novelraw Chapter 47: Zorvax’s Astonishing Choice
Chapter 47: Zorvax’s Astonishing Choice
The last echoes of the battle faded, leaving Zorvax and Ophelia alone with the silence of their victory and the corpse of the level 3 zombie sprawled before them. Zorvax’s chest rose and fell with deep, weary breaths, a small smile playing on his lips—a rare sight reserved for moments of undeniable triumph.
His eyes, which usually held a sharp, almost predatory look, were now soft, reflecting a momentary peace as he glanced at the glowing system announcement in front of him.
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[Level 3 Zombie Core Obtained]
[Zombie Points +5000]
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"Look at this, Ophelia," Zorvax said, a hint of astonishment in his voice as he gestured toward the floating text. "Five thousand points for one zombie. Ten times the amount from level 2. This... this changes everything."
Ophelia leaned over to peek at the space where Zorvax was looking. "Five thousand? Really?" she asked, her fatigue momentarily forgotten in light of such news.
"Yes, really," Zorvax replied, his smile widening a fraction. "The path to evolution suddenly seems a bit less steep, doesn’t it?"
She chuckled, her laugh tinged with relief and lingering adrenaline. "A bit less, yes. But how many more of these giants do we need to take down to get you to the next level?"
Zorvax’s smile faded as he pondered the question. He looked down at the slain zombie, his brow creasing with a new concern. "Too many," he admitted, the gravity of their task settling back onto his shoulders. "And each one is going to be a battle just like this one."
Ophelia stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "But we’ll do it just like we did this one. Together."
He looked at her, the bond between them stronger than any zombie core or point system. "Together," he echoed, his fatigue apparent in the slump of his posture and the dark circles under his eyes.
"Yeah, you look like you could use a rest," Ophelia observed, her voice laced with genuine concern. "You don’t have to push so hard, not all at once."
Zorvax gave a slow nod, the adrenaline that had fueled his fight now ebbing away. "You’re right," he agreed, allowing himself to sit heavily on a piece of rubble. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face, and let out a long sigh.
Ophelia watched him, her gaze softening. "Let’s take a moment, then. You’ve earned it."
Zorvax let out a short, dry laugh. "Rest, huh? I didn’t think I’d need such a thing anymore. But perhaps you’re right."
As he rested, Ophelia stood guard, her eyes scanning the desolate landscape. The danger might have been temporarily abated, but their world was constant vigilance. The weight of the guns in her hands was a reminder of their unending struggle and of the battles yet to come.
But for now, they had this small respite—a moment of quiet under the ashen sky, a moment to savour their victory and prepare for the challenges ahead. It was a chance to breathe, assess, and plan their next move.
Zorvax, his interest piqued by the thought of their accumulated resources, decided to check the balance of their hard-earned zombie points.
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[Zombie Points: 8555]
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A hefty sum, Zorvax thought, the result of their relentless efforts over the past few days. It was a substantial amount, one that brought them closer to the evolution they were striving for. Yet, as he prepared to share the good news, Ophelia’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Are you going to get the Bionic Suit now?" Ophelia asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of excitement.
Zorvax looked at her, his head giving a firm shake. "No, not yet," he replied, a decision reflected in his serious tone.
Her confusion was apparent, her brows knitting together. "But why? Wouldn’t it make you stronger?"
He glanced at the flaming red sword that lay beside them, still radiating a faint heat. "This weapon has already made me stronger," Zorvax said, gesturing to the sword. "For now, it’s your turn. How about the Bionic Potion? The one that changed me."
Ophelia’s eyes widened. "You mean... the potion that evolved you?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of awe and uncertainty.
Zorvax nodded, his face softening at her reaction. "Exactly. It’s time we levelled the playing field. I can handle myself—now we need to ensure you can do the same."
"But the suit—" Ophelia started, only to be cut off by Zorvax’s reassuring tone.
"The suit can wait. This," he said, picking up the sword and letting it catch the light, "is a game-changer. But you need to be at your best as well. We’re a team, Ophelia. We strengthen each other."
A smile broke across Ophelia’s face, her initial hesitation melting away into grateful acceptance. She nodded, her posture straightening with resolve. "Okay. I trust you, Master. Let’s do it."
With a few commands entered into the system, Zorvax purchased the Bionic Potion for 4000 points, and it materialized in his hand—a vial filled with swirling, luminescent liquid.
He turned to Ophelia, the vial in his grasp. "Where do you want it? The injection site is important."
She pondered for a moment, then shrugged slightly. "You choose, Master. You know best."
Zorvax didn’t hesitate. He chose to inject it directly into her head, near the base of her skull, where it could easily integrate with her brain. "Brace yourself," he warned. "It might be uncomfortable."
"Ready," she affirmed, though her body tensed in anticipation.
As the needle pierced her skin, Ophelia clenched her teeth, a sharp intake of breath the only sign of her discomfort. Suddenly, a shadow seemed to envelop her, black tendrils swirling around her form.
Zorvax watched, his eyes wide with a mix of concern and awe. The evolution was happening seamlessly, much smoother than he had anticipated. "Remarkable," he muttered. "Is it because she’s already a top-tier zombie?"
Ophelia, now in the throes of transformation, gave no sign of hearing him. Her body was cocooned in darkness, the process enveloping her entirely.
Silently, Zorvax stood guard, watching over her as she had done for him countless times. This evolution would mark a new beginning for them both, and he was determined to see it through, no matter what changes it brought.