[Task: Kill a Mutated Zombie] [Reward: Escape from the Secret Realm] [Time Limit: 30 Days] The rıghtful source is 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩 When Wang Linchi landed, he found himself in a forest of steel and concrete that had long been abandoned. "It has a certain aesthetic appeal, like unfinished buildings." "But if there are zombies, I suppose I'll need to find some firearms or something," Wang Linchi mused. Medium Secret Zones and Large Secret Realms represent a dividing line. In Large Secret Realms and above, pure slaughter requires sufficient strength and numbers, and it has an irrecoverable nature—for example, the Beast King Species from the previous Secret Realm; once exterminated, they are gone for good. On the other hand, Medium Secret Zones and smaller ones are more like reusable instances, primarily combat-oriented and capable of restoration. For example, even if the zombies are completely wiped out, the Secret Realm can be restarted through immense power and begin a new cycle. However, the development after the reboot will also change; there's no so-called foresight. The weakest should be the Mini-secret Realm, which is filled with monsters. Once inside, you just start killing. Additionally, the size of the Secret Realm is also a factor. A Mini-secret Realm is about the size of a village or town, while a small Secret Realm is probably about the size of a city. Further up, the size fluctuates considerably. The most extreme Medium Secret Zones might even rival smaller Large Secret Realms in size. Wang Linchi was not sure about the specifics of the Secret Realm he was in, as no one had been there before. This time, he was the only Awakener who entered this zombie-filled Secret Realm. Even the person in charge of guarding the Secret Realm seemed incredibly lazy. Zombie-type Secret Realms were not a first in Great View. Wang Linchi knew that there was a Gigantic Secret Realm dominated by zombies in the Western Seven Realms. The zombies in his current Secret Realm were nothing in comparison. The zombies in that Gigantic Secret Realm were creatures like Zombie Ancestors, Zombie Emperors, and Zombie Gods. In this Secret Realm, a Mutated Zombie was probably the top tier. He picked up a newspaper from a newsstand. It was still recent, and the headline indicated the source of the zombies. [Dawn Watch Company's GOD Virus Leak!] Divine virus... what an arrogant name, Wang Linchi thought, then skimmed through the news content. It was roughly about an accidental leak of the virus during an experiment. However, the entire article was reassuring, stating that this virus was merely a severe cold, at most causing fever or a runny nose. If people were worried, they could go to hospitals under the Dawn Watch Company's control and get vaccines at half price. Wang Linchi flipped through several more news articles. Besides the statement from the Dawn Watch Company, there were politicians making appearances to sway public opinion. Celebrities even took pride in being infected with the GOD virus, and various media outlets were promoting its harmlessness. And then, it turned into this. The word "virus" alone is enough to indicate it's nothing good, he thought. If it were truly beneficial, why call it a "virus" instead of something like 'Genetic Fluid' or 'enhancement medicine'? It's pure self-deception. They could have at least changed the name. "But speaking of which, where are the zombies? I'm a living, breathing person here, and yet nothing has come to scoop out my brains." Couldn't be because my brain is overused and doesn't taste good, right? Wang Linchi mused, looking around. The area was empty; not a single zombie was in sight. In my mind, this kind of apocalypse should be teeming with zombies, shoulder to shoulder. The moment I arrived, I should have been hacking away wildly. Instead, this utter calm is disorienting. The most valuable things in this Secret Realm are probably the Dawn Watch Company and the GOD virus, Wang Linchi concluded. He didn't dwell on it for long and quickly formulated his objective. Then there are the survivors. I wonder if I can make use of them? In a Medium Secret Zone, I shouldn't encounter overly powerful entities. The strongest would probably be around the Secret Silver Level, and there would only be a few of those. Most would likely be at the Mountain Copper Level or Black Iron Level. Even if there's an anomaly, it would only be at the Elite Gold Level; nothing stronger should appear. Therefore, I should be invincible here... right? Well, I can't be too sure. Theoretically, a Large Secret Realm should only have beings at the Morning Star Level, but in reality, creatures at the Bright Moon Level have appeared. Even the Dajing Court, with its many years of experience with Secret Realms, hasn't fully grasped them. How could a newcomer like me possibly know all the details? After gathering a considerable amount of relevant information about this Secret Realm from the newsstand, Wang Linchi prepared to leave. It's a shame there's no internet or electricity. Otherwise, I could easily find the Dawn Watch Company's address with an online