《Apocalypse: Creating my Harem[English]》


 Chapter1 - Corpse Doll

    The wind swept through the desolate street, carrying with it a faint, eerie chill. A lone figure shuffled aimlessly along the cracked pavement¡ªits movements jerky, its skin pallid and worn. This was no human. The figure''s half-lidded eyes glowed a faint crimson under the dim evening light, their unsettling gaze fixed on nothing in particular. A crooked grin stretched across its face, a thin line of saliva trailing down from the corner of its mouth, gleaming like a twisted sign of life.


    This zombie was one of many, a byproduct of the new virus that had ravaged the world half a month ago. It was a tragedy that turned humanity into mindless, predatory creatures. Now, this lifeless figure, with its soulless red eyes, wandered the streets with no purpose other than to kill or be killed.


    Ahead of it stood an abandoned supermarket. The structure had seen better days; its once bright signage was barely readable beneath layers of grime and dried blood. The glass doors were spattered with a rusty brown coating¡ªthe clear evidence of a violent struggle that had taken place there. Through the partially open door, the interior of the supermarket was visible¡ªshelves tipped at awkward angles, broken bottles littering the floor, and food scattered about in haphazard piles.


    Just inside the doorway, another figure moved slowly¡ªa middle-aged male zombie, draped in the tattered remains of what had once been a supermarket uniform. His gait was sluggish, and his head hung limply to the side as though weighed down by some invisible force. He had been one of the staff here once, a long time ago before the world went to hell.


    The first zombie continued its march toward the supermarket, unfazed by the destruction surrounding it. As it passed the middle-aged zombie, something shifted. The walking corpse reached into its ragged clothing and, with an abrupt motion, pulled out a large, bone-cutting knife. The gleam of the blade caught the dying light as the zombie swiftly turned, raising the knife high. Without hesitation, it brought the weapon down with a sickening force, slicing through the neck of the middle-aged zombie.


    Blood, thick and dark, sprayed across the shattered glass door and onto the ground. The decapitated body collapsed in a heap, twitching for a moment before falling still. The strange, knife-wielding zombie paused only briefly to observe its handiwork before stepping over the fallen body. With movements that seemed strangely coordinated for an undead creature, it retrieved a plastic shopping bag from behind the counter and began hurriedly gathering what remained of the food inside the supermarket.


    ---


    Inside a dimly lit apartment on the outskirts of the city, Ronan wiped the sweat from his brow as he collapsed onto an old wooden chair. A large backpack lay at his feet, filled with food, bottled water, and various necessities he had managed to scavenge. His heart was still racing from the exertion of the day, but for the first time in a while, a faint smile crossed his lips.


    In the corner of the room sat a figure¡ªthe same zombie that had just raided the supermarket. It sat motionless, its red eyes staring blankly ahead, no longer the predatory force it had been just moments ago. Instead, it seemed hollow and unthreatening. The mindless malice it had displayed before was gone.


    Ronan sighed, looking at the zombie. "It''s getting easier," he muttered, more to himself than the corpse. "I can finally control it without all the struggle. It''s about time."


    It had been two weeks since the world turned upside down. A new virus had swept through the global population in the blink of an eye, transforming countless people into these living nightmares. Cities once bustling with life had become wastelands of horror, where only the dead roamed freely. The survivors, those few fortunate or skilled enough not to be infected, were forced to live like rats¡ªhiding, scavenging, and barely clinging to existence.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Ronan had been an ordinary person before all of this, just like everyone else. But something had changed in him when the virus hit. He discovered, almost by accident, that he could control the zombies. It wasn''t perfect at first; he hadn''t known what he was doing. But there was a connection, a strange, invisible thread that linked his thoughts to the mindless husks around him. At first, it had been difficult¡ªwhenever he tried to manipulate a zombie, they would often break free, leaving him dangerously exposed to their attacks. More than once, his life had been on the line.


    But over time, Ronan''s skill had improved. He figured out how to stabilize that mental link, how to assert his control over the zombies more forcefully and for longer periods. Now, he could send them on missions to gather supplies, just as he had done with the zombie currently sitting in his apartment. He had even given his controlled zombies a name: corpse puppets.


