“Boss, I can perceive something strange coming in our direction. It's very...strange, must be very powerful—AH!”
Inside the humvee, a young man with a handkerchief tied on his forehead screamed in pain. He gripped his head, enduring the stabbing sensation inside his brain. The woman beside her saw his situation and panicked. “Gio! Gio! What's happening to you!”
Everyone knew that there's something wrong in this place. They were looking warily in each direction, prepared for any unexpected attack. Gio, who's a person with a perception ability, is a very powerful ability-holder. Having these kind of reaction only means one thing; they encountered something beyond the scope of their abilities.
Their leader didn't hesitate. “Retreat! Now!”
The military vehicle made a loud screech as it retreated quickly. No one wants to die on a unfair battle. It's obvious that the zombie in this place is much higher level than them, going forward would be similar to committing suicide. The leader of the group frowned. In the intel they received before accepting this mission says that this place is clean of any high level undead, but it's clearly nothing but bullsh*t!
They must have been placed in a trap!
Gio, the young man with perception ability, suddenly had his eyes rolled a the back of his head. His female companion screamed, hugging Gio's fallen body. Before the others could even scold the woman for screaming, there's a loud thud at the roof of the car.
'BANG!'
Everyone cursed. One of them passengers blew off the roof using his explosive-like ability. The car made a zigzag motion before it lost control. Before the car smashed into a building, everyone jumped on the ground.
Finally, they could see the powerful zombie face to face.
Several meters away from them is a female zombie, she was nothing but bones and on her boney hands was a huge bloody chainsaw. The zombie longingly observed each and everyone in this group before slowly licking her half-eaten lips.
‘GRRRRRRR’
The female undead grinned as she turned her weapon on, and with a roar she attacked them head on.
*
The battle lasted for a very long time, some died, and some fled under their leader's urging. The only one left fighting the monster was their leader. But because he's been fighting for so long, he still lost no matter how powerful his thunder and fire ability was.
The moment he felt the sharp pain on his neck, he knew he had failed. Using the last bit of his ability, he created a dome made of fire, with him inside of it.
He can feel the female undead trying to open the dome, but he didn't care anymore. He was bitten, he was losing his human senses, he was turning into a flesh-eating monster like the female undead outside.
Closing his eyes, familiar images flashed in his mind.
'Dio....'
'Papa! Papa!'
The man felt bitter, he's dying and he'll never gonna see the two most important people in his life ever again. Holding his last breath, the man thought:
'I'm sorry, wife and son, I broke my promise. I'm not coming back anymore...'
Then, he stopped breathing.
November 12, 20XX - B City's Base Hospital - West Pantry. Inside the medium-sized pantry, two women were in a silent battle. One was in a deep trance, and the other one was throwing worried looks onto the other. Finally, the latter couldn't help but open her mouth and voice her thoughts. “You know what, friend? How about taking a leave? We know you're in a very low mood because of what happened, no one would blame you for taking a rest. Even if they try to say something, I'll teach them a lesson. I'm afraid that you'll die sooner or later with what you're doing right now. See how you look right now, it's obvious you have been skipping rest...” A mellow, kind, and full of concern voice of a young woman pulled Farrah from her deep trance. Farrah frowned, blinking a few times before looking straight back at her friend. Break? It's not that she hadn't thought of that—but knowing that the person t
Ferdinand has been sleepless these past few days, not only because of his busy work but also because he's been worrying over his daughter and grandson. He was also very sad, due to his son-in-law's unexpected passing. He's been observing his daughter, and he knows she's been trying her best to remain calm.Ferdinand sighed as he arranged his thoughts. He keeps thinking—human life is indeed so fickle, so fragile and so easy to take. No matter how humans have evolved this far, humanity is still in a disadvantageous position against the millions of undead, awaiting them just outside these tall walls that are protecting their base. Everyone knew that sooner or later, they would lose their lives in this huge battle against fate, but when it really comes to the time that people lose someone they love along the process—it is still very hard for someone to accept it.Ferdinand could only wish that Dior would find his peace, as Ferdinand
Chapter 3: Ghost CallThe government, to save the remaining survivors, decided of making safety bases in each city. This way, they can protect those who need protection, but despite the ‘safety’ it promises, there’s no reassurance that these bases wouldn’t fall.Just 2 months after G City’s base was founded, an infected person slipped into the base. She ate her family and the other people. Because of the poor skills of the G City soldiers, the spread of the virus inside the G City was too late to stop. In just 2 months of operation, the G City’s Base fell. It made other bases pay attention to the matter of allowing people to enter the base. The rules got tighter, yet no one has any opinion. It was the government’s idea—even if the people wanted to raise some scruples; they had no right when it was the government who’s protecting them from death.6 months after the break-out of the virus
