Chapter 1

The apocalypse descended, and my brother and I gained superpowers.

Winston, my younger brother, defiantly chose the flashy, powerful lightning ability.

But he couldn't endure the grueling training required to upgrade it.

He wasted his talent, ending up a pathetic failure in the shelter.

I, on the other hand, relied on a seemingly useless healing ability, accumulating vast resources and becoming a highly sought-after asset by various faction leaders.

Until my jealous brother shoved me into a zombie horde, sending me to my death.

Reborn. This time, Winston was quicker. He snatched the healing ability first.

"This time, it's my turn to live the easy life. Matthew, you go do the dirty work."

Watching the shimmering green light he'd claimed, I just smiled.

He clearly had no idea that a true healing ability didn't even exist in this world.

I woke up from a haze of darkness and searing heat.

Winston's eyes gleamed with a predatory glint, and a smirk stretched across his lips. "Matthew," he drawled, "this time, it's my turn to live the easy life."

The faint green glow in his hand snapped me back to reality. I looked down at my own hand, where a faint spark of electricity flickered.

My brother and I had both been reborn.

In our last life, Winston had claimed he was too weak, that he needed a powerful ability to protect himself.

I'd given in, letting him choose the lightning power first.

But who would've thought he'd refuse to fight zombies, unable to handle the hardship? He wasted that powerful ability, eventually relegated to simple chores in the shelter, barely surviving.

I, choosing the seemingly useless healing ability, had become highly valued by every shelter leader.

During one encounter, I'd saved him from the jaws of a zombie.

Back then, he was a miserable wreck, forced to look up at me, the one protected by everyone.

Blinded by his own petty jealousy, he shoved me into a zombie horde, dragging me down with him.

Now, we were back. And Winston had been quick to grab the healing ability.

Before I could even react, a sudden commotion erupted around us.

When the apocalypse first hit, Winston and I were lucky enough to escape to a large supermarket. It was here that we successfully awakened our powers.

Supplies were plentiful, but everyone was on edge.

"Starting today, everyone must go out and kill zombies. Otherwise, you leave this place for good."

The woman speaking was in her early thirties with a nasty scar across her face and eyes that could cut glass.

Her name was Bianca Reynolds. She had taken control of the supermarket through sheer force and established strict rules.

"On what grounds?! This isn't your place! You can't just kick us out!"

Bianca raised her shotgun. "On these grounds."

The gunshot echoed, silencing everyone. They froze, stunned into absolute quiet.

Under the oppressive weight of absolute force, everyone slowly started moving towards the supermarket exit.

Winston immediately pushed his way to the front, his voice trembling. "I've awakened a healing ability! I can help treat injuries!"

Bianca gave him a scrutinizing look. "Prove it."

"I... I need a little time..."

"Then go tend to the wounded first." She finished, her gaze shifting towards me, standing silently nearby.

Winston, seeing this, immediately pointed at me. "That's Matthew! He's a really strong fighter, you should put him right on the front lines!"

He looked at me, his eyes full of malicious glee.

But a brilliant smile bloomed on my face.

What Winston didn't know was that in the last life, I was the one who envied him.

I dreamed of having lightning powers.

Not being a caged bird, kept for someone else's amusement, all because of my 'healing' ability.