The Golden Supply Crate
1040 Words
The three carefully left the convenience store.
The streets had become eerily quiet.
Burning vehicles filled the roads.
Broken glass crunched beneath their feet.
Occasional screams echoed from distant parts of Tokyo.
Arthur kept glancing at the blue map.
The golden dot was getting closer.
Forty meters.
Thirty meters.
Twenty meters.
Finally, they stopped in front of a large electronics store.
Aiko looked confused.
"Here?"
Arthur nodded slowly.
The golden dot was inside the building.
However...
The entire area was strangely silent.
Too silent.
Suddenly—
DING!
---
Warning!
Special Resource Detected.
Guardian present.
Threat Level: Medium.
---
Arthur's expression became serious.
As expected.
Nothing good came without danger.
He looked at the two women.
"Stay behind me."
Aiko immediately nodded.
Yuna nervously grabbed a metal pipe she had picked up earlier.
The three slowly entered the building.
The first floor was a mess.
Televisions had been smashed.
Shelves were overturned.
Several corpses lay on the ground.
Then—
Growl.
Arthur froze.
Not one.
Not two.
More than ten zombies slowly emerged from behind the shelves.
Their clothes were stained with blood.
Some were employees.
Others were customers.
Their red eyes immediately locked onto the group.
Yuna's face turned pale.
"T-There are too many!"
Arthur frowned.
Fighting all of them directly would be dangerous.
Then—
A loud crash came from upstairs.
Boom!
Something heavy landed on the second floor.
The entire building trembled slightly.
DING!
---
Appraisal Activated.
Name: Mutated Zombie Hound
Rank: F
Description:
An evolved zombie that possesses enhanced speed and hunting instincts.
---
Arthur's expression changed.
Another mutation.
And this one was faster.
A low growl echoed from above.
A massive creature slowly appeared.
It looked like a dog.
But its body was nearly twice the size of a normal wolf.
Rotten flesh hung from its body.
Sharp claws scratched against the floor.
Its red eyes glowed with hunger.
Yuna almost screamed.
"What is that thing?!"
The Zombie Hound suddenly jumped.
Too fast!
Arthur barely reacted.
Slash!
He swung his machete.
The blade cut across the creature's shoulder.
The hound landed smoothly.
Growl...
It began circling them.
Like a predator.
Arthur's expression turned ugly.
This monster was intelligent.
Much smarter than ordinary zombies.
And behind it—
The other zombies were slowly approaching.
They were surrounded.
DING!
---
Emergency Mission Activated.
Kill the Zombie Hound.
Reward:
- Golden Supply Crate
- Experience
- Random Equipment
---
Arthur narrowed his eyes.
The golden dot...
was the reward itself.
The hound suddenly moved.
Boom!
It disappeared from its position.
Too fast!
Arthur instinctively pushed Aiko aside.
Slash!
Its claws barely missed his chest.
A deep scratch appeared on his arm.
Arthur gritted his teeth.
This thing was much more dangerous than the basement mutant.
The hound attacked again.
Arthur rolled sideways.
Crash!
A shelf exploded into pieces.
The surrounding zombies began moving faster due to the noise.
Things were becoming worse.
Then—
Aiko suddenly shouted.
"Arthur! The televisions!"
Arthur looked around.
His eyes widened.
Several large television screens still hung from the ceiling.
An idea immediately appeared in his mind.
"Yuna!"
"Y-Yes?!"
"Throw something at those cables!"
Without hesitation, Yuna grabbed a metal object and threw it.
Crash!
One of the cables snapped.
Arthur immediately charged toward the hound.
The creature roared and lunged.
At the last second—
Arthur dodged.
The hound crashed directly beneath the hanging televisions.
"Now!"
Crash!
Crash!
Crash!
Several giant television screens fell simultaneously.
BOOM!
The hound was buried beneath the wreckage.
The entire store shook violently.
Silence.
Everyone stared.
Then—
ROAR!!
The debris exploded.
The hound emerged.
Blood covered its body.
One of its legs was injured.
But it was still alive.
Arthur's face twitched.
"Why won't these things die?!"
However—
It was slower now.
Arthur immediately seized the opportunity.
He rushed forward.
Slash!
A deep wound appeared on its side.
The hound roared.
Slash!
Another wound.
Dark blood splattered everywhere.
The creature tried to counterattack.
But its injured leg affected its movements.
Arthur finally saw an opening.
"Die!"
Stab!
The machete pierced directly into its eye.
ROAR!!!
The creature struggled violently.
Arthur refused to let go.
He pushed harder.
Crack!
The blade pierced its brain.
The Zombie Hound suddenly froze.
Then—
Its massive body collapsed.
DING!
---
Zombie Hound Eliminated!
Experience +50.
Mission Completed!
Rewards Granted.
---
A bright golden light appeared in the air.
A large golden chest slowly materialized.
The three stared in shock.
Yuna rubbed her eyes.
"A treasure chest?"
Even Aiko looked stunned.
Arthur slowly approached it.
This was definitely related to the system.
He placed his hand on the chest.
The lid slowly opened.
Golden light filled the room.
DING!
---
Golden Supply Crate Opened!
Rewards:
- Beginner Storage Upgrade Card ×1
- System Weapon: Thunder Pistol ×1
- Beginner Base Blueprint ×1
- Energy Crystal ×5
- Random Skill Scroll ×1
---
Arthur's breathing quickened.
These rewards were incredible.
Especially the Thunder Pistol.
A futuristic-looking handgun appeared in his hand.
Blue lightning occasionally flashed across its surface.
DING!
---
Appraisal
Name: Thunder Pistol
Rank: E
Ability:
Fires electrically enhanced bullets.
Additional Effect:
Small chance to paralyze enemies.
---
Arthur nearly laughed.
This weapon was leagues above his machete.
Next, he used the storage card.
DING!
---
Storage Space Upgraded.
Current Capacity:
100 cubic meters.
---
Arthur's eyes widened.
One hundred cubic meters?
That was enormous.
Finally—
He looked at the skill scroll.
He slowly crushed it.
A warm light entered his body.
DING!
---
Skill Acquired:
【Eye of Appraisal Lv.1】
Allows the host to view hidden information and detect danger.
---
Arthur smiled.
This skill would be extremely useful.
Suddenly—
The ground trembled.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
The footsteps were extremely heavy.
Everyone's expressions changed.
A new red notification appeared.
---
Warning!
High-Level Mutation Approaching.
Threat Level:
Very High.
Estimated Arrival:
30 Seconds.
---
Arthur's smile immediately disappeared.
"...You've got to be kidding me."
The footsteps became louder.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Something huge was approaching.
Outside the electronics store—
A gigantic shadow slowly appeared.
Two glowing red eyes stared directly at the building.
The creature slowly smiled.
And for the first time—
Arthur felt true danger.
Because this monster...
looked intelligent.
- Writer
