More zombie groans echoed from the dark street ahead, low and hungry.
Yuan Shenzi stood tense in the abandoned plaza, his single linked human zombie positioned in front of him like a clumsy shield. The creature's faint crimson eyes stared blankly into the darkness. Even with his newly boosted Level 5 stats, Shenzi knew he couldn't afford to face a larger group head-on yet. His heart still raced from the earlier fight, but a cold excitement was beginning to replace the fear.
"I can't waste this new power," he thought, gripping the metal pipe tighter. "One minion isn't enough, but evolving it might make the difference."
Two more low-level human zombies shambled into view from the shadows — one at Lv. 2 and another at Lv. 4. Both were well below his current level. Perfect targets.
Shenzi didn't hesitate. He focused on the closer Lv. 2 zombie and activated his talent.
[Mutation Link Activated!]
Target: Low-Level Human Zombie (Lv. 2) – Eligible
Link Established Successfully!
Control Capacity: 3/5
The second zombie froze mid-step. Its cloudy eyes flashed with the same faint crimson glow. Without warning, it turned and attacked its former companion. The short, brutal skirmish ended quickly. Shenzi's two controlled minions tore into the remaining zombie with relentless obedience while he finished it off with a powerful swing of his metal pipe. The weapon cracked the creature's skull cleanly.
He quickly looted the bodies, his hands moving with growing confidence. Another small, glowing shard came into his possession, 1 Low-Grade Mutation Crystal. Combined with the one from earlier, he now had exactly two.
A pleasant notification appeared.
[Combat Experience Gained]
+20 System Energy
Current System Energy: 520
Shenzi allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. The power fantasy was starting to feel real.
He scanned the area and spotted a relatively safe location, an abandoned shop with a half-broken metal shutter. It wasn't perfect, but it would provide some cover. He mentally ordered his two linked zombies to stand guard at the entrance like silent sentinels. They moved into position without question, blocking the doorway with their bodies.
Inside the dimly lit shop, Shenzi sat on the dusty floor, leaning against a counter. His breathing gradually steadied. He opened the Mutation Link interface for the first time, the blue panel unfolding cleanly in his vision.
[Mutation Link – Controlled Targets]
1. Human Zombie A (Lv. 3) – Basic Form
2. Human Zombie B (Lv. 2) – Basic Form
[Available Evolution for Human Zombie A]
Simple Strength Mutation
Requirements: 2x Low-Grade Mutation Crystal + 100 System Energy
Effect: Significantly increases Strength and durability. Body becomes bulkier with harder muscles and bones.
Evolution Time: 10 minutes (can be interrupted)
Success Rate: 95% (Low-risk basic evolution)
Shenzi stared at the panel, hesitation flickering for only a moment. He had exactly the resources needed. Evolving the stronger of the two first made the most sense. He took a deep breath and confirmed mentally.
"Yes."
[Evolution Initiated!]
Consuming 2 Low-Grade Mutation Crystals…
Consuming 100 System Energy…
Remaining Energy: 420
The linked Human Zombie A began to change immediately.
Its body started swelling grotesquely. Muscles rippled and expanded under decaying skin, tearing in places only to reform thicker and denser. Bones cracked loudly as they lengthened and hardened. The zombie's shoulders broadened, its arms thickening into powerful limbs ending in sharper, more brutal claws. The entire process was disturbing to watch, yet strangely mesmerizing. Shenzi couldn't look away.
Outside, distant groans continued to echo, keeping the tension high. Ten minutes felt both short and endless.
Finally, the transformation completed with a low, rumbling sound.
[Evolution Successful!]
[Human Zombie A has evolved into Strength-Enhanced Human Zombie (Lv. 4)]
New Stats: Strength significantly increased | Durability +40%
New Passive: Basic Impact Resistance
A satisfying before/after comparison appeared briefly.
Before: Lv.3 – Weak, slow, fragile
After: Lv.4 – Bulkier, stronger strikes, can tank minor hits better.
Shenzi stood up, eyes shining with excitement. "It worked…"
He immediately tested the evolved minion. "Punch that concrete pillar."
The Strength-Enhanced Human Zombie lumbered forward and slammed its fist into the nearby pillar. A visible crack spiderwebbed across the surface with a loud thud. Dust rained down. Shenzi then ordered it to spar lightly with the still-unevolved Human Zombie B. The evolved one dominated effortlessly. Its heavier blows sent the weaker zombie stumbling back again and again. Raw power radiated from its bulkier frame.
"It worked!" Shenzi whispered, a fierce grin spreading across his face. "This thing is actually useful now. If I can keep evolving them… no one will ever call me trash again."
The satisfaction was addictive, but reality quickly set in. He still had only three minions total after linking one more low-level zombie that had wandered too close during the evolution. Control Capacity now sat at 2/5. The unevolved zombies remained too weak to rely on fully, and he was already noticing a slight mental strain from controlling multiple creatures at once. It wasn't overwhelming yet, but it was a clear early warning of future limits.
Resources were the real bottleneck. He needed far more Low-Grade Mutation Crystals and System Energy if he wanted to build anything meaningful.
Shenzi made a quick decision. He would hunt a few more low-level zombies in the immediate area while staying close to the shop as a temporary base. With three linked zombies now, one evolved and two basic, he felt significantly more confident than before.
He stepped out of the shop with his small force following obediently behind him. The evolved Strength-Enhanced Human Zombie moved with noticeably heavier, more powerful steps. The other two flanked him like silent guards.
As they moved toward the outer edges of the safe zone, planning to scavenge for more crystals before sunrise, a new threat appeared in the distance.
A low, menacing growl cut through the night.
The silhouette of a zombified hound emerged from the shadows, its muscular frame larger and more twisted than the previous dog zombie. It sniffed the air aggressively, drawn by the scent of battle and fresh ichor. Shenzi's instincts screamed danger.
A red warning panel flashed.
[Warning: Zombified Hound (Lv. 7) Detected]
Target level too high for current control.
Recommendation: Evolve existing minions or retreat.
Shenzi clenched his jaw, staring at the powerful creature while his three mindless minions stood ready beside him. The evolved one looked stronger, but the hound was still clearly on another level.
"Lv. 7…" he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing with determination. "I'm not strong enough to control it yet. But soon… very soon."