Zombie Domination-Chapter 32- Battle

The expedition group moved cautiously through the desolate streets, weaving between overturned cars and crumbling storefronts. Amid the eerie silence, Clarissa leaned closer to Luke and asked quietly, "Luke, can I ask something? Why does Mr. Brandon seem to hate or dislike Mr. Randoff so much?"

Luke let out a small sigh. "That’s... a tricky question."

Veronica, walking on Clarissa’s other side, interjected, "What do you mean? What happened?"

Before Luke could answer, Vivi, who was just ahead of them, turned her head and spoke up with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Well, before the apocalypse, Mr. Brandon used to get scolded by Mr. Randoff a lot. Brandon was sloppy at his job, always cutting corners. Plus, he was... let’s just say, not exactly professional around women."

She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "One time, Mrs. Randoff came by to deliver lunch Mr. Randoff had forgotten, and Brandon made a lecherous face at her, he even tried to approach her. Mr. Randoff caught him and beat the crap out of him right there. That’s pretty much why Brandon has a grudge."

Luke cleared his throat awkwardly. "Vivi, you shouldn’t spread gossip like that..."

But Vivi shrugged. "It’s not gossip if it’s the truth."

Clarissa and Veronica exchanged a knowing look, understanding at last why Brandon seemed to see the whenever Randoff was mentioned. "So it’s Brandon’s own fault for being a creep..." Veronica muttered.

At that moment, a voice from further up the group cut through their conversation. "You all seem pretty relaxed for an expedition. Swapping gossip now?"

Luke and Vivi both looked embarrassed. "Ah, sorry about that!" Luke said quickly.

The man who’d spoken slowed to walk alongside them. He was lean and sharp-eyed, with dark hair and a confident stride. "Name’s Rea Hilton," he said, nodding politely.

Julian dipped his head in acknowledgment. "Julian Deaw," he introduced himself coolly. Clarissa and Veronica followed suit, giving their names.

Julian’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "I heard this expedition is to search for the missing team. Can you tell me more about what happened?"

Rea nodded gravely. "Their group had six skill users. Their mission was to hunt mutated zombies, collect their crystals for research, and find any survivors. With a teleporter in their team, we thought they’d be safe. But... clearly, something went wrong."

Julian’s gaze dropped to the unusual pistol at Rea’s hip. "That weapon, your sidearm, looks different. Is it special?"

Rea blinked in surprise, then chuckled. "Sharp eye! Yes, it’s custom-made. How did you notice?"

Julian shrugged lightly. "I could sense a faint energy in the weapons your team carries."

"Impressive," Rea said with genuine respect. "That’s thanks to Mr. Albert. His Weapon Maker skill lets him create weapons that can channel and amplify our abilities."

Just then, Randoff’s voice rose from the head of the group. "We’ll rest here for now. Everyone, check your gear and stay alert. I’ll review our route."

The team spread out around the clearing, weapons at the ready, eyes scanning the ruined cityscape that loomed all around them.

Randoff stood at the front of the group, scanning their surroundings with a sharp gaze. He turned to a slender man wearing glasses who was crouched near a shattered lamppost, intently studying the streets beyond. "Rogan," Randoff called, "what do you see?"

The man, Rogan, adjusted his glasses, and his eyes glowed faintly green as he activated his skill, [Hunter’s Eye]. "I’ve detected four powerful energy signatures," Rogan reported, his voice calm but tense. "Most likely mutated zombies. There’s also a swarm of smaller energy sources, standard zombies."

A ripple of unease ran through the group. Randoff nodded resolutely. "Everyone, prepare for battle. But before we move, we need to know each other’s skills. Coordination is our only chance."

He turned to Luke first. Luke stepped forward confidently. "My skill is [Mirror], I can reflect enemy attacks back at them."

Next, Vivi raised her hand with a playful grin. "[Acceleration]. I can move at extreme speeds, perfect for dodging or striking first."

Rea followed, his eyes serious. "[Mirage]. I create illusions to fool enemies or mask our movements."

Rogan stood up, pushing his glasses up his nose. "You know mine, [Hunter’s Eye]. I can detect, analyze, and track targets with precision."

A tall, stern-looking woman stepped forward next. Her eyes glowed softly as she spoke. "I’m Selena. My skill is [Thorn Sanctuary], I can create an area that heals allies. It also forms a shield that damages and impales any enemy that comes too close."

Seven other team members stepped up behind them. Though none of them were skill users, they brandished modified weapons, rifles with extended magazines, shock batons, even saw-blade launchers, making them a formidable force.

