Chapter 21: First Job

Shinon sighed as he walked alongside the group, his eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger.

'Why did the system have to give me this quest?' he thought to himself. 'I have better things to do than babysit a group of strangers.'

He couldn't help but feel frustrated with the way the system worked. Whenever he thought he was making progress, a new quest would appear and derail his plans.

But he knew that ignoring the quest wasn't an option. The system had a way of punishing those who neglected their duties.

As they walked, Shinon couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He didn't trust these people, even if they seemed harmless enough. He wondered if he was putting himself in danger by agreeing to help them.

'At least the rewards will be pretty neat.' Shinon thought as his eyes wandered to the reward section of the quest.

[Item Name: Mastersmith's Hammer]

[Item Grade: Rare]

[Item Description: This hammer was crafted by a legendary blacksmith and is imbued with magical properties. It can easily shape even the toughest metals, enhancing the durability and sharpness of any weapon or tool it is used on.]

[Special Abilities:

1. Masterful Forging: Grants a +20% bonus to all stats of creation made using the hammer.

2. Enhanced Durability: Any weapon or tool crafted or enhanced with this hammer gains a +15% bonus to durability.]

He then reminded himself of the promise of refined metal bars. He could turn this escort quest into a profitable venture if he played his cards right. And who knows, he could learn something valuable from these strangers along the way.

With a slight shrug, Shinon pushed aside his doubts and focused on the task at hand. He would get these people to their settlement, then move on to the next challenge the system threw his way.

As Shinon and the group made their way through the city, he kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. He wasn't just looking out for zombies but also for any potential dangers that might be lurking in the shadows.

On the other hand, the group seemed to be utterly oblivious to their surroundings, chatting and laughing as if they were on a leisurely stroll in the park.

Shinon shook his head in disbelief. These people were entirely unprepared for the world they were living in. They had no weapons, armour, or fundamental survival skills to speak of. They were lucky he had come along when he did; otherwise, they would have been zombie food by now.

As they walked, the bald man who had negotiated with Shinon earlier, approached him.

"Hey, you seem like a skilled fighter. Have you ever thought about joining our community? We could really use someone like you," he said.

Shinon shook his head. "No, I prefer to keep to myself. Besides, I have my own base to take care of."

The bald man seemed disappointed but didn't press the issue. They continued in silence for a while before the man spoke up again.

"I'm sorry if I offended you earlier. It's just that we're not used to seeing outsiders in our territory, and we've had a lot of trouble with raiders and other unsavoury types lately."

"It's fine. I've been in similar situations before. I'm just glad I was able to help you all out." Shinon nodded, understanding the man's concerns.

Suddenly, he heard a low growling noise coming from the alleyway ahead. He raised his hand, signalling for the group to stop, and drew his sword from its sheath.

Peeking around the corner, Shinon saw a group of four zombies stumbling towards them. They were the slow, shuffling kind, but their rotting flesh and lifeless eyes sent a shiver down his spine.

Shinon quickly assessed the situation, analyzing the movement patterns of the four zombies. They moved erratically, their limbs contorted at unnatural angles, and their jaws hung slack, revealing rows of yellowed teeth. Shinon tightened his grip on his sword and took a deep breath, ready to engage in battle.

"Roamers," Shinon turned to the group of survivors and whispered, "Stay back and keep quiet. I'll take care of them."

The first zombie charged at him, its arms flailing wildly. Shinon sidestepped, evading the attack with ease. He followed up with a quick strike, slicing the zombie's arm off at the elbow. The zombie stumbled but didn't go down.

They lunged forward, trying to grab him with their decaying arms. Shinon sidestepped and swung his sword, cutting off one of the zombie's arms. The zombie continued to come at him, unfazed by the missing limb.

The second zombie came from behind, but Shinon had anticipated its approach. He spun around, using his momentum to deliver a powerful slash that cleaved the zombie in half. As he did that, a familiar notification popped in front of his eyes.

[The Blade of Eternity has absorbed the record of Lvl 6 Roamer zombie.]

[Strength when the Blade is equipped: +0.3]

'I thought it was a glitch while killing the Zombie dogs. I guess not.'

The other two zombies closed in on Shinon, and he continued to fight with calculated movements.

The remaining zombies closed in on him, one from the front and one from each side. Shinon leapt back, narrowly avoiding their grasping hands. He circled around them, striking at their weak points, severing limbs and damaging their bodies with precision.

Despite their slow, lumbering movements, the zombies proved to be formidable opponents. Shinon was forced to focus his attention on defence, using his sword to deflect their attacks and create openings for counterattacks.

The group watched in amazement as Shinon deftly dispatched the four roamer zombies, his movements graceful and calculated. When the last zombie fell, Shinon took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"We should move quickly," he said. "More zombies might be on their way."

The group approached him, their faces full of admiration and gratitude. Shinon merely nodded, sheathing his sword, and continued on their journey.