Day 1 of the Zombie Outbreak (Revised) - The First Morning of the Apocalypse
The first morning of the end had dawned. Whether humanity would perish like this or a few survivors would carry on the species, I had no idea—but from today onward, we'd probably have to start counting the years anew.
Lost in such trivial thoughts, I checked the disaster alerts on my phone.
[Seoul Metropolitan Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters]
Damage outbreaks due to zombie incidents across all areas of Seoul. Absolutely refrain from going out or engaging in outdoor activities.
[Gangwon Province Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters]
Expected damage due to zombie incidents across all areas of Gangwon Province. Absolutely refrain from going out or engaging in outdoor activities.
[Ministry of the Interior and Safety]
Mass zombie outbreaks in major cities nationwide and nearby mid-sized cities. Absolutely refrain from going out or engaging in outdoor activities.
[Ministry of the Interior and Safety]
Guidelines for public behavior in response to new infectious disease. Absolutely no entry or exit from home; stay indoors and minimize contact with others. If unable to reach home or a safe zone, take shelter in the nearest indoor area. If contact with an infected person occurs, immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with running water and then isolate.
From these few disaster texts, I could piece together the situation to some extent. The major cities were basically paralyzed. People in mid-sized cities were dying while hunkered down at home. Should I be grateful they were even sending out these alerts? Or curse the country for not being able to do more?
As I stared at my phone, lost in thought, So-hyun opened the door and poked her head in. She clearly hadn't slept a wink all night—dark circles shadowed her eyes. Even if she believed she'd survive, the fact that the world might be ending would spark endless worries. Her school friends. Her teachers. The auntie and uncle next door—they could all be dead.
"...Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah. You look like you didn't get a wink, though."
"Haha... yeah... I got scared trying to sleep alone..."
She scratched her head sheepishly. This was exactly the time for everyday routines. I held out my hand to So-hyun and demanded her phone.
"So-hyun, hand over your phone."
"I didn't call the cops..."
"If I was worried about that, I'd have taken it the second we got home. You've been looking up zombie stuff nonstop, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Keeps making you anxious, so I'm confiscating it. But anything new popping up?"
"...Some posts on the gallery from people, YouTube videos... a bit. News is still broadcasting too."
"What's the vibe?"
"Firearms... they're all busted."
"What...?"
I stupidly parroted back in shock.
"No one knows why yet, but all modern firearms are useless."
"Fuck, we're screwed...?"
"Yeah..."
As I spat out the grim words, So-hyun started fidgeting even more noticeably. I'd somehow become her guardian figure—kids naturally panic when their parents do.
"Eh, we won't die, so it's fine!"
I said brightly and headed to the storage room for a late breakfast. Last night on the way to pick her up, she'd muttered something about wanting chicken. Not as good as delivery, but the commercial freezer was stocked with frozen boneless chicken and all sorts of meats. Fry 'em up, slather on some sauce, and it'd perk her right up.
"Wanna eat breakfast?"
"Yeah...!"
*
The golden, shimmering soybean oil. I held my hand over it to gauge the temperature. Felt a bit of heat on my palm—probably good enough? I'd done simple cooking before, but deep-frying chicken was a first, so tension hung in the air. So-hyun sat at the table, watching me worriedly.
"Oppa, let me just—"
"It's fine!"
A hearty breakfast for my downcast little sis...! With grim determination, I dropped in the chicken.
"Whoa?!!!"
SPLATTER!!! Splat! SPLATTER!!!
The oil erupted like crazy in an instant. I dodged with a quick twist.
"Oppa!!! You okay? Nothing splashed on you?"
"Huh...? Oh, yeah. I'm good. Haha... it splatters way more than I thought..."
"That's why I said let me do it... Of course it splashes if you fry it frozen!!!"
So-hyun rushed over and snatched the apron and tongs from me in a flash.
"You sit and wait!"
Her command carried real spunk—I meekly returned to the table.
"Hmm~ Ooh~~ Wow~ This'll be yummy~"
She didn't mind cooking at all, humming a tune as she fried the chicken. She pulled it out, rummaged in the fridge, even grabbed some frozen green chilies and minced them.
"Why chilies?"
"A little spicy sauce'll make it even tastier!"
She chopped the semi-frozen chilies like a pro, mixed them into a bowl with sauce, dipped her pinky in for a taste, and flashed a satisfied smile.
