**Chapter 5: The Only Way to Save Them** “Kid, do you see that last door on your left?” Theo spoke urgently, his finger pointing down the chaotic hallway where he had left his sister. The boy stared wide-eyed, nodding vigorously in response. “Good. I need you to run in there and stay quiet. My sister is inside—tell her I’m okay and that I’m, like, super cool, alright?” Another quick nod shot back at him, and Theo felt a flicker of optimism—the boy seemed determined. “Make sure she covers the glass window on the door, okay? Block it with something,” Theo instructed sharply, glancing nervously at the mass of chaos unfolding around them. He had witnessed too many MB Infectees slamming into glass windows, drawn like moths to a flame by the slightest movement within. The sight was horrifying—some doors were left ajar, their handles easily manipulated in the frenzy of the infected’s mindless assault. No locks existed to offer protection. A twinge of sorrow gripped Theo as he thought of the patients trapped inside these rooms, many unaware of the apocalyptic storm that had crashed into their sanctuary, with no guardians to shield them from the nightmare. Ahead, he spotted families desperately trying to reach one another, voices mingling with the chaos. Hospital staff were attempting to calm terrified patients, but it was clear the tidal wave of pandemonium was overwhelming even the bravest among them. Security guards at the far end of the hallway struggled to maintain any semblance of control, their faces reflecting the distress of a rapidly deteriorating situation. “Go now!” Theo urged as the child bolted toward the door. The mere seconds it took felt like an eternity, but relief washed over him once the boy slipped inside and he could hear the door click shut. ‘Time to get back to business,’ Theo thought, shifting his focus to the area where his sister was huddled away from the chaos. With a swift motion, he yanked the IV pole from an infected woman’s lifeless form, turning to confront the lumbering MB Infectees that shambled forward, their grotesque movements painting a terrifying picture against the flickering fluorescent lights. “Let’s see how many points I can rack up,” he muttered, steeling himself as he stepped toward them, weapon in hand. Despite their menacing presence, their sluggishness played to his favor, allowing him to dispatch them one by one. If they had been any quicker, he knew he wouldn’t have lasted. [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] Breathless and weary, Theo finally dispatched the last of the five MB Infectees guarding his sister's room. Gunfire reverberated through the hospital, echoing down the halls and drawing some of the infected away—his luck, for now. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, the reality of his surroundings setting in. This was Metro Doctors Hospital, the largest private hospital in Metropolis City, and he was still only in one wing of it, far from safety. From deeper within the hospital's recesses, the sounds of screams and sobs mingled and permeated every corner. Through glass windows, he glimpsed survivors huddled in terror, some trembling in quiet despair. “Keep it down and whatever you do, don’t let them bite you!” he urged the uninfected patients he passed. “That’s how it spreads—just like in those zombie movies. Block the glass window and doors.” Many nodded, their faces pale but resolute, already understanding the gravity of their predicament. Just as he turned a corner, a crackling announcement resonated through the emergency speakers, slicing through the chaos like a knife. “Attention all survivors: Find a safe place and remain hidden. Stay silent, and do not approach anyone displaying strange behavior or signs of infection. Under no circumstances should you allow yourself to be bitten. The military is currently sweeping each floor, eliminating the infected and rescuing survivors. If you have been bitten but remain conscious and in control, there is a chance you are immune. You must isolate yourself from the uninfected and await military personnel to assess your condition. I repeat: Do not engage the infected. Stay hidden and wait for rescue.” Frustration gnawed at Theo as he clicked his tongue, muttering to himself, “A little late for that announcement, don’t you think? It’s already spiraled out of control…” A sudden whisper from behind broke his concentration. “Psst.” He turned to find an elderly woman poking her head timidly out from behind a door. “What are you doing, wandering around? Get in here and stay safe with us! Are you trying to get yourself