''Day 10 of the apocalypse. I am no longer alone.'' Richard thought while chatting with Nadia about former RPG games they had played.

Nick rolled his eyes in frustration as he could not contribute anything to the conversation, but he still listened keenly as there might be something useful.

After chatting for a while, building trust and familiarity they came to an agreement to head northbound while searching tracks for a dungeon.

''We will pack our bags and depart. Richard if you have extra strength can you carry some things with you?'' Nick asked Richard and continued his packing.

''Sure. By the way, how much ammunition do you guys have? If things get tough we should have plenty of extra bullets just in case.''

''Yeah, a couple mags but that's it. We can always try to get more from army guys that are turned into zombies.''

With everything ready they left their villa towards nearby houses with possible vehicles to use.

Leaving the front gates, the newly formed team looked around warily for possible zombies and mutated beasts. After being sure that only a few single zombies were nearby, solved by Nadia's morning star, they set off.

''Searching the neighborhood should not be too big of an task if we focus on the houses where there is vehicle in the yard.'' Nick suggested.

''Yup, there is bound to be a working car with keys inside the car or the house. Teamwork sure makes it convenient as one can keep lookout and the two remaining members can cover each others backs.''

Richard said, feeling emotional at his struggles when he thought about his escape from Valencia.

Looking around him he saw deserted houses, zombie remains on the streets and the eerie atmosphere that all of it combined. What he wondered was since even Valencia was a large city, they all should not have turned into zombies or simply disappeared.

The number of the wandering zombies was disproportionate compared to the population living in the nearby area, and he intended to find out why.

After 20 minutes of searching they came to a relatively clean yard where a pristine condition car was parked in front of the house.

Slowly approaching the car, the team saw that something was moving inside the car and continued the approach quietly.

''Wow, look at that guy! His face half bitten off, must have been in a hurry to hospital but did not even make it out from his yard.''

Nadia exclaimed out loud, while keenly speculating if the car was still in working condition. Nicholas and Richard warily inspected their surroundings and when it seemed to be all clear, they somewhat relaxed.

The zombie that was inside the car had his seatbelt partly strapped on and the keys had dropped on the floor, evidence that this man had died before he could even start his car.

''It's time to end this poor chap's miserable life, may your contribution to provide us with a working vehicle give you solace in the afterlife. You provided means of transport to the people in need.'' Nick said in a good mood, while Nadia opened the driver's seat and smacked the zombie's head.

Checking the gas available and when the car actually started, they stuffed their items in and started their journey towards the north.

Along the way looking outside from the car, Richard saw packs of zombies, some mutated beast and destruction.

''Is there anything intact? Where are all the living people?'' He asked curiously while Nick answered gruffly from the driver's seat.

''We heard rumors of new settlements coming from the escaping neighbors, supposedly army and the government were starting to build them when all this started.''

''I think we heard that the settlements were walled and they were screening the people coming in. They would not let any foreigners come in since they could not be sure of their origins nor necessarily speak the common language, so they just shut everyone of uncertain origin outside.''

Nadia continued Nick's story, shaking her head disappointedly.

''Look out!'' Nadia yelled suddenly when Nick had turned his head to look at her and quickly focused his eyes on the road.

''What the fuck is that supposed to be?'' Nick muttered out loud looking at the strange creature blocking the road.

The creature was about 3 meters tall and had bull horns, green scales covering most of its body and was standing on two feet. Holding in its hand was a spear of some sort and the green, slit eyes with vertical red pupils looking menacing at the incoming car.

''I think it means business, Richard try using inspect on it.''

''Sure thing, I would have done so anyway. Inspect.''

Name: ??? (Mutated Lizardman) Level 9 Hp 206/206 Mp: 24/24 Your skill — Inspect has increased to Lv.2

Without paying any notice to the level up, Richard shouted out what he found out to Nadia and Nick.

''That thing is something called Lizardman, level 9 creature and should not have magical abilities based on the mana pool. We should just run it over with the car, like the other zombies and the small mutated beasts.''

''Aye, will do! '' Stepping on the gas pedal Nick accelerated towards the lizardman intending to make short work out of it with the might of technology.

Seeing the car approaching, the lizardman took a throwing posture. Ready to throw the spear, dodge the incoming threat and prepare to fight for its life.

The car was 10 meters from the creature and then it suddenly jumped 3 meters into the air, dodging the car Richard and the gang was with somersault after throwing its spear towards the wind shield.

''Take cover!''

Only seeing the throwing motion Nadia quickly called out to prevent the possibility of seeing themselves skewered by the long spear.

Taking cover by ducking their heads, Nick made the decision to hit the brakes just in case. The possibility of getting hit made cold sweat pour out from his back like a waterfall, and that would mean the car would likely go out of control and all of them would be beyond saving.

Seeing Nick hit the brakes Richard called out in a frustrated manner.

''We have no time to escape if that lizardman rushes to attack us, prepare for battle.''

Taking their firearms they planned to turn the ignorant lizardman into Swiss cheese, and think about everything afterwards.

''Incoming!''

Seeing the creature approaching in a very quick manner, Nick reacted, got out from the driver's seat and prepared to cast his Blast burn at the incoming threat.

Nadia took the role of vanguard with her makeshift morning star and wooden shield, ready to retaliate against the currently unarmed lizardman.

Richard raised his pistol and fired the full magazine, but the agile lizardman still kept approaching quickly. Seeing that only one or two of the bullets had hit it, without causing fatal damage he checked how much damage it exactly did with Inspect.

''Only 37 damage? Be careful, that fucker is tough! Few shots did only less than quarter of his max hp pool.''

Dropping the gun on the ground, he grabbed Curtain-kun to distract the lizardman's attention from Nick that was trying to burn it with Blast burn.

''Have at thee!'' Swinging the metal pole at the lizardman furiously, Richard eyed Nick, indicating to him to hurry up.

Richard and Nadia worked in tandem to distract and deal some damage to the creature, waiting for Nick to be ready.

Seemingly realizing the plan of the cunning humans before it, the lizardman focused its red eyes on the deadly threat behind the two humans.

Trying to disengage from the fight to take care of the mage behind it by jumping over the two humans, it revealed it's open back to Richard and Nadia.

Quickly making use of the opportunity Richard smashed the lizardman's knees that were still in the air, which made it lose its balance and fall miserably to the ground.

Nadia was not standing still either. She quickly moved to the falling lizard and delivered Coup de Grâce with her morning star to the lizardman's back of the head.

Level up [ 7 → 8 ]

''Nice! Level up!''

''Same here! The sweet, sweet experience points!''

While Richard and Nadia were celebrating the level up, Nick gloomily interrupted.

''You didn't even leave some of the exp to me and here I am waiting for an opportunity to use my Blast burn, looking like a chump. If you were going to kill it so easily, just tell me and I'll get few hits in too with gun for the exp.''

''Okay Dindu Nuffin, you will get your chance to use your spells later! Don't worry about it.'' Richard cheerfully replied with his tasteless humor, trying to lighten up the mood.

''What did you call me just now? That's racist shit! Besides my spells distracted the lizardman, creating the opening for you two!''

''Okay Dindu, I mean Nick. We better check the body of the lizardman for loot.'' Richard replied looking apologetic for a moment, but his poker face betrayed him soon enough.

Chucking on the side, Nadia approached the corpse and called out to the boys.

''Okay, okay guys, we still have things to do so save your breath and let's check the spoils.''

Hearing the word spoils Nick and Richard looked at each other and started to grin from ear to ear, looking forward for any means to strengthen themselves.