Apocalypse Harem System: Infinite Rebate

Evolution Crystal

The celebration ended the moment Ethan noticed the crystal.

A dark-red gem rested beside the Hunter's corpse.

It pulsed like a living heartbeat.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Black mist swirled around it before slowly fading away.

The Hunter's body continued decomposing at an unnatural speed.

Within seconds, only rotten flesh remained.

Then even that began turning into dust.

The survivors watched in shock.

"What is happening?"

"Why is it disappearing?"

"Is that thing safe?"

Nobody knew.

Except Ethan.

Because the System had already identified it.

Evolution Crystal

Quality: Rare

Source: Hunter Mutant

Description:

Contains concentrated evolutionary energy.

Can permanently enhance physical abilities.

Extremely valuable.

Ethan's heartbeat quickened.

Permanent enhancement.

That was far more important than supplies.

Food could run out.

Weapons could break.

But strength?

Strength stayed forever.

The crystal was worth a fortune.

Ethan stepped forward and picked it up.

The moment his fingers touched it, another notification appeared.

Special Discovery

Host has obtained first Evolution Crystal.

New Function Unlocked.

Evolution Interface Activated.

A new menu appeared.

EVOLUTION PANEL

Host: Ethan Kane

Level: 4

Strength: 18

Agility: 13

Endurance: 14

Spirit: 10

Evolution Progress: 0%

Ethan stared at the numbers.

So the System tracked attributes too.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Then another message appeared.

Would Host Like To Absorb Evolution Crystal?

YES / NO

He hesitated.

The survivors were watching.

Absorbing a mysterious crystal in front of everyone probably wasn't the smartest idea.

Especially when he barely understood how it worked.

He selected NO.

The crystal vanished into his inventory.

Safer that way.

Nearby, Ava noticed.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

The crystal had literally disappeared.

Just like the food.

Just like the water.

Just like the gun.

She didn't say anything.

But Ethan knew she was becoming more suspicious.

The woman was far too observant.

Unfortunately, another problem demanded attention.

Trevor.

The large survivor from earlier.

His gaze remained fixed on Ethan.

More specifically...

On the crystal.

And the disappearing crystal had not escaped his notice.

Neither had the gun.

Nor the endless supplies.

Greed slowly appeared in his eyes.

Ethan immediately recognized it.

The apocalypse hadn't just created monsters.

It had revealed who people truly were.

And Trevor looked exactly like the type of man who would become dangerous.

Margaret clapped her hands.

"Everyone calm down."

"We need to discuss what happens next."

The courtyard gradually settled.

The surviving residents gathered together.

Fourteen people remained.

The Hunter had killed three.

A grim reminder that nobody was safe.

Margaret sighed.

"We need food."

"We need water."

"And we need security."

Nobody disagreed.

Then Trevor stood.

"I have a proposal."

Ethan almost rolled his eyes.

Of course he did.

Trevor pointed toward him.

"That guy has resources."

The courtyard fell silent.

Sophia frowned immediately.

"What are you talking about?"

"The food."

"The water."

"The supplies."

Trevor crossed his arms.

"We've all seen it."

"He clearly has more than everyone else."

Several survivors exchanged uncertain glances.

They had noticed.

Of course they had.

Ethan had not exactly been subtle.

Trevor continued.

"In times like these, resources should belong to the group."

Translation:

Give me your stuff.

Ethan smiled.

A very cold smile.

"And who decides that?"

Trevor grinned.

"The community."

"Interesting."

Ethan stepped forward.

"And what exactly are you contributing to this community?"

Trevor's smile disappeared.

The courtyard became tense again.

Several survivors looked uncomfortable.

Because they knew the answer.

Ethan had helped kill the Hunter.

Ethan had a gun.

Ethan had supplies.

Trevor had mostly complained.

The difference was obvious.

Before Trevor could respond, Ava stood up.

The effect was immediate.

Everyone paid attention.

The former Special Forces soldier looked directly at Trevor.

"If Ethan hadn't been here, we'd all be dead."

Silence.

"He risked his life fighting the Hunter."

Silence.

"And unless you plan on killing mutants yourself, I suggest you stop talking."

Trevor's face turned red.

But he said nothing.

Because even he understood one thing.

Ava could probably beat him unconscious.

The argument ended right there.

Margaret quickly moved the meeting forward.

The apartment complex would continue operating as a shared shelter.

Guard rotations would begin immediately.

Everyone would contribute according to their abilities.

For now, at least.

The meeting eventually ended.

Night slowly settled over the city.

Darkness consumed the streets.

The distant sounds of growling echoed from beyond the fences.

The dead were still out there.

Waiting.

Hunting.

Ethan finally returned to an empty apartment assigned to him.

Sophia and Emily occupied neighboring rooms.

Ava remained nearby as part of security duty.

For the first time since the apocalypse began, Ethan was alone.

He locked the door.

Closed the curtains.

Then opened his inventory.

The red Evolution Crystal appeared in his hand.

Its energy felt stronger than before.

Almost alive.

The System immediately responded.

Would Host Like To Absorb Evolution Crystal?

YES / NO

This time, Ethan selected YES.

The crystal shattered instantly.

Red energy exploded into his body.

Pain followed.

Intense.

Unbearable.

Every muscle tightened.

Every bone felt like it was breaking apart.

Ethan collapsed onto the floor.

His vision blurred.

The energy spread through his entire body.

Rebuilding.

Strengthening.

Evolving.

The process lasted several minutes.

Then it suddenly stopped.

Ethan lay there gasping for breath.

Sweat covered his body.

A new notification appeared.

Evolution Successful!

Strength: 18 → 25

Agility: 13 → 18

Endurance: 14 → 20

Evolution Progress: 10%

Ethan slowly stood.

The difference was obvious.

He felt stronger.

Faster.

Lighter.

Like an entirely new person.

Then the System delivered one final notification.

DING!

Hidden Mission Triggered.

Requirement Achieved:

Reach 10% Evolution Progress.

Reward:

Beginner Base Core

Ethan frowned.

Wasn't that supposed to be the reward for establishing a safe house?

The System seemed to be giving it to him early.

A glowing object appeared in his inventory.

A metallic cube covered in strange runes.

The description made his eyes widen.

Beginner Base Core

Allows the creation of a protected survivor territory.

Can generate defensive barriers.

Can upgrade into a fortress.

Can become a city.

Ethan stared at the item.

Then slowly smiled.

Food.

Weapons.

Evolution.

Now territory building.

His future path was becoming clear.

While everyone else was merely trying to survive the apocalypse...

He was already preparing to rule it.

Outside his apartment window, unseen by anyone, a pair of crimson eyes opened in the darkness.

Watching.

Waiting.

And unlike the Hunter...

These eyes belonged to something far more terrifying.