The rough patches on the road made the bus shake a lot as Mikhail looked out of the window.
His gaze shifted to the canopy of trees that had been increasingly getting denser.
A lake passed them that was filled with brim because of the rain last month.
The bus slowly stopped at another checkpoint, making Mikhail look inside.
Most of the people inside were hunters who worked full time. The rest were beggars, homeless people, corpse scavengers — all those who wanted to make quick money.
Only Mikhail and Kevin were students in the entire bus.
'I hope I don't have to deal with these beggars later on.'
The easiest way for these guys to earn money was to kill newbies, and both of them screamed as one.
"We are almost there." Mikhail said, glancing at Kevin who sat beside him.
"Aye, sure." Kevin said, opening the sports bag that was placed beside his feet. "Let me borrow some armour."
"Don't take the main one." Mikhail said, taking his set of armour out to wear. "And what about a weapon?"
"We'll see about that." Kevin mumbled, taking out the chainmail to get a clear look.
He nodded his head and began to wear it while Mikhail wore guards around his waist.
'Gotta keep my family jewels safe.'
Methew was sitting on his shoulder, his puffy eyes looking at the shining armour.
Once they got ready, the bus finally came to a halt and everyone began to walk out.
Mikhail and Kevin walked out last, with Methew by his side.
Once they walked out, they were immediately greeted by the smell of blood and rotting corpses.
A large fence separated the forest from the checkpoint where military men were stationed.
They both walked towards a booth where a young man was doing the registry.
"ID cards." He said without looking at them.
Mikhail gave both their IDs and the young man raised his brow when he read them.
"Students, huh?" He mumbled. "College screening must be close."
"…Yeah." Mikhail replied with a slight nod.
The man didn't ask more as he wrote down their names and addresses.
"You will be declared dead if you don't come out in a week." He said, returning their IDs. "But I would suggest you return before daylight ends."
They both nodded as Mikhail passed his sports bag. "Can you keep it with you till I come back?"
He had already taken the javelin, a sword and some military knives that might come in handy.
"Sure." He replied. "Do you need any supplements?"
"I need a broadsword." Kevin said. "Can I get one?"
The young man smiled. "Sure."
He walked back, leaving both of them alone.
'…Ah, right, the kingdom's initiative for fewer casualties.' Mikhail thought, rubbing his chin.
Humanity as of now was at a point where it couldn't afford any more losses.
So as a sign of good gesture, they did let needy people borrow weapons and gear.
The man quickly returned with a broadsword made of mixed iron.
Kevin swung the sword before he nodded in approval. "Nice."
The young man interrupted him. "Return it before you go, otherwise it will be considered theft."
His expression turned serious as he warned. "There have been a lot of death in the forest. Someone is killing newbies and stealing their items. Be safe."
They nodded as they walked towards the open gate leading into the forest.
As soon as they walked inside, the atmosphere of the place changed instantly.
A thick layer of discomfort draped over them, making them feel a little suffocated.
Mikhail took in a deep breath before he walked forward firmly.
"Damn, this place stinks." Kevin grumbled as he swung his sword at the plants.
"That's to be expected." Mikhail replied softly. "This place is a graveyard for thousands of unattended dead bodies."
"They should really work on their cleaning department." He grumbled.
"It's a jungle." Mikhail said, grabbing a javelin to throw. "It's not like they can bring a dragon and burn down the entire place."
"That reminds me." Kevin said, like he suddenly remembered something. "Have you heard about the dragon riders and their family?"
"Yeah…." He replied. "…I heard they all died in the battle with the elves."
"Yeah, about time." Kevin said with a disgusting look on his face. "I heard they used to fuck their sisters to keep the bloodline 'pure.'"
"I am more surprised that the elves managed to kill the dragons." He replied. "They wiped out all the dragons they had tamed over twenty-five hundred years."
"There are rumours that their princess survived—."
Mikhail placed his hand over Kevin's chest, making him halt.
He looked forward where a man with a rotting body walked aimlessly.
'….A zombie.'
Mikhail thought, tightening his grip on his short spear.
The zombie was completely naked with his entire body covered in blood, dirt and excretion.
The zombie slowly turned before his head snapped towards their direction.
"Ahhh!!"
With a loud roar, it rushed towards them like a wild boar.
Mikhail took a deep breath and aimed the short spear at the zombie.
'Enhancement.'
He threw his hand back, his muscles tightening as the spear glowed in a translucent light.
He held an indrawn breath, followed by a burst of explosive movement.
The spear left his hand with a hiss as the sharp iron sliced through the air.
Tack!!!
It hit the mark, obliterating the face of the zombie as his body fell to the ground.
"Huff…."
Mikhail let out a breath and walked towards the spear before he picked it up.
"Nice shot." Kevin commented. "You were always good at throwing things."
"Get ready." Mikhail said, his voice serious.
"Ahhhh!!"
"Ahhhh!!!"
Due to the first zombie's shout, more and more of them were rushing towards them.
'I see four…five…six.'
Mikhail tightened his grip once again before he let go.
He turned his gaze towards the cat who was silently sitting on his shoulder.
"Methew." He said, as the cat looked at him. "I choose you."
'Enhancement.' He thought, enhancing his cat.
The cat, as if responding to his owner's command, jumped down from his shoulder and ran towards the incoming threat.
A glow of yellow energy covered the cat as he jumped up at the centre of the incoming zombies.
"Meowtherfucker!!!"
With a loud yell, Methew sent an electric current that passed through all six zombies.
They fell down and Mikhail quickly walked towards them.
"Holy moly." Kevin whistled, clearly impressed. "That's some power."
'….This must be because of the enhancement.'
He thought, quickly pushing his sword through their necks to kill them.
"Kill the other three." Mikhail said, glancing at Kevin. "Do it before they wake up."
Kevin shrugged before he did the same.
Mikhail looked back at his status screen in the meantime.
======
> Growth Progress: EXP: [ 20 / 100 ]
======
'Alright, so one zombie is giving me five points.'
Mikhail thought it would be far lower, but he was more than happy now.
'So, a total of twenty-five zombies before I level up.'
"Why are they butt naked?" Kevin asked, walking towards him.
"There is no clothes shop here." Mikhail replied, looking around. "How do you expect them…"
His words halted when he noticed a tall naked zombie man rushing towards him silently.
'….An alpha?'
With a height that almost reached two metres and a body far more intact than the others, and his way of trying to sneak up on them.
'It has to be an alpha.'
Mikhail began to prepare for a fight but before he could, Kevin walked forward.
"I will take care of him." He said, his tone unusually serious.
'…Ah, is he trying to repay me for the free kills I gave him?'
He thought, staring at his friend's back.
'I always knew you were a good friend.'
But his thoughts froze when he heard Kevin grumble. "How can a zombie have a bigger dick than me?"
'….Nevermind, he is a dumbass.'