36 Mountain

The burly zombie's learned skills and talents were incredibly useful. They provided a significant boost in practical combat situations and could fully serve as a team's frontline tank. Observing his robust figure, Shaun named him "Mountain." Shaun didn't control the four anymore but shifted his focus to Mountain's body using his consciousness transfer ability.

The towering and burly form gave Shaun a new sensation. After advancing to an elite zombie, Mountain's height reached nearly two meters.

He forcefully pushed open the library's entrance door, causing the remaining first-level mutated bats to fly out as well. Though the bat swarm was terrifying in strength, their intelligence was pitifully low, making it easy to lure them out.

The remaining eight mutated bats met the same fate, and even Shaun himself barely exerted any effort. Both the four and Mountain were fully capable of overwhelming first-level mutated beasts.

After consuming all the first-level mutated beasts on the ground, Shaun once again obtained 2400 points of evolution and collected the venomous fangs of the mutated bats.

Unfortunately, extracting this skill through ability detachment completely failed. He felt like this skill was somewhat ridiculous! The success rate felt similar to some peaceful-era online games! Was it due to the skill or was he just inadequate? For a moment, Shaun found himself doubting life.

Fortunately, the four successfully advanced, providing him some consolation. The four had also reached the second-level elite zombie stage. However, regrettably, he didn't acquire any new skills. On the bright side, the Swift skill had improved. Not only did his speed increase significantly, but his dodging chances were also enhanced.

The remaining mutated bats in the library were tough opponents, all at least second-level mutated creatures and not easy to deal with.

Currently, three zombies were at the third, second, and first levels, respectively. After several hours, all skills had cooled down. Shaun once again controlled the four's body and carefully activated the camouflage talent to enter the library.

He aimed to lure as few mutated bats as possible, as dealing with too many would be a burden. Through the Insight Eye, the information about the second-level mutated bats was slightly different. Name: Mutated Bat. Rank: Second-Level. Talents: Flight, Tenacious Life, Evil Evolution. Skills: Venomous Bite.

It had gained the new Tenacious Life talent, which made it much stronger compared to the first-level mutated bats. Since the first-level mutated bats downstairs had yet to return, the second-level mutated bats seemed agitated. Despite activating the camouflage talent, one of the mutated bats still detected him. The bat emitted an odd cry.

In an instant, countless books in the library scattered, and all seven mutated bats launched into action, creating an intimidating spectacle. "Oh my god!" Shaun controlled the four and immediately activated the Swift skill. Fortunately, with the skill enhanced, the four's speed increased significantly, making it difficult for the mutated bats to catch up.

The four was now sprinting for its life, without needing to deliberately stop to attract the creatures' attention. The second-level mutated bats were in a state of agitation, appearing relentless. Shaun wielded a massive frying pan and employed the Heavy Strike Kill skill, smashing it toward one of the bats.

Bang! Despite being a second-level mutated beast, it remained incredibly fragile under Shaun's immense strength. Landing a blow, Shaun retreated and activated the Hardened Skin for Mountain. Mountain charged directly into the swarm of bats. With the Rapid Recovery and Hardened Skin abilities activated, Mountain's body had become immensely durable.

Even as a first-level elite zombie, he was fully capable of withstanding the attacks of second-level mutated creatures. Although Mountain's offensive capabilities were lacking, both the four and Shaun continued to launch sneak attacks from the side. After advancing to the second level, the four's intelligence seemed to have improved once again, as it could now comprehend more complex commands.

This greatly eased Shaun's concerns. Nevertheless, the strength of the second-level mutated bats should not be underestimated. It often took several strikes from the four's green cleaver to deal with them. After the Rapid Recovery skill ended, Mountain's body began showing signs of injury. Blood flowed freely, yet he remained steadfast, enduring various attacks.

These mutated bats were capable of flight and had an incredibly absurd evasion ability. While Shaun's frying pan could deliver instant kills, it was also easy to miss. After a battle lasting over ten minutes, all seven mutated bats finally fell to the ground, slain by the three zombies.

"Ding! The host is consuming the flesh and blood of second-level mutated beasts, gaining +20 evolution points!"

...

"Ding! The zombies under your control are consuming the flesh and blood of second-level mutated beasts, gaining +5 evolution points!"

...

Shaun once again accumulated 4200 evolution points.

"Ding! The host's evolution points have reached 8000/8000! Evolution conditions met!"

"Evolution in progress..."

