My hands aren't actually torn off, but I'm lifted off the ground. When fired, the bullet instantly transforms into an extremely powerful shock wave accompanied by fire.

  Several powerful explosions occur along its trajectory, throwing me back onto my back. Additionally, I'm deafened and partially blinded. I don't know much about heavy weapons, but this thing is clearly more powerful than an average mortar or rocket artillery system.

  I shake my head, trying to recover quickly, jump to my feet and examine the aftermath of the shot. The smell of something burning has filled the air. Burned remains and pieces of these creatures are visible through the smoke where the crowd was.

  The burned robes allow me to examine their bodies. It takes just seconds to understand that structurally they're no different from the head and also covered in this symbol. They really do have very sharp dark claws on their hands. I have no desire to look at them any further.

  However, I don't get to celebrate as I notice twitching bodies among the corpse mess. Victory mood evaporates—after a few seconds two surviving freaks emerge from the smoke. The first apparently managed to jump, so he only lost his legs which are healing. The second's robe is partially burned, either he wasn't hit or managed to dodge.

  Well, two is better than ten, I thought, trying to find something positive. Since Jane didn't show up even after the Deagle shot, there's no point in calling her. I have to handle this myself.

  Easiest option—hit them again with the Deagle. However, I can't be sure no one else will show up, wasting bullets this way on one or two creatures would be suicidal. Besides, I now know that they can actually be killed. There must be a more effective way...

  On the bright side—the shot noticeably reduced the survivors' mobility, which evens the odds and gives time to think.

  I look carefully at these two: can't tell much from the fully intact one, but from the legless one can assume their weak point isn't in the lower body... But it's definitely present.

  Meanwhile the intact one fully recovers and charges at me. I run back and start dodging while examining him and shooting at joint intersections to slow him more. Once he manages to graze my cheek with those claws.

  After about a minute I notice a detail that was hidden before. Around the creature's collarbone area the symbol kind of merges into three and takes on a pinkish tint. And this definitely isn't from the shockwave, since such a small detail would have regenerated.

  Latching onto this, I fire several shots at that point. He immediately hunches and starts covering this area with his hands, which speaks for itself. I become significantly encouraged.

  Loading another magazine, I empty half the bullets into the same spot. Some hit his hands, but the creature slows more and starts looking considerably more "dead," though doesn't lose ability to move and continues attacking.

  I decide to watch for a while. But after only ten seconds without fire, the creature began to regain strength and speed. I can see that all the embedded bullets are being absorbed into its body.

  Obviously it's taking damage, but not lethal. I note that all bullets specifically get stuck in the body like in jelly, but none pierce through. I don't have resources to contain it long, and soon the second will join.

  Do I need to pierce this point deeper...? I thought as my hand reached for the knife. They're weakened, I have to act.

  I fire a few more rounds at the clavicle area and switch to the knife. After several dodges I manage to get close enough. I've never had any experience with such weapons, so not on the first try, but I manage to stab the blade cleanly into the middle of the triple sign.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  I expect terrible howling, turning to ash or explosion... But the entity just freezes and falls to the ground motionless. Within moments the triple sign starts erasing, followed slowly by neighboring regular ones. The creature's abnormal grayness changes to pale green.

  Really want to celebrate victory, but the second one remains in view, having almost regrown legs. I run to him, dodge a sudden jump and want to shoot the same spot... but there's no triple sign.

  Confused, I start checking his whole body since the robe's completely burned off. Find the spot I need on the left side of his stomach. Put several bullets there to be safe, dodge another wild jump and stab the knife in more precisely. Death happens the same way. It's weird how the triple sign location changes depending on the creature.

  "Phew, now these monsters are definitely dead," I exhale, leaning against a lamppost. Moving in this style without stimulant is very exhausting, I'm almost drained. However it's too late to take the pill—

  —or is it...? I thought with a mix of mockery, despair and irritation, looking around again. At least two dozen more figures have emerged across the area, slowly closing the same semi-circle.

  Pure rage and not wanting any part of this shit keeps me from falling into despair. I move from the lamppost to some garage wall and switch the knife for the Deagle. Looks like this district's about to get fucked up. Good thing they're dumb as rocks and bunching up again.

  With slightly trembling hands, I wave the pistol from side to side, watching to see who will attack first. Fortunately, luck is on my side at the last moment.

  Unlike last time, the oxygen evaporation in my lungs and blurred vision cause almost childish delight. I watch as the shadow of static runs from figure to figure, tearing off robes and chopping them to pieces. In my perception this lasts very long, but probably takes no more than five-ten seconds. Then the blur gradually fades, Jane takes human form and approaches me.

  "We agreed there wouldn't be more shit like this!" I protest, unconsciously releasing built-up tension.

  "I said I couldn't guarantee anything," she replies indifferently. "Took the pill? Any wounds besides the palm and cheek?"

  "No and no, but I fired the Deagle once."

  "Yeah, heard that. Surprised you didn't hit the car. How many freaks jumped you at first?"

  "Around ten."

  "When I went to inspect the house, about fifty jumped me. Think your next question is answered," she smirks. Overall, for some reason she looks in high spirits.

  "This isn't someone dangerous? But how didn't you sense this whole damn horde?"

  "As you can see, even I can miss things," she sighs. "These creatures are possessed undead, they don't radiate magic at all, which makes detection very difficult. It also helps that I've never encountered anything like this before."

  "Undead...? Is that why bullets were harmless?"

  "Yes, against undead there are three counters: holy weapons, physical destruction of the entire body, and for possessed ones, a special sign. I assume you discovered it."

  I nod.

  "This participant's got serious skills in necromancy and control techniques, that's why the creatures are so physically strong. What's really impressive is that he's personally far away, making him basically untouchable. What you saw in the mirror is basically the 'turning' process, which also doesn't give off mana. The undead snuck in here unnoticed and killed the participant, starting the turning through them. I haven't studied the torn flowers yet, but I can tell that by tomorrow that triple sign would form where the petals were, the rest of the body would be covered in regular signs and he'd join the 'army.' He's truly a master—even I'm impressed."

  "So... is he dangerous?"

  "His undead specifically are gone. There were about sixty more hanging around here, but when I killed everyone in the house, he called them back. Only the ones attacking you were left. But his abilities as a mage are unknown—if he wants to attack me, he'll do it in person now. He's definitely my next target to eliminate."

  Jane puts away her scythe and indicates to move to the car.

  "Well, good we won't turn into flower garden," I note. "Will there be trouble with the participant personally? And why were there so many undead?"

  "Each ghoul like this is deadly to someone who doesn't know what they're dealing with. No wonder he sent a whole pack to guard the turning. This also tells us he's got tons of undead total, but that doesn't matter anymore. We'll know his strength and rough location after I study the flowers."

  We get in the car, she starts the engine.

  "Oh, and one more thing..."

  I tell her about meeting Eva. Weirdly, Jane isn't surprised.

  "There are lots of crazies among the participants, don't bother listening to their bullshit," she brushes it off. "Illusions really are harmless, they're mainly for stealth. This Eva's pretty smart, sharing useful info with the right person. She might not even die in the first week."

  "She definitely couldn't see anything important in my head?"

  "Through illusion—no, though her skill itself is strong. And even if she did see—she definitely poses no danger, forget about her."

  "Okay, you know better. So tomorrow you'll take me to find that participant?"

  "No, tomorrow from morning till night we'll sit in school," she suddenly announced.