"Mmm~~ Delicious!"
If she weren't in pink bear pajamas, she'd look like a proper housewife.
"Wanna taste, oppa?"
"Uh? Sure."
"Here~!"
She dipped her pinky in the sauce and held it out just like that. She wants me to lick it, right...? I cautiously touched my lips to it and licked.
...The faint texture of her pinky mixed with the perfect spicy-sweet tang of green chili chicken sauce.
"Tastes good."
"...Right?!"
Her expression turned a bit odd after I sucked on her finger, but she soon acted nonchalant and brought the chicken to the table.
"Dig in~"
"Itadakimasu~~!!! Looks so good~~!!!"
With food in front of her, she finally broke into a childlike grin. She bit into a piece with eager eyes, her face lighting up with pure bliss.
Eating good food is happiness, after all. She was chowing down heartily.
"Mmm~~! So good!!!"
"Eat up. Plenty more~"
"Yeah!!! Um, but what about unnie?"
"Oh. Right."
"Fry some more?"
"Yeah, if you don't mind?"
"Sure~~"
So-hyun thawed the frozen chicken in the microwave a bit, patted off the moisture with paper towels.
"Ah~ Gotta dry it first..."
"Obviously~"
Soon, golden-brown chicken emerged.
"Ta-da~~!"
"Frozen's convenient."
"I'm good at it anyway!"
Two heaping servings in bowls—over half a bird each, plenty to go around.
"I'll take theirs over."
"Okay...!"
I started with Na-young's room, since she'd worked hard last night. Naked, she huddled with her legs pulled tight to her chest.
"Sleep well?"
"……."
I thought she'd submitted somewhat yesterday, but she still wouldn't reply. I'd called her a dog, after all.
"You're a doggy."
"...Woof."
"Aww, good girl~~"
I gently stroked my pretty pup's head.
"Um... bathroom..."
"Big one? Little one?"
"...Both."
It would've been perfect if she'd whined like a dog for that too, but expecting that much aegyo on day one was too much. Na-young's face, begging me to let her use the bathroom, looked utterly humiliated. Her refined features flushed with shame. As I savored the sight, she gritted her teeth. Humiliating, sure, but she couldn't hold it forever. No choice but to beg me.
"Okay then, let's take our doggy potty~"
I grabbed the collar, and she followed on all fours. We headed outside together.
"Just slip on any slippers."
"...Okay."
"Dogs say woof."
"...Woof."
Country dogs do their business outside—that's normal. So Na-young's bathroom was the Gangwon mountainside. She'd have to endure this humiliation if she didn't want to play dog forever. Her virgin lie was a grave sin. It'd shattered my expectations. She had a duty to fulfill my other hopes.
I led her to some trees in the backyard, grabbed a shovel, and dug a shallow hole. That should be enough effort from the owner, right? I handed her toilet paper.
"There~ Na-young, do your business."
"...Pardon?"
"Do your business. Dogs go outside, right?"
"……."
"Not urgent yet? Might not get to go again till dinner... If you mess in your room, you'll eat it all?"
"...I gotta go."
"Then go."
A single tear streamed silently from Na-young's eye, tracing down her cheek without a sob. A beauty's tears were a painting. Even I felt a pang of pity watching. And a thrilling excitement.
"...Quit making me wait?"
At my urging, naked Na-young squatted over the hole.
"...Could you not watch?"
She had to do the big one too. I wasn't that interested anyway.
"Fine. I'll turn around."
Holding the leash, I turned my back. Sniffling sobs mixed with embarrassing sounds echoed out.
"Hic..."
Even beauties can't escape biology, huh?
"D...done..."
Na-young reported soon after. The hole was covered with paper, decently buried. I sprinkled dirt and tamped it down with my foot.
"Alright, back inside."
"...Woof."
Just one bathroom trip, and Na-young already looked exhausted. Mental fatigue and stress piling up. Time to dangle some hope.
"Doggy only for three days flat. Talk back or disobey, and it drags on—but behave like this, and I'll treat you like a normal slave."
"...Woof."
"And if you still wanna leave in a month, I'll send you back safe."
"Really...?"
"Yeah."
"You probably don't believe me, but I don't lie."
"...I'll believe you."
Na-young had no other choice anyway. Just trust me and wait.