Two days later, he arrived at a city surrounded by a somewhat dilapidated wall that had collapsed.
Matthew realized, judging by the state of the wall and the rubble, that it had fallen some time ago.
"Another city in ruins, but this one seems to have been used as a refuge for a while. If there are no survivors, perhaps there are still some interesting zombies," Matthew thought, his senses heightened. He explored the city's surroundings day and night, and contrary to his expectations, there were few zombies in the city. But the next morning, Matthew left a building, and after only a few minutes, he saw a burly zombie, skinless, its muscles and flesh exposed.
[Zombie: Rank D-]
The zombie reacted to Matthew's footsteps, but after a few seconds, it continued staring into space.
Matthew relaxed; for a few seconds, he thought he would be torn to pieces by the zombie, who was clearly stronger than him.
"It must have been a warrior, a low-level one, but I'll still be lucky if I manage to devour it," thought Matthew as he gripped the metal bar tightly in his hands, then plunged it with all his might into one of the D-rank zombie's eyes.
The metal bar pierced the eye and exited through the top of the zombie's head, which fell to its knees on the ground.
Matthew began devouring the zombie without delay. The flesh and fibrous muscles were incredibly tough; Matthew's teeth were deteriorating, but he paid no attention and continued tearing away the flesh and muscle with each bite, again and again, until nothing remained of the zombie.
[Host's muscular system has been strengthened]
[Zombie: Rank E+]
[Coins: 10 brains]
[Frankenstein Shop (available) (basic level)]
When no trace of that zombie remained, Matthew felt the jet-black spear he carried on his back no longer feel heavy. He picked it up and swung it with ease, then drove the metal bar into a crack in the asphalt road.
As night fell, inside a ruined house, Matthew swallowed the teeth of several zombie dogs he had killed.
[His teeth have been restored]
... When the sun rose again, Matthew continued exploring the city.
"There was only one decent-rank zombie," he thought. He looked at the map and saw a path beyond a bridge near the river.
"I think I'll keep going."
As night fell, he left the city and saw several zombies on the riverbank. Most were human zombies, and the rest were of other humanoid or animal races.
Among the zombies walked a muscular zombie dog, nearly five feet tall and three meters high.
Roar!
[Zombie dog: Rank D]
The dog roared at the sound of Matthew's footsteps, but immediately followed its surroundings.
It was instinct, but Matthew felt that if he attacked, the dog would likely defend itself.
"I don't feel that disadvantaged; but I'd prefer to reach Rank D- before attacking it," Matthew, who had become interested in hunting the zombie dog, observed the nearby zombies. There were only Rank F zombies in sight, so he continued exploring the riverbank.
Along the way, Matthew only found an F+ rank elf zombie who was crawling on the ground next to his dry, long intestines that were sticking out because he was missing the lower part of his body.
Stab!
Matthew plunged his knife through the zombie's head and then devoured its disgusting meal.
[The host has gained the skill: Energy Perception (low level)]
At that moment, Matthew sat down near the bank of the dark river and prepared to open the "Frankenstein Shop."
...
Sitting on the shore for hours, surrounded by hideous zombies stalking about and others standing motionless, their bodies seemingly about to collapse at the slightest push, Matthew stared at the virtual screen, feeling frustrated.
[Frankenstein Shop]
[Basic Level]
[Monster Pill: Grants 5 seconds of the "monster's" own power]
[Monster Pill Price: 2 brains. Only one pill can be purchased per month]
[Human Skin: As the name suggests, you'll look human, but skin is just skin; it gets hurt like human skin, so take care of it]
[Human Skin (Sale Price): 10 brains (Regular Price: 100 brains)] There were also basic weapons, but at that moment, the last thing he needed was a basic weapon because he already had the Jet Spear.
"Damn, I feel like you're testing me. Even though the answer is almost obvious, it's still frustrating," Matthew thought, running his hands through his hair.