Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Zombie Apocalypse (5)
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As memories of Lee Sian's parents surfaced, a flood of other memories I'd blocked off after possessing him began pouring in.
From a fragmented childhood due to my poor recollection, to life before starting university, and even the parents who'd raised him all along.
I got all sentimental by myself and grabbed my smartphone to call my own parents.
But then those emotions abruptly shrank as the quest cleared.
『Tutorial Quest-2』
-Completed: [Skill] Self-Establishment (A)
A blue window announced the quest clear, stating I'd acquired a new skill.
Self-Establishment—it must be what's influencing these emotional shifts right now.
【Skill: Self-Establishment (A)】
Adjusts assimilation rate with the possessed body. (Max 25% reduction)
Gains resistance to mental attacks. (75% reduction)
It was a skill to help me avoid being swallowed by Lee Sian, ensuring I didn't lose myself.
Lee Sian's parents worried me, but they weren't the parents from Yoo Sian's original world.
Along with my Composure, it seemed like I was gaining a lot of mental-related skills after possessing in this world.
Still, I made the call.
As long as they didn't do something stupid like heading out unprepared after midnight when the changes hit the world, this zombie crisis was manageable enough—and sharing that much was fine.
"Sian? What's going on in the world?"
Lee Sian's father picked up.
His voice brimmed with worry; without Self-Establishment, I might've choked up too.
"Yes, Dad. Stay inside and don't go out if possible. You've got food stocked at home, right?"
"We bought rice and groceries recently. What about you? Living alone, if you've been skimping on meals, you must be running low."
I'd stocked plenty of emergency rations, but the fridge wasn't empty either.
Fitting for someone athletic, it was packed with healthy stuff like chicken breast—but in times like these, just having it was a godsend.
"I had a craving to go grocery shoping today of all days, and then this happened. You and Mom hole up at home and tough it out. Stock up on water too; no telling when it might cut off."
As I advised my father on the situation, the voice switched—probably Mom taking the phone.
"Got it, Sian. Don't worry about us. You're young, so don't even think about doing anything reckless."
"Yes, Mom. They say modern firearms will be available in 30 days. And I think it'll be over before then."
I wrapped up the call with some positive talk.
Even with assimilation adjustment via Self-Establishment, my parents were still a big deal.
Na-eun, eyes a bit red, had finished her call before me and was sitting on the bed, scrolling real-time news.
"Any other updates?"
"Government's sending disaster alerts recommending everyone stay home and refrain from looting or crime."
"Ah, disaster texts? I turned those off 'cause I hate them, but I should enable it. We're already following both rules, though. Anything else?"
I opened the messaging app and toggled disaster alerts; texts started flooding in real-time.
Hated this stuff, but in an emergency, there had to be some useful info.
"Like how it's not gonna resolve as easily as you think? That thing on the stairs earlier—was that definitely a zombie? They're spreading like crazy."
Na-eun was browsing a site covering zombie movies and games.
[My younger sibling got bitten and turned into a zombie.]
[Some streamer acted cocky and became a zombie lol.]
[Current situation in countries where it's daytime.]
[Zombie suddenly popping out of the ground jpg.]
[Rate this pretty female zombie.]
Lots of sensational titles, but the daytime countries one caught my eye.
"Na-eun, what's that daytime one?"
Na-eun, mid-scroll, clicked into it.
"Eww, for real? Is this photoshopped?"
"Looks like a movie scene."
The post had photos of tons of zombies.
Pics of zombie hordes amid buildings from various countries—like they'd pulled stills from different movies.
Scrolling past the heap of realistic shots led to the comments.
Amid the masses of replies mocking "This is from such-and-such movie lol," one detail-obsessed user had linked sources for every photo.
All real. All happening right now.
"Us being in the night might've been a blessing."
"Most were already home and prepped. Look at this—zombies just appearing out of nowhere. No escaping that."
There was footage of zombies spawning.
A guy casually vlogging while walking freezes in place.
Then he curses at thin air.
Next: "A weird voice in my head... is this for real?"
Resuming his walk, space warps, a zombie pops out, and he bolts.
In the short time I took down one zombie and we looted the convenience store, the world had gone nuts.
"Ah, what about the zombie corpses?"
