Sunlight was peeking through the barred window across the room. A ray of light found Van's eyes.

Status

[HP 14/100]

Just barely alive.

Van carefully rose up and inspected his body for further damage but found no serious injuries. 

I may not have superpowers, but I'm still superhuman it seems.

Van stood up and dusted off the cobwebs that settled on his head. 

Hey, I do have super---well powers.

Van tapped on the window to inspect his new skills.

[SKILLS

Survival (¼)

Danger Sense- (¼) Novice. Perceive threats and enemies within a short range. Passive.

Scan- (¼) Novice. A unique skill. Highlight valuables, clues and detected enemies. Toggle. Cost: 2 EP Per Minute]

He took another moment to get his bearings before climbing over the pile of shelves. 

*grrrr*

A shudder ran down Van's spine. Underneath his foot was a pinned zombie, but it was wearing Davis' bag.

Scan.

Five red outlines appeared scattered around the room, each pinned to the floor under a pile of shelving and debris.

They were all Undead. Bitten during the struggle and going a full night without the vaccine. Now the scheming back stabbers were growling helplessly underfoot.

Van found his knife close to where he woke up.

If they were still human this would have been impossible for him. Van carefully made his way to each red outline.

*spulch*

[Level Up]

The sharp knife barely struggled against the neck bones. 

Your just a mindless zombie now

As he removed the blade a ghostly mist rose from the wound and flowed into Van.

What is this?

Van could feel the power flowing into him. This was the experience he needed to grow!

*crunch, spleck*

[Level Up]

Blood gurgled from the wounds he inflicted, even as he tried to be swift and merciful.

[Level Up]

He was sure to save Davis for last so that he wouldn't forget to retrieve the bag.

As he stood over his final target a loud bone snapping sound stopped him in his tracks.

Zombie Davis had forced his neck through the shelves and bit deeply into Van's hand.

But there was barely any pain felt and hardly any blood. Van checked his status to be sure while retrieving his hand.

[STATUS

HP 135/145

SP 140/140

EP 10/10]

All good there, and it looked like leveling up came with full health. But Van noticed a small yellow exclamation on his Variant tab.

[VARIANT

Element: Light

Abilities:

System (lvl max)

Resistances:

Physical 1%

Infection 100% ]

Van marveled at this new evolution. 

Next he pointed the knife downward,firmly in both hands.

"It's kill or be killed. And you definitely had this coming."

*ka-shink, spulch*

[Level Up]

*clink*

*clink*

*clink*

The triumphant song of two bags full of canned goods played loudly as Van turned in his first job request. Bella was too shocked for words.

She had already written off the newbie Scav when night fell.

"Looks like you'll be keeping some of this for yourself." Bella counted out the tokens and cans accordingly. "The client only set aside enough for these, so you can keep four of the cans and the other items."

Van reloaded his bag while watching the stack of tokens rise. 

"That's 275Ť for your pocket! And listen up, if you keep bringing in hauls like this feel free to take a two star job next time."

Bella waved as Van returned to his trailer.

He only took one step from the door before falling heavily on the bed. After burying his face in the pillow he glanced over at Violet's timer. 

19H22M11S

A full day had gone by. He needed to get a new battery soon. But he certainly had enough now to buy one. Van flipped over onto his back.

Status

[STATUS

HP 160/160

SP 150/150

EP 10/10

Level 5--[221/650]--Level 6

(STR)ength: 5

(END)urance: 5

(DEX)terity: 5

(PER)ception: 11

(INT)elligence: 5

(CHA)risma: 5

Points: 20]

Looks like I get 5 stat points per level up plus 15 to my max HP or health points. SP or Stamina points increased by 10 per endurance stat to the base of 100.

In addition, there is an automatic plus one to each stat per level gained. EP hasn't changed yet. Maybe it's tied to a special condition.

Van agonized over his stats before distributing the points. Eventually he came up with an experiment to determine what effect each stat has on him. But first he would enjoy some well earned rest.

Before the sun could rise Van was outside jogging the perimeter of the sports stadium parking lot. He ran with his status window open, increasing his endurance stat by one after completing a lap.

[Max SP increased by 10]

HP 160/160

SP 160/160

EP 10/10

[(STR)ength: 5

(END)urance: 6

(DEX)terity: 5

(PER)ception: 11

(INT)elligence: 5

(CHA)risma: 5 

Points: 19]

I can definitely feel the difference while I run. But it's not like how I felt in the basement when my perception increased. Maybe there is a bonus awarded for reaching certain levels?

[New Skill Unlocked: Sprint]

[New Skill Stat Bonus: END +3]

Van tested his theory by adding one more point into endurance, and then it happened.

His muscles pumped full of fresh blood and his lungs expanded inside his chest. 

This is incredible!

His body had transformed as if by magic. After running a few laps his stomach was noticeably smaller. Van was now sure that the rest of his stats would have similar effects. He returned home to complete his experiment after a much needed shower.

The water was cold but refreshing. Before Van could continue with his tests he had to secure the next battery for Violet.

Walking through the settlement shops was a whole new experience with Scan active.

He was able to locate the purple outlined battery in no time. Even with his pockets 200Ť lighter from buying the battery he was able to buy a blue jogger hoodie sweatsuit with extra cargo pockets and ribbed designs for his next job. 

Once back home he continued as planned. 

Exercise for the strength stat. 

[New Skill Unlocked: Resolve]

[New Skill Stat Bonus:STR +3]

Jumping drills for dexterity.

[New Skill Unlocked: Athletics]

[New Skill Stat Bonus: DEX +3]

For now, he had to skip charisma as he had no idea how to increase it through gaining a skill. Perception was already increased by two skills but it was also the stat that saved his life in the basement so he decided to increase it with his left over points.

Van continued like this for another day, gaining another skill along the way. But eventually he ran low on food and funds and the time from the new battery was ticking away.

Looks like I let the day get away from me again

Van stared up at the starry night and bright moon as he emerged from the trailer. It was dark but there was no rule about what hours jobs were completed. 

The unspoken rule was to do what could be done in the daylight, in order to avoid zombies.

Van looked over the job board for a high paying gig that could be completed overnight.

Maybe this one-

A shiver ran down Van's spine.

"Don't move."

Before Van could react there was a blade against his throat.