Humanity's Enemy is Zombies
Humanity's enemy is zombies, whether there were guys trying to kill me or not. My job didn't change.
I searched the surroundings and found traces of the golden zombie.
'So it was here.'
A yellow tumor clinging to the leaves. Definitely the golden zombie's mark.
I scanned the area and moved forward. It didn't take long to spot the wandering golden zombie. I immediately crouched low.
Unlike regular zombies, golden zombies have an acute sense of smell. One whiff of my iron scent, and it'd bolt.
'I could kill it right here...'
But I didn't want to use more armament than necessary. Not with guys targeting me. No need to reveal my full strength. If it were the other way around, maybe.
Of course, I had a method.
'Not something I particularly want to do.'
I sighed and grumbled aloud. I pulled out the yellow zombie tumor I'd picked up earlier. I smeared a bit on my body, clothes, and weapons.
Stamina and Strength slightly increased
This tumor boosted stats. But that wasn't my goal. It was the golden zombie's unique stench. This foul odor would mask me.
'Ugh, so gross.'
The real-life tumor smell was worse than imagined. Smearing it on a game character's face? No big deal. But sniffing it myself? My nose was about to fall off.
If those tailing me from behind weren't an issue, I wouldn't bother.
'I'll make them pay dearly for this.'
Anyway, zombie hunting came first. I gripped my axe and crept closer. Thanks to the tumor stench, it didn't notice me. I closed to throwing range.
-Splat!
I hurled the hand axe straight at its face. It embedded perfectly. Yellow tumors burst everywhere. Vile fluids soaked the ground and trees. The golden zombie collapsed without a scream.
Administrator special privileges: Maximum reward acquired.
I whistled lightly at the floating window.
'Guaranteed max reward, huh.'
Points from golden zombies were random—usually 100 to 300 based on experience. This was huge compared to regular zombies. And thanks to my Administrator trait, I got the max: 300 points. Even for a vet like me, I'd only seen this once in-game.
Worth the trip already.
'This puts me at the top of humanity's points right now.'
Maelmang Gallery's Administrator trait. Info access aside, the perks were sweet.
I smirked, heading to retrieve my axe—
"Whoa, that was insane. Thought you were some wuxia master for a sec."
The man's voice from earlier rang in my ears. Finally showing up.
'Grateful they didn't interfere with the hunt, honestly.'
I turned. People poured out from hiding. Quite a number—they'd hidden well. Not surprised; I'd known they were tailing me.
'Thirteen including the women.'
Not a small group. But threatening? Nah. They clutched pipes and hammers. No match for me. I'd expected slingshots by now. Kinda disappointing.
"What, no more barking like before? You chickening out?"
The guy who'd threatened me earlier sneered, mistaking my assessment for fear. They surrounded me. With these numbers, they'd feel confident. I had no visible weapon—though it was hidden, ready. To them, I looked defenseless.
'Even better.'
Prey that thinks it's the hunter is easiest. Bought me an extra second of leeway.
"You gotta use your head, tsk tsk. Should've called backup when you spotted us."
"......"
"Figures, with that attitude, you got no friends anyway."
Laughter erupted. What was funny? Insider humor lost on an outsider like me.
"......What do you want? The golden zombie's already dead, as you see."
"Don't care about that crap anymore."
He pointed his weapon at me.
"Guide us to your bunker. Might leave you your panties as a bonus."
"You think I'll just tell you?"
"Eh, break an arm first, you'll talk."
They closed in. A sloppy encirclement I could break anytime. Killing them one by one? Possible, but... annoying. Over ten axe swings? Too much labor for an ex-shut-in. True basement dwellers optimize everywhere—even killing.
"......You know this?"
I spoke up, thoughts settled.
"Golden zombies are outcasts. They crave the horde but get shunned for their smell—even by other zombies."
"What?"
"So they appear in zombie-heavy spots, but isolated."
Vet knowledge. Catch one? Run. Zombies swarm nearby.
Rare info, but these idiots wouldn't use it.
"And zombies react sharply to noise."
I pulled a burglar alarm from my pocket. Yanked the pin—
-WEEEEE-OOOOO!
A eardrum-shattering wail echoed. Sleeping birds startled into flight.
"Arghhh!"
They winced, clutching ears. I seized the gap, scaling a tree. Tough for normals, easy for me.
"You bastard! Get down here! Think hiding up there makes us give up?!"
"I'm not hiding from you."
"What?"
Before he processed, the ground rumbled.
"H-Hey! Over there!"
One pointed.
"Grraaah!"
"Kyaaah!"
Dozens of zombies. Drawn by the noise, charging like a herd.
"What the hell!"
"That asshole's alarm! The zombies heard it—arghhh!"
Zombies spotted humans and lunged. They swung weapons desperately. But numbers won. No mental prep? Normals can't handle a sudden swarm.
"Too late to run! Fight—guhk!"
"Ugh! Argh! Fight! Figh—aaah!"
"P-Please... don't wanna die like this... arghhh!"
"M-Mommy! Mooom!"
Blood, tears, screams flowed. Zombies tore in expertly. Long nails gouged flesh, blood spraying. Filthy teeth ripped throats. They even munched guts from split bellies before death.
-Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
I watched comfortably from the tree. No ghouls yet—no climbers.
'Wish they'd fight longer.'
Both sides doomed. I'd finish survivors. Fewer the better.
"That bastard! It's his fault!"
"Fuck! The tree! Climb the—arghhh!"
Some noticed, tried climbing. But trees aren't easy—especially panicked. Slipped, or bitten mid-attempt.
"P-Please spare me! I was wrong! Mercy!"
The woman from earlier clung below my tree, begging. Her skimpy outfit shredded, blue bra exposed. Tears streamed. Makeup smudged, she looked younger.
"Please, just once! I'll do anything! Just pull me up!"
......Was just gonna watch. But that plea shook me. Sighing, I rummaged my pack.
"Ah......!"
Out came popcorn. Damn, saving the last for later. No choice now.
Munch munch.
I ate while peering down. Couldn't imagine this madness? Her jaw dropped, stunned.
"You even human?!"
Zombie yanked her as she flailed. Human? Obviously—that's why I could do this.
Hmm.
Most dead now. Zombies swarmed her competitively. Usually infect over eat, but these were starving.
Luckily, less work for me. I munched till the fight ended. Delicious. Nom nom.
"Phew. Done."
Pathetic humans didn't wipe the zombies. I cleaned up the exhausted stragglers. Points get~.
Wiped my bloodied axe. Rifled their corpses: weapons, survival gear, cigs, cash—useless now, but all pocketed.
"This'll do."
My pack heavier. Just out for a golden zombie, got bonus loot. Worth the outing?
Packed up, left the forest.
Next day, a post hit our Maelmang Gallery.
The photo matched what I'd seen. Zombie and corpse pics were common, but never dozens together. Everyone commented on the horror.
One caught my eye especially.
I chuckled and hit recommend.