The thunderous *CRUNCH* of the Brute tearing through the front door of the Miller house reverberated through the very foundation, a terrifying testament to its destructive power. Ethan didn't waste a second. "Go! Through the kitchen, to the back!" he yelled, shoving Marcus towards the rear of the house.
Marcus, pale with terror, didn't argue. He scrambled ahead, fumbling with the back door lock. Ethan followed, his eyes darting frantically around, ensuring no other zombies had been drawn by the Brute's rampage. The rhythmic thumping of the monstrous creature echoed from the front, growing closer, louder.
The back door creaked open, revealing the small, fenced backyard. Ethan pushed Marcus through, then squeezed out himself, slamming the door shut behind them. They didn't bother trying to re-lock it; it wouldn't stop the Brute for long.
"Over the fence!" Ethan commanded, pointing to the weakest section of the wooden perimeter. He was already boosting himself, crowbar still in hand, planting a foot on the lower rail.
Marcus, surprisingly agile despite his bulk, was right behind him. He scrambled over, dropping heavily on the other side. Ethan followed, landing with a soft thud. They were now in a neighbor's yard, a dense, overgrown patch of shrubs and tall grass that offered some concealment.
The roar of the Brute erupted from the Miller house, a sound of pure, frustrated rage. They could hear the sickening *smash* of furniture being torn apart, the splintering of wood. It was clear the monster realized its targets had escaped.
*\[Threat: Brute pursuing. Maintain high speed evasion. Avoid direct confrontation.]*
"This way!" Ethan whispered, pointing down a narrow gap between two houses that led to another street, parallel to the one the Brute was on. "We stick to the backyards, stay out of sight."
They moved as quickly and silently as possible, scrambling over low fences, weaving through garden gnomes and forgotten lawn furniture. Every shadow seemed to twist into a lurking horror, every rustle of leaves sending their hearts pounding. The air was thick with the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant, cloying odor of decay.
"Where are we going?" Marcus panted, struggling to keep up, his wrench occasionally clanging against a fence post.
"My house," Ethan replied, not breaking stride. "It's closer. We have to get back to the others." He knew Mr. Henderson and the rest would be worried sick, and the Brute might eventually wander towards Marcus's house if it couldn't find them here.
The frantic pace continued. Ethan's **Agility** stat, and the newfound confidence from his **Melee Proficiency** (even though he wasn't using it for combat now, it gave him a sense of capability), helped him navigate the uneven terrain with surprising ease. Marcus, however, was starting to flag, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
They emerged onto another quiet suburban street, several blocks from Marcus's house. Ethan recognized the turn he needed to make. Just as they were about to cross, a low growl echoed from behind a parked car.
A standard zombie, drawn by their movement, lurched out, its pale face turning towards them.
**\[Threat: Low-level zombie (1) detected. Consider immediate neutralization to maintain evasion speed.]**
Ethan didn't hesitate. He swung the hatchet, the skill point feeling natural, almost an extension of his arm. The blade found its mark with brutal efficiency, cleaving through the zombie's head. It dropped without a sound, a mere obstacle cleared in their desperate escape.
**\[Low-level zombie eliminated! Experience Gained: 10 EXP.]**
**\[Current Experience: 160/200.]**
"Go!" Ethan urged, grabbing Marcus's arm and pulling him along. They couldn't afford to waste a second. The distant, heavy thudding of the Brute was still audible, a constant, terrifying reminder of the unstoppable force they were fleeing.
They ran for what felt like an eternity, the suburban landscape blurring around them. Finally, through a gap in the houses, Ethan spotted it: his own home, smaller and less fortified than Marcus's, but a known quantity. The front door was boarded up, just as he had left it when the chaos began. He had done it in a panic, a primal instinct, never imagining he'd be running to it for true refuge.
"My house," Ethan gasped, pointing. "Through the back. It's got a doggy door for Buster, maybe we can squeeze through and unlock the back door."
Reaching the back of his house, they found the small doggy door, designed for a medium-sized retriever. It was a tight squeeze, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
"You first, Marcus," Ethan instructed, pushing him forward. Marcus, despite his larger build, managed to contort himself, grunting as he squeezed through the small opening. Ethan followed, his lankier frame making it slightly easier.
They landed inside the dark, familiar kitchen. Marcus quickly fumbled with the back door lock, letting them in properly. They stood there, panting, leaning against the counter, safe for the moment. The silence of the house, broken only by their ragged breathing, was a welcome relief after the adrenaline-fueled run.
**\[Objective: Evade Brute. Status: Complete! Threat successfully evaded. Experience Gained: 50 EXP.]**
**\[Current Experience: 210/200.]**
**\[Congratulations, Host! You have gained enough Experience Points to Level Up!]**
**\[Level Up! You are now Level 3!]**
**\[All basic attributes +1!]**
**\[Points: +1!]**
**\[Status]**
**Name:** Ethan James
**Title:** None
**Level:** 3
**Experience:** 10/300 (Next Level)
**Strength:** 8 (+1)
**Agility:** 8 (+1)
**Stamina:** 9 (+1)
**Intelligence:** 10 (+1)
**Skills:** Melee Proficiency (Tier 1)
**Points:** 1
A wave of invigorating energy washed over Ethan, a deeper surge than before. He felt stronger, faster, his mind clearer despite the exhaustion. The level-up was a stark contrast to the terror he'd just faced, a reminder of the System's grim promise.
They had escaped the Brute, but they were now stranded in Ethan's house, a less secure location, without the rest of their group. The stakes had just risen exponentially.