It hit me: the zombie whose head I smashed was still slumped in the stairwell corner.
We'd passed it on the way back from looting, head caved in. Just leave it?
The Plague Lord's "Plague Seed" line nagged at me.
Better burn those things to avoid aftermath.
"Just... let's stay in and hold out. We've got plenty of food."
Na-eun tugged my shirt, pleading.
This bachelor pad had a girlfriend, emergency rations, even condoms. As long as water and power held, we could last.
Ramen first, then nutrition bars—might unbalance nutrition, but we'd endure.
But Lee Sian's quests demanded fighting.
-Completion: Enhanced physical abilities
I had to keep hunting zombies to grow stronger.
But I didn't have the power yet to charge zombie-packed areas.
Plus, I still didn't know how to end the possession, so I hesitated.
As those thoughts swirled, another quest arrived.
『Tutorial Quest-3』
📍 Survive in the possessed body.
⏰ Time Remaining: 119:24:59
🎁 Completion: [Skill] ???
The third quest for Yoo Sian: 120 hours, so five days of survival.
But the moment I got it, a zap like electricity hit my mind.
It felt certain that it would grant a skill for ending possession and returning as Yoo Sian.
No clue how many zombies are nearby, but this officetel was mostly college students.
If zombies appeared, they'd have the stamina to flee full-tilt and secure safety.
"Yeah, let's wait and watch a bit longer. Stock some water too."
"Okay, sounds good."
Sucks not having a tub for leaving a bulk of water.
We filled every PET bottle we could find, but they ran out fast.
Enough food for over five days, but drinking water short?
Options are the same as before.
"Na-eun, let's grab more bottles. Water's key to survival."
"This is the last time? Promise?"
"Promise. Hate going out too."
"Says the guy casually grabbing the bat."
Na-eun saw me pick up the bat at the door, opened the bag from our convenience store run, and dumped it on the bed.
We hadn't sorted it out yet.
Shouldering the empty bag, we headed back to the hallway.
Having seen zombies ourselves, everyone seemed holed up watching the situation.
Quick ones probably looted the store already, prepping to hunker down with their home supplies.
Descending the stairs slowly, the headless zombie in the corner caught my eye.
Footprint-covered—someone'd stomped it a few times.
"Wish we could burn that if we get a chance."
"Sian, quick—grab what we need and head home."
Na-eun poked me with her cardboard-wrapped arm.
Outside, a few night wanderers, but no one else hitting the recycling section like us.
Water's vital, but with food secured, bottles stand out less.
Lots of delivery-loving college students here would meant piles of drink bottles in the bin.
Ones with leftover drinks could be rinsed; why bother turning these into ashtrays?
Tossed the junk ones, stuffed our bags with good bottles, and as we exited the recycling section—
Crunch
I blocked Na-eun behind me with an outstretched hand; she ducked back.
I gripped my bat two-handed style and peeked out slowly.
A long-haired woman staggering like a drunk was the culprit.
At this hour, in this mess?
Should I confirm if they're human first? Or rush and make a preempt hit?
Instead, I lightly tapped the recycling rack's pole hanger with the bat.
Clang!
"Whoa?!"
The echoing boom startled even Na-eun; the woman reacted.
Her unnaturally turning head had pitch-black eyes.
Spotting me, a red glow swirled in them.
"Kieeeek!!!"
Shrieking higher than the old zombie, the female lunged. I raised the bat high and smashed down on her.
Splat!
One blow caved her skull; she toppled backward.
Level-up combat boost?
For quest count surety, smashed the downed zombie's head again.
Splat!
-Completion: Enhanced physical abilities
Confirmed the kill, then called Na-eun softly.
"Na-eun, let's go. More might come."
"You're insane! Insane! Were you always that bold?"
"Weapon helps. With a gun, I'd be aggressive."
"Cool 'cause you're my boyfriend, but anyone else would call it 100% terrifying."
Someone in the officetel probably saw us.
Fearless nutjob now, but later resource-rich nutjob—a public enemy material.
Shook off the thought, reentered the officetel, and as we climbed—thuds like something slamming a door.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Remembered the old zombie biting someone.
Not a prank—is it the real deal?
Doesn't seem like it'll end easy, as I told my parents.