One by one, they emerged from their makeshift sleeping quarters, rubbing the sleep from their eyes and stretching to shake off the stiffness of rest. With the events of the previous day still fresh in their minds, the group gathered in Sarah's living room, forming a loose circle of weary but determined faces.

  Dante, sitting cross-legged on the floor, broke the silence. "We need to talk about our next steps. First and foremost, we all need to level up. It’s clear that this world operates on a different set of rules, and gaining strength is crucial for our survival."

  Jack chimed in, "But leveling up won't be enough. We also need to understand our abilities better. We need to train, practice, and figure out how to make the most of them."

  Sarah, who had been silently contemplating their situation, finally spoke up. "And lastly, we need to deal with the monsters surrounding us. We can't stay holed up here forever. We need to clear them out, secure this area, and find a more permanent place to stay."

  Dante summed up their decisions, "So, it's settled. "

  As they made their way towards the door, Jack paused and turned to the group. "One more thing. We used up the fuel in the mini-van to get here. so we'll have to split up into two groups. The girls can head to the police station, and the boys will go to the supermarket. We'll need supplies, and we can't afford to stay holed up here forever."

  The girls, Sarah, Selene, and Natalie, exchanged determined glances. They understood the importance of their mission to the police station. Information, weapons, and equipment might be waiting for them there, and they were ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead.

  Dante and Jack, knowing the value of securing supplies, nodded to each other. They were prepared to tackle the challenges of the supermarket, even if it meant confronting the unknown.

  With a final glance around Sarah's living room, the group headed out, splitting into their designated teams.

  As Dante, Jack, Ron, and Nir made their way toward the supermarket, the city around them was far from quiet. In the distance, sporadic gunshots echoed through the streets, punctuated by the occasional explosion that sent plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. It was a grim reminder that they were not alone in this chaotic world.

  Dante couldn't help but tense at the sound of each gunshot. He knew that other survivors were out there, fighting to stay alive just like them. The question was whether these potential allies or adversaries posed a greater threat than the undead that roamed the streets.

  Jack, ever the pragmatic one, kept his senses sharp, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger. His grip on his makeshift weapon—a baseball bat he found in Sarah’s house—tightened as he considered the possibilities. The city had become a battleground, and they were navigating it with caution.

  Ron and Nir, who had been relatively quiet since they joined the group, exchanged nervous glances. This was their first foray into the dangers of this new world, and the tension in the air weighed heavily on them.

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  As they neared the supermarket, they could see that the area had not been spared from the chaos. Broken glass and debris littered the entrance, and signs of looting were evident. Shattered shelves and spilled food told a story of desperation and survival.

  With a shared glance, Dante and Jack understood the risks that lay ahead. They knew that supplies were essential, but they also knew that they had to tread carefully. The supermarket could be a treasure trove or a deathtrap, depending on what—or who—they encountered inside.

  Dante’s determination to improve his skills was evident as he continued to experiment with his bone control ability. He knew that mastering it was crucial for their survival in this new and dangerous world.

  As he focused on finding his shooting range, Dante aimed his bone bullets at a distant skeleton, roughly thirty meters away. With steady hands and unwavering concentration, he pulled the trigger twice, aiming for the creature's head. However, both shots missed their mark, serving as a reminder of the challenges he faced in honing his accuracy.

  Observing the results, Dante made a mental note that his accuracy significantly decreased when shooting beyond fifteen meters.

  Not one to be discouraged, Dante shifted his attention to another aspect of his ability. A night-inspired idea had sparked his curiosity, and he decided to test it. With intense concentration, he attempted to add more power to his bone bullets by making them spin faster.

  As he harnessed his mana and focused on the bone bullets forming within his hands, Dante willed them to rotate at a swifter pace. The projectiles crackled with energy as they spun with newfound intensity. This enhancement could potentially increase their penetration power and damage, making them even deadlier.

  Jack, focused on consolidating his strength into a singular point. With each step of their journey, he practiced his Club swing.

  Nir, on the other hand, chose a more stealthy approach. He moved silently through the decaying streets, his dagger that he got from Natalie at the ready. From the shadows, he would strike swiftly and silently, aiming for the necks of unsuspecting zombies. His skills in stealth and precision were improving with each successful kill. In moments of struggle, when the undead creatures closed in on him too much, Dante's bone bullets would come to his aid, striking the zombies in their chests with precision.

  Meanwhile, Ron was also making progress in his own way. He had a natural affinity for observation and analysis. As they encountered various types of monsters and undead creatures, Ron took it upon himself to study their behavior and weaknesses. He meticulously recorded his findings, creating a detailed journal that would serve as a valuable resource for the group in the future. His dedication to understanding their adversaries would prove to be a crucial component of their survival strategy.

  The group of boys stopped in front of the supermarket, its sheer size looming over them like a fortress. It wasn’t just a typical store—it was massive. The towering shelves seemed to reach endlessly toward the ceiling, and the sheer scale of it hinted at its potential. If intact, the supermarket could hold enough supplies to feed 20 people for an entire year.

  Dante took the lead, his voice steady. “Alright, let’s stick together and be cautious. Supermarkets like these tend to attract both survivors and monsters.”

  Jack nodded in agreement. “We should sweep the area carefully, looking for any supplies we can use. But stay alert. If we run into any monsters or other survivors, we need to be ready.”

  Nir tightened his grip on his dagger, his jaw set. “Agreed. Let’s do this.”

  With a collective nod, the group stepped into the supermarket, their makeshift weapons at the ready. The air inside was heavy with decay, and the faint sounds of shuffling feet echoed from deep within the aisles.