Chapter 8: Power

The zombie roared, enraged that Grey had taken his arm. It charged at Grey with the intent to pummel him with a single fist. However, as the zombie's fist almost hit Grey, a sphere of lightning blasted out of him, pushing the zombie backward.

The muscular zombie tottered to the rear with a pained grunt as electricity coursed into his body. It was surprised that the human who had fled from its attacks, like an annoying rat, was somehow stronger than before and now able to fight back.

The look of defiance in Grey's eyes pissed it off, and it roared loudly in annoyance, before rushing towards Grey with the intent to bludgeon him into a bloody pulp.

Grey grinned at the power he was able to unleash. He had managed to create a move that boosted his ability and that made him excited. But he knew he was running on limited time; there was no point to the boost if he couldn't use it to defeat the zombie.

Focusing his attention on the beast, he readied himself. The zombie threw out a fast and fierce punch, but to Grey, it looked like it was moving in slow motion. He casually stepped to the side, watching the zombie's fist blow past him. Then, he went low and placed his palm on the zombie's chest.

*Grzzzt!*

[Overcharge] unlocked.

A million bolts of concentrated electricity slammed into the beast. The zombie screamed in pain as the deadly current burnt its skin and seized its muscles.

"I'm not done yet." Grey manipulated his mana, causing lightning to wrap around his arm. [Lightning Fists] unlocked.

Grey grinned, “Let's do this.”

He moved towards the dazed zombie and began to rain attacks. The zombie took a couple to the face, which motivated it to put a guard up. Its arms received the brunt of Grey's powered blows, pushing the zombie backward. It realized its defense wouldn't save him as its arms were getting charred; it was only a matter of time before Grey broke through.

With a rageful roar, it let out another shockwave with raw muscle strength, intending to push Grey back. However, Grey was out of sight. Where did he go? It looked around, wondering where Grey was.

Before it could turn backward, Grey punched it in the ribs with his full power. Sounds of bone breaking rang as the zombie slid to the side with a pained grunt. It coughed out blood, holding its wounded area. It then looked at Grey hatefully and decided it was time to use its ability. Its body began to grow red as its muscles bulged. It was using [Rage].

“Oh no, you don't.” Grey wouldn't stand and watch it happen. Not when he was running on limited time.

He appeared before the zombie, but the zombie reacted, abandoning its transformation and throwing out a flurry of blows. Grey didn't receive it; he simply went low and used [Overcharge]. A deadly amount of electrical current then sliced into the zombie. It screamed in agony and instinctively raised both arms to guard, expecting Grey's rain of blows. But nothing came.

"Kneel to your god." Grey said and forcefully kicked the zombie's leg by the shin, causing it to fall on its knees and break its guard.

The zombie furiously attempted to stand, but what met him was a punch to the jaw, an elbow to the nose, and then [Overcharge] once again. The combo caused it to scream, but even then, Grey wouldn't let up. He moved his fist like a raging rocket ram into its chest, causing its thorax to cave in. The zombie flew through the air like a cannon and crashed into the wall, with a pained grunt.

It coughed out a mouthful of black blood, its appearance deathly pale. Severely weakened but not dead yet. Grey walked towards the zombie, grateful to Juggernaut for the challenge. Because of it, he was able to create a lot of new skills. No, that's wrong; if the system hadn't given him the quest, he would have run away, which meant the system deserved the credit.

Grey stopped before the zombie, looking right into its eyes. Never in his life would he have imagined himself in a situation like this. It was dangerous, but he didn't completely hate it. He thought of it as a challenge he had to overcome. One monster at a time, maybe a bunch too.

A lightning aura shaped around Grey's fingers like a blade, and he sliced the zombie's neck. The Juggernaut's head fell to the ground with a thud, life fading from its eyes.

*Tti-ring*

[Congratulations! You have completed the quest: Slay Muscular Zombie]

[Your rewards are now available]

Grey felt his energy dissipate, a massive weakness washing over him. A drowsy feeling made him fall to his knees, and along with that came pain. Grey winced loudly and fell to the ground, unable to move. A metallic taste filled his taste buds, and blood seeped out of his mouth. His sight blurred, and the last thing he saw before he went unconscious was the level-up notification popping one after the other. And that made him grin.