Chapter Two: Combat Level 1, Alice Awakens

“In the world of biohazard, a constitution of 0.8 is no different from a constitution of 0.9.”

“Instead of investing merit points to improve such a tiny bit of constitution, it’s better to spend those points elsewhere!”

“For example—skills!”

Both are sub-healthy states, but a person with a constitution of 0.8 who possesses combat skills is far stronger than someone with a constitution of 0.9 who knows nothing.

Especially when facing zombies.

“Zombies are full of toxins; even a slight careless touch can infect you and turn you into one.”

“If I can master combat skills, I’ll definitely be much better at dodging than an ordinary person!”

The essence of combat is how to strike and how not to be struck.

If one can master this, it’s definitely better than improving constitution by a mere fraction.

It’s decided!

I’ll spend this merit point on combat skills!

“The only question now is whether merit points can actually upgrade skills…”

Yu Fei took a deep breath and silently called out in his mind:

“System! I want to upgrade my combat skills!”

One merit point vanished.

A streak of golden light appeared in Yu Fei’s mind, merging with his spirit. In a daze, he seemed to enter a mysterious space.

In that mysterious space, he continuously fought various opponents, maintaining intense concentration without fatigue, ceaselessly.

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Yu Fei fought for a full month in that space.

From a complete novice who knew nothing about fighting, he transformed into a combatant who mastered a great many practical fighting techniques.

Combat Level 1 (0/10)!

“This feeling…”

Emerging from the mysterious space, Yu Fei lowered his head and clenched his fists, sensing changes within his body.

The moment he exited the space, a powerful feedback surged into his body.

Opening the system panel, his constitution still showed no change—remaining at 0.8.

“That’s not right!”

“Although the constitution value remains 0.8, there is actually some change, just too slight to be reflected in the numbers.”

If it was 0.81 before, now it should be around 0.86 or even 0.87—still not reaching 0.9.

Skill upgrades can also enhance constitution attributes?

Yu Fei made a mental note of this.

Then he turned his attention to his greatest change—the control over his own body!

The essence of combat skills is naturally how to hit and how not to be hit, but how to achieve all this depends on your control over yourself.

The legendary boxer Mike Tyson is a perfect example of this.

Watching Tyson’s matches, many times it seems he’s in peril, just a hair’s breadth from being hit.

Opponents’ fists sometimes come within less than a centimeter, yet he remains calm, as if they could never land a blow.

That one-centimeter difference is the pinnacle of body control, the biggest difference between an ordinary person and a boxing champion.

Even if a normal person knows the opponent’s limits, it’s hard to precisely control their own body to avoid being hit, let alone maintain such a tiny gap.

Moreover, targeting specific body parts with precision—eye strikes, groin kicks—and knowing how much force to use and what effect it will cause.

All these are inseparable parts of combat ability.

In two words: offense and defense.

The stronger the combat skill, the more formidable one’s offense and defense.

Tyson belongs to the top tier of fighters—the human pinnacle.

Yu Fei certainly can’t compare to Tyson now.

But compared to some ordinary beginner fighters, he has no problem holding his own.

“One month sounds short, but that was a full month of unwavering, nonstop concentration!”

Who can fight continuously with full focus for a whole month?

Normally, a human can only sustain full concentration in combat for two or three hours at most.

Add in rest periods, even an hour and a half is considered good.

Yu Fei’s month of training equals over a year, even two or three years, of normal human training.

And that’s comparable to professional fighters.

“Judging by combat skill alone, I should be very good now.”

Yu Fei felt satisfied.

In the mysterious space, he could already handle three sturdy adult men simultaneously.

By system standards, these men’s constitution values would be at least 1.0 or 1.1.

From a sub-healthy homebody to a ‘master’ capable of taking on three burly men—that merit point’s effect exceeded his expectations.

Of course, that’s because Yu Fei spent his merit points on combat skills.

“At least in the early stages, improving skills is definitely more effective than simply boosting attributes!”

“If I can level up once more, my combat skills might not be far behind Mike Tyson’s, right?”

A surge of excitement welled up inside Yu Fei.

Now, at Combat Level 1, he already possessed fighting techniques comparable to professional fighters. Advancing to Level 2, reaching a boxing champion’s level, shouldn’t be a problem.

How strong would he be then?

One man against ten?

He must find a way to earn more merit points!

Yu Fei thought to himself.

“Hmm~”

A voice reached Yu Fei’s ears. He turned his head.

He saw Alice’s long eyelashes flutter faintly, as if she was about to awaken from unconsciousness.

Yu Fei glanced down at his ‘pajamas,’ then looked at her—who wasn’t even wearing any sleepwear.

‘Should I leave for a while?’

In the end, Yu Fei didn’t leave.

Just as he was about to stand, Alice opened her eyes.

Their eyes met.

Caught unprepared.

Those pure sapphire-like eyes gazed at him.

“Who are you?” Alice asked.

“Hmm.”

Yu Fei paused briefly, then decisively countered.

“Don’t you know?”

Alice remained silent.

“I don’t know. I—I seem to have lost some memories. I can’t remember anything.”

Alice first shook her head slightly, then furrowed her brows.

Who am I?

Where am I?

Why am I here?

The classic three philosophical questions arose in her mind.

She tried to recall her past memories but couldn’t, and the more she tried, the more painful it became.

“My head hurts so much!”