Competent Ally and Senpai
Able assistant and senpai♪
The next morning, I woke up refreshed. Glancing beside me, there was Chaerin. Even as a zombie, she was sleeping soundly, snoring softly. Wait a sec, why the hell am I here? I smacked my forehead.
Right, I fell asleep rubbing up against Chaerin like that.
I quietly checked my body. No bite marks. That confirmed it. Zombies couldn't threaten me.
This alone is a massive advantage.
The corner of my mouth twitched upward. Chaerin slowly stirred awake.
"Ugh, grrr."
"Hungry or anything?" I asked, stroking her head. She just stared at me. Talking to a zombie—what was I even doing? I just grinned and got up.
"Hah, at least some basic intelligence would be nice. Alright, let's wash up first."
I helped her to her feet and took her to the bathroom. Along the way, she sniffed toward the fridge, even grinding her teeth. Guess she was hungry. Or maybe she just loved meat.
"How'd you know there's raw pork in the fridge?"
"Grrr!"
"No, we're washing first. Can zombies starve? We'll find out. Reward later: plenty of my cum."
"Kahak! Graaah."
Her zombie noises were kinda cute now that I thought about it. I rummaged through my bug-out bag and checked the spare toothbrush sets I'd brought just in case. Pulled one out. The shower still worked fine. Good, but...
Water and power could cut out anytime. Gotta prepare.
First, I showered with Chaerin. A beauty like her probably didn't need it, but...
Zombies don't shit or piss, right?
Still, undead corpse or not, her skin would rot eventually. No point letting it fester. I scrubbed her down hard with body wash and shampoo. Then it was my turn. I glanced at Chaerin.
"Can't brush yourself, huh? Here, no biting, slowly. Hey, not food. Hey."
I smeared toothpaste on a red toothbrush and cleaned her teeth. She kept trying to chomp at first, but soon settled down. Proof she had some smarts.
Finally done, I sighed. More tiring than expected.
Feels like raising a kid.
Oblivious to my thoughts, Chaerin glared at the toothbrush.
"Goo, graaah."
"Good girl."
I couldn't abandon Chaerin. I wanted her around. In this fucked-up world, she was the one thing making me feel human.
We finished up and headed out. I dried her damp body, took her hand.
"Might be boring, but stay in that room, okay? Please."
Led her to the bedroom, drew the blackout curtains so no one outside could see. Laid her on the bed, stroked her head. She flailed a bit.
"See you later."
Closed the door and stepped out. Sighing, I filled the tub and sink.
Check the second-floor bathroom too.
Upstairs had a big bathroom and bedroom. Even in compact housing like this, it had everything. Rumor was they hired American or Northern European architects. Design was nothing like Korean or Japanese homes. The terrace off the bedroom was nice too.
Filled the tub and peered out the window. Dark bloodstains everywhere, random body parts scattered. In normal times, army or cops would be here. No sign of that.
Zombies shuffled beyond the ark.
They hang like that normally, then rush if they smell food.
The world was getting fun. Today's tasks were set.
First, get used to my ability. Then clear the area.
Reduce zombies and threatening humans as much as possible. Top priority.
After that, build my safe zone around here.
Still planning stage. I smirked, finished filling, and changed into a thin leather jacket and jeans. My real enemies weren't zombies—humans who might backstab me.
On the other hand...
Who runs this game? Akasha? They'd know my ability.
Game organizers? They'd know. Unlikely they don't. So they'd have counters. Can't relax.
They might lull me into safety, then strike.
Why? Organizers can do anything, no limits.
So, kill anything in sight. Women? Fuck 'em and kill 'em maybe. Pretty ones? Fuck anyway. In danger? Not my problem. I'm no passing racer saving strangers.
No need to play hero for random chicks. Now or before.
Use anyone helpful. Useless? Zero value. Slipped on old soccer cleats.
These spikes hurt.
Stepped outside. Acrid stench hit immediately. The crashed ark split Eunhaeng Sagori in two.
No time for sightseeing.
Looked around. Most zombies beyond the ark. What even was that thing? Why crash here?
"Whatever."
A porter truck lay sideways ahead. Time to practice blood ability. Drained blood from a nearby corpse.
Only this much? Barely 500ml!
Deep breath, focused. Gathered blood, fired at the truck. It just wobbled.
Weaker than expected. Try energy wave style?
Charged a big glob, hurled it hard. Punched through the truck, hole clean through. Satisfying sound.
