The First Dragon God-Chapter 56: Beyond The Walls

The air in the hallway was damp and heavy with the stench of decay. Light from the access hallway recessed bulbs flooded the hallway but it did very little to ease the atmosphere.

Mia crouched low, her twin daggers glinting faintly. She tightened her grip on the hilts, sweat trickling down her brow.

Her breathing was steady, but her heart pounded in her chest as she stared down the hallway, where two zombies shuffled aimlessly.

"Alright… I’ve got this," she whispered to herself, more to quiet her nerves than to boost her confidence.

She stepped forward, her footfalls light, deliberate. The daggers felt awkward in her hands. Though Ves and Miguel had given her some pointers, handling the twin daggers was still new to her.

Her movements were slow, cautious. Though the twin daggers gives her a +10 Agility boost, it only brought her speed up to the same level as the zombies age fighting.

She lunged toward the first zombie, slicing its neck with one dagger while plunging the other into its eye socket. Blackened blood sprayed across the wall, and the creature crumpled to the floor.

Before she could breathe, the second zombie lurched toward her with a guttural growl. Mia stumbled backward, barely dodging its grasp.

Her heart raced as she fumbled to get into position. The zombie’s rotting arms flailed wildly, and its decayed teeth gnashed hungrily.

"Come on… you can do this," she muttered, her hands trembling.

With a grunt, she sidestepped and slashed upward, severing its jaw. The creature fell to the ground, twitching violently.

Panting, Mia wiped her brow with her sleeve, her hands sticky with blood.

"I’m still struggling with these… and Leo fought a mutant boar," she muttered bitterly.

Her thoughts wandered to Leo. He had faced a massive creature head-on, while she could barely handle two shambling zombies. The gap between their strength felt immense. Luke the difference between heaven and earth.

But she had come far. The fear that had gripped her on the first day of the apocalypse had lessened. She was no longer the helpless girl hiding behind others. She was fighting. Surviving.

"One step at a time. I’m currently level 5 right now, if I continue killing more zombies, I will level up more and maybe become as strong as him," she told herself, steadying her breath.

...

Miguel swung his axe with ease, cleaving through the heads of two zombies in one swift motion. His broad shoulders flexed with each swing, his stance firm and balanced.

"Keep moving! Don’t get caught standing still!" he called out to the group, his voice calm but commanding.

Miguel had always been a natural leader. Way before the world fell apart and he started his job as butcher, he had been a firefighter. It was a job that demanded quick thinking and unwavering resolve.

Those qualities had carried over into this new world, where survival depended on more than just brute strength.

He wiped his axe on his jeans, smearing dark blood across the fabric. His eyes scanned the hallway, always alert for any new threats.

"Good job, Mia," he said, offering her a nod of approval.

Mia returned a hesitant smile, grateful for the encouragement. But Miguel’s gaze quickly moved to the others, ensuring everyone was holding their own.

.....

The hallway felt colder as the group pushed deeper into the 19th floor. The air was thick with the stench of rot and decay, almost choking them. It was a nauseating reminder of the undead that lurked around every corner.

Mia wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans before gripping her twin daggers again. Her heart pounded in her chest as the group approached the next cluster of zombies. Eight of them.

Their decayed forms shambled aimlessly, their groans filling the otherwise silent corridor.

Miguel raised his hand, signaling the group to stop.

"Same plan," he said quietly. "We take them in pairs. Watch each other’s backs."

Mia nodded, tightening her grip on her daggers. Her eyes flicked to the nearest zombie. It was a woman who she felt had a once-beautiful face but was now twisted and decayed, her eyes cloudy and lifeless.

"Ready?" Miguel asked.

"Yeah," Mia whispered, though her voice wavered slightly.

The group moved as one, stepping cautiously into the hallway. The zombies already aware of their presence bolted towards them, growling and snarling menacingly.

The group immediately got ready to fight as Miguel took the lead, his axe gleaming as he swung it with clean-cyt accuracy.

The first zombie’s head split cleanly in two, the decayed skull cracking like brittle wood. Blackened blood sprayed across the wall, but Miguel didn’t flinch.

"Next!" he called out, stepping aside as Carlos moved in.

Carlos, with his hammer raised high, charged toward the second zombie. His heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway, and with a loud grunt, he brought the hammer down on the creature’s head.

The impact crushed the zombie’s skull, sending bone fragments and brain matter splattering across the floor.

"That’s how we do it!" Carlos said with a grin, but his moment of triumph was short-lived.

Another zombie lunged at him from the side, its bony fingers reaching for his throat.

"Watch out!" Jian shouted, darting forward.

Jian moved with fluid grace, rushing towards him. His katana gleamed as he sliced through the zombie’s outstretched arms, severing them at the elbows.

The creature let out a guttural groan, stumbling backward. Jian followed up with a swift strike to its neck, decapitating it in one clean motion.

Carlos let out a breath of relief. "Thanks, man."