killed?” she scolded, her brow furrowed with concern. Theo scratched the back of his head, offering a sheepish grin. “I’m just taking care of the ones I can handle,” he replied softly. “You’ll get yourself infected doing that! Just wait for the military to rescue us, young man!” she snapped, her worry palpable. With a light chuckle, Theo responded, “Thanks for the advice, Granny. Just make sure to block the door and cover the window. Stay safe—I’ll see you around.” Determined, he pressed forward, taking down more MB Infectees as he moved onward. [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] His breath became ragged; exhaustion clawed at him relentlessly. “Why do I tire so easily?” he panted, taking stock of his surroundings until a water dispenser near the nurse's station caught his eye. He rushed over, grabbing the gallon jug and drinking deeply, feeling the cool liquid refill his energy reserves. [Ding! +3 Health Regeneration, +2 Resistance to Fatigue, +1 Detoxification] [Ding! +3 Health Regeneration, +2 Resistance to Fatigue, +1 Detoxification] [Ding! +3 Health Regeneration, +2 Resistance to Fatigue, +1 Detoxification] [Ding! +3 Health Regeneration, +2 Resistance to Fatigue, +1 Detoxification] [Ding! +3 Health Regeneration, +2 Resistance to Fatigue, +1 Detoxification] Wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve, he felt a wave of recovery flow through him. Every few drops of water seemed to yield rewards that invigorated his body, and after downing more than a liter, the exhaustion began to dissipate, if only slightly. Seeking an upgrade, he hurried to the nurse’s station, scanning for a better weapon. Out of the corner of his eye, the glint of metal caught his attention—there it was, a gleaming kitchen knife. He seized it eagerly, tightening his grip as he readied himself for the next onslaught of snarls echoing down the hall. “Let’s see how well this does,” he murmured under his breath, feeling an unusual surge of confidence. With renewed vigor, Theo charged into the fray. One by one, he dispatched the MB Infectees blocking his path, their grotesque frames falling before him as he slashed and stabbed with lethal precision. Each victory brought with it not just EXP and Gold Coins, but a weighty new notification. [Ding! Basic Mutation Power Unlocked] **Enhanced Physique: Strength, agility, and endurance slightly increased.** **Adaptive Healing: Minor wounds recover faster.** Excitement coursed through Theo as he absorbed the notifications. Despite the encumbering weight of the knife, his body felt lighter, as though something fundamental was shifting within him. ‘Could it be?’ he pondered, realization dawning upon him. ‘I really gained superpowers…and they’re leveling up.’ As he pressed forward, his confidence skyrocketed. [Ding! Basic Mutation Power Unlocked] **Kinetic Pulse: Releases a short-range energy burst.** [Ding! Note: Mutation powers will evolve with further combat experience. Keep fighting to unlock more abilities.** His pace slowed momentarily when he spotted a child, infected and distressed, banging its head against the elevator buttons. Blood streamed from a deep wound in its neck, a gruesome reminder of the horror it had succumbed to. He hesitated, knife clutched tightly in his hand, stomach twisting. The child wasn’t attacking anyone; it seemed wholly transfixed by the dazzling lights bathing the elevator buttons in multicolored glows. Fists clenched tight, Theo felt a tide of sorrow wash over him, coupled with a wave of despair. The child appeared so helpless, drawn in by the flickering lights, oblivious to its own suffering. ‘Can they still be saved? Is there any hope left for them?’ he screamed silently within his mind. [The infection has stripped them of their humanity. Once transformed, there is no turning back. The virus is relentless, and there is no cure—only destruction.] The cold, unyielding words pierced through his thoughts, leaving a suffocating weight in his chest. The grim truth settled in, unmistakable. The only way to save them, to grant them release from their agonizing existence, was to end their suffering... to end their lives. Gathering his courage, he attempted to approach the child, poised to strike when suddenly, a hand gripped him fiercely, yanking him to the ground. A flurry of punches rained down upon him, disrupting his focus and sending his mind spiraling. --- In this rewritten chapter, I aimed to infuse a heightened sense of urgency, emotional depth, and vivid descriptions that capture the tension of the narrative, while maintaining the original storyline and character dynamics.