The blood-red sky was brightening rapidly with the first rays of sunrise. Hiding was becoming harder by the second.
Yuan Shenzi pressed himself against the broken wall, heart pounding as the voices and heavy footsteps grew louder. His four linked zombies remained perfectly still behind debris and overturned vehicles, the Strength-Enhanced one crouched low, the Agility-Enhanced one hidden in deeper shadows, and the two basic ones positioned as silent backup. The early morning light made every shadow shallower.
He risked a quick peek. A patrol team of six awakeners moved cautiously through the street, scanning for threats or valuable remains. They wore basic survivor gear reinforced with metal plates. Most were Level 8 to 15. One face stood out, a distant relative named Yuan Hu, a former family guard who had openly mocked him during the Awakening Ceremony yesterday.
"They're searching for survivors… or hunting easy targets," Shenzi thought grimly. "If they see my zombies, they'll attack without hesitation."
The patrol stopped near the scattered zombie corpses from last night's fights. One of them kicked a severed arm.
"Fresh kills," the patrol leader said, voice sharp. "Undead activity here. Be careful, there might be a controller nearby."
Shenzi tried to slip away quietly. He ordered the Agility-Enhanced zombie to scout ahead while the others moved with him in tight formation. But the blood trails and broken debris gave them away. A patrol member spotted movement.
"Undead! There, behind the wreckage!"
The leader shouted, "Formation! Fire support!"
A patrol member with a fire-type talent launched a small flame projectile. It struck one of Shenzi's basic zombies square in the chest, charring rotten flesh and sending it stumbling back.
Anger surged through Shenzi. "They treat my power like it's evil… just like my family did."
The patrol charged. Shenzi was forced into an open street for defense. He positioned the Strength-Enhanced zombie at the front as a tank while the Agility-Enhanced one darted to the flanks. The two basic zombies provided support, but they were clearly outmatched against trained awakeners.
A stronger patrol member, a burly man with an Earth talent, targeted Shenzi directly. He hurled a fist-sized stone spike with deadly force.
In that life-threatening instant, the strange heat in Shenzi's chest erupted violently.
The anomaly he had felt multiple times during the night exploded with far greater intensity. Shenzi doubled over as raw energy flooded his body. His vision whited out completely. Every nerve burned, then cooled into something far more powerful.
A dramatic series of system notifications flooded his mind in glowing, majestic panels.
[Life Threat Threshold Exceeded!]
[Hidden Second Awakening Fully Triggered!]
[Talent Reconfiguration Finalizing… 100%]
[Global Announcement Style – Visible Only To Host]
You have successfully completed the Second Awakening!
Original Talent (Insect Control – F-Rank) overwritten.
New Talent: Mutation Link (SSS Rank)
[Talent: Mutation Link (SSS Rank)]
Description: Establish permanent control over any mutated or zombified creature (commonly called "Zombies" — including zombified humans, beasts, plants, etc.) whose level is lower than yours. Guide their evolution with System assistance and required resources.
Current Control Capacity: 8
Evolution System Fully Unlocked
Class Assignment Pathway: Locked (unlocks at higher evolution stages)
[Additional Rewards]
Level Increased to 8
All Base Stats +20
System Energy +800
Mutation Link Interface Enhanced
The light faded. Shenzi straightened slowly, eyes glowing with cold intensity. Power coursed through him like never before. His existing linked zombies received minor passive buffs from the awakening surge, their movements became slightly more efficient, their durability and speed marginally improved, though they remained completely mindless tools.
The patrol froze in shock as Shenzi's small undead force suddenly turned the tide. The Strength-Enhanced zombie tanked hits with greater resilience, absorbing blows that would have shattered it before. The Agility-Enhanced zombie moved faster, landing quick, slashing strikes that forced the awakeners back.
Shenzi tested the enhanced talent immediately. A wandering low-level zombie appeared in the chaos — he linked it instantly.
[Mutation Link Activated!]
Target:** Low-Level Human Zombie (Lv. 5) – Eligible
Link Established!
Control Capacity: 7/8
With higher capacity and stronger control, his minions responded with improved coordination. They weren't intelligent, but their execution of his mental commands became noticeably sharper.
The patrol leader's eyes widened in horror. "What kind of talent is that?! He's controlling the zombies!"
Yuan Hu, the familiar mocker, stumbled backward. "Monster! That's impossible, he was F-Rank trash yesterday!"
Shenzi didn't push for kills. It was still too early. Instead, he used his growing force to overwhelm and injure them severely. The Strength-Enhanced zombie smashed one awakener into a wall. The Agility-Enhanced one slashed another across the leg. The patrol broke and retreated in panic, carrying their wounded.
Yuan Hu fled last, shouting over his shoulder, "You're a freak! The Yuan family will hear about this!"
Silence returned to the street.
Shenzi stood amid the aftermath, breathing steadily. He pulled up the full talent description once more, reading every line carefully. A cold, genuine smile finally formed on his lips.
"Mutation Link… SSS Rank," he whispered. "The System gave me a second chance when everyone abandoned me. Family, academy hopefuls, everyone who laughed, I will make you all pay with interest."
He quickly looted the battlefield. The patrol had dropped several better resources in their haste, 3 additional Low-Grade Mutation Crystals, 1 Energy Shard, and some basic weapons. He also linked two more low-level zombies that had been drawn by the noise, bringing his total controlled force to 6 out of 8 capacity.
The mental strain was present but still within tolerable limits.
As the sun fully rose, painting the sky in deeper crimson tones, Shenzi ordered his growing undead group to move. The six zombies fell into formation behind him, two enhanced, four basic. They carried the scavenged supplies without complaint.
A new system notification appeared.
[New Evolution Paths Unlocked for Existing Minions]
Advanced options available with better resources.
[Academy Enrollment Window Opens in 3 Days]
In the distance, smoke rose from the direction of the Yuan family villa. Sounds of panic and occasional beast roars suggested another small beast wave or internal trouble was brewing.
Shenzi's eyes narrowed with cold determination as he led his mindless undead legion forward.
"Time to go home… and show them what 'trash' can become."