When Farrah finished dealing with all the patients that needed treatment, it was already midnight. She haven't had dinner and felt hungry so she decided to retire first. One of the soldiers offered to send her back to her house but Farrah politely refused. She can defend herself if needed, there's no need for a 'tail' to protect her.As she was about to walk on the exist door, she heard some people, precisely two young women, chatting about her. How did Farrah know? Because the moment she neared them, she heard her name being mentioned loud and clear.“It seems that Dr. Cherry hated Dr. Lee so much huh, she's even thinking of replacing Dr. Lee as the Assistant Director of this hospital!”“F*ck, that's too scheming of her. But why? Ever since I worked here, I haven't heard much about the reason why she hated Dr. Lee...”“Have you heard about Dr. Lee recently d
“Then who? Who’s calling me nonstop these past few days then?” Farrah clutched her head in confusion. Ferdinand saw his daughter like this even felt indeed more obliged to investigate the matter deeper. As long as this issue remains unfixed, they were bound to lose sleep these incoming days.“We don’t know for sure. Don’t stress too much,” Ferdinand patted his daughter’s head. Sitting down on the bed beside Farrah, he couldn’t help but to sigh. “We’ll get to the end of this matter, eventually. Don’t think too much. If Dior’s here, he’ll never allow you to waste your time in things like this. Focus on self-recovery, time will heal you.”Farrah pursed her lips, just nodding to express her agreement. She didn’t plan to waste her time thinking of this matter, for it will only make her more confused. “Alright. Let’s talk about
Ferdinand couldn’t believe what he saw when he came back to the laboratory. On a huge cylindrical glass tube was a zombie, based on its appearance. She was a girl probably around 12-14 years old when she was still alive. There’s a rotting wound on her shoulder, smeared with black blood, and her eyeballs turned white all over. Her skin was bluish-pale, while a sticky dark liquid continuously sliding down to her chin. She was groaning, growling, banging on the thick glass and glaring at all the researchers in pure greed.Ferdinand felt so disturbed even though he has seen kids turning to zombies before. It was probably because he was staying inside the base for a long time that he had an illusion of peace—forgetting that beyond these tall walls were monsters capable of turning a young innocent girl into what she was now.Looking at his superior, Ferdinand couldn't help feeling confused. His superior was a
Farrah’s eyes widened in disbelief. She subconsciously raised her voice, asking: “What did you just say? Laboratory?!”The moment she heard this word, she immediately thought of her father. Fear sprouted inside her heart, but Farrah forced herself to calm down. Looking at the fleeing residents, she fired another question. “… Where’s Mr. Luman and the other researchers?”The soldier replied, “The researchers are fine! Please, madam! Leave this place!”Farrah believed the soldier. Looking at the man’s eyes, he didn’t seem to be deceiving her. Even if she had doubts, Farrah had no courage to entertain negative ideas. She also trusts her father very much. He might get older, but he’s also an ability h
It was Ferdinand’s stern yet inquiring face and David’s tight hug Farrah saw when she finally regained her consciousness. When she remembered what had happened before she fainted, she couldn’t help but to gasp.“Awake? Are you okay? Can you tell me what happened to you?” Ferdinand fired a lot of questions at once, not caring whether Farrah heard his words clearly.“... Dad,” she called out, devoid of strength.“Yes?” her father immediately responded, holding her hand.His eyes seem to look inside of her head, trying to see what she was thinking. Farrah suddenly didn’t have any idea whether to tell him what she had discovered, or keep it to herself until she have enough evidence to prove that her conjectures were true.Looking at her father, she knew there’s huge possibility that her father would just br
“The world is already at its end, why struggle?” the female monster asked, even though she doesn’t seem to be desiring an answer. She just gazed at Twilight with amusement and curiosity, as if she was interested in how Twilight could still live in this state. She was also very surprised by the fact that Twilight didn’t end up infected even when she had used her virus on Twilight’s wounds. Yet she didn’t fall down as she expected her to.“Who told you that?” Twilight sneered as if she had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world. “This is not the end yet, we’re just starting a new beginning,” Twilight stood up, her whole body bathed in blood. Her comrades had long fallen, and their safety is uncertain so it was either flight or fight for her. Unfortunately, she wasn’t fond of escaping. A red dragon never escapes. It shall stay in the battle, victorious or defeated.“You really think you can defeat me? Haha! The previous monarch might have stood a chance, but you? I can crush you to a
Farrah pursed her lips, staring blankly at her zombified husband. It hasn't sunk in, but she's getting there. It's definitely better than him being a mindless monster. Though it seems that he really doesn't remember her anymore, at least he wasn't attacking her for now. Dior wasn't doing anything in particular. He was just there, sitting in one corner, dazed and looking like he's lost in his own world. Sometimes he would suddenly growl at Farrah, then would quieten as if nothing happened, seemingly wanting to communicate with her but unable to. The big reversal of things left Farrah overwhelmed too, so she also didn't speak but just continued to watch her husband in silence. She's unsure of what entails this discovery of hers, but she's d*mn well aware she wouldn't give him up in this life. If he could retain a bit of human instincts, it just means there's a huge possibility that he could become a human again—Farrah just needed to find how and why. She just needed that information
