Chapter 24: Race to Level 10 I

Teo suppressed the revulsion rising from his stomach due to the unbearable stench that polluted the air following the zombie’s gruesome death and concentrated on commanding his minion.

After the second zombie was dealt with, Teo released his control over his minion, leaving it to do as it pleased. He didn’t want to deal with a nasty headache while locked in combat with a level two zombie.

Once out of his control, the minion reverted back to being a groaning corpse that only knew how to bite. As it chased after a target, it left itself open and vulnerable to others.

But the minion didn’t have to worry about anything. Someone was there to cover its ass.

Squelch!

Gloria’s bullet took the head of a zombie creeping up from a side.

Away from the gory scene, Teo was squatting at a darker corner with his eyes peeled on the level-two. He was watching its every move. It was the most dangerous element present. If not because he wanted to try his luck in taming it, Gloria would have already taken its head.

I just need to get close.

But such a thing was easier said than done. The monster was intelligent enough to hide behind its minions and always had a bunch around it. There was no way to sneak in without getting noticed.

I can only take the risk. Teo caressed the flask of ashening powder slinging from his belt, eyes narrowing.

Teo rose to his feet, then put the wooden sword on his shoulders. Steady steps carried him towards the horde ganged up on his poor minion.

Gloria noticed this and furrowed her brows. This was not in their plan. They were supposed to isolate the level two zombie before Teo could try taming it. What was this guy up to?

Gloria adjusted her posture and repositioned her gun. She squinted her eyes as Teo’s back profile appeared on her aim. The minion was left to fend for itself.

The beginner’s sword was held up, its tip pointing at the level two zombie standing behind a bunch of level ones.

Attributes of a level two zombie were almost the same as a level one; the thing that made them dangerous was their ability to command. They could divert the attention of an entire horde from target to target at a moment’s notice.

Teo knew he could leave his back to Gloria. Even though he couldn’t believe her entirely, he could at least put his trust in the cooperation they had agreed upon. Mutual benefits are the biggest guarantee—a lesson he learned from society. They both had something to gain from this pair-up.

The level two zombie was busy tackling Teo’s minion, and due to that, his presence entirely went under its radar.

Fingers curled around the handle of the sword as he tightened his grip. Once he was close, enough that the beginner weapon could reach a guarding zombie’s head, he swung with all the force he could muster in his arms.

The sword cut through the air, leaving a ‘swish’ sound in its wake, and whipped a guarding zombie in its head.

You killed Zombie level 1 x1

+10 EXP

+5 Tutorial coins

The blue window in the periphery of his vision was ignored in favor of a kick that sent the adjacent zombie flying.

By now, the level two had already gotten aware of him. The last remaining zombie of the three that stayed behind to guard the level-two moved. But, Gloria’s well-aimed bullet silence it forver in a shower of goo.

Teo kicked the ground and pushed himself towards the level two zombie. The dull tip stabbed into the rotting chest, and the momentum continued the push until its back hit the wall.

A horrible stench washed over Teo’s face as its mouth opened in a silent scream. He covered his nose with his left hand, then activated [Dominator].

XXX

Shit!! Gloria cursed in her heart as the bunch of zombies flanking the minion turned around. Their unsteady legs stepped to where Teo was confronting the level-two.

She fired two bullets consecutively, taking the heads of two zombies in a split second.

You killed Zombie level 1 x2

+20 EXP

+10 Tutorial coins

Her fingers pressed the trigger again, but to her dismay, there was no recoil. A quick inspection revealed a blinking ‘EMPTY’ on the LED screen attached to the rifle.

Are you kidding me?

She couldn’t believe her eyes. Out of all the time in the world, it just happens to be now when her bullet ran out?

Desperate fingers pulled the sleeves of her left hand up, revealing a complex tribal-type tattoo on her smooth pale skin. As she channeled some of her mana into it, the tattoo glowed dark purple before spitting out a brand new cartridge full of bullets.

The gun was reloaded and repositioned back on her arms. Pair of eyes searched for Teo and found him pinning the level-two zombie into the wall. She could tell his intention at a glance.

Hurry up!

She prayed in her heart. The zombies were gradually gaining ground on him. It wouldn’t be long before they would flank him from all sides.

But the zombies didn’t stop their advances. Did it fail? Her heart skipped a beat.

She bit her lower lips and took aim at a zombie in the far back. An orange glow took over her finger on the trigger.

[Charged Shot] is ready for use

-30 mana

Teo, don’t fail.

As if the gods listened to her prayers, she soon saw Teo’s raised thumb in the air. The zombies halted their steps, then parted from the middle, opening a path for him to pass through.

Phew…

Gloria exhaled a long breath and slumped on the floor. Her shoulders weighed heavily as if a mountain was resting on them. She felt drained, physically and emotionally.

“Thanks for the cover.”

Teo’s gratitude-filled voice came from directly above her. In response, she gave him a thumbs up.

“We are a team, remember? Though, you had me scared for a moment there.” Words came out in between her rapid breathing. After the danger had passed and the adrenaline wore off, fatigue began to show its ugly head.

“Sorry about that.”

“Nah, it’s cool.” She waved her arms in the air. “I’m more surprised that it actually worked.”

“Honestly, me too.”

Teo’s answer didn’t surprise her. During their planning phase, he had made his uncertainty clear. It was a bold experiment which was a lucky success.

“Not gonna lie, it was a scary experience.”

Teo’s comment made repressed laughter erupt from her. Her shoulders shook as she struggled to contain the volume.

“You know what they say?” Gloria began, words struggling between her giggles, “fortune favors the bold.”

“Yeah, right.” Teo snorted, then took over the spot next to Gloria. “If not for the antidote still in effect, I’d not have taken this risk. Anyway, what’s the plan?”

“Hmmm,” Gloria hummed, “how long have you been in this place?”

“Errr… give or take, a few hours? Maybe four to five hours at max. Why?” Teo wondered, looking at his partner from the corner of his eyes.

“So you still have more than enough time. Unfortunately, I only have a few hours at most. I’ve to reach level ten and finish my awakening.” Gloria mumbled.

“Huh… wait! There’s a time limit?” Teo got up, then asked with an aghast expression on his face.

Gloria sighed, “of course, you wouldn’t know about this. To answer your question, yes, there’s a time limit. Precisely, only twenty-four hours.”