In a World of Nightmares, I Keep Awakening Stronger Talents

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The white rabbit-masked high-rank infected stepped through the broken entrance, its eyes glowed through the eye holes as it slowly turned its gaze toward Bai Jing Ling, the two of them burst into a grotesque, echoing laugh that filled the room.

Fear gripped every survivor, they looked up at the infected from the floor, their knees too weak to keep them standing, they stared in horror as the slaughter began.

Levi was the only one unaffected, while everyone else had frozen in place, unable to move under the oppressive aura released by the high-ranking infected, Levi continued to move. The desperate need to stay alive drove him forward. He had no weapon, only his guts and the hard-earned experience from countless street fights.

Bai Jing Ling laughed with delight. “I knew it the moment I saw you, a strong-willed human. How nice. You get to die by our hands.”

This was his nightmare, and it was only the beginning.

Levi used every dirty trick he knew, he grabbed whatever his hands could reach, tools, furniture, broken glass and hurled them at his attackers but the two high-ranking infected evaded everything with ease, clearly holding the upper hand.

“You’re lucky we’re here to play,” Bai Jing Ling said with a mocking smile. “Otherwise you’d be dead by now.”

Levi quickly realized he wouldn’t win if he continued fighting here. Li Chen’s words echoed in his mind: “Meng’s residence… It’s the only safe place in town.”

He dashed out through the back exit and sprinted toward the hill.

“Quick!” Bai Jing Ling roared. “Don’t let him get away. He seems like the type who’ll give us a lot of fun.”

The pursuit began.

Levi didn’t bother looking behind him as he raced through the ruined streets of the ancient town, the two high-ranking infected chased after him, their faces plastered with sadistic joy. They were clearly toying with him, staying just close enough to keep the pressure on while letting him stay ahead.

“Run, boy!” they teased from behind, their voices filled with cruel amusement.

Levi’s lungs burned with every breath, especially his chest, but he kept pushing forward. The fear of dying drove him beyond his physical limits. Soon he reached the top of the hill where a grand mansion stood. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, and he barely had enough strength left to stand.

The entrance door was already open, Levi staggered inside and slammed the heavy door shut behind him with a resounding boom.

The building’s interior was beautifully decorated, with glowing lanterns that shone brightly, their light spilling outside. That was how he had managed to locate the mansion so easily in the dark.

In the center of the main hall sat a box emitting a faint golden glow.

Levi lunged toward it immediately. He needed something, anything to protect himself. He opened the box, and as if the nightmare was turning into a dream, he found a finely crafted dagger inside. Its dark blade gleamed under the lantern light.

The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, something changed deep inside him. [Soul bond initiated…]

The mansion doors burst open. Bai Jing Ling and the rabbit-masked infected charged into the hall, laughing wildly.

“He actually thought he found safety, hahaha!” the rabbit-masked infected said, pointing a sharp claw at Levi.

“Time to play properly,” Bai Jing Ling declared. “He’s found a weapon.”

Levi gripped his new dagger tightly. For the first time, he no longer felt like prey.

In a blur of motion, his dagger clashed against Bai Jing Ling’s sword. The weapon proved terrifyingly effective. Levi swiftly slid beneath a sweeping strike and landed his first cut across Bai Jing Ling’s torso. He could hardly believe it, he actually stood a chance if he fought smart.

He gave them no breathing room and charged again. The sound of clashing weapons echoed clearly through the main hall as the intense fight continued.

“You think that little dagger alone can kill us?” Bai Jing Ling taunted.

But he was met with a shocking counterattack. Levi moved straight in and drove the dagger deep into his chest.

“You demon,” Levi growled. “You do not deserve to live.”

Bai Jing Ling let out a muffled grunt as blood filled his respiratory system. [1/2 Infected Eliminated to complete trial.]

The smile on Bai Jing Ling’s face slowly faded. Levi rose to face the rabbit-masked infected.

Before the creature could react, Levi charged with savage rage. The second battle was short and brutal. He buried the dagger into the rabbit-masked infected’s throat before it could strike back.

The bright glow in the infected’s eyes slowly dimmed as its body collapsed to the floor. [2/2 Infected Eliminated.]

[Objective to exit trial: complete.]

Levi sat down heavily on the floor to catch his breath, exhaustion finally overtaking him. He slowly drifted off into sleep, still clutching the dagger.

---

Later, at the safehold, Li Chen helped guide the remaining survivors up the hill toward the mansion. When they arrived, Li Chen saw the corpses of the two high-ranking infected lying on the floor and Levi asleep against the pillar, still holding tightly onto his dagger.

“I guess this is it,” Li Chen said quietly, a note of relief in his voice. “We’ve finally found someone compatible.”