Apocalypse Harem System: Infinite Rebate

The Smiling Mutant

The courtyard froze.

Every survivor stared at the creature standing in the shattered doorway.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Because what they had just witnessed was impossible.

The mutant had smiled.

Not a random twitch.

Not a mindless movement.

A genuine smile.

As though it understood exactly what was happening.

As though it enjoyed their fear.

A cold chill ran down Ethan's spine.

The System immediately flashed warning after warning.

WARNING!

Special Mutant Detected!

Mutation Type: Hunter

Level: 5

Threat Rating: Extremely Dangerous

Level 5?

Ethan's heart sank.

The Crusher he had barely defeated was only Level 3.

This thing was Level 5.

And judging by its appearance, it was much faster.

The mutant stepped forward.

Its body was lean and muscular.

Black veins spread across pale skin.

Sharp claws extended from its fingers.

Its glowing red eyes swept across the courtyard.

Studying everyone.

Choosing prey.

Several survivors began backing away.

One man dropped his weapon entirely.

"That's not a zombie..."

The Hunter's smile widened.

Then it moved.

WHOOSH!

The creature disappeared.

Gasps erupted everywhere.

Too fast.

Way too fast.

A scream echoed from the far side of the courtyard.

Everyone turned.

A survivor collapsed to the ground.

His throat had been ripped open.

Blood sprayed across the pavement.

The Hunter stood behind him.

Claws dripping red.

The entire attack had taken less than a second.

Panic exploded.

"Run!"

"Get away from it!"

The apartment complex descended into chaos.

People scattered in every direction.

The Hunter laughed.

Actually laughed.

A horrifying, raspy sound.

Then it attacked again.

Another survivor fell.

Then another.

The creature was hunting them.

Playing with them.

Ethan gritted his teeth.

At this rate everyone would die.

Including him.

The System chimed.

Emergency Mission Generated

Kill the Hunter Mutant

Reward:

Rare Evolution Crystal ×1

1,000 System Points

Random Rare Skill

Failure:

Death

"Great."

The System really enjoyed reminding him of that possibility.

Ava suddenly appeared beside him.

Combat knife in hand.

Her expression was cold.

Focused.

"Any ideas?"

Ethan blinked.

"You want my plan?"

"You're the only person here who's killed a mutant."

Fair point.

Sophia and Emily hurried over as well.

Fear was visible on both faces.

The Hunter darted across the courtyard again.

A survivor barely escaped being disemboweled.

Barely.

The creature was toying with everyone.

Testing them.

Enjoying itself.

Then Ethan noticed something.

Every attack followed a pattern.

The Hunter always retreated to high ground.

Balconies.

Rooftops.

Railings.

Like a predator.

An ambush hunter.

A plan began forming.

Dangerous.

But possible.

He looked at Ava.

"Can you hit it?"

"If it slows down."

"What if I give you a shot?"

Ava's eyes narrowed.

"I'll take it."

Good enough.

Ethan quickly opened his inventory.

The rewards from Ava's critical rebate flashed before him.

One item caught his attention.

Enhanced Strength Serum.

Without hesitation, he withdrew one.

A small metallic injector appeared in his hand.

Ava stared.

"What is that?"

"Trust me."

That sentence rarely reassured anyone.

Still, Ava accepted the injector.

The former soldier didn't hesitate.

She pressed it against her arm.

CLICK.

The serum entered her bloodstream.

Several seconds passed.

Then her eyes widened.

"What..."

Her muscles tightened.

Her posture changed.

Power surged through her body.

The System immediately notified Ethan.

Gift Successful!

Recipient: Ava Reynolds

100x Rebate Activated!

Congratulations!

You Received:

100 Enhanced Strength Serums

Ethan nearly laughed.

This system was absurd.

Meanwhile, Ava flexed her fingers.

A look of shock crossed her face.

"I feel..."

"Stronger?"

"Much stronger."

The Hunter suddenly appeared atop a balcony.

Its red eyes locked onto the group.

Its smile returned.

Then it leaped.

Directly toward Sophia.

Sophia froze.

Everything happened too quickly.

The mutant's claws reached for her throat.

Then—

Ava moved.

Faster than before.

Much faster.

She intercepted the Hunter mid-air.

BOOM!

The collision shook the courtyard.

Both combatants crashed into a parked vehicle.

Metal crumpled inward.

The survivors stared in disbelief.

Ava had actually stopped it.

The former soldier rolled to her feet.

The Hunter did the same.

Its expression changed.

For the first time, it wasn't smiling.

It looked annoyed.

Good.

That meant Ava had hurt it.

The mutant hissed.

Then charged.

Ava met it head-on.

Claws and knife collided.

Sparks flew.

The battle had begun.

Ethan tightened his grip on the Desert Eagle.

His chance was coming.

The Hunter was distracted.

And predators were most vulnerable when they focused on a single target.

Now all he needed...

Was one perfect shot.