In a World of Nightmares, I Keep Awakening Stronger Talents

Chapter 5

*****

Name: Levi Li Gate: Null Talent: —

Exclusive Echo: — Attributes:

Strength: 9

Speed: 7

Agility: 9

Endurance: 10

Willpower: 25

Mana: 2

Review: [Oh, a human with good stats, ridiculous willpower and yet blames the

unfairness of the world. You're just one selfish piece of meat like those within the walls don't you think?]

***** 'You!'

Levi had never felt so insulted for being a human being. Although there was no voice in the message, he could feel the intensity of the review’s contempt!

He gazed at the status screen for a long time, and all of a sudden, an understanding dawned on him.

A knowledge that came from the unknown.

Strength measured his raw physical power and ability to deal damage in melee combat. One basic way to gauge it was by lifting objects. Speed indicated his quickness and ability to move rapidly, either forward or backwards. If high enough, he could run as fast as a Formula 1, but speed alone meant nothing without endurance.

Endurance stats determine his ability to sustain physical activity over time and also represent his ability to withstand physical punishment, pain and discomfort, basically, his stamina and resilience.

A high enough stat in endurance meant that he could be slammed into a building by a truck, yet come out with minor bruises!

Agility, though somewhat similar to speed, focuses on reflexes and the ability to change direction rapidly. He might be able to catch a fly once it was in his range but he won't be able to run as fast as a vehicle without high points in speed.

However, both worked hand in hand. If his speed stat was high and the agility couldn't match, he could potentially run into a pole or danger without being able to evade or change directions at lightning speed along with quick reflexes.

'So willpower represents my ability to withstand fear. Maybe that's why I was able to shrug off that cold feeling when I encountered that Infected woman.'

Levi pressed his lips together. 'It's useless.'

He concluded. Nothing on this panel could help him kill an infected.

The anticipation to see his status fell and as if the situation couldn't get any worse, he saw some silhouettes emerging through the darkness, slowly but surely closing in on his location.

Alarmed, he rose to his feet, still crouching in the cart. 'Is that…'

His eyes narrowed sharply as he gazed into the darkness. The stiff, mechanical gait of the figures emerging from the shadows sent a chill down his spine. He recognized the unmistakable, jerky movements - the same unnatural, zombie-like stride that characterized the infected villagers.

Boom!

All of a sudden, something landed on top of the cart. The wood groaned under the weight as it creaked, almost succumbing to the weight of whoever was above it but Levi wasn't willing to look up to know who it was.

He shot out of the cart like a spring, screeching to a halt in the middle of the street. His eyes narrowed greatly as a gleaming fine steel blade flashed toward his neck in a fluid motion.

Levi reacted on instinct. He tilted his body back and watched the blade miss by a hair's breadth.

Borrowing the momentum of his tilt, he placed both hands on the ground and slammed his feet against the assailant.

Li Chen staggered back two steps, scoffing. "Humph!"

Then he brandished his sword, expecting a fight but Levi turned heel, running like never before.

"Are you a rabbit!" As Li Chen yelled, he caught sight of the infected in a hot chase. Seeing this, his eyes widened.

He increased his pace but soon discovered something strange, Levi had stopped running.

Li Chen's eyes blazed with a fierce, malevolent intensity, but as he arrived at the

scene and attempted to raise his sword, his body suddenly locked up, frozen in place.

A figure stood five metres away, clad in black. It's entire body merged with the darkness yet its white mask stood out.

The white rabbit mask prevented him from knowing whether it was male or female but those bright maroon eyes sent a chill down his spine.

A high-ranking infected!

"You will die before me boy…!"

He turned to his right only to discover Levi was once again running but this time toward the crowd of red-eyed infected!

Li Chen's eyes widened to the limit. No normal man could move freely under the weight of a high-ranking infected's gaze but Levi was running even faster than

before!

'Maybe if I can just….!'

The moment Li Chen turned, his head blew up!

Levi took a sudden turn, right before the horde of infected and sprinted around a house, emerging onto the next street while maintaining his speed. Even Levi didn't know how he had managed those maneuvers or how he was running so fast!

Although he didn't witness Li Chen's head explosion, he had heard the abrupt scream before the blast.

But he didn't dare look back.

His body was growing colder by the minute. Fear invaded him. Only his will to survive kept him going.

It had only been a few minutes, yet his entire life had already flashed before his eyes several times. His respect for those who survived the trial increased tremendously. He hadn't run for too long when he saw someone.

A man standing in the middle of the street with a crossbow aimed at him. Levi stopped. Then, he began to walk.

Step. Step. Another Step. "Stop."

Levi obeyed. A weapon was pointed at his head, it would be stupid to defy the wielder's orders.

Strangely, he felt… safer with a bolt aimed at his head. It was better than a sword in the dark.

"He's not infected. Lower the bow."

A group emerged from a nearby building.

The one who spoke was a muscular man with broad shoulders and large biceps, clad in a sleeveless top and a black cloth tied around his waist, he looked like the son of a blacksmith and a martial artist.

Such a large frame and muscles weren't a sight to easily come by in an era such as this.

Strapped to his back was a large black hilted sword, wrapped in a white cloth. "I have a safehold."

His words were simple and straightforward.

"I," Levi mused over his choice of words and came to the conclusion that this big man was helping all those civilians behind him. Leading and protecting them.

There were about seven people behind him. Including the man, eight in total. After considering the odds, Levi nodded. "Where."

Levi sat on the floorboard, looking at the fairly large insides of the two-storey building. It was a blacksmith’s showroom, though he couldn't see any weapon on the wall except for their sharp, metal holders that were in the shape of hooks.

He could smell a hint of pine and earthy aroma lingering in the air. As if noticing he smelt it, the big man, who was handing out bed sheets, approached Levi.

"The shop was built recently. The scent will mask ours." He offered a reassuring smile.

Levi's eyes flickered. While receiving a bed sheet, he muttered. "That's until we begin to stink."

The man chuckled. "You're vigilant. That's good, it means you'll survive."

Then, he extended a hand. "I'm Bai Jingting." Levi took it. "Levi.”