Chapter 16: A Desperate Awakening

Unearthing a crystal core from the head of the last zombie was, without a doubt, the greatest stroke of luck for the day.

Disregarding any lingering revulsion, I bent low, plucking the crystal core from the zombie’s bisected skull. I clasped it firmly in my palm.

The transparent core, akin to a raw gemstone, refracted dazzling, beautiful light under the sun’s eager gaze.

Its brilliant spectacle made it almost impossible to fathom that such an exquisite object could originate from within a zombie’s decaying brain.

A Level 0 zombie’s crystal core possessed no inherent attribute, rendering it suitable for any ability user.

Moreover, a Level 0 core was an absolute prerequisite for awakening one’s abilities!

This was because any crystal core rated Level 1 or higher already possessed a distinct attribute.

The myriad peculiar abilities manifested by Awakeners all corresponded to one of three primary crystal core categories.

These cores were divided into only three distinct types. Awakeners would select a core type matching their innate ability, using it to enhance their energy and facilitate their evolution.

Specifically, the core types were designated as Heaven, Earth, and Human, corresponding to the colors red, yellow, and blue, respectively.

My own spatial ability, for instance, fell under the [Heaven] category, requiring a red crystal core.

With a sense of satisfaction, I tucked the newly acquired core into my pocket. My gaze then swept across the store, searching for a secluded spot where I could safely absorb its potent energy.

Any interruption during the absorption process could easily cause the core’s volatile energy to rampage, utterly destroying the user’s physical body.

This, then, was precisely why I hesitated to immediately utilize the core. There was no telling what other dangers might still lurk within this seemingly abandoned store.

As fate would have it, my search yielded no quiet sanctuary. Instead, I stumbled upon four survivors.

“Please, save us!”

“Whatever you desire, I’ll give it to you! My family is wealthy; I can offer you hundreds of thousands!”

“W-woo, I miss my mother.”

“Big Brother, by any chance, are you looking for a follower?”

The moment the four survivors caught sight of me, their eyes immediately lit up with desperate hope. They began speaking in a rush, clearly terrified that any delay would prompt my impatient departure.

I observed the four individuals: one woman and three men. The woman appeared to be a refined professional, while the men consisted of a timid cashier, a rugged car mechanic, and a disheveled otaku.

It seemed likely that these four had been confined to this very room since the outbreak of the virus. By eliminating the three zombies outside and then stumbling upon their hiding place, I had inadvertently freed them.

Their pleas, however, held little sway over me.

My eyes instead swept the surroundings, quickly discerning that the small store’s rear warehouse contained several individual storage rooms.

Stepping closer, I placed my palm against a door lock. A quick test confirmed its impressive sturdiness.

Without a word, I simply stepped inside the room, then secured the lock behind me.

“Hey there, Big Brother, don’t just hide away and go silent!”

“Right! You have a knife; you should be helping us!”

“Listen, kid, there are four of us here against just you. Hand over that knife willingly, and I might just go easy on you.”

…

Listening to the clamor from outside, I shook my head with a sigh of resignation.

My decade of experience in the apocalypse had hardened me, making it impossible to readily extend sympathy to others.

In this ravaged world, everyone was, in a way, deserving of pity.

Yet, as a single individual, one simply couldn’t afford to sympathize with all.

Dismissing such unproductive thoughts, I extended a hand and retrieved the crystal core from my pocket.

Once settled in my palm, I offered it no further admiration. Instead, I clenched my hand, applying pressure until the crystal core shattered into a fine powder.

Instantly, countless specks of black powder billowed into the air.

They swirled around me, a dark halo, prompting me to close my eyes and inhale deeply.

The moment to awaken my ability had arrived.