Because there's no clothes around, Dior had to stand naked inside the room. Farrah had to stop herself from laughing and quickly checked if she had wounds in her hand before washing his clothes. She was naturally careful not to get infected, but it didn't hinder her trying to get close to her husband. Using her ability, he managed to wrung out the dampness from the clothes and made it dry in just few minutes. After that, she dressed him again and comb his now long hair with her fingers. “You looked like DaeDae, but as an adult version.” She eventually spoke, amused. Their son is a kid version of Dior, from his temperament to his mannerims. They're indeed father and son. “...Dior, I know there's still a little bit of human consciousness in you.” Caressing Dior's cheek, she leaned her forehead on his and smiled. The coldness of his skin made Farrah feel pain for her husband.“Will you please give me just a hint on how did you do it? How did you understand me?” Silence. Farrah knew i
When Dior met Farrah, he thought she'll just be another people that will gradually leave him as time passes by. He thought during those times that he and Farrah was together fighting with their lives hanging on thin threads, maybe someday, when Farrah doesn't need him anymore, she'll leave him just like those people who abandoned him without looking back. He repeatedly told himself not to get to attached, but like a moth to the fire, he still fell for Farrah, and even if he didn't know what future was waiting for the both of them, he chose to take the risk. Fortunately, Farrah was different. She never left. She reciprocated his feelings, and stayed by his side. Nothing can compare to that feeling he had the moment Farrah said she's willing to be with him. Being together with Farrah gave him life, and gave him power to continue, as they face the unknown dangers of the apocalypse. When David came, Dior promised to himself to protect his family, and never let harm come their way. He s
The battle between humanity and doom is at its peak. Each second that pass, someone sacrifices their life, someone weeps from the loss of loved one, someone fighting for another chance in life. Yet, no one wanted to give up. No one wanted to die without a fight. Now that the vaccine has been completed and at its production, everyone was more energized fighting against the undead. The only thing they fear now is the arrival of the monarch. Despite the strengths of several sectors combined, the possibility of defeating the current monarch is not even close to 50%. The monarch reigning the undead was as strong as Dior Lee, the first monarch, or perhaps even stronger than him.The walls were strengthened, several of the teams have returned to the base after a narrow victory, and some of the teams will forever never return to the base.A few days later, Farrah and the team went back to base. They managed to push back the undead and purge 90% of t
They wanted to fight poison with poison. But how can they defeat the zombie monarch if the poison they needed isn’t waking up? Everyone was tense, and while waiting for Dior to wake up, they had begun their full offense against the surge of undead led by the new monarch. In the north, Major General has dropped TNTs to cities under the undead’s forces. Though it eliminated a lot of zombies, it really wasn’t enough to defend all their remaining cities against the onslaught of zombies. In the west, several elite ability-holders were in a rapid and intense fight against some high-level zombies. Groups like Red Dragon were there to kill all the zombies, disregarding their life and death. Groups like Agila, under the threat of death, worked with the government. A lot of civilians with mundane abilities volunteered to protect their bases and their people, even if it meant dying along the way. In the east, where the zombie monarch is attacking, they concentrate there all the soldiers. There w
The night is strangely silent, as if there’s no signs of life at the moment. Not even the sound of wind, the pleasant sound of leaves flapping with each other, or the sound of occasional crickets and cicadas.The gatekeepers didn’t dare to neglect their jobs, vigilantly scanning the surrounding area in every corner of the H City Base. Despite the tiredness and exhaustion, they endured and never stopped being on guard knowing that it was their family and loved ones staying inside the base, and only by doing their jobs they can protect these people relying on them.The night patrols are still surveying the nearby areas, and nothing dangerous has been spotted aside from some weak undeads roaming around. They quickly took care of it and finally sighed in relief. They also knew what had happened to their neighboring base who was attacked by an unknown group of undeads, and feared that it was them who’s getting atta
Something huge is happening at J City. The fluctuations of energy is the proof of this. While the rest of the people paid it no mind, the higher-ups are clearly shaken by this phenomenon. In order to prevent “unnecessary” panic, the government didn't announce to public what they thought about this matter.Only they knew what this phenomenon pose such great threat towards humanity.But before everyone could investigate what it is, the fluctuations in the air disappeared like it never appeared in the first place. Like a dream, but everyone knew it wasn't. It was real, and the threat it has over them is real too.“What exactly happened?” The Governess gripped her pen tightly, with tight brows and pursed lips. Her eyes looked exhausted, but thriving. Her subordinate didn't dare to dally and immediately reported the phenomenon from start to finish.“The fluctuatio
Farrah had a headache when she woke up. DaeDae was already awake, bubbling nonsense beside her as he stretch his hands in the air. His feet kept moving around and even accidentally kicking Farrah.Farrah held those feet gently and kisses DaeDae's forehead. “Morning, baby. You looked like you slept very well.”DaeDae giggled, slapping his mother's face with his small yet chubby hands. “Sleep! Well!”Farrah felt that her skull was about to split, and it's too painful for her to bare. She didn't know what happened. Just yesterday, she suddenly felt so weak and light-headed. She thought it's just cold because of the cold weather, but it seems that she thought wrong.The pain was getting worse and worse as time passed by, and now, she couldn't even sit up from her bed.She smiled at DaeDae and tried to stand up, only to lose balance and