The mutant zombie roared.
With a single brutal swing—
BOOM!
Its fist slammed into the Level 6 female knight, Daniella Alonso.
Her body was sent flying—
Ten meters into the air—
Before crashing hard onto the ground.
She didn't move.
Unconscious.
"…!"
Johnjay's eyes sharpened.
Then—
He noticed another presence.
A young girl.
Hidden behind a tree.
Shaking.
Crying.
[NPC Princess]
Name: Jenny Reyes
Age: 17
Level: 1
"Daniella!!"
Her voice trembled as she called out desperately.
The mutant zombie turned.
Slowly.
Its hollow eyes locked onto her.
"…Shit."
The zombie crouched—
Then leaped.
Its massive arm raised high—
Ready to crush her into pulp.
Johnjay moved instantly.
"MOVE—!!"
He dashed forward.
Then jumped—
Meeting the zombie mid-air.
THUD!!
His kick slammed into the mutant's body—
Sending it flying five meters away.
The zombie crashed to the ground—
But quickly stood back up.
Unharmed.
Behind him—
The princess collapsed.
Exhausted.
Bleeding.
Unconscious.
"…Damn it."
Johnjay quickly took out a potion—
And used it on her.
At the same time—
He glanced at Daniella.
Blood soaked her armor.
Her condition—
Critical.
"…This just got worse."
Earlier, during the knight's fight—
The zombie had scratched Johnjay.
The wound had healed—
But not completely.
Pain still lingered.
Johnjay tightened his grip on his sword.
"Come on, big guy…"
He smirked faintly.
"Let's start the battle."
The zombie roared—
And charged.
BOOM! BOOM!
Each step shook the ground.
Johnjay sidestepped—
But the mutant was faster than expected.
SWING—!!
Its arm struck his body.
"—!"
He raised his sword just in time—
Blocking most of the impact.
Still—
His shirt tore.
A deep cut formed.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
YOU ARE HURT
HP: 200 / 280
MP: 130 / 150
Status:
Body injured
Movement speed reduced
"Tch…"
Johnjay bit his lip—
Forcing the pain down.
Then—
Slash!
His blade cut into the zombie's side.
Green blood splashed out—
But it didn't stop.
The mutant grabbed a chunk of wood—
Swinging it like a club.
Johnjay rolled away—
But the landing sent pain through his body.
"…Still manageable."
He rushed behind it—
And drove his sword into its back.
"GRAAAAH!!"
The zombie turned—
Reaching to grab him.
Johnjay stepped left—
Then feinted right.
The zombie stumbled forward—
Its fist slamming into the ground.
BOOM!!
A crater formed.
"Now—!"
Johnjay jumped onto a nearby post—
And brought his sword down with full force.
CRACK!!
The blade struck the zombie's skull.
It staggered—
But didn't fall.
"…Not enough."
The zombie charged again.
This time—
Johnjay didn't move.
"…Come."
At the last second—
He ducked low—
And drove his shoulder forward.
The zombie's momentum carried it—
Straight into a stone well.
CRASH!!
It collapsed inside.
Johnjay didn't hesitate.
He leaped forward—
And drove his sword into the back of its head.
Silence.
The zombie stopped moving.
Then—
Fell.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
YOU WON!
+120 EXP
Level Up → Level 9
New Skill Acquired:
Titan's Surge
Doubles strength for 60 seconds
Mana Cost: 10
Cooldown: 30 seconds
The mutant's body vanished.
A large, pure red crystal remained.
"Hah…"
Johnjay leaned on his sword.
Sweating.
Bleeding.
Exhausted.
"…Stronger than expected."
Even at the same level—
The mutant had been overwhelming.
He quickly used potions.
HP: 300 / 320
MP: 150 / 200
"…Better."
Then—
He used his last potion on Daniella.
Suddenly—
Footsteps.
Many.
Voices echoed from the distance.
"Princess Jenny!!"
"Where are you?!"
A young knight appeared first.
Level 6.
"Captain! I found her!"
Moments later—
More arrived.
Fifteen knights.
All Level 30.
Then—
One man stepped forward.
Captain Daniel Alonzo
Level: 60
Rank: Captain of the Refuge Knights
A towering figure.
Muscular.
Commanding presence.
He carefully lifted both girls—
Placing them gently on the grass.
"…Strange."
He checked their bodies.
No wounds.
No injuries.
"…Impossible."
"They're warm… breathing normally…"
"But unconscious…"
His gaze sharpened.
"Someone healed them."
He looked around.
But—
No one was there.
"…Whoever it was…"
He spoke quietly.
"…We owe them everything."
"Come find us at the Royal Refuge."
"We will repay this debt."
Then—
They left.
FOUR HOURS LATER
Johnjay followed from a distance.
Then—
He saw it.
"…What…?"
A massive wall.
Fifty meters high.
Endless.
Behind it—
A city.
Spanning over 1,236 acres.
"This is impossible…"
His voice trembled.
"…I didn't create this."
"This isn't just a bug…"
"It's a whole city."
"…A hidden world."
MEANWHILE — PRINCESS CHAMBER
Jenny lay unconscious.
Memories surfaced.
She was eight years old.
Sitting by a window.
Reading.
"A knight rode through dark forests…"
"…to save a princess…"
Her voice was soft.
Full of wonder.
"Your Highness?"
Daniella stood nearby.
Smiling.
"You're reading that again?"
Jenny hugged the book.
"Yes! It's my favorite!"
She continued reading—
Eyes shining with excitement.
"…The knight faced the dragon…"
"…fearless…"
"…to save the princess."
PRESENT
Jenny's eyes slowly opened.
"My… prince…"
Her face turned red.
Before she lost consciousness earlier—
She saw him.
Johnjay.
Saving her.
"…I didn't even thank him…"
Her heart raced.
"…My prince…"
And once again—
She drifted back into unconsciousness.