The silhouette of the zombified hound (Lv. 7) stood out sharply under the unnatural green-tinted night sky. Its muscular frame was larger and more twisted than anything Shenzi had faced so far. The creature sniffed the air aggressively, drawn by the scent of battle and fresh ichor.
Yuan Shenzi stood at the entrance of the abandoned shop, heart racing but steadier than before. His three linked zombies waited silently behind him, the Strength-Enhanced Human Zombie at Lv. 4 acting as the frontline tank, while the two basic ones at Lv. 3 and Lv. 2 flanked it. The new power flowing through his Level 5 body gave him a sliver of confidence he hadn't possessed earlier that night.
"Lv.7 is still too high to control…" he thought, gripping the metal pipe firmly. "But my evolved minion might buy me time. I need more crystals tonight if I want to survive until morning."
He quickly reviewed his current forces.
[Mutation Link – Controlled Targets]
1. Strength-Enhanced Human Zombie (Lv. 4)
2. Human Zombie B (Lv. 3)
3. Human Zombie C (Lv. 2)
Control Capacity: 2/5 remaining
Shenzi made a calculated decision. Running blindly would only waste energy. He would use his minions tactically.
"Tank the charge," he ordered the Strength-Enhanced zombie mentally. "You two, flank from the sides."
The zombified hound let out a guttural snarl and charged with terrifying speed. Its glowing eyes locked onto Shenzi as the primary living target. The Strength-Enhanced zombie stepped forward and absorbed the impact, its bulkier frame absorbing the collision with a heavy thud. Cracks appeared along its reinforced bones, but it held long enough for the two basic zombies to move in from the sides.
The fight turned intense and chaotic. The hound's sharper fangs tore deep gashes into the Strength-Enhanced zombie's shoulder. One of the basic zombies lost an arm to a powerful swipe but continued fighting without hesitation. Shenzi joined the fray himself, swinging the metal pipe with his boosted Strength stat. Each strike landed harder than anything he could have managed before.
**[Your minion has taken damage.]**
**[Combat Experience Gained +35 System Energy]**
**Current Energy: 455**
The coordinated assault, clumsy yet effective thanks to his direct control, finally brought the hound down. The Strength-Enhanced zombie took the worst of it, its body covered in deep gashes and cracked bones, but it remained standing. Shenzi delivered the final blow to the hound's skull.
He quickly looted the corpse. Two Low-Grade Mutation Crystals rolled into his palm, along with a small, sinewy piece of flesh that pulsed faintly with mutated energy.
[Obtained: 2 Low-Grade Mutation Crystals]
[Obtained: Mutated Sinew (Basic Resource)]
Back inside the shop "base," Shenzi ordered his injured Strength-Enhanced zombie to stand guard while the others blocked the entrance. He examined the damage. A new system option appeared.
[Basic Repair Option Unlocked for Damaged Minions]
Cost: 50 System Energy + 1 Low-Grade Mutation Crystal
Effect: Restore 60% durability and heal major wounds (Evolution recommended for full recovery).
He didn't hesitate. Spending the resources now was necessary to keep his strongest minion functional.
The Strength-Enhanced zombie's wounds began closing slowly. Gashes knitted together while cracked bones realigned with audible pops. It stood straighter, though still far from perfect condition.
"Repairing is possible but expensive," Shenzi noted mentally. "Evolving seems more efficient long-term."
He now had 4 Low-Grade Mutation Crystals in total. Enough for another evolution.
Shenzi turned his attention to the Lv. 3 basic zombie. He opened the Mutation Link interface and selected a different path this time for better balance.
[Available Evolution: Agility Mutation]
Requirements: 2x Low-Grade Mutation Crystal + 120 System Energy
Effect: Increases speed, reflexes, and stealth. Body becomes leaner with sharper claws for quick strikes.
Evolution Time: 8 minutes
"Begin," he commanded.
[Evolution Initiated!]
Consuming resources…
Remaining Energy: 285
The transformation started immediately. The zombie's body began to change in grotesque yet fascinating ways. Its shoulders narrowed while its limbs lengthened and became more wiry. Muscles shifted and tightened under rotting skin, giving it a leaner, faster silhouette. Claws extended and sharpened like small blades. The entire process looked painful and unnatural, but the zombie showed no reaction, it was still a mindless puppet.
While the evolution progressed, distant groans signaled another small group of low-level zombies approaching the shop. Shenzi repositioned his remaining forces defensively. The repaired Strength-Enhanced zombie took the front while the last basic one provided support. With clear mental commands, they dispatched the intruders efficiently. Shenzi gained another 25 System Energy and 1 extra Low-Grade Mutation Crystal from the short battle.
Eight minutes later, the evolution completed with a soft ripple of energy.
[Evolution Successful!]
[Human Zombie B has evolved into Agility-Enhanced Human Zombie (Lv. 4)]
New Stats:** Agility significantly increased | Added Passive: Basic Stealth Movement
A clean before/after panel appeared for a moment.
Before: Lv.3 – Slow, basic strikes
After: Lv.4 – Faster reflexes, stealthier movement, sharper claw attacks
Shenzi tested the new agile minion immediately. He ordered it to move across the shop. The creature darted forward with surprising speed, dodging a practice swing of his pipe and landing a series of quick slashes on a wooden crate, shredding it easily.
"From useless bugs to this… in one night," Shenzi muttered, a cold smile forming on his lips. The satisfaction was deep. His small force was already showing clear improvement.
During the night he linked one more low-level zombie that wandered too close, bringing his total to four controlled minions and leaving Control Capacity at 1/5. The mental strain was noticeable now — a faint pressure at the back of his mind, but still manageable.
Sunrise was approaching. The blood-red sky on the horizon began to lighten faintly. The night's dangers were easing slightly as patrols might soon resume. Shenzi decided it was time to move toward the outer edges of the safe zone or a known scavenging spot before the family's sunrise deadline fully expired.
He reflected briefly on the expulsion as his minions gathered a few scavenged supplies. "By morning, they'll think I'm dead. When I return stronger… the look on their faces will be worth everything."
With four linked zombies now, one Strength-Enhanced, one Agility-Enhanced, and two basic, Shenzi felt more capable than ever. The minions carried basic supplies as they moved through the dimly lit streets under his command.
Suddenly, a louder, more organized sound approached from ahead — not random zombie groans, but human voices mixed with heavy footsteps and the clank of weapons.
A warning panel flashed in his vision.
[Multiple Human Awakeners Detected Nearby]
Threat Level: Unknown. Possible hostility.
Shenzi's heart tightened. He quickly ordered his zombies to hide in the shadows and behind debris. The Strength-Enhanced one crouched behind an overturned car while the Agility-Enhanced slipped into a darker alley. The basic ones followed suit. Shenzi himself ducked low behind a broken wall, peering carefully toward the approaching group.
The voices grew clearer. A small survivor team or patrol was moving through the area, likely checking for threats after the long night.
"Survivors… or hunters?" Shenzi thought, pulse quickening. "If they see my zombies, will they attack first and ask questions later?"