N/A: Tactic Efficiency > Tactical Mind
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As Emily finished the zombies that had crowded around, they gradually dispersed and died off the scene. Lucasth then decided to check his current status, hoping to gauge his condition amidst the aftermath.
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Name: Lucasth Kaineson
Age: 28
Race: human
Level: 3
Class: none
Bloodline: none
Health: 19%/100%
Energy: 45%/100%
Status: injured, fractured, bleeding
Strength: 12.00 > 18.25
Vitality: 9.15 > 13.40
Constitution: 9.14 > 13.39
Intelligence: 4.21 > 7.21
Agility: 8.07 > 13.32
Mana: 0.00
[Unique Skill]
[[Reload Pandemonium (Passive)]
The damage received by the user will be reflected as additional damage upon release. Each new type of physical damage inflicted on the body causes a minor stat increase, which can be either permanent or temporary and randomly distributed among small physical attributes. Accumulating damage stacks up to a maximum of 30 before triggering the cooldown, which occurs after the combat ends. The duration of the cooldown period varies depending on the total seconds spent in combat, with longer engagements resulting in a longer cooldown.
[Active Skill]
Level 2: Berserk
Level 1: Throw
Level 2: Presence Detection
Level 1: Dismantle
[Passive Skill]
Level 3: Gun Mastery
Level 1: Axe Mastery
Level 4: Unarmed Mastery
Level 5: Combat Mastery
Level 2: Survival Mastery
Level 4: Tactical Mind
Level 1: Instinct
[Trait]
Ailment Immunity X
Nuclear source II
Empty Naught
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He was perilously close to death; multiple variables had escalated beyond control—zombies swarmed relentlessly, a Herald had appeared, and an ambush by a ferocious bear caught him off guard. Without firearms, they inevitably became prey.
At 19% health, he knew he was teetering on the edge of death—just a bit more damage and he would become a corpse. This dire situation fueled Lucasth's instinctual drive to survive, motivating him to hold on through the days to come.
"Oh? Bro, the herald was killed—what happened? You looked like you were about to die," a voice suddenly announced his presence.
Turning his head, Lucasth saw Lauren approaching briskly, having just returned from slaying a Herald. He observed Lauren's wide-eyed expression as he took in Lucasth, slumped against the tree, near death.
"Well, I'm fine now, thanks to you. But why am I in this state? Look over there," Lucasth responded, gesturing toward the large, mangled corpse of the bear that had injured him
Lauren's eyes widened in flabbergast at the sight. "Whoa, that was gigantic—good job surviving that. If it were me, I'd just run," he exclaimed.
Lucasth managed a sarcastic smile despite his weakened condition, still able to jest even amid injuries.
Lauren sat beside him, concern etched on his face. "Lucasth, I found out that not only human zombies were part of the horde. I saw different skin colors and body parts from the zombie carcasses scattered around."
Lucasth cast a doubtful glance. "What if you saw a mutated zombie?"
"No, it's different. I saw a creature with a goat's horn like a demon from fantasy tales and long ears resembling those of an elf," Lauren replied, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Yeah, that's confirmed... but it doesn't change our priorities—survive first, think later. We'll have more time to figure everything out once we're safe," Lucasth muttered, gazing thoughtfully at the cloudy sky above, a mixture of wonder and concern.
He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the cool wind brush over his fatigued body, as he summoned renewed resolve.
"First, can you grab that large hiking backpack I saw over there? See if it's still usable," he ordered, pointing toward the distant corpse of a zombie dressed in hiking gear.
Lauren approached the corpse, retrieved the backpack, and returned to find Emily carefully dressing Lucasth's wounds with clean bandages she had stored in her own backpack.
"It's still okay. The backpack isn't torn or full of holes."
Lucasth examined his body, now covered in multiple bandages, and tested his mobility. "Good. Now help me stand up, and let's butcher that big guy," he said, referring to the bear.
He stretched his hand out, signaling Lauren to assist him.
Lauren took his hand and pulled him upright, hesitantly asking, "Hey... I know we don't have many other options for food, but is it safe?"
Emily, silently uses her Analysis skill to scan the carcass and determine its condition. "It's safe to eat. No signs of zombie infection or contamination," she reported.
"So?" Lucasth asked, handing him a sturdy knife to start dismantling the carcass.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Lauren accepted the knife softly.
"...Okay."
Together, the two carefully began cutting into the bear's carcass. Some cuts were uneven, some chunks of meat remained, but they steadily made progress amidst their grim task.