Cris stepped forward last among the shelter’s original members. "My skill is [Poison]. I generate and control deadly toxins."

Then Randoff turned his gaze to Julian’s group. Julian spoke first, his tone cool and measured. "[Shadow]." He kept his other abilities to himself, no need to reveal everything.

Clarissa stepped up beside him. "[Telekinesis]," she said simply.

Veronica crossed her arms. "[Enchanter]."

Finally, Randoff placed a hand on his chest, his expression hardening. "My skill is [Knight]. I can summon a suit of armor and a greatsword, granting me immense strength and defense."

Satisfied, he swept his gaze over the assembled fighters. "Good. Now we all know what each of us can do. Remember your roles, and watch each other’s backs. Stay focused."

As the final checks were made, Julian raised his voice calmly, "How will the loot be divided?"

Randoff glanced back at him. "Those who contribute the most will earn the largest share. Everyone should give their best."

Julian nodded approvingly. "Fair enough."

Randoff lifted his hand, signaling the team to spread out. "Everyone, take your positions! We attack on my mark!"

With silent precision, the team members moved into formation across the crumbling street and the hollowed ruins. The tension in the air was thick as the mutated zombies shambled into view, hulking abominations with twisted limbs and snarling maws. Then, Randoff’s voice rang out. "Now! Attack!"

Julian led his group against one of the towering mutated zombies. Shadowy tendrils rippled beneath his feet as he flashed forward, katana cutting through the air with a cold gleam. He sidestepped the monster’s claw swipe, the edge of his blade tracing an arc of darkness that gouged deep into its hardened hide. His movements were sharp and efficient, blending the grace of a dancer with the precision of a master swordsman.

Clarissa stood behind him, her eyes glowing faintly as a dozen small knives floated from Julian’s inventory. With a flick of her hand, the blades shot forward in a deadly barrage, hammering into the mutated zombie’s joints and slowing it down.

Meanwhile, Veronica extended her hands, her enchantments washing over Julian in a faint silver light, boosting his speed, power, and reaction time. Each strike of Julian’s katana landed heavier and faster, black mist swirling with every cut.

The mutated zombie roared in fury, swinging its massive arms, but Julian twisted through its blows, shadows pooling at his feet as he darted from one side to another. Clarissa’s telekinetically guided knives sliced at its exposed weak points, while Veronica’s buffs kept him moving like a phantom. Finally, Julian gathered darkness around his blade, the shadows roaring to life as he leaped, then unleashed his Ultimate [Shadow Slash]. A jet-black crescent of energy tore the monster apart, bisecting it cleanly with an explosion of shadowy force.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, Luke stood defiantly against a lunging mutated zombie, his [Mirror] skill flaring as he angled his shield. The creature’s claws struck him, and instantly rebounded back, slashing its own face and staggering it.

Vivi zipped like a blur across the field, her Acceleration making her movements impossible to follow as she cut deep gashes into another mutated zombie’s torso and legs with twin daggers. Blood and rotting flesh flew in her wake.

Cris roared with rage, poison dripping from his hands as he slammed his fists into a zombie’s chest, corroding its flesh with sizzling violet acid. His attacks were wild but brutally effective.

Rea stood further back, his Mirage skill cloaking himself in a haze of illusions that split his image into five copies. The mutated zombie chasing him snapped at illusions while he calmly placed precise shots with his pistol into its eyes and throat.

Rogan crouched behind a broken wall, eyes glowing green as he tracked every enemy. He fired shot after shot with his custom rifle, each bullet perfectly placed to cripple the zombies’ limbs or rupture their skulls.

The seven non-skill fighters moved in disciplined pairs, supporting the skill users by cutting down swarming ordinary zombies with shock rifles and modified blades, working seamlessly to clear the hordes.

Randoff, clad in his gleaming summoned armor, strode into battle like a knight of old. His massive greatsword crackled with power as he met a mutated zombie head-on, parrying its crushing fists before cleaving through its body with a mighty overhead strike.

With their coordinated assault, the team quickly turned the tide. Julian’s group moved to support the others, Clarissa’s knives spinning through the air to harry enemies, Veronica’s buffs coursing through nearby allies, and Julian cutting down any creature that threatened their line.

Finally, silence fell over the street as the last zombie collapsed. The team gathered in the middle of the ruined avenue, breathing hard but victorious. Randoff lowered his sword, armor dissolving into light. "Everyone, good work," he called out. "Rest for now. If you’re wounded, head to Selena for healing."

Selena stepped forward, the green light of her [Thorn Sanctuary] blooming around her as she tended to the injured, her vines wrapping gently around cuts and bruises, knitting flesh back together.

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