Strength and speed increased. Su Li swung the hammer with growing ease. As two mutated corpses squeezed through the doorway, he kicked out fiercely. The one in front couldn't react in time and took the blow to its abdomen. This kick carried even more force, sending the creature flying backward to crash into the one behind it. Both tumbled away together, while Su Li swung his hammer at another mutated corpse pushing through the entrance.
That mutated corpse raised its arm to block. With a sharp crack, the hammer smashed into its limb, and the sound of snapping bones rang out. Su Li was faster, following up with another strike before it could defend itself. The hammer landed squarely on its skull, shattering bone and splattering flesh and blood across Su Li's face and clothes.
As the creature crumpled to the ground, the white fuzz on its skin retracted, and a white fuzz ball shot out. New information appeared in Su Li's mind.
"Level 1 Source User: Source 2/10"
Absorbing the new source, Su Li felt another surge of power within him, though the increase was much smaller than the dramatic boost from the first source.
Four mutated corpses remained in the living room. This time, Su Li charged out of the room on his own. He suddenly felt these creatures were no longer terrifying. Having just taken down two in quick succession, he found it surprisingly easy.
With speed, strength, and reflexes that completely outclassed these mutated corpses, Su Li grew confident. He rushed out and delivered a heavy kick.
With a loud bang, the mutated corpse lunging at him was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the floor with a thunderous thud. Su Li swung his hammer sideways, striking another creature.
That one couldn't react in time. Its head caved in, and its body toppled sideways, its skull smacking against the wall. A dull thud followed, leaving a stark red stain on the white surface.
Another white source shot toward him.
"Level 1 Source User: Source 3/10"
Su Li took a deep breath. With only three mutated corpses left, they were no longer a threat. He charged forward bravely. The one he'd kicked down was just halfway up when he crushed its head, claiming another source.
After smashing the skull of the last mobile creature, a new prompt echoed in his mind.
"Level 1 Source User: Source 6/10"
Only then did Su Li stop. He was drenched in blood, and his arms felt sore and numb. Killing seven mutated corpses in a row had drained him, despite his enhanced physique.
Looking at the scattered bodies on the floor, Su Li staggered and sat down, panting heavily. Though tired, his spirit remained high.
"Just four more sources, and I'll have ten. I wonder what new change that'll bring."
After resting a while, his strength returned. Su Li got up, retrieved the cleaver he'd left by the balcony, and opened the security door to start hauling the corpses outside.
He initially thought about tossing them off the balcony, but worried the bodies and blood might attract something dangerous. After some deliberation, he decided to pile them temporarily in the hallway.
Strangely enough, despite the October weather being fairly warm, the corpses showed no signs of decay. Otherwise, they'd have started stinking by now.
But after a day of so many bizarre, unnatural events, the lack of decay seemed trivial.
Once all the bodies were moved out, Su Li grabbed the cleaver and hammer and headed to the bathroom to clean up.
Though he'd prepared two large basins of water, he was reluctant to waste it. He used just a little to wash his face and hands, changed out of his blood-soaked clothes, and then grabbed a pack of instant noodles. He hadn't eaten since last night and was ravenous.
Noticing the floor getting damper, he realized the water level was still slowly rising. Soon, this place would be uninhabitable. With only enough food for three or four days, he couldn't just stay here waiting for death.
"Once I gather ten sources, I should be stronger. Leaving then will be safer."
Su Li had a plan. The mutated corpses no longer scared him, but he was wary of the unknown creatures in the water. The stronger he became, the better his chances of survival.
He boiled water and prepared the noodles. The aroma made his mouth water.
With food running low, Su Li restrained himself. All day, he'd only eaten when absolutely starving, just a single biscuit to stave off hunger. Now, the smell of noodles was irresistible. It felt like the most delicious meal in the world.
After finishing the noodles, he even drank every drop of broth, feeling a warm, indescribable comfort spreading through him.
Sated and energized, Su Li grabbed the cleaver and hammer, opened the security door, and peered out at the silent hallway.
He stepped out and approached the door of the young couple who used to live there. It was slightly ajar, and he pushed it open.
"Hoping to find something," Su Li muttered, taking a deep breath as he entered.
Earlier, while pulling out instant noodles and biscuits from his backpack, he'd noticed how little food he had. Remembering that the couple's door was open, he figured there might be food left behind and decided to check.
The place looked like it hadn't been lived in for a while, covered in dust. Seeing the spilled soup noodles on the table, Su Li guessed the couple had left in a hurry, panicked. Most likely, they'd fled when the flood came, but the timing didn't add up.
"Forget it. This whole thing is too strange to figure out," he whispered to himself, shaking his head. He stopped overthinking and began rummaging through drawers and cabinets, hoping to find something useful.
He checked the kitchen first—nothing. Then he pushed open a bedroom door, and a wedding photo of the couple hanging above the bed caught his eye. This must be their room.
In the bedroom, Su Li found various items: bank cards, ID cards—learning their names were Zhang Wu and Li Juan—and about a thousand yuan in cash in a drawer, along with some jewelry, including a diamond ring and necklace that looked valuable.
He left all of it untouched. In truth, none of it was worth as much as a pack of instant noodles to him now.