search. Although, finding the Dawn Watch Company's address wouldn't be very useful. The GOD virus research facility must be in some kind of base, not likely within the Dawn Watch Company headquarters, which would primarily handle administrative functions. Dawn Watch is a large corporation, focusing mainly on medicine, pharmaceuticals, biology, and genetics; it's a leader in this sector. So, it definitely has more projects than just the GOD virus; there must be other profitable ventures. This would necessitate separating the laboratories from the administrative and business operations. I'll go check out the city center first. Such a big company must... As Wang Linchi walked on, he felt as if something was watching him. It carried a strange sense of malice. He turned his head; the presence seemed to be coming from inside a nearby building. A zombie? Wang Linchi's first thought was of a zombie. Can't they come out during the day, or are they afraid of the Sun? Wang Linchi glanced at the bright Sun high in the sky. It was around five or six in the afternoon, and still light out. Wang Linchi quickly located the zombie that was watching him. It was on the third floor of a nearby building, standing behind a window, its figure somewhat indistinct. It's backlit, that's why its figure was obscured. He found the entrance to the building. The door was unlocked, and judging by the traces, someone or something had recently passed through. It has evolved an instinct to avoid light. Wait... no, I'm being too narrow-minded. What if these zombies possess intelligence? Wang Linchi had almost dismissed them as the slow, brainless automatons from his previous life's fiction. But reality might be different. The fact that the zombie could observe me indicated its visual system was intact. And its ability to emit malice suggested a certain level of information processing, meaning it wasn't solely reliant on instinct and smell. Perhaps they aren't mindless creatures but a new species, the Zombie Race. Wang Linchi soon reached the third floor. He paused for a moment, released the Saint Master, and then moved back a short distance. The Saint Master emotionlessly kicked the door of room 302 on the third floor. The entire door was sent flying. A strange roar, seemingly laced with pain, erupted. Apparently, the zombie was waiting for Wang Linchi behind the door but hadn't expected the Saint Master's powerful kick. The door not only flew off but also took the zombie with it. Finally, it crashed into the opposite wall, creating a large hole. The door, with the zombie, then fell down from the third floor. Wang Linchi hurried over to look. The zombie hadn't been killed by the impact, but the parts of its body exposed to sunlight began to dissolve, like melting wax. Moreover, as it melted, a putrid stench rapidly spread. Then, the zombie let out a piercing wail. Under the Sun, it completely transformed into a pool of what looked like corpse wax, its bones dissolving entirely, a sight that left Wang Linchi utterly shocked. This zombie's physical resilience is quite impressive, Wang Linchi noted. It survived a powerful kick from the Saint Master and a fall from the third floor to the ground below. This indicates it wasn't some fragile type, even if the Saint Master didn't use his full strength. And it could scream, indicating it has a sense of pain and the related neurological structures. To call them zombies... perhaps they've already evolved into a new species. As the zombie's wailing and the stench spread, Wang Linchi saw shadows moving in many nearby rooms, clearly attracted by the creature's cries. It's just like when there's a commotion on the street and someone's shouting loudly; people naturally gather to see what's happening. As the corpse wax solidified, Wang Linchi clearly saw a Soul Kind forming within it. Is the drop rate higher for initial explorations ? Wang Linchi wondered. Otherwise, given the circumstances, how could a Soul Kind form? This zombie's strength was at most mid-stage White Porcelain level. The quality is probably not good; common grade would be the absolute best I could hope for. Using his Thought Field in conjunction with the Saint Master, Wang Linchi forcefully retrieved the Soul Kind. It was indeed common grade. [Poison-type: Virus Claw Attack (Common Level)] [Consumes 1 point of spiritual power to add 1 point of Poison Damage to unarmed attacks for 1 minute.] At first glance, it seemed decent, but 1 point of Poison Damage was practically useless. It might have some effect at the White Porcelain level, but at the Black Iron Level or higher, one could easily become immune to this single point of Poison Damage. Perhaps 10 points of Poison Damage could affect someone at the Black Iron Level, but to achieve that, an Excellent Level Soul Kind would likely be necessary. High drop rate, but low quality. But then again, one can't expect too much from mobs in a medium-level instance. Wang Linchi casually tossed the Poison-type Virus Claw Attack Soul Kind into his Storage space. If I can't sell it, it can serve as material to enhance my secret techniques. Every little bit helps, after all.