My Unrestrained Lives

Ellis had decided to take the first step on his own yesterday, only for the world to turn upside down today, only for everything to change!

Maybe if he hadn't made that decision, he wouldn't have overslept, and he would be at the university now, with more people, more zombies, and at a higher level.

Still, he didn't have any regrets. Ellis felt that everything could now be fixed.

It's not like he got overpowered abilities from the start or anything.

But he got some, and while their current capability didn't offer any immediate benefits, he could always replace that with working harder.

He had previously done everything halfheartedly, not because he wasn't capable, after all.

It's just that he didn't have the motivation; he felt like working a little harder wouldn't change anything. After all, it was a rotten country.

But that had changed. The world as a whole had changed now, with the level and experience he was gaining from killing the zombies also serving as an indicator of his work, of his efforts.

So now, working hard couldn't be any more fulfilling.

While Ellis recalled some memories, seeing a group of three zombies in front of him, he immediately turned his attention back to them and his surroundings, pushing all his distracting thoughts aside.

With the knife in his hand, he sprinted toward them, as three was a small number for him now.

[You have killed Lv.3 Zombie] 

[You have earned 1200 Experience]

The first one fell with a clean cut to its neck, despite the now blunt knife, and Ellis didn't slow down but attacked the next one.

[You have killed Lv.3 Zombie] 

[You have earned 1200 Experience]

It took two strikes for the second zombie, unlike the first one, as he couldn't aim properly for the neck, with them attacking him. Still, with only one zombie remaining, it became even easier. So, after dodging its attack, with its mouth opened wide in a horrifying display, a sight that would unsettle anyone with a weak heart.

He drove the knife straight into its throat, then, letting go of the handle, he threw a punch with his other hand at it. The force of the punch drove the blade further, making it emerge from the back of the zombie's head.

[You have killed Lv.4 Zombie]

[You have earned 2000 Experience]

[You have reached Level 12]

[All attributes increased by 1]

[You got 5 unassigned points]

Seeing the notifications indicating the kill and his raised level, Ellis finally relaxed his nerves, and a smile spread across his face. It was a terrifying, blood-smeared grin, but it was still a smile.

He then retrieved the now seemingly useless knife and finally started heading back.

Ellis didn't bother taking supplies or anything alike, trying to stock them in his house. He planned to start moving a little later anyway, and as long as there were people, there would be food, that was his conviction.

Most importantly, he felt like the current situation wasn't as bad as he had seen in some zombie stories. The percentage of people turning into zombies after the awakening also wasn't actually that high.

Then, with electricity and phone signals still working normally, was the situation really that grave? He didn't think so.

Arriving at the building where his apartment was, Ellis was walking up the stairs when he suddenly saw another group of three zombies. He was surprised, as he thought he had killed them all when he went out.

But not minding it much, as it was free experience anyway, Ellis set to work. He moved toward them without waiting for their slow advance.

[You have killed...]

[You...]

[...]

After easily killing them, Ellis glanced to the side and noticed that the door of one apartment was open, and he couldn't help but deduce that they might have come from inside.

Still, he intended to continue on his way, but catching a glimpse of an intriguing situation inside, he couldn't help but stop.

The furniture in the house was gathered and piled in front of the door to one room.

And Ellis became a little curious about what could possibly be inside.

Entering the apartment and walking steadily toward them, he began removing the furniture casually.

As soon as he finished, he opened the door, this time more carefully, as one could never know what might be inside.

But seeing the scene inside, Ellis's gaze became peculiar.

What came into view was a normal bedroom, but with a cat larger than usual, nearly the size of a dog, laying lazily on the bed, as if it were its rightful owner.

He felt his nerves relax a little, but knowing that all the animals had also awakened and become more powerful, he still intended to kill it.

It was also experience in his eyes, after all.

The idea of taming, of course, came to him briefly. But is it really that easy?

Ellis didn't think so.

So, he couldn't leave future problems unresolved, even if its appearance was somewhat beautiful, unlike the other ugly zombies.

Ellis jumped toward it, intending to finish it with a single attack.

But this time, before he could reach its side, it arrived first, faster than him, and he barely dodged the attack from its fangs.

While he was taken by surprise at first, luckily, he didn't let down his guard. So, he quickly returned to the game, tugging and pulling with it.

After some time, finally seeing an opportunity, he aimed for the final slash once again. However, as he struck, he felt something was wrong, and quickly dodged to the side.

Woosh!

And a green wind blade struck the spot he had just vacated.

Ellis, looking at it with more surprise than ever, became even more serious. He resumed the battle in the small space of the room, feeling a pang of envy that the cat had an active skill using mana, while he, a human, didn't, despite his mana attribute being the highest.