Before Ren stood what looked like a stadium—no, that would be a mistake to call it a stadium. It was a cage.
A giant fenced ground, still like a cage for animals in a zoo.
People were there, enjoying the show.
Zombies were fighting each other in the arena, killing mercilessly—
And people were enjoying it.
The person who led him said, "Sir, you can bet here on which zombie you think has the chance of winning for the next 2 hours, and then the next phase will start."
Ren said, curiosity showing on his face, "Next phase? What will that be?"
"A dead match, sir."
"Hmmm… dead match!?" he said.
"It's basically last man standing. You just have to survive the hordes of zombies, and the winner will be awarded handsomely."
Ren thought, this could be my good chance to have some fun.
"I'd like to participate in that," he said, excitement roaring through him.
The man was surprised, but he didn't ask anything else, just took some basic info and—
"Sir, you have participated successfully," he said after talking to the men near a table. Then, as he was about to leave, he pointed toward the betting counter.
"Have a good day, sir."
Ren looked at some matches, but it was no fun. Time passed somehow until—
"Ladies and gentlemen, now for the last match, we have something special!" the announcer said. "Please give a big round of applause to our champion here!"
He spoke as a tall zombie wielding a big bat came out. He was surprisingly ugly.
Ren murmured, "…Will I get an achievement for killing that thing…"
"And for the opponent, we have—" the announcer continued.
As a somewhat familiar face came into his sight—
Ren thought, full of surprise, wait… that's… but how could she be here—
The announcer continued, "The 'kill-kill girl'! Some guys found her while searching for supplies. But what makes her special is… she can talk!"
Rachel was murmuring, "die… die… die…" but she didn't have the energy she usually had.
The crowd watched.
"Man… she really can talk…"
"Is she really a zombie…?"
"Hey… something's written on her… wait, that's—"
People started laughing. "What the hell—hahaha! It's written all over her body!"
"She's a bitchy slut!"
"Worse than a flat surface—hahaha! Who could have written those things?"
Ren was thinking with an awkward face, …okay… maybe that wasn't that good of an idea to begin with.
The announcer continued, "So, the betting begins now!"
The crowd started talking again.
"Who are you gonna bet on?"
"Of course our champion. She isn't that great just because she can talk."
"Yeah, you're right. There's no point in betting on her."
"It's clearly a win-win situation."
Ren murmured with excitement, "…Now that's what I call exciting."
He went to the counter and bet around 20,000.
The person at the counter was shocked by Ren's dumbness.
The crowd talked again.
"Is he insane? Who places a bet with no point in winning?"
"Maybe he's filthy rich or something."
"I think I'll follow his lead."
"Then go get robbed with him, haha."
Ren got back to his seat, eager to see the match.
But something wasn't right.
So Ren thought… he must do something about this.
The announcer said, "The betting is closed now, and the match will begin in 10 seconds. Count with me!"
"10… 9… 8… 7…"
Ren quickly got up and thought, …here goes my handsome charm.
He shouted toward Rachel, "Yohooo… look who's here to meet you!"
Rachel recognized that voice.
Her gaze turned toward him; it was intense, and a bloodlust started leaking out.
"…3… 2… 1…"
Ren thought with a bright smile, …this should give her a good push.
The moment his voice reached her—
Something changed, her dull eyes lifted up.
Her body trembled—
Then—
"Kill… kill… kill!!!"
BANG—!!
She slammed against the cage with intensity, her voice no longer weak but filled with madness. The chains rattled violently as her energy came rushing back, her movements becoming sharp, alive—completely different from before.
The announcer shouted, "START—!!"
The giant zombie didn't wait. It charged forward immediately, dragging its massive bat across the ground, as soon as its chains were freed.
SCRRREEECH—
Then—
BOOOOM—!!
The bat smashed down where Rachel stood—
But she was already gone, a blur, she slipped past him effortlessly.
"Kill…"
Her voice was low now, but still carrying anger, mixed with rage and hatred.
The zombie turned and swung again—
SWING—!!
But she dodged it very cleanly with minimal effort.
Again—
SWISH—
Again—
SWISH—
She wasn't attacking, just dodging those moves with ease.
Circling around him like a lion before attacking its prey.
Watching him like a predator watching its prey.
Ren narrowed his eyes slightly, a grin forming. …looks like she has grown stronger somehow… is it due to mutation or emotions?
The zombie roared, getting irritated, and rushed wildly.
THUD—!! THUD—!!
Each step shook the ground as it swung again and again, faster, more aggressive—
But nothing hit, all his attacks missed.
Rachel's movements became sharper, faster, stepping in and out of range like she was dancing around death.
The crowd started reacting.
"What the hell is that speed!?"
"She's not even trying to fight back!"
"No, my money! Give it back!!"
Ren leaned forward slightly, eyes locked on her. …Now this is getting good.
Then she stopped for a brief moment, completely still, her head slightly lowered.
"…"
The zombie saw the opening and charged with everything it had.
ROOOAR—!!
Bat raised—
BOOOOM—!!
It came crashing down—
And at that exact moment—
Rachel moved.
BOOM—!!
She shot forward like a bullet fired from a gun at high speed.
Before the zombie could react—
SLASH—!!
Its arm flew off, falling to the ground, cut cleanly.
Blood splattered across the arena.
SPLAT—!!
The crowd went silent for a split second.
The zombie roared in pain, stumbling back—
But Rachel was already in front of it, her eyes cold and empty.
"Kill."
Her hand shot forward—
CRACK—!!
It pierced straight through its chest.
The sound of bones breaking echoed.
The zombie's body froze, twitching violently—
Then—
TEAR—!!
She ripped it apart brutally, without hesitation.
The body split, flesh tearing as she pulled through it like it was nothing.
THUD—!!
What remained collapsed onto the ground.
Silence… then chaos erupted.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?"
"She destroyed him!!"
Rachel stood there, covered in blood, her breathing slightly uneven.
"…Kill…"
Ren leaned back, a wide grin on his face.
…Yeah.
That's what I'm talking about.
But his smile didn't last long.
Ding—
[System update completed]
Ren thought, …so it wasn't an excuse, huh…
[ Yawn! Hmm… oh, it's you, ruthless killer. ]
Ren was completely surprised—what—? It felt like his soul left his body.
He thought with hesitation, …did the system just talk to me…?