Virus King [Translation]

Bloodstained shorts.

A corpse-spattered t-shirt.

Blood-soaked Nike sneakers.

Novak's gaze swept over the pile of low-level equipment. It was a chaotic mess, and none of it seemed impressive at first glance. Still, the combined attribute boosts they offered—though modest—added up to something more than nothing.

What mattered most was that these items, no matter how battered, would prevent his clothes from tearing when he unleashed his power. Despite their ragged, zombie-like appearance, these low-level drops were still useful in the grand scheme of things.

Among the junk, however, were a few items that caught Novak's eye.

Sadly, the blueprint for crafting 'Zombie Claws' hadn't dropped this time. But Novak wasn't surprised. In his previous life, it had been discovered that the crafting blueprints in the 'Gods and Demons Trial Field' possessed an invisible rarity factor. 

After something dropped once, the chances of it dropping again would decrease exponentially.

This made blueprints, and the equipment and items crafted from them, incredibly valuable. Some items were even considered unique—treasures in their own right.

As for the 'Zombie Claw', Novak couldn't be sure if it was the rarest item produced by low-level zombies, but its value was unquestionably high.

However, the three items he had looted this time were certainly not insignificant.

——

[Frenzy and Bloodthirsty] 

[General Class F Skill] 

[Effect: Pain sensation -60%. All attributes +3. Duration: 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, all attributes reduced by 50% for 24 hours. Cooldown: 1 day.] 

[Requirement: Total attributes > 20 points.]

A 'skill book'!

In the apocalypse, skills were highly prized. They were one of the essential factors that determined an evolutionary's strength. Though this particular skill, 'Frenzy and Bloodthirsty', was only a low-level F-rank ability—and the side effects were quite severe—it still had its uses. While the reduction in pain sensation wasn't too impactful, the attribute boost of +3 could prove life-saving in crucial moments, especially in the early days of the apocalypse when every attribute point counted.

For Novak, though, this skill was useless. The boost was too small, and the aftereffects were too extreme. He couldn't risk using something like this in a fight for his life.

Still, its value was undeniable. Once the apocalypse fully started, it could be traded for a few gold coins—or even used to equip one of his subordinates.

The second item was even more intriguing. 

This one was a crafting blueprint, but not for equipment like the 'Zombie Claw'. Instead, it was a blueprint for creating a consumable—albeit a relatively low-value one.

——

[Zombie Virus Serum - Crafting Blueprint] 

[Item: Pharmaceutical] 

[Effect: Can be injected after being infected with the zombie virus, significantly reducing the chance of an evolutionary becoming a zombie.] 

[Crafting method: 500ml of zombie blood. Unlimited uses.] 

'(Note: The level of the zombie blood used determines the corresponding potency of the serum.)'

——

In the long run, the value of this blueprint far exceeded that of the 'Zombie Claw'. Equipment made from blueprints, even if precious, was ultimately only temporary—like the E-rank gear that Novak had encountered before. However, consumable items like serums, especially those with long-term usability, were invaluable during the apocalypse.

This serum had the potential to become a cornerstone for building alliances and creating a powerful force in the new world.

Although evolutionaries were resistant to the zombie virus, they weren't immune. They could still succumb to the infection if they were wounded or if their Constitution was too low. With this serum, they'd be able to fight zombies without the constant fear of turning into one themselves.

In a world dominated by zombies, this serum could make all the difference. It could be the key to surviving the apocalypse—or at least surviving the zombie threat.

Too bad it only worked against the zombie virus.

Novak stashed the blueprint away and turned to the final item. This one was even more familiar to him.

——

[Corpse Heart Pill x10] 

[Special Item] 

[Effect: Upon consumption, Constitution +1, Strength +1. However, the user will be infected with a special virus, requiring regular consumption of the pill.]

——

The 'Corpse Heart Pill'—a small bottle containing ten pills, along with its recipe. It was a special item, reminiscent of the pills found in cultivation novels, with one major drawback: it could be used to control others.

The virus it introduced wasn't particularly strong; anyone with enough power could overcome it. Still, it was a tool for manipulation, and though it held no value for Novak himself, it could prove useful in the right hands.

Feeling the warm water on his back, Novak opened his eyes and spoke:

"Alright, let's head back."

The 'Corpse Heart Pill' could be used to cultivate Daphne into a loyal subordinate, at least during the early stages. The virus serum blueprint, on the other hand, though extremely valuable, would take time and resources to fully utilize. Collecting enough zombie blood and mass-producing the serum wasn't something Novak had the time to focus on.

In the apocalypse, such matters were secondary.

The only thing that truly mattered was power—his own strength.

Thus, he decided to entrust these items to Daphne, allowing her to manage them while he concentrated on what mattered most.

Pulling on the jacket Daphne had laid out for him, Novak suppressed the lingering bloodlust coursing through his veins and stepped out of the Red Building.

Outside, Nicole was waiting by the car with a large snakeskin bag. Inside the bag were zombie nails, dripping with dark, blackened blood.

Novak's energy surged at the sight.

He had used blueprint-crafted gear in his previous life, and because of that experience, he fully understood the power that such items could wield.

Now, with the ability to craft such equipment early on in the apocalypse, Novak couldn't help but feel a rush of anticipation.

He couldn't wait to see if the 'Zombie Claw' lived up to its legendary reputation.