"Host evolution complete!"

"Current rank: Fourth-Level Elite Zombie!"

"Host's strength, speed, vision, hearing, and more have been enhanced... Skill 'Hardened Skin' has been strengthened!"

"Ding! The host has learned the skill 'Surging Battle Intent'!"

"Surging Battle Intent: After activation, your strength, speed, defense, and more are boosted by 50%, lasting for two minutes, with a cooldown of three hours!"

After devouring twenty-two mutated bats, Shaun's evolution points skyrocketed. He obtained a total of 8700 evolution points, allowing him to reach the fourth level as an elite zombie. In the entire Grey Bear City, he should now be considered an immensely powerful presence. Additionally, he had once again acquired a new skill. This type of state-enhancing skill provided the greatest boost for him.

By using his control talent, he had learned a skill equivalent to what two other zombies would learn. But the enhancements in his mind didn't stop there.

"Ding! The evolution points of the zombies under your control have reached 2000/2000. Evolution conditions met."

"Evolution in progress..."

"Evolution complete, current rank: Second-Level."

"Host's strength, speed, vision, hearing, and more have been enhanced... Skill 'Rapid Recovery' has been strengthened!"

"Rapid Recovery: After activation, recovery abilities are significantly enhanced, lasting for six minutes, with a cooldown of five hours!"

The abundant evolution points also led to Mountain successfully advancing, although he didn't acquire a new skill. However, the Rapid Recovery was further empowered, doubling its duration and enhancing his tanking abilities. Ultimately, the information about the three zombies was as follows:

Name: Shaun.

Rank: Fourth-Level Elite Zombie.

Evolution Points: 8600/16000.

Talents: Shattered Nerves, Bloody Evolution, Virus Infection, Protagonist's Aura, Bystander's Aura, Control.

Skills: Hardened Skin, Insight Eye (Enhanced), Heavy Strike Kill, Surging Battle Intent.

Note: This is a highly evolved zombie with not only formidable strength but also intelligence. If encountered, escape quickly!

This kind of luxurious panel was probably hard to come by for any fourth-level creature. He had a total of six talents, although most weren't very powerful. The four's panel was as follows:

Name: Elite Zombie.

Rank: Second-Level.

Evolution Points: 3257.5/4000.

Talents: Camouflage, Bloody Evolution, Virus Infection, Shattered Nerves.

Skill: Swift.

Note: This is an intelligent zombie. He's already quite close to becoming a third-level elite zombie, mainly due to Shaun plundering their evolution points.

Mountain's panel was as follows:

Name: Elite Zombie.

Rank: Second-Level.

Evolution Points: 1600/4000.

Talents: Strong Physique, Bloody Evolution, Virus Infection, Shattered Nerves.

Skill: Rapid Recovery.

The strength of the three zombies had surged and was far from being as simple as it appeared. They now possessed not only three firearms but also formidable melee weapons.

Furthermore, Shaun's Hardened Skin, Heavy Strike Kill, and Surging Battle Intent skills could empower the other two zombies. Their overall strength was now fully capable of facing fourth-level mutated creatures head-on. The strength of fifth-level mutated creatures remained unknown for now.

Shaun collected all the venomous fangs of the bats and proceeded to use ability detachment on them. He had thought that all attempts would fail, but surprisingly, one attempt succeeded.

"Ding! Ability detachment successful, acquiring talent: Tenacious Life."

After successful detachment, the talent didn't directly take effect; instead, it formed a small red ball that appeared in his hand. Looking at the red ball, it resembled a marble, but with a soft texture when touched. Simultaneously, a piece of information was conveyed.

"After ingestion, you will gain the Tenacious Life talent."

Shaun was momentarily stunned; he hadn't realized it could be used on others! He tossed the red ball to Mountain and ordered him to ingest it. For his main body, the effect was insignificant.

"Ding! The zombie under your control has acquired the Tenacious Life talent."

"Tenacious Life: Enhances your recovery ability; the more severe your injuries, the stronger your recovery ability!"

Mountain became even sturdier! Shaun was now curious; what would happen if he managed to extract the Flight talent? After ingesting it, could he gain the ability to fly even without wings? According to his guess, there should be limitations.

He didn't ponder on these matters any further; speculation was just a waste of time without practical application. Moreover, based on the success rate of ability detachment, it was unlikely he could achieve it. Unless this skill could be upgraded or a method to improve success rates was obtained.