The battlefield did not quiet immediately.
Even after the command-type zombie collapsed, scattered fights continued across the plaza. Some survivors were still being chased. Others struggled against the last remaining stragglers.
But the pressure had changed.
Without direction, the zombies lost coordination.
They became disorganized again.
Easier to handle.
Lin Ye did not relax.
He moved forward, cutting down two approaching zombies that wandered too close.
[You have killed a Level 1 Zombie][EXP +2]
[You have killed an Enhanced Zombie][EXP +5]
He didn't check the number immediately.
Instead, he scanned the area.
Threats first.
Numbers later.
Chen Ming leaned against a nearby bench, breathing heavily. Sweat ran down his face, his grip on the metal rod loosening slightly.
"…that thing was insane," he muttered.
Liu Fang said nothing, but her eyes stayed locked on the corpse in the distance.
Zhao Kai wiped blood from his sleeve, silent as always.
Behind them, survivors slowly regrouped.
Some collapsed where they stood.
Some cried.
Some simply stared blankly at the ground.
Shock was beginning to set in.
Su Qing stood close to Lin Ye.
Her breathing had steadied, but her hands still trembled faintly.
"We actually survived that…"
Lin Ye nodded once.
"For now."
Then he opened his status.
[Name: Lin Ye][Level: 2]
[EXP: 196 / 200]
Four points away.
Almost nothing.
He closed it.
That would come naturally.
What mattered more was this.
The command-type.
Drops.
Lin Ye turned and walked toward the corpse.
The others noticed.
Chen Ming straightened slightly.
"You think it dropped something?"
"Yes."
That was enough.
Several others nearby also began to move closer.
Cautious.
Curious.
Greedy.
The corpse had not fully faded yet.
But already, a faint glow was forming above it.
Stronger than normal drops.
Lin Ye reached it first.
Just as the light condensed.
Three items fell.
A crystal.
A book.
And something else.
A dark, metallic shard.
Lin Ye picked them up before anyone else could step in.
No one stopped him.
Because everyone had seen.
He killed it.
That made it his.
Still, the atmosphere shifted slightly.
Eyes lingered.
Watching.
Measuring.
Lin Ye ignored them.
He focused on the items.
The first.
A crystal.
He examined it.
[Intermediate Vitality Crystal]
[Effect: Permanently increases Vitality by +3]
Good.
Direct survivability.
He used it immediately.
The crystal dissolved into his body.
A heavier, grounded sensation spread through him.
His breathing deepened.
His body felt more stable.
More resistant.
He opened his status briefly.
Vitality: 14
He closed it again.
Then picked up the second item.
The book.
This one felt different.
Darker.
Heavier.
When he touched it, the information appeared.
[Skill Book: Shockwave Strike]
[Active Skill]
[Effect: Consume 10 Stamina to release a forward shockwave, dealing area damage]
[Cooldown: 10 seconds]
Lin Ye's eyes sharpened slightly.
Area attack.
Rare in early stages.
Very useful against groups.
Without hesitation, he learned it.
The book dissolved into light.
The knowledge settled instantly.
He understood the motion.
The timing.
The cost.
Then he picked up the final item.
The shard.
Cold.
Dense.
Unlike anything before.
The moment he touched it, a new prompt appeared.
[Unknown Fragment Detected]
[Condition Met]
[Hidden Function Unlocking…]
Lin Ye's pupils contracted slightly.
This was new.
Even for him.
The fragment dissolved into his hand.
A faint heat spread upward.
Then—
A new interface flickered into existence.
Different from the normal system.
Darker.
Simpler.
[Unique Talent Unlocked]
[Name: Devour]
[Effect: Absorb fragments and energy from defeated enemies to enhance growth]
[Description: Growth beyond standard limits]
Lin Ye went still.
For the first time since returning, his expression changed.
Not shock.
But something close.
"…So this is it."
In his previous life, some people had gained unique talents.
Rare.
Extremely rare.
They defined the strongest players.
And now—
He had one.
Early.
Far earlier than anyone else.
Lin Ye closed the interface slowly.
His breathing remained steady.
But his mind moved quickly.
"This changes everything."
Not just faster growth.
Different growth.
Beyond limits.
Behind him, Chen Ming stepped closer.
"What did you get?"
Lin Ye looked at him.
Calm again.
"Useful things."
Chen Ming laughed dryly.
"Yeah, figured."
But his eyes lingered.
So did others.
The tension had shifted.
Before, Lin Ye was just strong.
Now, he had resources.
And in this world, resources meant power.
Liu Fang stepped forward slightly.
"We should organize," she said. "If more of those things appear, we won't survive like before."
Several people nodded.
Others stayed silent.
Waiting.
Lin Ye looked around.
Rough count.
Twenty-three survivors.
Some injured.
Some capable.
No structure.
No leadership.
Same mistake.
Again.
He spoke.
"If you stay like this, you'll die."
The words cut through the noise.
Everyone looked at him.
Some frowned.
Some listened.
Chen Ming crossed his arms.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Lin Ye met his gaze.
"We split roles."
"Front line. Support. Watch."
"Clear priorities. No panic movement."
Simple.
Direct.
Effective.
Liu Fang nodded immediately.
"That makes sense."
Others began murmuring.
Agreeing.
Because they had seen what happened without it.
Chaos.
Death.
Chen Ming hesitated.
Then nodded.
"…fine."
That was enough.
Not full authority.
But acceptance.
Temporary.
Lin Ye did not push further.
He didn't need to.
Not yet.
He turned his head slightly.
Listening.
Then his expression shifted again.
"More are coming."
Distant movement.
Not close.
But approaching.
The campus was not done.
Not even close.
Lin Ye tightened his grip on the axe.
His eyes moved across the group.
"This is only the start," he said.
And this time.
Everyone believed him.