The house was two storey, all boarded with the boarders schooling in Mindanao State University of General Santos City. The two storey house was located outside of the university's west gate, two intersections away.
Since Eric rarely left the house now, and seemed to have neglected his academics, so much he has been receiving incomplete and failure grades, he lost count of the current borders.
Most of the boarders don't last every semester. They mostly switched to another boarding house, or have decided to travel from their home to school.
Hence, Ixcahua really believed the scream came from a woman–not a present boarder on Eric's knowledge.
As soon as he left the room and went down the stairs, he was taken aback by a ghastly appearance of a man, trying to bite another man who was stuck on a wall.
He is corrupted! Ixcahua exclaimed in his mind.
He was alarmed.
As expected, those who were corrupted by the energy would experience transformation, especially their appearance. They would crave human flesh.
Evil Cultivators!
"A zombie! Help! Help! Help!" The man was screaming while blocking the mouth of the zombie with a short stick.
He did not notice Eric since the zombie was blocking his vision entirely. He was stuck in a wall, beside him was a door, so he was clearly intending to call the people inside. If possible, those who resided at the second floor, too.
A zombie? Is that what they call it?
Ixcahua was in a daze, forgetting he had to save the man. He jumped above the porch and arrived behind the zombie.
Finally, the man noticed Eric's figure and his eyes flashed with excitement. He pushed the zombie and was about to smack it with the short stick, when he felt his short stick seemed to have been struck by a sharp object.
He was completely taken aback.
The flesh, especially the mouth part of the zombie, splattered, landing at the man's face, causing the latter to close his eyes and felt nauseous.
"What was that?"
Since he did not feel any struggle from the zombie anymore, he slowly pulled the short stick, but the body of the zombie suddenly disconnected from the head, scaring the man.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!"
"What are you screaming around for, like a girl?" Honestly, Ixcahua was growing tired of it.
Since he punched without holding back, he broke his shoulder, as a result. The excruciating pain coursed through his body, bringing chaos to his mind. Thankfully, his mental resilience was strong. He was not Eric, after all.
However, he discovered that he was casually using his breathing technique, a martial peak level technique. He obtained the perfect mastery towards it, making the breathing technique seem as just breathing normally, causing his mind to feel the clarity. It even revitalized his body.
What surprised Ixcahua the most though, his broken shoulder was repairing itself, in accordance to his breathing technique. With the oxygen being replaced by the energy, the healing process became rapid, startling Ixcahua.
If that is the case, despite the body being so weak, my regenerative abilities on my breathing technique can make up for it! His eyes lit up.
"M-Monster!"
He was awakened in a daze from the man's mumbling. When he looked up at him closely, he was a bit ugly, his forehead was wide, his face was filled with pimples and dark spots. Perhaps, the only good thing about him was that he was muscular.
He recalled the defensive technique the man performed and he was amazed.
He was about to ask him about the battle technique he performed earlier, when he was startled by a wall of texts, popping up beside the ugly man's face.
{Name: Jasper Ereve
Potential: A-
Title: Aspiring Mechanical Engineer
Stage: Unawakened
Abilities: Unawakened
Age: 21
Strength: C
Agility: C-
Durability: C
Stamina: C+
Intelligence: C+
Remarks: What's more do you seek when building your empire aside from manpower? Of course, gathering talents. Poach him, he is a good seedling.}
Ixcahua had to explore Eric's memories just to obtain information about aspiring mechanical engineering. Unfortunately, Eric's knowledge was quite limited.
Nevermind, since Yeobui suggested making him my followers, I'll follow his suggestion. But, by the way, did he also know about this engineering thingy? Should I ask him?
As though reading his thoughts, another wall of texts appeared on the other side of Jasper.
{Title: Aspiring Mechanical Engineering
Descriptions: A mind driven by curiosity, precision, and an insatiable hunger for innovation. Jasper has taken the first steps toward mastering the principles of mechanics, engineering, and machinery. Though not yet a full-fledged expert, Jasper's understanding of gears, circuits, and structural integrity allows him to repair, modify, and even create mechanical systems with greater ease.
As a consequence to carry the title, the following effects will enhance Jasper's mastery in mechanical engineering. His potential corresponds to the title, carrying Jasper to become the best mechanical engineer he desired to become.
Effects:
Efficient Cognitive Processing – Jasper's brain naturally organizes technical knowledge, increasing his problem-solving speed related to mechanics, blueprints, and schematics.
Enhanced Dexterity – Precise hand movements allow for delicate repairs, assembly, and tool usage with greater accuracy and efficiency.
Energy Optimization – Jasper subconsciously conserves stamina while working, reducing fatigue from long hours of crafting or repairing.
Reverse Engineering Instinct – Given enough time, Jasper can instinctively figure out how unfamiliar devices function, cutting down reverse-engineering efforts.
Tool Affinity – The effectiveness of all engineering tools is boosted, allowing for faster repairs and modifications.
Remarks: Please bear in mind that Jasper has yet to realize the significance of the title he received after the apocalypse. However, under the great leader, his full potential will be unraveled, and better, surpass his limits.}
After reading all of the wall of texts, giving Ixcahua a headache, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
He glanced at Jasper, who was still processing what was happening in front of him. When he met Eric's eyes, his breathing became rapid.
Eric smiled, but since it was Ixcahua, who owned the body of Eric now, it appeared devilish, scaring Jasper.
"Hey! How about becoming my–"
"WAAAAAAAAA!!!!" Jasper screamed at the top of his lungs.
"WAAAA—"
Smack!
A red palm print was painted on his cheeks, startling him awake.