In the aftermath of battle...
Maria and Trish were stunned.
Before they could even process what happened, the zombies' heads were already rolling on the ground.
My blade had moved like moonlight—graceful, deadly, and impossibly fast.
I glanced at Trish, who was barely conscious. Her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed. I caught her before she hit the ground, sighing deeply.
Even though I still resented her, there were more important things to focus on right now.
If I killed her, it would only complicate things later. I can't afford to be emotional… not now.
I cradled her limp body for a moment and looked at the five undead she had unconsciously raised earlier. Dark, flickering energy still clung to their bones.
"Necromancy, huh?" I muttered under my breath. "Not bad… as long as she can control it."
Maria ran over, panic etched across her face.
"Is she okay?!" she asked, her voice breathless, concern clearly written in her eyes.
I nodded calmly. "She's fine. Just passed out. Nothing serious."
I let Maria take her. She gently caught Trish and carried her to safety while I turned back toward the remaining horde.
There were still too many.
And they weren't just mindless shamblers this time. Many of them were enhanced—faster, stronger, smarter. Something in this factory had attracted them. Maybe it was the lingering death energy. Maybe it was something else.
No matter. I raised my blade and activated the Second Form of the Moonlight Sword Technique.
A wide arc of silver light surged outward in front of me. In a single motion, a 25-meter radius was cleared—every zombie in the area was cut in half, their bodies collapsing with heavy thuds.
Still, they kept coming.
So I stepped forward and unleashed the Third Form—a more devastating attack. A massive wave of energy exploded from the edge of my blade, stretching out to 50 meters.
Everything—trees, ruins, concrete, and dozens of zombies—was sliced cleanly as if reality itself had been torn apart.
In an instant, the battlefield was silent.
Only the wind remained.
I glanced around, waiting. But no more threats emerged. The zombies were annihilated. All of them.
I let out a sigh. "Guess I can't use the Fourth Form," I murmured with a disappointed tone. "They're all dead already…"
Still, I opened my status panel and checked the results.
+2,500 points.
Not bad.
"Good enough," I yawned, slightly bored. "Still no real challenge…"
With a thought, I opened the system shop and began upgrading the fortress again. Technology upgrade: Confirmed.
---
Back at the Fortress...
The changes were instantaneous.
Everything within the fortress evolved. The infrastructure became more advanced. The Houses now resembled luxurious, high-tech homes. Electricity stabilized. Solar generators formed. Even the walls surrounding the fortress became thicker, taller, and reinforced with alloy plating—far stronger and more secure than before.
The five girls stared in disbelief.
Rhian, curled up in a blanket in the living room, watched with wide eyes as the walls themselves shifted and morphed into sleek, fortified barriers.
Noel was the only one who seemed unfazed.
"My brother did it," she said proudly, holding a warm cup of juice. "He can upgrade the fortress. He's amazing, right?"
The others exchanged uncertain glances. It wasn't that they didn't believe her—it was just... too much.
A week ago, they had been scavenging for just a bread in the shelter. Now they were sitting in a fortress Advanced and good enough For them
Rhian pulled her knees to her chest.
I feel so guilty right now... she thought. If I had been in Noah's position... would I have shown the same restraint?
The others felt the same. Arrogant or not, prideful or not—they couldn't help but reflect.
They had mocked him, bullied him, treated him like trash. And yet... he hadn't taken revenge. Not directly. No cruel punishments. No torment. Just a slap—and then he moved on.
It confused them.
Was this all part of some long-term revenge plan? Or had he truly changed?
Regardless, Noel's presence made it easier to relax. Her sweetness, her innocence—it softened the atmosphere.
---
After ensuring the area was safe, I returned to the makeshift tent where Maria had laid Trish down.
I handed Maria some restoration pills from the system shop.
"These will help her recover faster," I said.
I stepped outside to let her rest.
---
Thirty minutes later...
Trish's eyes fluttered open.
She stared at the roof of the tent, disoriented. The last thing she remembered was me cutting down zombies and catching her before she fell.
She touched her chest. Her heart was pounding—but not from fear. Something else.
Her thoughts swirled.
I've always treated others like toys… for entertainment. But now…?
She clenched her hands into fists. She felt like a puppet for once. A helpless girl being carried. Protected. Saved.
Her pride screamed. But so did her guilt.
Trish stepped outside.
The moonlight shone down gently. Just a few feet away, Maria and I were chatting.
Maria looked relaxed. I was yawning, bored.
Our conversation paused when Trish approached.
I met her gaze with indifference. I wasn't hostile—but I wasn't warm either.
She blinked, stunned.
He's not angry? Not smug? Not even curious? Just… tired?
"Awake already?" I asked, tossing her a roasted duck I had cooked while waiting.
She caught it, almost instinctively, and stared at it.
Then she took a slow bite.
The flavor was rich, perfectly roasted. Her stomach growled without her permission. She devoured more, and then looked at me again.
I could see it in her eyes.
She thought I was an idiot.
A fool who was too forgiving. A fool who didn't take revenge when he had every reason to.
But deep down, something else flickered in her expression—confusion... remorse... and a quiet gratitude.
She didn't know it yet, but something inside her had started to shift.