The following morning, the first rays of sunlight streamed through the building's cracks, signaling the start of a new day for Noah and Thomas. They enthusiastically readied their equipment for another fruitful day of scavenging. Curiously, Noah opened his status window to see if he had leveled up, while Thomas diligently prepared a hearty breakfast to energize them for their upcoming adventure.

[Ding!]

[You have killed a normal zombie +1 exp]

[You have killed a normal zombie +1 exp]

[You have killed a normal zombie +1 exp]

[You have killed a normal zombie +1 exp]

[You have killed a normal zombie +1 exp]

[You have killed a normal zombie +1 exp]

[Congratulation you have leveled up +1]

[You have killed a normal zombie +1 exp]

[Status|Inventory|Ability|Quest]

Name: Noah White

Level: 2 exp (1/20)

Traits: Survival instincts, Genius

Perks: None

Age: 18

Strength: 11 (average stat for normal human 10)

Constitution: 10

Agility: 9

Intelligence: 10

Wisdom: 9

Charisma: 8

Stat points: 3

Perk points: 2 ]

Noah studied his status window, contemplating how to distribute his stat and perk points. He knew that he needed to be strategic in his choices to survive the harsh wasteland.

His survival instincts had served him well, but he also recognized the importance of becoming physically stronger. After careful consideration, he decided to allocate two stat points to his Strength, raising it to 13, hoping it would give him an edge in close combat situations.

With his remaining stat point, Noah added it to his Agility, bringing it up to 10. He felt that being more agile would aid in evading threats and navigating through dangerous terrain.

Noah then pressed on the "Perks" section to see his available options:

[Perks

Vitality:(locked)

Lv1: add 1 point in constitution

Lv2: add 3 point in constitution

Lv3: add 5 point in constitution

Lv4: add 7 point in constitution

Lv5: add 9 point in constitution

Special: Improved Health Regeneration - Your natural health regeneration is doubled during rest and times of recovery.

Marksman:(locked)

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Lv1: add 1 point in wisdom

Lv2: add 3 point in wisdom

Lv3: add 5 point in wisdom

Lv4: add 7 point in wisdom

Lv5: add 9 point in wisdom

Special: Eagle Eye - Your accuracy with ranged weapons is enhanced, making it easier to hit targets from a distance.

Fighter:(locked)

Lv1: add 1 point in strength

Lv2: add 3 point in strength

Lv3: add 5 point in strength

Lv4: add 7 point in strength

Lv5: add 9 point in strength

Special: Battle Mastery - Improved combat techniques, allowing Noah to strike with greater power and proficiency in hand-to-hand combat.

Runner:(locked)

Lv1: add 1 point in agility

Lv2: add 3 point in agility

Lv3: add 5 point in agility

Lv4: add 7 point in agility

Lv5: add 9 point in agility

Special: Fleet Feet - Enhanced speed and stamina, allowing for quicker escapes and pursuits.]

Noah weighed his options, considering which perk would complement his playstyle and enhance his chances of survival in the wasteland.

Noah carefully pondered his choices, knowing that each perk offered unique advantages that could greatly impact his survival in the unforgiving wasteland.

As he scanned the available options, he realized that he needed to level up a perk to unlock its special effect. While the Vitality perk's Improved Health Regeneration sounded appealing, he understood that he would only gain the special effect after reaching level 5 in that perk. The same applied to all the other perks as well.

Considering the immediate benefits, Noah decided to allocate one of his perk points to the Fighter perk, raising his Strength to 14. Improving his hand-to-hand combat abilities seemed practical, especially given the frequency of close encounters with zombies and other threats.

With his other perk point, he chose to invest in the Marksman perk, raising his Wisdom to 10. Although the Eagle Eye special effect wouldn't activate until level 5, the incremental increase in his ranged weapon accuracy felt like a wise investment for future encounters.

After making his decisions, Noah felt more confident in his build and ready to face the challenges that lay ahead in the wasteland.

With his stat and perk points distributed, Thomas " Noah are you done preparing if you are done come here and eat I already finish cooking"

Noah smiled at Thomas's words and replied, "Thanks, Uncle Thomas! I'm all set. Your cooking smells amazing as always."

He walked over to join Thomas at the makeshift dining area, where the aroma of the hearty breakfast filled the air. The two friends sat down and dug into the delicious meal, savoring every bite as they discussed their plans for the day.

"Noah," Thomas said between bites, "today, let's head towards the old shopping center to scavenge for supplies. It's been a while since anyone ventured there, and there might be untouched resources we can use."

Noah nodded, his mouth full of the delicious meal. Swallowing, he replied, "Sounds like a good plan, Uncle Thomas. The shopping center could have food, medicine, and maybe even some useful tools. We'll have to be cautious, though. It might attract more zombies."

"Exactly," Thomas agreed, his eyes focused on the map they had spread out on the table. "We'll take the quieter route, avoiding any major roads. It'll give us a better chance of staying undetected. Keep your eyes peeled for any signs of danger."

As they finished their breakfast, Noah quickly checked his bag to ensure he had all the necessary gear. He equipped his newly improved crowbar and ensured he had enough water and medical supplies. Meanwhile, Thomas inspected his handmade crossbow, making sure it was in perfect working condition.

"Ready to go?" Thomas asked, and Noah gave a determined nod.

The duo set out, their footsteps cautious as they weaved through the deserted streets. The city had once been bustling with life, but now it was eerily quiet, with only the occasional moans of distant zombies breaking the silence.

As they approached the old shopping center, Noah's heart raced with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The building stood tall and decaying, its windows boarded up and doors rusted shut. Signs of the past civilization lingered, but it was now a haunted shell of its former self.

They entered through a small side entrance, avoiding any unnecessary noise. The interior was dark, and they relied on their flashlights to navigate the dimly lit aisles. They searched for any signs of useful items, moving stealthily to avoid drawing attention.

"Noah, check the shelves over there. You might find some canned food," Thomas whispered, pointing to a nearby section.

Noah nodded and carefully approached the shelves, scanning for any intact cans. He managed to find a few, carefully placing them in his inventory. As he turned, he froze at the sight of movement in the distance.

"Uncle Thomas," he whispered urgently, "I see something. Zombies."

Thomas quickly joined Noah's side, and they both crouched behind the aisle to observe the situation. There were about eight zombies roaming the center, their groans echoing through the empty space.

"We need to deal with them quietly," Thomas whispered. "Remember, aim for their heads. It's the most effective way to take them down."

They readied their weapons, Noah gripping his crowbar tightly, while Thomas held his crossbow steadily. They coordinated their movements and attacked simultaneously, striking with precision.

One by one, the zombies fell to their well-aimed blows and bolts. The duo's teamwork and combat skills were evident as they dispatched the undead with swift efficiency. Despite the tension of the encounter, they remained composed and focused.

As the last zombie hit the floor, Noah and Thomas exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of relief and accomplishment. They had successfully eliminated the threat without drawing more attention to themselves.

"Great job, Noah," Thomas said, patting his back. "Your combat skills are improving."

"Thanks, Uncle Thomas. Your guidance really helped," Noah replied, a sense of pride in his voice.

With the immediate danger gone, they continued their scavenging. They found more food, medicine, and even some useful tools they could use to repair their equipment. The shopping center had proven to be a fruitful location.

As they prepared to leave, the sound of loud footsteps echoed through the shopping center, catching both Noah and Thomas off guard. They exchanged worried glances, unsure of what could be approaching.

"Did you hear that?" Noah whispered, his grip tightening on his crowbar.

Thomas nodded, his crossbow at the ready. "Stay alert. It might be another survivor or... something else."