Low skill level means charge time for power shots.
Like charging. For quick, bullet-form like yesterday, or weapon shapes.
Make a weapon. Clumped remaining blood. Formed a 1m spear. Blood solidified like crystal, but jiggly like liquid. Wild.
Thrust at the porter. Hole.
"Whoa, fuck yeah."
Grinned, swung it around. Phone buzzed in pocket.
Signal still works?
Checked. Club group chat, chaos. Scanned: Sa-eun-sunbae separated? Protecting hoobaes alone?
Sighed. Why play hero now? Her strength and flaw. Responsible senior vibe is cool, but not this apocalypse.
Traced her path. Split at Nowon Station? Close. Via Bbanghyeop.
Deep breath, ran. Like a jog. Sharp, smoky air stabbed my lungs. Been ages.
Did this a lot during bare-knuckle boxing training for cash.
Smirked, ran. Passed familiar Bbanghyeop, toward Yangji Bridge. Steady breaths, sped up. Nearing Media Center...
Hold up, weird.
Stopped. Scanned. Too quiet. No zombies. Unlike ark side, this isolated area—none in sight.
Senses sharp, felt presences.
They're inside buildings?
Chills. Chaerin showed zombies had some intelligence. Sunlight haters? Hiding till dusk?
Felt off. Like sim game units idle without orders. But convenient now.
No obstacles, good enough.
Sa-eun first. Ran. Nearing school turn...
"Yeh-hey!"
"Whoooaa!"
"That body's killer!"
Noisy alley. Couldn't ignore in this mess. Gut said go. Crept quiet, spotted school-uniformed punks. Center: familiar woman panting, fighting stance. Senpai.
Hah, why's Sa-eun-sunbae there?
Getting lynched by students. She swung fists amid heavy breaths. Whoosh, smack! Blocked by trash lid shield. Sparks from her fist? Hallucination? If her skill...
Flank and rear attacks—she fell.
"Sis, just give up."
"Yeah, one round with us that hard?"
"Redhead's hot now. Hyaa."
"Our lady teachers are ours too. Hey, call Sin-tae. Caught a prime bitch! He eats first!"
They closed in. She fought to stand, no tears. Shrugged.
Normally I'd bail, but make her repay later. Plus, she's hot.
Rushed back-turned punk, speared his back. Smooth. Puke!
"Ack! Gaaak!"
Kicked him off, pointed. Drained blood, grinned. Gushed out.
"Hey kids, hi. Janitor bro here."
"Who the fuck's this?"
"Wanna die?"
Recalled yesterday. Shaped gushing blood into bullets, fired everywhere. Charging one—I beckoned. Could I pull blood direct from body?
Instant kill on living things?
Nothing. Fine. Fired bullets. Hit students everywhere, turned to sieves.
Without yesterday's drink, no chance.
Screams everywhere. They thrashed, collapsed. Untouchable bullying a girl, now crying wrecks.
"Kuhak!"
"Hurts, aaaak!"
"Fuuuuck!"
Cocky punks down fast. Sa-eun watched stunned amid it. Repeated blood bullets, wiped them out. Easy.
10 points banked! Hell yeah.
Drained more blood. Splaaash! Splurt. Floated like invisible orb. Then shook, most spilled. Skill not perfect.
Focus better to carry more.
For now, 500ml max. Lame, fuck.
Shut up. This is my moral code.
Smirked, approached Sa-eun.
Offered hand.
"Sunbae, you okay?"
"Ah, uh, yeah. How're you here?"
"Group chat's blowing up."
"Ah, the kids probably made it back fine. Right?"
"What're you doing alone?"
Honestly, even normal society didn't reward sacrifice. Cool, sure. But look at soldier treatment here. Reserve sitting on bus? Bitches complain. Noble shit meaningless in this fake rule-of-law country.
Still.
Sa-eun smiled brightly like it was nothing.
"Gotta set example as senpai."
"Hmmm. Place to go?"
Long sigh, she shook head. No surprise. Lived in Songdo, transit dead.
So, help her. No one repays her sacrifice? I would.
"C'mon, sunbae."
"Huh? Where? Club room?"
"My place. Hurry."
"W-wait, sorry, that's..."
"You're sunbae, it's fine. I'll protect you."
She stared shocked. Cheeks pink? We walked together till noon.
"Sunbae, show me your skill first."
"Skill?"
"Make you pull your weight. Magnetic field or electricity burst, wha—?!"
Right in front, a long notification appeared.