Chapter 1: Awakened Undead: Zorvax’s New Reality

Chapter 1: Awakened Undead: Zorvax's New Reality

In the remains of what used to be a bustling city, Zorvax jogged alongside his group, trying to keep up. The night sky was clouded, and the faint glow from the hidden moon cast long, strange shadows across the cracked pavement.

The streets were silent except for the distant groans of the undead, which seemed to come from every direction at once. Zorvax panted lightly, his breathing nowhere near as laboured as one would expect in such a situation. He kept a steady pace beside Brock, Sera, and Alicia, who seemed to be handling the whole end-of-the-world scenario with a bit more grace, thanks to their special abilities.

They turned into an alley, the buildings around them squeezing the space tight. The noise of the undead became louder, a soft but persistent reminder of the danger they were in.

Brock, a tall guy with a knack for taking charge, glanced back at Zorvax with a half-smile. "Hey, Zorvax, pace yourself, buddy," he said, the tone of his voice friendly but with an edge of teasing. "We don't want you burning out on us now."

Sera, with her eyes that could see as clear as day even in the dim light, added, "Yeah, we got enough to deal with without carrying you."

Alicia flicked her fingers, and small flames danced across her fingertips. "You're doing great, just try and keep up," she encouraged, her voice was soft but firm.

Zorvax felt a twinge of annoyance at their comments but tried to shrug it off. "I'm doing my best here," he said, a little out of breath. "Don't worry about me."

Their journey continued, with the occasional zombie appearing from a shadowed doorway or behind a trash can, only to be dispatched by one of the group's awakened members. Zorvax could only watch, feeling a mix of gratitude and uselessness.

"Guys, can we slow down a bit?" Zorvax asked after a while, wiping sweat from his brow.

Brock stopped and turned, putting a hand on Zorvax's shoulder with a surprising gentleness. "Look, Zorvax, you know we can't do that," he said, his voice almost apologetic. "The dead are right on our tail."

Sera peered into the darkness, her eyes focusing on something Zorvax couldn't see. "We don't have time for this," she said matter-of-factly.

Alicia stepped forward, her eyes meeting Zorvax's. "We have to keep moving, but don't worry, we'll help you through this," she reassured him, though the flicker of her flames seemed to cast doubt on her words.

Their conversation was cut short when a small group of zombies emerged from a side street. The group acted quickly, with Brock and Sera taking the front. Alicia held back, her flames ready as she whispered to Zorvax, "Stay close to me."

Zorvax felt a surge of gratitude towards her and nodded, staying close. He didn't have their strength or powers, but he wasn't going to give up. He fought alongside them, swinging a broken pipe he'd picked up. Ne/w novel chapters are published at novelhall.com

The fight was chaotic, with groans and the sound of blows landing on rotting flesh. Zorvax managed to hold his own until, out of nowhere, a shove from behind sent him stumbling forward. It was Brock, looking over his shoulder with a mix of frustration and urgency.

"Sorry, Zorvax, but we gotta move!" Brock shouted over the noise.

Zorvax regained his balance and pushed forward, the circle of zombies closing in around them. He threw a look back at his companions, a silent plea in his eyes, but they were already turning away, leaving him behind.

"Wait!" he called out, his voice cracking.

"We can't!" Sera called back, her figure receding into the darkness.

Despite the grotesque transformation of his vocal cords, the screen before him reacted, pulsing gently as if in recognition of its viewer.

Within the muddled remains of his mind, Zorvax felt a surge of something like hope. Could this screen, this 'Zombolution System,' be the key to shedding the fetters of his zombified state?

"Evolution Points," he rasped, his voice sounding like the dragging of chains. "If you're my ticket to... to something more, then I'm not giving up."

The screen responded once more, providing Zorvax with options that were seemingly interactive:

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[Evolve]

[Check Stats]

[Exit]

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With a mental nudge, Zorvax selected "Check Stats." The screen changed, displaying a list that detailed his current attributes:

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[Name: Zorvax]

[Race: Zombie]

[Level: 0]

[Ability: Pain Immunity]

[Evolution Points: 0]

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The figures were disheartening, but the very existence of this system implied possibility, change, and growth. As he focused on the screen, he pondered his next move. The world around him, draped in shadows and despair, seemed to fall away. This was his path now, a journey not of flesh and blood, but of will and fortitude.

Zorvax concentrated on the [Evolve] option, a guttural sound of determination escaping his throat. The screen shimmered with anticipation. It was the beginning of something new, a chapter in which the discarded and forgotten could rise, could fight back.

He might have been a zero, a nothing in this world overrun by death, but Zorvax felt a drive rekindling within his chest—a chest that no longer needed to breathe, yet somehow was full of a new kind of life.