Second Coming Of A Villain

Chapter 8: System Functions Proven Useful

Edited By: Bruce Williams

Chapter 8

Maverick's face was expressionless, his eyes cold with a look of indifferent as he squared off with the two male 'couples' zombies. Both were hunched, jaws slack, with trails of dark, thick drool dripping from their cracked lips. Their dried, exposed muscles twitched as they lunged at him, each move desperate to sink their jagged teeth into his flesh.

Swoosh!

In a smooth, practiced motion, Maverick sidestepped the first zombie’s attack. His body moved with a smooth transition, a knife flashing in each hand. Before the creature could react, he drove his left knife cleanly under its chin, the blade piercing through the roof of its mouth and into its brain. The zombie froze, its body momentarily suspended in his grip as blood and white brain matter seeped down the steel. With a quick jerk, he withdrew the knife and let the lifeless body crumple to the floor.

The second zombie snarled, its hollow eyes wild as it lunged forward, clawing at him. Maverick moved back in a quick pivot, twisting his body so the creature's clawed hand slashed harmlessly past him. In one fluid movement, he swept his leg, striking the zombie’s knee, sending it staggering off-balance. Before it could recover, he slashed one knife across its throat in a precise, brutal arc, slicing deep through flesh and sinew. Dark blood sprayed across the floor as the zombie gurgled, its windpipe severed but still writhing.

Without pause, Maverick stepped in, driving his second blade into the zombie's eye socket with a sickening crunch, penetrating straight to its brain. He held it there for a moment, feeling the creature’s last spasms fade under his grip. He withdrew both knives with a flick, the gore trailing off the knives as he took a calm step back, watching as the second corpse crumpled.

With the last zombie dispatched, Maverick didn’t let his guard down. He scanned the entire room, checking each corner and shadow for any lurking threats. Once satisfied that he was alone, he finally allowed himself to rest, sinking onto the plush bed with a sigh.

His gaze drifted to the wall, where an array of wine bottles stood neatly arranged. Despite the nuclear blasts that had ravaged the city, these bottles remained untouched, as if preserved by some unspoken rule of fate. Intrigued and interested in knowing the taste of this world's drinks, Maverick rose and approached the collection, grabbing a bottle and deftly uncorking it. Pulling the dampened towel from his face, he took a deep swig, letting the rich, potent taste wash over his senses.

“Ahhhh,” he exhaled, a faint smile flickering across his face.

“Didn’t expect the wine here to be this good,” he murmured, licking his lips to savor the lingering taste.

With that indulgence over, Maverick refocused, his demeanor shifting back to one of cold purpose.

“System, open notifications,” he commanded quietly, his tone laced with an edge of calm authority.

••••

[NEW NOTIFICATIONS!!!]

---

Alert: Unidentified Energy Detected. 0.10%

> Source: Recent 5 zombies terminated

Type: Unrecognized energy resembling performance enhancers

Analysis: Can boost the host's stats quickly if reaches 0.10% or more. (Requirements Has Been Meet)

A new notification pops up, adjusting to it's databases.

Option Available: Energy absorption detected—potential for immediate stat boosts.

> Select stat to boost:

- Strength (mid-low)

- Agility (mid-low)

- Endurance (mid)

- Intelligence (mid-high)

- Perception (mid-high)

- Vitality (low)

> Warning: Unable to classify energy origin. Continue with caution.

Seeing the notification, Maverick felt a spark of anticipation ignite within him. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the chance to see if this so-called system could replicate the effects of the infamous Ball of Greed. If this system could indeed distribute energy in the same way, it would give him an entirely new perspective on its power and potential. And if everyone in this world had access to this same mechanism, it would mean that, theoretically, anyone could grow stronger by simply harnessing their kills.

"System, add the 0.10% energy to Vitality," Maverick commanded, his voice calm yet tinged with curiosity.

The system’s display flickered to life before him.

> [Vitality 10.01... +0.1]

[Vitality 10.02... +0.1]

[Vitality 10.03... +0.1]

[Vitality 10.05... +0.1]

[Vitality 10.07... +0.1]

Initially, Maverick felt nothing. The numbers rose, but his body seemed unresponsive. However, as the vitality level reached 10.05, he sensed a faint warmth unfurling deep within him, starting from his core and slowly spreading outward. The sensation grew steadily, like a fire stoked in the bitter cold. It was intoxicating, akin to standing near a bonfire after wandering through an endless frozen wasteland. The warmth suffused every inch of him, flowing from his heart, spreading to his limbs, and then rising to his head, engulfing him fully.

Ding!

[Vitality 11...]

By the time Vitality hit 11, the heat in his body surged. His skin flushed a deep red, his muscles quivered, and his pores opened, expelling an intense heat. It felt like every nerve was awake and alive, blazing with energy. Unable to control it, Maverick clenched his fist tightly, shattering the empty bottle he had forgotten he was holding. Glass shards scattered, and the remnants of wine splattered across the floor, pooling darkly like blood.

Maverick’s face tightened a bit as he endured the discomfort. Years of resilience from his past life had prepared him for pain, but the rapid surge was still a jolt. His heartbeat drummed faster in his ears, drowning out any other sounds. He felt the blood pulsing through his veins, each beat faster and louder as his body absorbed the change.

Gradually, the intense warmth began to ebb, leaving behind a feeling of incredible vitality. The pain subsided, replaced by a strange clarity. His senses sharpened; his vision seemed clearer, and his hearing picked up faint, distant sounds that were previously beyond his reach. The whole experience felt as if his body had been cleansed of hidden ailments, restored to a state of peak health.

“This feeling…” Maverick muttered to himself, awe flickering in his eyes. “It’s unmistakably similar to the Ball of Greed, even if I never had the chance to experience it directly.”

As if in response to his thoughts, the system’s hologram reappeared with a soft chime.

>

[Congratulations, Vitality has reached 11!]

[Due to your Vitality increase, the radiation within your body has been converted to usable energy. You may distribute it freely among your stats.]

[Your vitality boost has enhanced your immunity, making you resistant to minor ailments. Your body has also broken its prior limits and will grow stronger as you exercise or level up.]

Seeing this, Maverick allowed a small, grim smile to touch his lips. This system was proving to be much more valuable than he had anticipated.