Chapter 18: A Battered Head, a Stubborn Awakening, and a Desperate Demand

Ancients would bash their heads against the ground, but I chose to bash mine against a wall.

Though the method was crude, the effect was surprisingly good!

The throbbing pain in my forehead successfully distracted me from the surging emptiness within my body.

No longer did I crave flesh and blood, no longer did I yearn to devour humans.

The sensation of emptiness had come swiftly, and just as swiftly, it receded.

Before I even realized it, the void within me had completely vanished.

Once the headache subsided considerably, I noticed no changes in my body, nor did any visions appear in my mind.

Upon a successful ability awakening, the body would instantly react, manifesting the newly acquired power.

Simultaneously, corresponding visions would appear in the ability user’s mind, demonstrating how to wield their newfound power.

These initial visions were a one-time occurrence; once missed, they would never reappear.

My spatial ability, as shown in the initial mental visions, taught me to manipulate space with my consciousness, allowing for several distinct applications.

Whether for storing items or for attacking foes, the visions provided detailed instruction.

These were merely the foundational visions. As one’s rank increased, the methods for utilizing abilities would gradually evolve, with subsequent visions teaching higher-tier applications.

No one understood the nature of these visions, just as no one comprehended the origin of the zombie virus.

With so many other pressing concerns, such matters eventually ceased to trouble anyone.

What truly mattered was how to survive in this apocalyptic world.

My ability had failed to awaken, and combined with that recent surge of maddening emptiness, this could not be a normal progression!

My head, still throbbing from hitting the wall, prompted me to sit down and ponder: why had my ability failed to awaken?

Typically, anyone who developed black spots on their neck after a high fever was guaranteed to acquire an ability by absorbing core energy.

Yet, I had failed. This was utterly baffling.

Could it be that…

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck me. I recalled the black spots during my fever, spreading downwards from my neck, an unstoppable sensation as if they would consume my entire body.

Considering this, perhaps I hadn’t absorbed enough core energy to support my ability’s awakening.

Heavens! If that were the case, how immense must my ability be, if even a single core couldn’t trigger its awakening?

Grinning wryly, and feeling a metaphorical ache, I gently patted my injured forehead.

Once the dizziness subsided, I rose from the chair. Unlocking the door, I stepped out.

If one core wasn’t enough, then I would simply collect more.

I would see just how many cores my body would demand to awaken its power!

As I opened the door, the four individuals were still waiting outside.

I swept my gaze over them, said nothing, and walked past them, heading out of the convenience store. My goal was to find the next location, kill more zombies, and acquire more cores.

“Big Brother, please take us with you!”

“I don’t want to die, boohoo…”

“Leave your knife here, or don’t even think about leaving this door!”

“That’s right! Leave the knife.”

“If you won’t save us, then leave your weapon.”

…

I was forced to stop. The mechanic had led the others to the main door, blocking my exit with their bodies.

As the mechanic spoke, his eyes were fixed on the knife at my waist, his words dripping with covetousness for my weapon.

The remaining individuals echoed his demands, insisting I leave the knife.

I scoffed at them, a cold smirk on my face. ‘You want my things…’

‘Fine! But you’ll have to pay with your lives.’