Dante said, his curiosity piqued, "But this still doesn't explain how you leveled up so quickly. You're almost at my level."

  Selene was about to explain further when Jack interjected, "Perfect timing, Selene. It’s your turn."

  With a nod, Selene shifted her body halfway out of the van’s window and summoned her spirit energy. Her hands crackled with fiery energy as she gathered it into a glowing sphere, slightly larger than before, radiating intense heat.

  Without hesitation, Selene unleashed the fiery projectile toward two approaching zombies. The fireball struck them squarely, engulfing their heads in flames. They writhed and collapsed, reduced to ashes in moments.

  The group watched in awe as Selene’s display of power left no trace of the undead attackers. Her mastery of her newfound skill was evident, showing how she had effectively used her level-ups.

  With the immediate threat gone, Selene pulled herself back into the van, her eyes still glowing faintly from her fiery assault. “Sorry for the interruption,” she said with a grin. “I’ve invested most of my points in Mana. With Meditation, I can recover my energy quickly and cast fireballs as we travel. To stay safe, I always keep one cast ready for emergencies.”

  The van continued its journey through the chaotic cityscape until they arrived at Sarah’s home—a quaint, two-story house with a white picket fence in a quiet suburban neighborhood. Somehow, the colorful flowers in the front yard had survived the chaos of the world’s transformation.

  As they approached, Sarah spoke up, her voice tinged with nostalgia and sadness. “This is my place. It’s not much, but it’s home.”

  Inside, the house was cozy and well-maintained. The living room had a large, inviting couch, and a small dining area was adjacent to the open kitchen. Warm lighting created a stark contrast to the turmoil outside.

  Jack quickly took charge. “Alright, folks, there are four bedrooms upstairs, each with a couple of beds. We’ll double up where needed.” After some quick deliberation, everyone had a place to rest for the night.

  Following a simple meal, the exhaustion of the day caught up with everyone. They gathered briefly in the living room, the soft atmosphere a rare reprieve from their chaotic reality.

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  Dante found himself sharing a room with Jack, the big, burly guy already fast asleep and snoring loudly. As Dante lay in bed, he reflected on the day’s events and activated his bone claw. It materialized in his hand, and he touched it thoughtfully, pondering the potential of his Bone Control skill.

  He decided to experiment, focusing his spirit energy and attempting to reshape the claw into something more refined.

  The claw responded to his focus, shifting and contorting until it took on a sleeker, sharper form. Satisfied, Dante he drifted off to sleep, dreams filled with the mysteries of his abilities.

  In Sarah’s room, the three girls—Sarah, Natalie, and Selene—had huddled together, each in borrowed pajamas from Sarah. Since Sarah was shorter than the others, her oversized T-shirts turned into nightdresses for Natalie and Selene.

  The trio chatted quietly in the dimly lit room, their soft voices providing a comforting contrast to the chaos outside.

  Natalie, ever the vigilant one, asked, “What do you think about Dante’s abilities? Controlling bones is... different.”

  Selene, lying comfortably on a sleeping bag, replied, “It’s definitely unique. But in a world like this, having diverse abilities is an advantage. Besides, Dante seems like a genuinely nice guy.”

  Natalie nodded. “And his power saved us back there with that leader zombie. I’m just glad we’re okay—or, at least, most of us are.”

  Sarah’s somber tone drew their attention. “You’re right, Natalie. Most of us are okay. But we can’t forget those we’ve lost along the way.” Her gaze lingered on a family photo hanging on the wall, a poignant reminder of the life she once had.

  The girls shared a moment of silence, reflecting on their losses. Despite the sadness, they felt unity and determination to keep moving forward.

  Across the hall, Nir and Ron settled into their sleeping bags. The events of the day weighed heavily on them as they processed everything that had transpired.

  Nir turned to Ron, his voice soft. “I can’t believe what’s happening out there. It’s like living in a nightmare.”

  Ron, who had seen more of the transformed world, nodded sympathetically. “I know, Nir. It’s a lot to handle, especially if you’ve never been in this kind of situation before.”

  “I never thought I’d have to fight for my life,” Nir admitted. “Those creatures... they’re horrifying.”

  Ron offered a reassuring smile. “You did well today. You held your own, and you’re here with us now. That’s what matters.”

  As the two settled in for the night, the sounds of their friends talking softly in the other room provided a sense of comfort amidst the chaos outside. And they goes to sleep