As Lucas stared into the empty, lifeless eyes of the dead-walker, Carol’s words replayed in his mind.

’If you hesitate out here, you’ll die!’

At that moment, he knew he had to do something.

He yanked the dagger from the creature’s neck just as the monster lunged at him. Taking a few quick steps back, he created some distance between himself and the zombies.

But they were already coming for him again.

’Shit. I landed a clean hit, and it’s still standing’

Then he remembered something else he had learned about zombies.

’You have to destroy the head’

It was their only real weakness.

As they staggered toward him, he realized this wasn’t like it was with Mr. Barry. Their movements were erratic and predictable, and with his recently increased stats, they suddenly seemed much easier to deal with.

One tripped over, the others stumbled as they ran, giving him several opportunities to strike.

Lucas kicked the first zombie, sending it tumbling backward. The second swung wildly at him, but he saw the attack coming from a mile away.

As he dodged, he felt the force of the swing rush past him. The power behind it was far greater than what any normal person could produce.

’I guess their bodies have no limits now that they’re dead’

Lucas struck again, aiming for the neck. This time, he dragged the dagger sideways, tearing through flesh and splitting most of the zombie’s neck apart.

But even with its head barely attached, the creature refused to fall.

At the same moment, another zombie lunged at him with its mouth stretched wide open.

Lucas sidestepped, causing it to scrape face-first across the concrete. The skin on its face peeled away like it had been run over a grater, and the zombie took a moment to recover.

Lucas didn’t hesitate.

He stomped on its head.

[You have killed a Dead-walker (+1 Karma Point)]

It caved in like an overripe fruit.

After killing the first one, he suddenly felt more confident.

His dagger plunged into another zombie’s mouth, and he ripped upward, splitting its head in two.

[You have killed a Dead-walker (+1 Karma Point)]

The last zombie charged at him with its head barely hanging from its neck. All Lucas had to do was kick it away.

The creature crashed to the ground, and its head finally tore free.

[You have killed a Dead-walker (+1 Karma Point)]

Lucas lowered his dagger and smirked.

"Like I said, easy."

Lucas turned to the floating screen.

"Now pay up."

[RichFarmer has sent 10 KP]

[RichFarmer: Good work!]

[TheSmartOne: Thumbs up... you’ve gotten stronger.]

"Of course I have. Did you think I was going to remain a weakling forever?" Lucas asked with a proud grin. "I’m going to be a fucking monster!"

[TheSmartOne: Stop being so loud, you idiot! Get out of there quickly!]

"Why? You think I’m afraid of a few extra zombies?"

[TheSmartOne: Who’s talking about zombies?]

"Huh?"

[TheSmartOne: Ever heard of the Necro-Mantis?]

Just seeing that name appear on his screen filled Lucas’s mind with a terrifying flashback, one drenched in blood and screams.

That day at the convenience store.

[TheSmartOne: It’s considered the most dangerous boss monster. It sends out Dead-Walkers to locate people, not just kill them. So if they run into something they can’t handle, it’ll show up to finish the job.]

As his eyes traced the final line, he heard a sound behind him and immediately looked up.

At first, he thought it was the monster TheSmartOne had mentioned, but he was surprised to find something else entirely.

"You?"

It was the small horse from last night.

"What are you doing here?" he wondered aloud.

"Have you been following me this whole time?"

[RichFarmer: Are you talking to it? WTF?!]

[Salvation_Father: Lost child, do not be deceived by its appearance. Those are the horns of the Devil. Slit its throat and bathe the ground in its blood.]

[TheSmartOne: Sheesh, old man, you’re way too intense... It’s just a baby.]

[RichFarmer: Idiot, does that thing look like a baby to you?]

[RichFarmer has sent 10 KP]

[RichFarmer: Kill that thing now!]

"Fuck no. Why should I? It’s not attacking me."

Deep down, Lucas wasn’t even sure he could kill the creature on his own.

It might have been smaller than its mother, but it was still an imposing beast, standing nearly as high as his chest, with horns as sharp as spears and dark skin that looked just as tough as its mother’s.

’It might be possible if I use my skill, but still...’

He observed it for a moment.

’It really isn’t hurting anybody.’

The creature stepped forward, moving slowly and cautiously.

It stopped beside one of the corpses and began munching on the leg, tearing the rotten flesh from the bone and swallowing it.

It was standing only a few meters away from Lucas.

After a moment of hesitation, he slowly reached out a hand.

As his palm touched its skin, the creature flinched slightly but didn’t pull away.

Seeing this, Lucas grew a little bolder and gently rubbed its neck. The young horse moved closer, still focused on its meal.

"It’s not scared of me," he said, his voice trembling as he tried to hide his own fear.

He swallowed hard.

"Maybe it really can be tamed."

[TheSmartOne: OMG, HE’S ACTUALLY PETTING IT!!!!]

[TheSmartOne has sent 20 KP]

[Salvation_Father: Unbelievable...]

Just then, Lucas heard a loud screech.

A sound he had prayed he would never hear again.

The instant it reached his ears, his entire body froze.

The same overwhelming dread he had felt that day came crashing back, squeezing the air from his lungs.

For a brief moment, he couldn’t think.

He couldn’t move.

The only rational thought left in his mind was a desperate hope that he would somehow survive again, just like last time.

Suddenly, the young horse began jumping from side to side, snorting and stomping frantically as if trying to warn him of the danger.

Only then did Lucas snap back to reality.

He didn’t hesitate.

He turned and ran.