Investing in My Harem in the Apocalypse Makes Me Stronger

”You’re mine.” Ron grinned.

Cain lowered Sonya.

”Stay behind us.”

The deer immediately charged.

Its antlers lowered as its hooves struck violently against the ground.

Ron moved to the side, while Cain approached from the front.

The evolved deer tried to change direction and catch him with the outer edge of its antlers.

Cain avoided the sharpened points and stepped alongside its body.

His sword swept downward.

Shhk!

One front leg was severed.

The deer lost balance immediately.

Its massive body tilted toward the ground, but Cain moved around the falling animal and struck the joint of one rear leg, severing its other limb.

The animal crashed onto its side.

It struggled violently, its remaining legs kicking hard enough to tear chunks from the grass.

Ron approached carefully.

Cain looked at him.

”Finish it.”

Ron did not waste time as he avoided the antlers and drove his spear through the side of the deer’s skull.

The struggle stopped as the deer finally went to heaven.

Several notifications appeared before Ron.

A moment later, his Level changed again.

[Level: 45]

Cain raised an eyebrow.

’Evolved animals really do give more experience.’

It made sense, since a Level 46 evolved animal was considerably stronger than an ordinary human or zombie at a similar Level.

The difference in combat power appeared to affect the amount of experience provided as well.

At Ron’s current Level, killing a normal zombie only slightly above him might give him some experience, but the deer had given him enough to cross the entire remaining gap.

Ron removed the Core from the corpse.

Before he could absorb it, Cain opened his Inventory.

Five additional Cores appeared in his hands.

Ron stopped immediately as he was surprised when Cain took out 5 cores.

”What are those?”

”The four wolves and the rhino from the zoo.”

Ron immediately extended both hands.

”Give them to me.”

Cain stared at him.

”You could at least pretend to be polite.”

”You already took them out anyway, besides... you already promised to help me become stronger.” Ron shrugged.

Cain tossed the five Cores toward him.

Ron caught them quickly.

”Thank you, my beloved brother.”

”Don’t call me that.”

Ron laughed and sat down.

He placed the deer’s Core beside the other five before beginning to absorb them.

Cain watched the process quietly.

Ron had apparently made significant progress on his own after they separated.

His Mana Core had already reached the Solidified stage through the Cores he obtained from the evolved animals he hunted and killed through his questionable methods.

Now, another six 1st Echelon Cores were being absorbed into it.

Mana gathered around Ron.

The energy continued for several minutes before his aura suddenly became denser.

Ron opened his eyes, a grin formed on his face.

”Finaly reach tempered stage.”

Cain nodded in satisfaction.

”Good.”

Reaching the Tempered stage this early after advancing was an enormous advantage.

Cain wanted Ron as strong as possible before he challenged the designated 2nd Echelon zombie.

If everything went according to plan, Cain would kill that creature alone without needing anyone else.

But Cain had never liked relying on a single plan since he had always thought of the worst case scenarios and prepared accordingly.

Cain still had one Core remaining that was far more valuable than everything he had just handed over.

The Flamecrest Lion’s Core.

That one was staying with him.

Cain wanted Ron to grow stronger, but he was not generous enough to give away the best Core he had obtained so far.

Ron chuckled as he stood up.

”Let’s keep going.”

They continued northeast.

On the way, they encountered four more evolved animals, but their Levels were considerably lower. Ron only gained one additional Level and reached Level 46.

Cain kept all four Cores instead of letting Ron absorb them because he intended to invest them in Elara later. If the Investment Return gave the Cores back to him, he could always redistribute them afterward depending on who needed them most.

Their search continued for some time before Cain finally sensed another familiar presence and slowed down.

Ron looked ahead.

”You found him?”

”Yeah.”

They followed Cain’s Sense through another damaged neighborhood.

Signs of battle appeared before Alex himself came into view.

Several trees had been knocked down. Deep marks covered the road, while blood had splashed across the side of an abandoned car.

Then Cain saw a massive bear corpse lying in the middle of an open area.

Alex sat directly on top of it.

His enormous frame made the sight almost comical.

The bear was easily several times larger than him, yet Alex looked completely relaxed as he sat on its stomach with his eyes closed.

A Core rested between his hands.

Mana slowly entered his body.

Cain stopped some distance away.

His gaze moved toward the information above Alex.

[Human | Level 40]

Cain raised an eyebrow.

’Level 40 already?’

That was impressive.

Unlike Ron, Alex did not possess ridiculous speed that allowed him to manipulate several evolved animals into fighting each other.

His fighting style was far more direct.

He found something, he fought it directly and killed it.

The bear corpse beneath him was the obvious evidence.

Cain had already known that Alex possessed extraordinary combat potential, but seeing his progress after only a short period reinforced that impression.

Alex really was strong.

He had merely suffered the misfortune of challenging Cain earlier.

Ron looked at the corpse.

”Looks like he had fun.”

Cain’s attention shifted toward the weapon resting beside Alex.

The greatsword was different.

Its blade was wider than the one Alex had previously used, and the metal possessed a darker sheen. Even from a distance, Cain could tell that its quality was much better.

Cain did not bother asking where it came from.

Ron had also changed quite a bit as a new pair of boots covered his feet and light armor protected part of his body.

Apparently, both of them had obtained useful drops while hunting alone.

Cain could not be bothered questioning every piece of equipment they found.

As long as the items made them stronger, that was enough.

Alex finished absorbing the Core several moments later.

He opened his eyes.

His gaze immediately settled on Cain.

”You’re back.”