At the center of the bridge, deeply rooted into the concrete road was a dark red plant with eight vines spread out evenly. The eight vines rose to the sky, their pointed ends radiating a dangerous aura that appeared to ward off any creature

At the center of that plant was a white fruit that glittered unnaturally. It looked like an eggplant, but the whiteness was so pure that it was unnatural.

’That thing doesn’t look harmless at all.’

Leon thought as he shifted his gaze from the plant to the four huge zombies surrounding it. Each zombie had a yellow crystal on their forehead, and radiated immense pressure.

Selene frowned faintly, "Four Tier One Evolved Zombies? Strange."

She hadn’t seen tiered creatures gather together before, so it felt weird.

Leon nodded in agreement. "You’re right. This is unnatural."

Then, he turned to Reymond, "Can you handle one?"

The guy nodded, a smile on his face. "Sure. Leave it to me."

Without bothering to ask Selene, Leon dashed towards the plant. The instant he moved, the four burly zombies roared and charged at him.

Despite facing four Tier One creatures while being an unranked creature, Leon showed no fear.

He swung his heavy sword, meeting the punches of the zombies.

Bang!

He was forced back in the exchange, as he naturally couldn’t overpower them all. However, that wasn’t his goal. He stepped back just in time for a thick ice spike to stab into a zombie’s shoulder, freezing the wound immediately after.

Roar!

The zombie’s rage was instantly directed at Selene as it rushed towards her, its big feet thudding against the ground.

The silver-haired lady took a step back and shot more ice spikes at the zombie, forcing it back.

Seizing this opportunity, Leon rushed at one of the three remaining zombies and slammed the flat of his blade against the zombie’s chest. It was forced back by a few steps, giving Reymond the chance to attract the attention of another zombie.

Seeing the seven-foot-tall zombie rushing at him, he smiled nervously and ducked under its blow. Thankfully, he was faster than the zombie and could deal damage to it while he was evading.

’It’s a pity that they do not feel pain anyway.’

It’d have made defeating the zombies easier as every wound would count.

The last zombie immediately charged towards the remaining humans, its massive frame stomping across the bride.

Seeing this, Gwen immediately raised her bow and fired an arrow. The projectile struck the zombie’s head but failed to pierce through its skull. Her expression darkened at the realization, but she wasn’t worried.

Cassie, Marie, and Miguel were already on the move. The auburn-haired woman jabbed her spear at its chest, forcefully halting its charge. Although she failed to completely pierce through its dense muscles, her spear was sharp enough to pierce a few layers.

"Haap!"

Miguel leaped over her head and swung his hammer. The zombie sensed the danger and immediately crossed its arms above its head.

Bang!

Miguel’s hammer struck the thick, fleshy arms with such force that even he was blasted back by the recoil.

The ground beneath the zombie’s feet cracked, and it staggered backwards from the blow.

Miguel landed with a thud, then charged at the zombie again. This time, he replaced Marie and stood directly before it.

Then, he swung his hammer again. At the same time, the zombie punched forward.

Bang!!!

Both parties were pushed back, and Miguel gasped as he felt his arms go numb. Unfortunately, the zombie was unfazed by his blow.

Although its knuckle was shredded, it wasn’t in pain at all.

So, it simply swung its fist again.

Marie immediately covered for Miguel, jabbing her spear straight into its fist. Although she wasn’t as strong as Leon, her strength was around the same as Miguel.

She successfully stopped the zombie’s punch, though her spear got stuck as a result.

’Crap.’

Sensing the zombie pull back its fist, she tightened her grip on her weapon so it wouldn’t be pulled out of her hands.

"Ugh."

Her face immediately turned red from the strain, her muscles bulging to the extreme.

"Hold on!"

Cassie’s voice sounded clear as she jumped onto the zombie arm and reached its head. Then, she landed on its shoulders, wrapping her legs around its neck. She began choking it tightly while stabbing her dagger through its temple.

Although her first stab failed to pierce its thick flesh, she continued stabbing that same spot repeatedly.

With Marie pulling on her spear, the zombie was stuck and unable to move. Miguel flexed his muscles that had recovered from the numbness, then struck at the zombie’s unprotected torso.

Bam!

He didn’t stop there, circling behind the zombie and striking at its naked buttocks.

Bam!

The force of his attack forced the zombie to the ground, and after several more stabs, Cassie finally breached the defense of its skull.

’Tiring!’

She thought as she jumped off the zombie’s back. "Your shot, Miguel."

The blonde guy nodded and went over to the zombie’s side, then swung the hammer at the side Cassie had breached.

Bang!

The instant the strike connected, the zombie’s head burst apart like a watermelon, spraying blood and brain matter on everyone around.

[You have slain a Level 26 Tier One Evolved Zombie! +...]

[You have leveled up to Level...]

The four people who had mainly contributed to the zombie’s death received the messages with slight differences.

Wiping the blood off her face, Marie raised her head and looked forward.

The zombie that was facing Selene had already been killed. Its limbs were completely frozen, and its body had been skewered to death by thick ice spears.

On Reymond’s side, the zombie died in a kneeling position, its body covered in charred wounds. Although it was an exhausting battle, he eventually took down the zombie, growing stronger in the end.

As for Leon, he had simply smacked the zombie off the bridge, easily clearing his path to the strange mutated plant.

He carefully approached it, then paused. Something felt different in the air.

’It’s purer?’

Thyra conveniently appeared beside him and explained, "I can understand your confusion and surprise. This plant is producing mana by itself."

Hearing this, Leon was stunned. Producing mana...?