While in control of Skittle's body, there was no need for him to look at where his actual body was because he had given his body a single command with the help of the system. And the command was to protect Skittle from any danger.
Doing this meant that his body would take the quickest route to reach Skittle. Zain didn't know what would happen on the way or whether his real body would run into danger. However, when his real body was close, a system prompt flashed in front of him.
The system prompt alerted him that his real body was close. Still, he was in danger and didn't know when his real body would get here, and he could rely on that information when he had someone right on his back. However, just then, he saw his real body.
And seeing his body enter the shop from behind was the moment, the moment when he made the switch once again. Now Zain was in control of his own body once again, and he continued to run as fast as he could, swinging his sword up. As soon as the swords clashed, he knocked Wendy's sword in the air with his powerful strength.
Zain didn't follow up with an attack. Instead, he immediately shifted his body so now it was in-between Skittle and Wendy and held his sword firmly in his hand.
"Who are you?!" Wendy called out, looking at the strange man. "Do you know what you are doing? You're protecting a zombie!"
Not saying anything, Zain went to attack the left arm. This was the side that didn't have a sword, it was an awkward position, and he knew that the woman would have to shift in a certain way to block the attack. This was part of the knowledge he had gained due to his sword mastery reaching level three.
It wasn't just about skills but the knowledge of swords and how it worked as well. Once again though, Wendy opened the palm of her hand, and a strange see-through orb of energy appeared. The next moment, a short sword was in her other hand.
Lifting it up, the two swords clashed, and the attack was blocked. However, Zain wasn't playing around, and he hadn't held back when using his strength. He pushed the sword deep, and the back of the sword hit her arm.
Unfortunately, it wasn't the sharp end making it, so it didn't pierce her, but the blow did still hurt. Trying to bear the pain, she swung her sword with her right hand towards Zain, who was able to step out of the way and swung the sword hard again at the incoming attack.
They clashed, and the sword nearly came loose, falling out of Wendy's grip. The hits were making her hand numb, and she could barely hold onto the sword. Seeing this, she decided to jump back a few steps, getting out of the way of being hit once more by the powerful blows.
These few blows had made one thing clear in her mind, whoever this person was, it was clear that he was incredibly skilful and powerful.
'This woman, the skill she used earlier to make the sword appear out of nowhere. It's clear that is another special ability. I saw it twice now. Is it some kind of space? Like a game inventory where she can pull out and store things at will? That's quite a handy thing to have.'
Just like Wendy, Zain was also assessing the enemy. Even though he was able to push her back and had the upper hand, he knew better not to underestimate her.
'If I turn her, and add to my horde, then maybe I would in some capacity have the skill as well. The problem is, since she is superhuman, the chances of her turning are low, and at the same time, there are others I need to be careful of. They will soon appear to back her up. This is the only chance I have because even though she is quite strong, I can beat her before the others arrive.'
While Zain was assessing the situation, the strange orb appeared around her hands again, and one of the swords was replaced by what looked like a chain. Without hesitation, she swung it out towards Zain and Skittle.
Zain had forgotten to give Skittle an order, so to save him, he leaned forward and kicked Skittle in the stomach, sending him far away and preventing the chain from hitting his head. Then, before Wendy could pull back the chain, Zain thrust his sword up from underneath, hitting it in the perfect spot to block the chain.
The chin started to swirl around the sword a few times, wrapping around it, but that was exactly what Zain was aiming for. With a tug and his strength, he yanked it out of her hand. Wendy's strength turned out to be futile against him as the chain was pulled, and in an instant, she had lost her weapon.
"Damn you two, I don't understand why a human would protect a zombie, but I have had enough of playing with your games!" Wendy shouted in frustration.
The energy ball appeared around her hand once more, and Zain's guess was right. Wendy's ability did allow her to have storage to put weapons, food, medical supplies and all sorts of necessities for her.
At the same time, she could take them out and place them in her hand whenever she wished, and this time, she had brought out a handgun. Lifting it in the air, she pointed it right toward Zain with her finger on the trigger.
"It looks like you got weapons on yourself as well, but just like me, you decided not to use them, just in case it would attract others," Wendy said. "Unfortunately for you, I have a few special powers. You see, even if you are skilful and powerful, I will win this fight."
Instead of continuing to point the gun at Zain though, she directed it towards the zombie instead.
"No!" Zain shouted as he moved and stood in front of her bullet path.
"What are you doing?" Wendy asked again. "I don't even care about you, but that zombie. It's special, don't you understand? If we were to take it, then-"
"I can't," Zain replied. "If you are going to attempt to kill him, then I promise that you won't make it out of this place alive. I promise you that."
Wendy could see the intensity in his eyes, he was serious about it, and she didn't know who he was and why he was doing this. In fact, none of this made any sense. But if she just waited for her friends to arrive, then for sure with them, they could take them out.
It was then that Zain had made a choice. It was very risky and borderline reckless, but there was something that he could do that maybe would get them out of this situation. Pulling the scarf off around his neck, he slowly revealed something as he turned his head to the side.
"You wanted to know why I'm trying so hard to protect him? It's because I know he is special. It's not just him that's special, but I am as well." Zain stated.
What he was showing to Wendy right now was the bite mark that was on his neck, it was there clear as day, and confusing thoughts were going through Wendy's head.
Could this person not get infected? Was he saying he was a zombie, or was it something else? That's when she could also see the zombie from before standing up, it walked over to where Zain was as the protection mode was placed on it, and it stood right in front of Zain, without biting him or doing anything.
'A bit mark is nothing special, some of the others have been bitten before, and it was fine. This…this is something else, why is the zombie protecting him…this is portably a huge secret, a secret that he doesn't want to reveal. Judging by his eyes, he was serious about what he said before.'
Wendy was making up in her mind what was the best thing to do, and that's when she could hear voices from bending as well.
"Wendy, where are you? Are you okay?!" A man's shout came from outside.
She glanced behind her and looked deep into Zain's eyes once more. Trying to figure out what to do.
"I'm fine!' Wendy shouted out loud at the top of her lungs. Depending on what she was going to say next, Zain was getting ready to act.
"The zombie, it escaped. There's no one here, let's just leave this place and continue on."
Putting the gun down, Wendy started to back up out of the shop without showing her back to the dangerous two. For her sake and those with her, she thought it was best if they left Zain alone.
At the same time, Zain thought it was best that he didn't try to get involved with them either.
"You, you and I owe one. If you ever see me again in the future. Remember this." Wendy said as she left the shop.
Smiling and letting out a big sigh, Zain felt relieved. Because he honestly didn't know if he was going to make it out or not, and when checking his system, he noticed the rest of the horde was only around twenty seconds away from here, and there was a large chance that there would be a big fight on their hands.
"I wonder…if we will ever meet again." Zain sighed. Honestly, he wasn't looking forward to it.
****
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