Chapter 36: First Contact!

In the following three days, Adam, Rebecca, and little Sophia embarked on their journey toward Boston on foot. Although Adam's speed was significantly reduced, he never complained, understanding the importance of their safety.

Initially, Rebecca and Sophia were astonished to find that no beasts attempted to attack them. On several occasions, they witnessed these creatures fleeing as soon as they encountered Adam. When Rebecca inquired about this phenomenon, Adam explained his experience in the dungeon and how he had been steadily leveling up. The beasts seemed to sense his strength and chose to avoid confrontation.

On the third day, they began approaching signs of civilization once again. Adam was now certain that the constant earthquakes were a result of the Earth's expansion. Despite their progress, he realized they had only covered about a third of the distance to Boston. They had likely passed Springfield by now, but the journey still stretched out before them.

Confusion and horror gripped their hearts as they neared a small town along the way.

Adam's suspicions about the Earth's expansion were confirmed as he observed the noticeable changes in the landscape. Buildings stood farther apart from each other, and roads had cracked and shifted in certain areas. Inexplicably, vegetation sprouted in places where it shouldn't, like a store parking lot transformed into a cluster of small trees and bushes.

However, what truly horrified them was the gruesome scene that unfolded before their eyes. Torn and partially devoured bodies littered the streets, while some houses lay in ruins. Rebecca, shielding little Sophia's eyes, tried to protect her from the horror. Still, the terror reflected on the young girl's face was undeniable.

Adam swiftly unsheathed his sword, positioning himself at the front of their small group. He turned to Rebecca and Sophia, urging them, "Please don't wander off and stay close to me. We're not sure what happened here, but it appears they were attacked by beasts." He knelt down in front of little Sophia, gently patting her hair. "I'm sorry you had to see this. Try to keep your eyes closed and hold on to your mama, okay?"

Sophia nodded, burying her face into her mother's stomach for comfort.

They proceeded to make their way deeper into the town, although Adam couldn't recall its name. He vaguely remembered passing through here before and knew that the population should have been just a few thousand people. However, the sight of numerous bodies scattered throughout the streets indicated a significant loss of life.

As they traversed the city, Adam suggested, "I think we should first stop by a grocery store or a general store to gather some supplies. Then we'll continue as far as we can and find an abandoned house on the outskirts to bunker down for the night."

The broken shop windows and lifeless bodies were haunting reminders of the tragedy that had unfolded. Approaching what appeared to be a general store, Adam caught a glimpse of movement from the corner of his eye. He focused on the adjacent auto repair shop and noticed signs of activity within, despite the building's severely damaged state.

Hope flickered within Adam as he called out, "Hello? Anybody there?" He waited anxiously, listening for a response. After a brief pause, a low gurgling noise emanated from inside the shop. Adam repeated his call, hoping to establish contact with any survivors who might be cautious after the events that had taken place. Eventually, a figure emerged from deep within the shop, prompting Adam to step back and motion for Rebecca and Sophia to do the same, taking cover behind him.

"Hello? I'm Adam. Can you tell me what happened here?" Adam inquired cautiously, his instinct warning him about the person standing before him.

As the man stepped forward, confusion clouded Adam's mind. The individual had a pale complexion with cracked skin, and his pupils darted restlessly within his eye sockets, resembling someone nervous or under the influence of drugs. Additionally, his fingers appeared elongated, with claw-like nails growing at their tips.

The man glanced at Adam and then shifted his focus to the two people standing behind him, particularly fixating on little Sophia. Adam felt a sense of unease and decided to use his Identify ability to learn more about the man's level. Having previously scanned Sophia and Rebecca, he knew the system would provide their names, classes, and levels, both of which were at level 1. Curiosity piqued, he turned his attention to the man.

[Mana Zombie - Level 10]

Adam immediately assumed a defensive stance, instructing the duo behind him, "He's not human. Get behind me now."

Without hesitation, the mana-infused creature lunged toward the group, its primal instincts driving it to feast upon the living. Adam's warrior instincts kicked in, recognizing the imminent danger posed by this mutated being.

With a lightning-fast strike, Adam unleashed the full force of his blade, aiming for a decisive blow against the mana zombie. The clash of steel against corrupted flesh filled the air as Adam's sword found its mark, cutting through the creature's twisted form.

Despite the zombie's enhanced strength from the mana coursing through its veins, Adam's superior combat skills and higher level proved to be the determining factors. The strike cleaved through the creature, severing it in half and extinguishing its monstrous hunger.

[You have killed [Mana Zombie - Level 10]

"Hey Rebecca, what class did you choose?" Adam asked, his voice steady despite the urgency of the situation.

"W... Warrior. Why?" Rebecca replied, her voice trembling with fear. Adam retrieved his trusty Falchion from his storage gauntlet and handed it to her. "Take this. We don't know how many more of these Mana Zombies are out there. We can't afford to get scratched or bitten if the movies are anything to go by. And keep a firm hold on Sophia at all times."

Proceeding with caution, they advanced toward the general store. Its interior was in disarray, yet surprisingly not as thoroughly ransacked as Adam had anticipated. This unsettling discovery cast a shadow of doubt over the fate of the city's inhabitants. Where were the survivors? And if there were none, where were the hordes of zombies? Adam swiftly gathered essential food items, storing them in his gauntlet, along with an ample supply of water bottles. He also collected various spices, knowing well the importance of flavoring beast meat. Turning his attention to little Sophia, he inquired about her preferred snacks, ensuring they didn't overlook her needs.

As they prepared to leave the store, Adam's keen eyes caught sight of several humanoid figures approaching their location from down the street. Reacting swiftly, he ushered everyone back inside, directing them to a storage room at the store's rear. After a thorough check for any lurking zombies, he stationed the mother and daughter inside the room, assuring their safety.

With determination etched on his face, Adam readied himself to confront the incoming threat. He closed the storage room door behind him, leaving Rebecca and Sophia sheltered within, and prepared to face the approaching zombies head-on.