Chapter Eight: Slaughter Points

A series of messages echoed through Fan Li’s mind, and he needed some time to fully absorb them.

[Slay a zombie: Kill Value +1.]
[Monster Summoning Manual officially activated!]
[Summon Kill Value: 1/100]

Fan Li had anticipated this outcome. From the information received, it was clear that after killing a zombie, he had truly unlocked the eerie Monster Summoning Manual. Moments ago, he’d seen the kill value indicator: 1/100 was easy enough to understand. To summon a second monster, he would have to personally slay one hundred zombies?

Unlike the other information, the kill value appeared directly before his eyes, the bloody script vivid as fresh gore, even carrying a faint metallic stench. The peril of this room’s exploration, with just three zombies, had been immense. Without Ellie’s help, Fan Li would have barely escaped death; a hundred zombies was nearly the size of a military company.

He had hoped to recruit more allies, but now, the task of summoning a second monster seemed daunting indeed.

Beyond the kill value, Fan Li was also puzzled by the special achievement “First Blood.” He’d previously earned an achievement for “First Summoning,” but that lacked the “special” designation and carried no further reward.

Trait: Low-Level Night Vision.

[Grants combat ability at night; in complete darkness, can distinguish objects within five meters.]

“Another trait?” Fan Li’s interest was piqued. He already knew the power of traits from using Fear Resistance; properly employed, they could become formidable assets.

Low-level night vision was yet another passive trait, lacking any offensive capability, but its effect was surprisingly potent. With personnel absent and electrical systems crippled, the town was plunged into darkness every night, a ghostly realm. Humanity has always feared the dark; that’s why the ancients learned to kindle fire, to drive away the night.

Furthermore, after some observation, Fan Li discovered that zombies were more active at night, even their speed increased by ten or twenty percent.

Five meters of night vision was like switching on a flashlight while traversing a shadowy path—he could spot enemies in advance and react accordingly. Unlike others who must use lights and risk exposing themselves, Fan Li’s ability was innate, requiring no external tools.

A mournful groan sounded behind him. The zombie Ellie had smashed against the wall, shattering most of its bones, was slowly crawling forward. Its face was hideous, half of it missing after repeated injuries, rancid blood dripping onto the floor—a demon unleashed.

Fan Li turned to the kitchen, grabbed a cleaver, and stood near the zombie, watching as it staggered toward him, mad and ravenous.

He sighed. This was no longer his familiar old neighbor; the moment the mutation occurred, the once-beloved teacher had died, replaced by a creature consumed by a hunger for flesh.

He raised the knife.

As the zombie reached his feet, Fan Li brought down the cleaver with a sudden force. The heavily wounded monster couldn’t withstand the blow. After three strikes, it finally went limp, motionless on the floor.

[Kill Value +1]
[2/100]

Another line of crimson script appeared before his eyes. As expected, each zombie slain by his own hand earned him a new kill value. According to the manual’s rules, when his tally reached one hundred, he could attempt the next summoning.

Surveying the surroundings, the once-cozy haven now looked ravaged by a tornado, devastation everywhere.

The family of three lay in pools of blood, but Fan Li was no murderer. In a way, he was their redeemer. Zombies lacked reason, lacked emotion; even if a family lived together, the past was irretrievable, and now they greeted each day with feral hostility.

Fan Li seemed to have discovered some worth in his Fear Resistance. The passive ability didn’t grant immediate immunity to terror, but instead slowly built his resistance to the unknown.

In peaceful eras, if Fan Li found himself in such a room, his fear would have been overwhelming. Now, although his face showed traces of desolation, it was calm rationality that dominated his thoughts.

He wasn’t frightened by the gruesome scene, but remained clear-minded, able to think, to understand both what he was doing and what must be done.

This was a rare and precious ability.

Though it gave no boost to strength, in certain situations, powerful endurance was far more valuable than brute force.

As he pondered, Fan Li suddenly felt his clothes tugged. He looked down to see a face without features, only a mouthful of teeth, staring up at him; the right hand gripped the corner of his shirt.

Though Ellie said nothing—indeed, she had no way to speak—Fan Li could sense her intent.

“Is there anything else? If not, may I leave?”

Was this another skill of the summoner? The ability to communicate with monsters.

Standing before a monster, bloody cleaver in hand, the scene was chillingly bizarre. But then Fan Li managed a slight smile and replied, “Thank you. You may go.”

Ellie released him, and her corporeal form began to fade. Soon, the monster vanished, replaced by a music box standing on the floor.

But now, unlike the pristine white music box from before, this one bore a red stain. Fan Li tried to wipe it away, but the blood seemed to have seeped inside, impossible to clean.

He stood, music box in hand, lost in thought. His earlier smile had been not only from witnessing Ellie’s power, but also from increasing their rapport—ensuring he wouldn’t someday find his throat torn out in the dead of night.

After the battle, Fan Li finally understood the value of the Monster Summoning Manual.

Of course, he hadn’t forgotten the reason for exploring this room. He scanned the area and, spotting unopened bags of rice in the kitchen corner, his expression softened slightly. He murmured, “Now, it’s time to reap the rewards…”