The ruins of Havenreach whispered danger at every corner.
Jaden moved cautiously through the crumbled marketplace, his senses alert. Tess and Marcus trailed behind, scanning for threats. Amber limped along, clutching her broken arm, trusting them to protect her.
Their mission was simple: scout ahead, find supplies, and secure a safe path back to the base. But the air had changed. The usual groans of the undead were replaced by something heavier… darker.
Ahead, a shrill screech shattered the silence.
From the shadows emerged a group of elite zombies—towering, fast, and grotesquely mutated. Their skin was tough as leather, bone spikes protruding from shoulders and forearms. Eyes glowed with cold, calculating malice.
"Elite class," Marcus hissed, raising his weapon. "They don't stop until you're dead."
Jaden felt the familiar hum of his Lock System flicker to life—but this time, it wasn't just a passive glow. The interface pulsed with new energy.
Alert: Threat Level Elevated.New Lock Points Earned: 2
The largest of the pack lunged first, claws ripping through the cracked concrete where Jaden had just stood. Reflexively, he activated Phase Trigger — slipping through the attack and reappearing behind the beast. His knife slashed across its neck, but the creature barely flinched.
"These guys have more armor," Jaden muttered. "I need to be sharper."
A second elite circled, faster and smarter than any zombie he'd fought before. It aimed a brutal strike at Marcus, who barely dodged.
"Cover me!" Marcus yelled.
Jaden nodded and stepped forward, activating his new ability:
Lock #013: Command Thread — ActiveAllows limited synchronization of allies' reflexes.
He focused on Marcus and Tess, feeling an invisible thread pull tight between them. Their movements synced—Marcus' shots found their marks with deadly precision; Tess moved with uncanny fluidity, dodging attacks and pushing Amber behind cover.
The largest elite staggered, but not for long.
Jaden's breathing steadied. This fight was more than survival—it was a test.
The Lock System chimed again.
Lock Points Available: 0Temporary Buff Acquired: Lock Surge +30% Movement Speed for 5 minutes
Fueled by the surge, Jaden's Phase Trigger duration extended. He slipped in and out of visibility, dodging claws, slashing tendons, and landing precise strikes that chipped away at their monstrous defenses.
But the elite zombies adapted quickly.
One tackled Jaden to the ground, claws digging deep. Pain flared, but he gritted his teeth and activated Adrenal Core, his heart pounding with renewed vigor. Muscle and reflexes surged, and with a powerful kick, he sent the creature flying back.
Tess shouted, firing her pulse rifle. Marcus followed with a hail of bullets.
Jaden rolled to his feet, the adrenaline flooding through him.
Mission Update: Elite Zombie Threat Neutralized.Lock Points Gained: 3
He exhaled slowly, feeling the calm after the storm.
"We did it," Marcus said, wiping sweat from his brow.
Tess looked at Jaden, eyes bright with something new—respect, maybe hope.
Jaden's Lock System glowed faintly, reminding him of the path ahead.
This fight wasn't just survival anymore.
It was evolution.