The figure collapsed to the floor, writhing as the impact of Evan’s final blow reverberated through the room. Its twisted grin had faded, replaced by a look of pure hatred. The dark energy that had pulsed around it began to dissipate, leaving behind an eerie silence.

Evan stood frozen, gripping the crowbar so tightly his knuckles turned white. His breath came in short, ragged gasps as the adrenaline coursing through him began to ebb. The room, which had moments ago been a battlefield, now felt suffocatingly quiet.

Claire lowered her crossbow slowly, her sharp gaze fixed on the figure. "What the hell was that?" she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else.

Jake stepped forward cautiously, his pistol trained on the figure’s unmoving form. "Not a zombie," he said, his voice low. "But not human either. What the hell are we dealing with?"

Evan couldn’t answer. His heart was still pounding, his mind reeling from what had just happened. The Genesis Level-Up System had activated again, guiding him through the fight, enhancing his movements and reflexes. It had saved his life. But it also left him with more questions than answers.

Before anyone could say anything more, the figure let out a low, guttural laugh. Its voice was a harsh rasp, filled with malice. “You think this changes anything?” it sneered, its bloodied face twisting into a grin once more. “This world is already lost. You’re just delaying the inevitable.”

Evan’s jaw tightened, and he stepped forward instinctively, the crowbar still in his hand. “What are you?” he demanded, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him.

The figure chuckled, a sound that sent chills down Evan’s spine. “You’ll find out soon enough,” it rasped. Its eyes locked onto Evan, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though the creature could see straight through him—through his thoughts, his fears, and even the system itself.

“You’re different,” it said, almost amused. “But it won’t save you.”

Before anyone could react, the figure’s body convulsed violently, and a wave of dark energy erupted from it. The force sent Evan stumbling backward, and when the light cleared, the figure was gone—its body dissolved into black ash that scattered across the floor.

The group stood in stunned silence, the weight of the moment pressing down on them like a physical force.

“What the hell just happened?” Jake muttered, breaking the silence.

Claire didn’t answer immediately. She stepped forward, kneeling to inspect the spot where the figure had been. The ash was already fading, almost as if it had never been there at all. “I don’t know,” she said finally, her voice tight. “But whatever that was, it wasn’t natural.”

Evan felt his stomach churn. He didn’t understand what had just happened, but he knew one thing for certain: this wasn’t over. That creature, whatever it was, had left a mark on him—not just physically, but mentally. Its words echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder that there were forces in this world far beyond his understanding.

The group gathered near the entrance of the warehouse, the supplies they had risked their lives to retrieve stacked neatly in crates. But the air was heavy with unease, the earlier victory overshadowed by the encounter with the strange figure.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Claire leaned against the wall, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her usually composed demeanor was strained, her brow furrowed in thought. Jake was pacing, muttering under his breath about the “damn nightmare” they were living in. Lila sat silently, her rifle resting on her lap, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of danger.

Evan sat apart from the group, his back against a stack of crates. The crowbar lay across his knees, and his hands fidgeted nervously. He could still feel the residual hum of the system in the back of his mind, like a quiet pulse that refused to fade.

“Genesis Level-Up System Activated.”

The voice echoed softly in his mind, startling him. He glanced around, but no one seemed to notice. The others were too preoccupied with their own thoughts.

“Experience Gained: +150.”“Skill Progress: Combat Mastery (Level 1) → 35%.”

Evan’s breath hitched. He stared down at his hands, the implications of the system’s message sinking in. He had gained experience from fighting that creature—experience that was now enhancing his abilities. The realization was both thrilling and terrifying.

He couldn’t tell the others. Not yet. The system was his secret, his edge in a world that was constantly trying to kill him. But it also raised questions he wasn’t ready to face. What was this power? Where had it come from? And why had it chosen him?

As he sat there, lost in thought, Claire approached. She crouched down in front of him, her sharp blue eyes studying him intently. “You alright?” she asked, her voice softer than usual.

Evan hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. Just… trying to process everything.”

She didn’t look convinced. “You were different back there,” she said, her tone careful. “In the fight. I’ve seen a lot of people break under pressure, but you… you didn’t just survive. You fought like someone who’s been doing this for years.”

Evan felt a chill run down his spine. “I don’t know,” he said, trying to sound casual. “I guess adrenaline does weird things to people.”

Claire’s gaze didn’t waver. “Maybe,” she said finally. “But if there’s something you’re not telling us, you’d better figure out if it’s worth keeping secret. Out here, secrets get people killed.”

Her words hit harder than Evan expected. He nodded slowly, unable to meet her gaze. Claire stood and walked away, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

As the group prepared to leave the warehouse, the tension between them was palpable. The encounter with the figure had shaken them all, and though no one said it aloud, they all knew the rules of the apocalypse had just changed.

The walk back to their safe house was quiet, each member lost in their own thoughts. The streets were eerily empty, the usual growls and shuffles of the undead replaced by an unsettling silence. It felt like the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

When they finally reached the safety of their makeshift base, the group wasted no time unloading the supplies. Jake and Kara began sorting through the crates, while Lila stood watch by the window. Claire, as usual, took charge, her commanding presence keeping everyone focused.

Evan retreated to a corner, his mind still buzzing with unanswered questions. The system had saved his life, but it had also opened a door to something far more dangerous. That figure—the way it had looked at him, the things it had said—had left an indelible mark on him.

He closed his eyes, trying to push the thoughts away, but the system’s voice echoed in his mind once more.

“New Quest: Unlock the Truth. ”Objective: Discover the Origin of the Dark Entities. ”Reward: Skill Upgrade.”

Evan’s eyes snapped open, his heart racing. A quest. The system was pushing him forward, guiding him toward answers he wasn’t sure he wanted to find. But he didn’t have a choice. If he wanted to survive—if he wanted to protect the people around him—he had to embrace the power, no matter the cost.

The world was changing. And Evan Barn was changing with it.