Survival Instinct and Danger Sense working together!
He didn't really expect that to happen!
After taking a safe distance, Shane circled, waiting for an opening.
He was worried that there would be a third tongue although it was unlikely.
Suddenly, the creature moved again, its two tongues snapping.
Shane then used his Horizontal Slash, a Survivor Skill that used some of his Spirit Points!
Bang!
Soon, however, Shane's A.I. Cloud had detected something—a faint signal amidst the chaos.
[ Three Human Survivors found. ]
[ They are fighting against ten Spitter Zombies. ]
They also somehow sensed his presence!
"Sir! Please help us!"
"Is there anyone there?! We're already too tired... Please help us!"
"You can take all our belongings! Just help us and allow us to see another day!"
"Sir! Please! We've been fighting here for several hours! We're trapped!"
Shane then took a deep breath and decided to use his injector!
[ Adrenaline Injector ( Rare ): An emergency syringe filled with a potent mix of stimulants and pain suppressants. When injected, it boosts stamina and temporarily enhances combat abilities by 300% for 10 minutes. ]
Since he was also tired right now, he had no other choice but to use this... Furthermore, it would be safer for him since even if the trapped Survivors betrayed him, he would be able to kill them as well!
After using the Injector and confirming that it's effect had taken place, he Phantom Dashed!
The Spitter Zombies noticed him and attacked him!
However, their acidic projectiles were missing by inches. Shane spun, his hatchet cleaving through bodies!
One down. Two down. The third Spitter screeched, its bodily fluids spraying everywhere!
"Run! They will explode!" Shane reminded...
He then continued to eliminate the remaining Zombies!
He sidestepped, avoiding another attack from the Zombies!
His hatchet continued slashing and another creature collapsed.
And then he saw them—the other survivors. Their backs were against the wall, surrounded by two other Spitter Zombies!
Shane charged but he was too far!
He had no choice but to throw his hatchet in an arc!
Bang!
The Spitters screeched as they both got hit by Shane's hatchet, their acidic spit splashing everywhere!
"Get behind me!" Shane shouted as he knew that all the SPitter Zombies were about to explode!
Luckily, they all obeyed, and he formed a circle behind him!
Boom!
A powerful explosion occurred as 7 or so Spitter Zombies exploded all at once!
Thankfully, Shane Aura Protection was strong enough to withstand the blow! However, it ate up over 2,000 Spirit Points to protect everyone!
"There are still remaining zombies!" Shane noticed three more Spitter Zombies still alive after the explosion...
However, these three were no longer a problem for him...
He swiftly picked up and used his hatchet to eliminate them.
When the last Spitter Zombie fell, Shane wiped his brow...
'That's harder than I thought...'