Jian nodded silently, his expression calm and focused.

On the other side of the hallway, Mia faced off against two zombies. Her hands trembled slightly as she dodged their clumsy attacks, her mind racing.

"Focus," she told herself. "You can do this."

The first zombie lunged at her, its decayed teeth snapping inches from her face. Mia ducked low, slashing upward with her dagger.

The blade sank into the creature’s jaw, severing its tongue and sending blackened blood spraying.

The second zombie grabbed her arm, its grip cold and unyielding. It immediately opened it mouth wide, ready to bite.

"Shit!" Mia struggled, trying to twist free.

"Hold on!" Miguel shouted, rushing to her aid. His axe cleaved through the zombie’s arm, freeing Mia from its grasp.

With a follow-up attack, he severed the zombie’s head.

"Thanks," she panted, stepping back to catch her breath.

"Keep moving," Miguel said. "We’re not done yet."

Ryan lingered at the back of the group, his eyes darting around the hallway. His machete gleamed in the dim light, but he hadn’t made a move yet.

"Ryan! Get in here!" Miguel barked.

Ryan hesitated, his gaze locking onto a zombie stumbling toward him. With a sigh, he stepped forward, swinging his machete with a quick, efficient strike.

The blade cut through the zombie’s neck, sending its head rolling across the floor.

"About time," Carlos muttered, shaking his head.

Ryan smirked. "Just making sure you guys had it covered."

.....

Ves stood at the rear, watching the group with a critical eye. Her gaze flicked between each member, noting their strengths and weaknesses.

Miguel was reliable, a natural leader. He moved with confidence, his axe cutting through the undead with brutality and efficiency. Ves could see why the group followed him—his calm demeanor and tactical mind made him a pillar of strength.

Carlos was brash but dependable. His strength was his greatest asset, and he wielded his hammer with devastating force. But he needed to work on his awareness as he was too focused on his attacks, leaving himself open to counterattacks.

Jian was precise and efficient. His movements are calculated and deliberate.

Ves suspected he had some formal combat training and this is also with the fact that he has a katana with him. He rarely spoke, but his actions spoke volumes.

Mia… Ves saw immense potential in her. Despite her inexperience, she fought with determination, pushing through her fear. Ves could see shades of Leo in her—a stubborn will to survive and grow stronger.

But Ryan…

Ves’s eyes narrowed as she watched him. There was something off about him. He fought when necessary, but he always seemed to hold back, letting the others do most of the work. His eyes darted around, always calculating, as if looking for an opportunity to exploit.

"Keep an eye on him," Ves murmured to herself

.....

The group faced off against the remaining zombies. Miguel, Jian, and Carlos took the front, while Mia and Ryan covered the rear.

The zombies came at them in a relentless wave, their groans echoing through the hallway.

Miguel swung his axe in a wide arc, taking down two zombies at once. Blackened blood splattered across his clothes, but he didn’t falter.

Jian moved like a dancer, his katana slicing through the undead with grace and precision. Each strike was calculated, each movement efficient.

Carlos let out a roar as he brought his hammer down on a zombie’s head, the impact shaking the floor.

Mia darted forward, her daggers flashing as she took down another zombie. Her movements were less refined, more frantic, but there was a determination in her eyes that Ves admired.

Ryan lingered at the back, his machete ready. He took down a zombie that got too close, but his gaze remained distant, detached.

When the last zombie fell, the group stood in silence, their breathing heavy.

"Good job," Ves said, stepping forward. "We’re improving."

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Miguel nodded, wiping blood from his axe. "Yeah. We’re getting there."

Mia offered a small smile, though exhaustion was etched into her features.

Carlos grinned, raising his hammer. "We’re becoming pros at this."

Jian remained silent, his katana gleaming in the dim light.

Ryan smirked. "Not bad."

Ves glanced at each of them, her mind calculating. They had come a long way since their first encounter with the zombie horde. They were stronger, more coordinated. But there was still room for improvement. As was the same for her and Leo.

And there was still danger lurking around every corner.

"Let’s head back," Ves said. "It’s already getting late and we’ve done enough for today."

...

The group made their way to the elevator, descending to the first floor where their apartments were. They exchanged weary nods before retreating to their rooms.

Ves watched them go, her mind still processing everything.

.....

When Ves returned to her apartment, she found Leo waiting on the couch.

"Back already?" he asked, his voice warm.

Ves smiled. "Yeah. How are you feeling?"

Leo chuckled softly. "Like I fought a monster."

"You did."

They shared a brief laugh before Ves started heading to her room.

"I’m going to freshen up," Ves said, standing at the door of her bedroom. "Dinner?"

"Sure."

Later, they sat at the dining table, sharing a simple meal. The warm glow of the apartment lights contrasted sharply with the darkness outside.

Beyond the walls, the world was a nightmare. People fought for survival. Mutated creatures roamed the streets. Death was everywhere.

But inside, there was peace.