Ren slowly stood up, he fell in the ground during the transformation.
He start stretching his body as he felt everything change, he felt much flexible than before.
The changes on his body is visible as his biceps and other parts of his body like triceps, hamstring improve.
A visible abs also appear, though only a barely visible 6 pack abs; His muscles had grown much bigger, as his body was on the same level with proffesional athlete.
Ren had a satisfied look on his face, with the improvement of his body now. He shouldn't worry much about the early phase, but he was not content with this a bit of improvement.
He must grow much stronger, only then his survivability within this apocalypse increase.
His first goal is to grew stronger and create his own team, then his survival will be guaranteed in this early phase.
But the evolution phase is the start of the true hell, where's the zombie started to grow rapidly.
For a moment, he must create a plan for his first action and future action.
Right now, The world is in state of shock and chaos; As the apocalypse descent in surprising manner, caughting the world off-guard.
Resulting in billions of human infected all around the world, soon enough the military of every country would began purging the zombie.
But resulted in failure, as the more was being infected. The early phase is the infection stage, while the evolution phase is the growth stage.
Growth stage - Transformation Stage is the phase, that began to show the true horror of the apocalypse.
Infection stage is only where's the virus of the zombie rose in rapid speed, like how the growth of zombie would experience in evolution phase.
The higher phase is the human starting to resist the zombie, but not completely.
Early and Evolution is the most important part of the apocalypse, and chance of growing much much stronger.
For now, he would just adjust himself to this new strength. Only by training would he be able to adjust and have a bit of knowledge of his limit.
Ren stood still for a moment, letting the surge of power settle inside him. His muscles throbbed with new strength, his body now honed like a professional athlete's; but he knew this was just the beginning. The real challenge was mastering it all before the world descended further into chaos.
He glanced around his small rented apartment, the dim light barely touching the worn furniture. Outside, distant sirens and low moans reminded him of the nightmare spreading beyond these walls.
Ren sank onto the cracked wooden floor, pulling out the tattered notebook he'd been keeping since the outbreak began. His mind raced back to everything he'd endured so far, the sacrifice he made for his teammates, the bitter death that should have been the end, and the strange gift of returning from a future torn apart by the zombies.
He flipped through pages of hastily scribbled plans and observations. In this moment, he knew he had to act deliberately. No more impulsive moves. Every step counted now.
His plan took shape clearly.
Train Relentlessly.
Gather Allies.
Secure Resources.
Scout and Plan Routes.
Prepare for the Evolution Phase.
His eyes hardened as he considered what came next. The evolution phase wasn't just about more zombies, it was the rise of monsters far beyond anything the world had seen. If he didn't grow stronger, and if his team wasn't ready, there would be no survival.
He closed the notebook and stood, the room suddenly feeling both too small and too important. This cramped apartment building was his starting point, the ground zero of his fight for survival.
Ren tightened his fists, determination burning in his eyes.
"This time," he murmured, "I won't just survive. I'll rise."
And with that, he began his training, pushing his body further than ever before, knowing the nightmare was only just beginning.
Ren moved aside the small table in the center of the room, clearing a space on the cold floor. The apartment was far from ideal, but it was isolated enough for him to train without drawing attention.
The groans of the undead echoed faintly from the streets below, serving as a grim reminder that time was running out.
He started with basic push-ups, his body moving with unnatural ease. Each repetition felt smoother, faster.
The floor creaked beneath his weight, sweat beginning to form on his brow. After only a few sets, he transitioned to squats, then to explosive jumps. His strength had clearly increased, but his control was still lacking, his movements were too forceful, lacking finesse.
"This power is raw," he muttered, panting lightly. "If I can't control it, it'll be useless when it counts."
Next, he reached for the sword he had bought in the Jaw Forgery in bordet of the city.
The weapon gleamed faintly under the apartment's weak light, its edge sharp and ready. He gripped it tightly, muscles flexing as he began to swing, slow, deliberate motions first, then faster, building rhythm. His body responded well, but it was still unfamiliar territory.
He remembered the first zombie he killed, its twisted face, the sticky blood, the sudden rush of survival instinct. But next time, He had to make every strike clean, every movement count.
Hours passed.
He trained until his limbs trembled and sweat soaked through his shirt. At last, he collapsed onto the floor, chest heaving.
He closed his eyes, letting his mind wander briefly to the future he had come from. That broken world. That unbearable regret. The screams of those he failed to save. He had come back for a reason. This time, he wouldn't let them die. Not his friends. Not himself.
He sat up, reached for the notebook again, and began writing down every detail of things that could be improve.
Sword Technique - Need Refinement.
Physical Endurance - Require more Improvement and stable.
Mental State - Focus but haunted.
Resources - should last few weeks.
Objective 1: Make Brian Loin, Join my Team.
Objective 2: Find a stable and solid base.
Ren stared at the words he had written, each one carved with intent, heavy with memory. The ink bled slightly into the page, just like the past bled into the present. His grip on the pen tightened as he underlined the first objective: Make Brian Loin, Join my Team.
Brian Loin..
Then.. The past event in my last life hit in.. It was because, he died because of me.
It was during the first week of the outbreak, when things were still confusing, before the military admitted the virus couldn't be contained. People were panicking. Phones weren't working. Screams echoed from the streets. I had locked myself in my apartment, shaking, weaponless, powerless, and terrified.
Then the knock came.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
"Ren… please. Help me…"
His voice, It still echoes in my dreams. He was coughing, weak, but not turned yet. He was still human.
Still salvageable.
And I did nothing.
I stood there like a coward, back against the wall, clutching a kitchen knife I couldn't even hold steady. I told myself he was already infected. That opening the door would mean dying too. That I couldn't help him.
So I stayed silent.
The knocks stopped.
Later that night, I heard screams in the hallway. Something thudded against the wall. And in the morning, I opened the door and found the blood trail, dragged, smeared, still fresh.
Brian had died right outside my apartment.
Alone.
Or worse, turned.
Even in the later stages of the apocalypse, I never forgave myself for it. His face was one of the many that haunted me through the years. I told myself there was no choice.
That I had to survive.
But now, I'm back.
A second chance. A second life.
His time is short. If I remember right, he gets bitten tomorrow. somewhere around midday, when he runs outside to look for his sister, who never made it home. He knocks on my door later that night, already infected.
But I won't let that happen again.
This time, I'll intercept him before he leaves the building. I'll explain what's coming, show him proof, convince him to stay. And if I can't stop him from leaving, I'll go with him.
Protect him.
Fight for him.
Because this apocalypse doesn't give second chances lightly and I'll be damned if I waste mine.
Because this apocalypse doesn't give second chances lightly and I'll be damned if I waste mine.
Ren stood up, sword in hand, blood pumping with renewed fire. He had a plan. And more importantly, he had a name a person he wouldn't let die again.
He slid the notebook into his backpack and glanced at the window, where outside. Was the mess zombies leave behind.
"I won't fail this time."