บท 17: Astonishing Discovery

"Well, although I probably will not be able to do what you do, I want to be able to protect you, so I offer myself."

Matthew surprised and happy by Bethany's determination asked her:

"I really didn't expect any of you would volunteer, what made you make that decision Bethany? After all, we can die anytime while fighting with the zombies."

Bethany smiled as she replied:

"As I told you when we met, I'm not a spoiled and crybaby girl, I was just scared for everything that's happening in the world and so I couldn't think and act as I should, now that I'm tranquil I have the notion that if I want to survive in this new world I can't depend on anyone except by myself."

Thobias blushed as he heard this and Julie replied:

"That's just a part of the situation, you're going to be in more danger than we are and could die at any time while fighting the zombies."

Bethany then smiled and said to Julie:

"It may even be true what you are talking about and it may also be childish I want to fight the zombies, but I don't want to be a crybaby girl who will depend on other people to protect me, that is my decision and I will follow her to the end even though it may cost my life."

Matthew then walked over to Bethany, put his hand on the top of her head and ruffled her hair as him said:

"Don't worry Bethany, no one will tell you not to follow your decision, in fact I'm extremely glad you made that decision, now I will not have to protect all of you alone."

Bethany then nodded as she put a contented smile on her face.

Matthew seeing this also smiled as he hoped this fluffy side of her wouldn't be affected as a consequence of future difficulties she would face and said:

"More importantly, what weapon did you get in [LOTTERY]? And what have you spent your evolutionary credits with?"

Bethany put a look of confusion on her face and said:

"I already used [LOTTERY], I received a shield as a reward and as for the skill I acquired a healing skill, although I doubt it will be useful against the zombies because of the virus they carry."

"More importantly, what are these evolutionary credits you're talking about?"

Matthew surprised by the fact that she didn't know what the evolutionary credits were:

"These are the currencies used to buy items in the [STORE] system."

Bethany then made a surprise look on her face as she walked into the system [STORE] and said:

"The system didn't tell me about it."

Thobias then intervened in the conversation and said:

"Both you are the proof that my conjecture is right, so it appears the system will not inform users unless they proactively seek information."

Matthew then frowned the brow as he thought about how many people might have died because of this and told Bethany:

"Evolutionary credits are gained by killing the monsters, I recommend that you initially purchase the [BASIC MASTERY WITH SHIELDS] and [BASIC MASTERY WITH KATANAS] skills to increase your fighting strength."

Bethany then nodded as she bought the skills Matthew recommended and felt an amount of information popping into her brain, though not a quantity that made her a master in katanas and shields, still gave her a basic notion of what to do and what not do.

Matthew then told the group:

"Let's take a little deviation on the way to the bus, I plan to train her a bit against the zombies, in case something comes up during our journey she is able to fight against the zombies and so she can protect you if I can't for some reason."

Terry then said:

"Don't worry, we know this will be useful for the future, just don't end up fighting more than you can handle and kill us all."

Matthew then nodded and said:

"No need to worry about it, I don't have suicidal tendencies and I want to know if my parents are alive or not."

Then Thobias said:

"Wait a minute, I'll get some of the director's clothes, I'm sure he will not mind that, and besides, I need this much more than him, it would be helpful if you cleaned up Matthew."

Matthew then nodded and went to the bathroom with Thobias to clean and change his clothes, after about five minutes they both left the bathroom and Matthew said:

"Well, now we can finally get to the bus."

Seeing that no one had anything against that order Matthew began to walk out of the building toward the parking lot where the bus stood while looking for signs of any zombies that could be identified to train Bethany as he walked Matthew asked the system:

"System, although most of the zombies that are currently out there should be the ones that were generated during the system activation, certainly must have some that were infected after that, the zombies are aggressive and different than the movies show, they rip the limbs and eat everything in the person, including the organs, how can they infect someone like that and us can't see any zombies without members?"

*Ding* "Responding to the user, after the human dies and becomes infected with the zombie virus, his cells will pass an evolution that will make him in an irrational and dead alive being, restoring his limbs and everything that a human was supposed to have before he was devoured."

Matthew then amazed asked the system:

"How can that happen?"

*Ding* "Responding to the user, when any life form enters the evolutionary stage, humans are included, their cells will pass by a large-scale modification, eliminating some of the useless and limiting genes of the species, generating new genes and increasing amount of good genes, in short, you will be cured of physical and mental deficiencies, will strengthen both mentally and physically, will regenerate any lost body parts and increase life expectancy."

Matthew was then shocked by everything he had just learned and told the members of the group.