After hours of strenuous work, the group is on the verge of placing their supplies into a rugged, well-worn backpack when Lucasth's heightened instinct suddenly alarms him to impending danger. Reacting swiftly, he snatches his throwing knives from his belt and launches them into the dense thicket of bushes nearby.
Almost instantly, a chorus of high-pitched squeaks erupts from the foliage. Without hesitation, they rush toward the sound and come upon three small, grotesque green midgets, their twisted forms sprawled on the ground.
Lauren crouches down, gazing thoughtfully at the fallen bodies, and asks softly, "So these are the goblins?"
Behind her, Emily examines the corpses from a cautious distance, nodding affirmatively. "Yes, my skill confirms it."
Lucasth's eyes scan the trail of footprints—scattered, shallow impressions in the dirt—showing signs of hurried retreat. He grimly notes the number of tracks leading away, realizing those were just scouts, and shudders to think how many more might be lurking beyond sight.
"Let's get out of here immediately", he said flatly, taking his knives from the carcasses and going to get his belongings.
Though goblins are easily slain by Lucasth due to being weak, his recent injuries make confrontation unwise. Understanding his intent, the others too quickly gather their belongings and withdraw from the scene.
Moments later, after Lucasth's group departs, three goblins emerge cautiously from the underbrush, squealing loudly while pointing at their fallen kin. They converse animatedly in their guttural language, retreating deeper into the bushes. A hooded goblin with a skull-topped staff appears, flanked by two taller goblins—larger than men—standing guard.
The hooded goblin addresses its kin in an urgent, clipped tone, conveying critical information. As it listens to their reports, it clutches its staff tightly, then smacks one of the nearby goblins sharply, sternly reprimanding them.
Gradually calming, the hooded goblin raises its voice in a booming roar that echoes through the forest. Soon, over fifty goblins emerge, brandishing crude, jagged weapons—clubs, stone knives, and sharpened sticks—and begin to gather around.
The hooded goblin strides forward decisively, the others following silently, indicating that it holds the highest authority.
They trek to the battlefield where Lucasth's group fought earlier. The area is now an open clearing strewn with rotting zombie corpses and carcasses of various creatures. A once-mighty bear, which had injured Lucasth, now only remains as a skeleton, its viscera long cleansed from its bones. The hooded goblin signals to its followers, who gather the remains roughly.
Goblins, being carnivores, are driven by hunger; they will consume any meat that moves or has recently moved. The captured corpses will serve as nourishment for their ever-growing tribe mate. Once each goblin has secured a corpse, the hooded goblin orders the troop to return to their territory, leaving three scout goblins behind to guard the leftovers.
Seeing their kin's backs gradually left, the remaining goblins begin feasting on a zombie's corpse. But suddenly, their bodies shiver uncontrollably, trembling with an unknown force. They roar in pain, unfamiliar and primal, before collapsing to the ground. Yet, one by one, they rise again—not as goblins but as monstrous entities that have haunted humanity for a decade—a dark re-emergence in this unfamiliar world.
Oblivious to these events, Lucasth's group, having departed hours earlier, eventually discovers a vast river—approximately a hectare wide—with rocky, rugged banks. They follow the river upstream and are fortunate to find a cave entrance beside a cascading waterfall, its opening spanning about 150 square meters, with powerful water flowing through the middle.
Lucasth touches the damp, moss-covered wall of the cave, nodding in satisfaction. "This will do."
Lauren and Emily, exhausted from the long trek, stumble behind him, clutching nearby rocks and roots to maintain their balance.
Lauren glances resentfully at Lucasth, who shows no signs of fatigue, and asks breathlessly, "Why... hah... you... hah... never get tired?" He trails off, gasping.
Lucasth hears her and briefly feels embarrassed but keeps his expression neutral, continuing inside the cave.
"Let's keep moving."
Deeper inside, they realize the cave extends farther than anticipated, its passages widening and lengthening into darkness. Eventually, they notice a faint light deeper within. Moving closer, they see a vast, open valley illuminated by otherworldly glow, bordered by towering cliffs that seem impassable.
The walls are thick with vines bearing glowing fruits, casting an eerie bioluminescent light. Beneath the cliffs lies a calm, clear underground lake, its waters shimmering with a faint blue hue. An island with lush trees is nestled in the middle of the lake.
The group stares in silent awe, overwhelmed by this fantastical scene.
Lauren awakens from her trance, exclaiming loudly, "Whoa! What kind of magical cave is this? The view is breathtaking!"
Others nod quietly, unable to tear their eyes away from the mesmerizing scenery.
However, their awe is short-lived. Lucasth's instinct warns him once more of impending danger. Suddenly, a distant voice echoes through the cavern.
"Who's there!"