Zhao Yin needed to recruit the monkey before the zombies evolved further-bring it under his command and nurture it as quickly as possible.

Only then would he have another card to play for survival.

Zombies seemed more like the true protagonists of this world. Even doing nothing, they evolved at an astonishing rate.

In his previous life, certain lucky zombies that devoured fresh flesh or directly consumed Star Crystals grew at terrifying speeds.

The zombies he'd just killed held no value whatsoever.

They hadn't absorbed any Star Crystals, nor had they developed Corpse Crystals capable of enhancing an Evolver's strength.

So Zhao Yin didn't bother dissecting them.

From there, he encountered no more human zombies along the way, though animal zombies were plentiful.

He relied on his speed to avoid them all. Most animals had natural physical advantages, making them extremely troublesome opponents once zombified.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

Screech screech screech...!

From a distance, Zhao Yin heard chaotic sounds of struggle and slowed his pace.

A scrawny monkey was leaping and scrambling frantically, its face twisted with terror. Dozens of zombie monkeys had it surrounded, attacking in a frenzy.

They no longer recognized their former kin. Their dead, fish-belly-white eyes held nothing but hunger for fresh flesh.

Zhao Yin had no intention of saving the little monkey. It wouldn't die so easily. In his previous life, when he'd first encountered it, the creature had already grown to C-rank-the undisputed king of this entire region.

He ducked behind a crumbling wall, retrieved a gas mask from his Spatial Ring, and strapped it on. Then he pulled out the potent knockout incense, crushed it with his knife handle, and wrapped the powder in tissue paper.

Preparations complete, Zhao Yin calmly observed the unfolding situation, ready to move at any moment.

Screech screech...

The little monkey bounded and weaved through the rubble. Despite its impressive speed, the sheer number of zombie monkeys forced it into panicked wailing.

For some reason, Zhao Yin got the distinct impression that the little monkey didn't want to hurt the zombie monkeys.

Soon, one of them clawed the little monkey's thigh. It began to cry in an almost human manner.

In that moment of distraction, another zombie monkey seized its tail and hoisted it into the air.

Jaws gaped wide, lunging for the little monkey's hindquarters-

Then everything changed.

The little monkey shrieked. One leg, barely larger than an infant's, suddenly swelled. In the blink of an eye, it ballooned to the size of an adult monkey's limb and lashed backward with explosive force.

BANG!

The zombie monkey went flying. Its skull cracked against a boulder and burst like a watermelon.

The little monkey froze, clearly unaccustomed to the transformation. It stood there in an awkward one-legged stance-one limb massive, the other a tiny toothpick by comparison.

Hidden behind the rocks, Zhao Yin's eyes narrowed.

Now he was certain.

This was the same mutated monkey from his previous life.

Back then, at C-rank, it could enlarge its entire body at will. Right now, it had only just awakened its mutation.

After killing one zombie monkey, the little creature bared its teeth and postured aggressively at the survivors. But zombie monkeys possessed no reason. They felt no fear. They simply closed in again.

The earlier scene repeated itself.

A pack of zombie monkeys chased a single small monkey through the rubble, leaping and scrambling, while their prey wailed in terror.

The difference now was that oversized leg. Its two limbs were completely uncoordinated.

Instead of running faster, it actually slowed down.

Within a minute, the little monkey was covered in wounds. Its cries and pleas meant nothing.

Why would the zombie monkeys release fresh meat that was practically in their mouths?

Finally, something snapped.

A vicious light ignited in the little monkey's eyes. One paw swelled rapidly, and it seized a zombie monkey's skull.

CRACK!

Crushed instantly.

In that moment, the little monkey was no longer the cowering creature from before. Its face twisted with savagery and killing intent.

It charged the second zombie monkey at blinding speed, one palm strike exploding its head on impact.

Yet tears streamed down its face, flowing faster and faster...

Zhao Yin watched in silence, as if seeing a reflection of his former self.

In the early days of that apocalypse, he too had been afraid. He'd cried. He'd grieved for the deaths of others.

From fear came strength. And from strength, his blood ran cold. For survival, he'd risen up to slaughter zombies.

And humans.

In this cruel world, everyone was simply trying to live. Nothing more.

Including that ferocious little monkey.

Minutes later, every zombie monkey lay dead. Gruesome corpses littered the ground.

The little monkey stood motionless, trembling violently.

As if only now coming to its senses. Only now realizing how many of its 'kind' it had killed.

Even though it couldn't understand why they had suddenly become this way.

Drenched in blood, the little monkey surveyed the annihilation of its entire clan.

And wept.

So consumed by grief that it never noticed the figure approaching from behind.

A strange, sweet scent filled its nostrils. The world spun. It staggered and collapsed.

Through dimming vision, it glimpsed a 'pig-faced monster' drawing closer, step by step, smiling all the while...

The 'pig-faced monster' was, of course, Zhao Yin in his gas mask.

Wanting to make a good first impression on his inaugural contracted beast, he smiled with particular 'warmth.'

[Growing Macaque: Unranked Mutant Beast | Strength 14 | Agility 17 | Stamina 9 | Spirit 7 | Bloodline Talents: Gigantification, Berserk]

Zhao Yin grabbed the little monkey by its tail, hoisted it up, and strode away.

...

When the little monkey regained consciousness, it found itself in a cramped space walled by concrete rubble. It tried to move-only to discover it was trussed up tight.

There was a human nearby...

No. That 'pig-faced monster.'

The little monkey recognized those eyes. Detestable when they smiled.

Seeing it awake, Zhao Yin's grin widened with even more 'warmth.' Like a street magician, he produced a salt-baked chicken drumstick, tore open the packaging, and took a generous bite.

"Want some?"

He asked through bulging cheeks, still chewing.

The little monkey's nose twitched. Its gaze locked onto the drumstick, utterly transfixed.

Mutant beasts of the apocalypse had been starving for far too long.

"Let me introduce myself," Zhao Yin said flatly. "I'm Zhao Yin. Your future master. I'm about to form a contract with you."

"You can refuse, of course. The contract will succeed either way. But as my first contracted beast, I'd prefer you to come willingly."

"Accept, and you'll eat well and live well at my side. Refuse..."

He paused.

"...and you get nothing."

Zhao Yin stepped forward, placed one hand on the little monkey's head, and activated his ability.

Contract Soul.