Lying on the cold ground while Marcus struggled against the zombie, Leon knew what he had to do.

With his consciousness already fading, he gathered the last bit of his focus and activated his Instant Recovery ability.

He felt warmth spread from within him, and his injuries healed at a pace that stunned him. He heard his bones snapping back into place, as if time was being rewound.

Soon, there was not even a single scratch on his body. His stamina had dropped to a dangerous level, and he wasn’t ready to restore it yet. There was a particular trait he had been waiting for.

Hummmm~!

His whole body was filled with energy, and he felt his muscles spasm with force.

This was the effect of the Overdrive trait that only activated when his stamina had dropped below half.

Feeling the strength coursing through him, Leon consumed 60 mana points and created a sword from the shadows, then dashed at the zombie.

He blurred in an instant, and his blade fell on it.

Bang!

The zombie blocked his attack, then effortlessly pushed him back. Leon’s boots slid against the ground, and he stopped before a familiar bookstore. He immediately rushed inside to pick up his sword, then dismissed the shadow sword.

By the time he stepped outside, the zombie was already upon him.

"Fuck."

He immediately swung the weapon with all his might. It blocked with its arms, easily shrugging off the attack. Then, it struck at his chest.

Leon managed to dodge this time.

Skidding backwards, he heaved a sigh, then glanced at Marcus who was finally rising to his feet.

"Damned thing. What the fuck is this zombie made of?" The bald guy groaned, his silver skin rippling as he stood.

"Are you serious about that now? Don’t die," Leon clicked his tongue and dashed at the zombie.

Tightening his arm muscles, he anchored his right foot against the ground, then swung the sword with all his might.

Bang!

The zombie was smacked hard across its torso, and for the first time, it was lifted off its feet.

Marcus didn’t miss that opportunity. He immediately rushed toward the zombie, jumped up, transformed his hands into a large sledgehammer, then slammed it into the zombie’s skull.

BANG!

It crashed into the ground, creating a crater several meters wide in the street.

"That was intense," Leon murmured, and immediately dashed at the zombie as soon as he noticed it rising.

Suddenly, he noticed something that made him jump back in alarm.

The zombie raised its arms, and suddenly, bone spikes shot from its arms, straight at the two humans.

’Crazy much?’

Leon couldn’t help but lament as he blocked the bone spikes with his sword. The force behind the spikes was startling, causing his brows to furrow.

’This thing... isn’t even being damaged by us at all. It’s almost as if it’s toying with us.’

His gaze darkened at the revelation, and he felt the dread in his heart intensify. His instincts still screamed at him to run, but he was forcing himself to stay.

As the yellow-eyed zombie stood up, Marcus swung his sledgehammer hands at it, only for it to tank the attack with its skull.

The zombie didn’t even move an inch, though the ground beneath it cracked.

Marcus’s silver eyes widened in horror when he realized his strongest attack had no effect. For the first time since the battle started, he felt cold fear and utter despair.

’I can’t even damage it. I can’t win. I can’t... I can’t...’

With his eyes trembling, he took cautious steps backwards, his arms still raised defensively.

The zombie’s grotesque lips stretched into something resembling a smile, then it slowly turned to Leon. The smile instantly disappeared from its face.

’Oh shit-!’

Bang!

Leon folded into two, his chest touching his lap as he was punched by the zombie. His blood and several pieces of internal organs sprayed out of his mouth, and he was sent crashing through three different buildings.

The zombie paused, staring at its hand that had punched him. Its wrist was cracked, which was a surprise. However, the crack mended in a few seconds, and it finally turned to face its other opponent.

Marcus was already running out of fear and terror. The zombie smiled menacingly, then chased after him.

Lying on the ground, his body wrecked with pain, Leon felt like he was about to pass away. His entire midsection was pulverized, and he knew no amount of Fel’s healing could save him.

She wasn’t even here, anyway.

Leon grunted, bringing himself more pain. He took a deep breath, then immediately activated Stamina Regeneration.

His mana reserves were immediately depleted, and he barely recovered enough stamina to use the other ability.

’Instant Recovery.’

Leon felt the heat again. Something flowed beneath his skin, and it felt as though time itself was rewinding for his body. His skin was sewn back together, and his internal organs were restored.

In less than a minute, he was back in peak condition.

Still, he lay there on the ground, panting heavily.

’I need to go now. I need to go.’

He pushed himself off the ground, feeling his knees wobble. The zombie was out of his sight, nor could he see Marcus.

’Not bad...’

He staggered over to his sword that was lying meters away, sheathed it, then slowly made his way back to the hotel.

Half an hour later, he arrived back at the hotel. Marie was waiting in the reception with the others.

When he appeared, struggling to take another step, she immediately rushed over and supported him. Leon didn’t have the luxury of enjoying the soft comfort of her embrace because his brain immediately shut down, the moment it realized he was finally in a safe location.

Hours later, Leon slowly opened his eyes and immediately winced from the sunlight streaming through the windows.

’Ah, that stings.’

He grunted, then turned to the side. A girl with short black hair and sharp blue eyes was staring at him.

Her face was completely emotionless, and she gave him a flat greeting.

"Good morning, boss."