    There was only one limitation. The corpse puppets could not stray too far from Ronan, which frustrated him. It was as if the strings that bound them to him were too short, making it difficult to explore more distant areas for food and supplies. He wasn''t yet as proficient as he wanted to be.


    Still, his ability gave him a massive advantage in this new world, and for that, Ronan was grateful. The alternative¡ªhiding and cowering in constant fear¡ªwas far worse.


    Yet, there was something unsettling about the whole process. Whenever Ronan took control of a zombie, he felt a flicker of something dark and violent stirring within him, as if some of the corpse''s bloodlust seeped into his own mind. It was subtle, but unmistakable. Whether this influence was dangerous, Ronan couldn''t yet tell. But he didn''t have the luxury of worrying about it now.


    He stood up, glancing at the clock on the wall. "It''s getting late. We should head back."


    The apartment he used was just a temporary stop, a place where he could safely control his puppet without being detected. It was far from secure, though, and he knew better than to stay too long in one place.


    Ronan grabbed his backpack and motioned to the zombie. As he watched it rise mechanically to its feet, there was always a moment of discomfort¡ªseeing something so inherently dangerous obey him like a trained animal. The zombie looked like a boy, no older than seventeen or eighteen, but whatever humanity had once been there was long gone. Its skin was ashen, stretched taut over its bones, and its mouth hung slightly open, revealing teeth stained with the remnants of its last meal.


    Suppressing his nausea, Ronan led the way downstairs, the zombie following close behind. He kept a tight grip on the boning knife he always carried, just in case. Even though the corpse puppet cleared the way, there was always a risk. Ronan had learned early on that safety was never guaranteed, not in this world.


    Once outside, Ronan quickly scanned the area. His temporary hideout was across the street, but the route was risky. Earlier that morning, he had set off firecrackers to lure the zombies away, but a few still lingered. His eyes narrowed when he saw two zombies near the intersection, both splattered with fresh blood. One of them gnawed on the remnants of a human arm, its teeth tearing chunks of flesh from the severed limb.


    It wasn''t an unusual sight¡ªdeath was everywhere in the provincial capital, a city once home to tens of millions. But it still stirred something in Ronan. A grim reminder of how easily he could join the dead if he wasn''t careful.


    Taking a deep breath, Ronan commanded the corpse puppet to approach the two zombies. When it was close enough, he signaled it to attack. As the puppet swung its bone-cutting knife at the first zombie, Ronan moved swiftly behind the other, driving his knife into the back of its skull. The two zombies fell almost simultaneously, their bodies twitching for a brief moment before going still.


    Ronan stared at the scene, his chest rising and falling with exertion. A strange sensation coursed through him¡ªa fleeting sense of satisfaction. Killing zombies had once terrified him. Now, there was something almost¡­ pleasurable about it. He shook the thought away.


    "The virus won''t spread through the mental connection," Ronan muttered to himself. "If it did, I would have turned by now."


    But what was it, then? That strange, creeping feeling of darkness?


    Shaking his head, Ronan pushed the thought aside. There were more pressing concerns. He had to survive.


    And in the back of his mind, always lingering like a distant dream, was a memory. His combat skills had improved, he was perfecting his control over the zombies and gathering supplies as fast as he could, all to make it through this nightmare and find her.

 Chapter2 - Crossing the danger zone

    As the last traces of light faded from the sky, Ronan returned to his residence.


    It was an unremarkable little building, easily overlooked. Apart from its sturdy iron door, it offered an escape route¡ªone could leap from the rooftop to the adjacent building if necessary. There was also open space both in front and behind, providing some maneuverability. Situated in the suburbs, the area had far fewer survivors and zombies compared to the city, making it relatively safer.


    Most importantly, the building had once been a warehouse for a small furniture factory. The lingering scent of cheap paint and wood was strong enough to completely mask Ronan¡¯s presence.


    The virus hadn¡¯t dulled the monsters¡¯ senses¡ªit had sharpened them. Even in the dead of night, their vision remained keen, and their hearing and sense of smell had become far superior to those of ordinary humans.


    Before settling in for the night, Ronan tossed a piece of rotten frozen meat to the corpse, leaving it outside the iron gate. He locked the gate securely before finally allowing himself to rest.


    Even in sleep, he never severed his mental link with the zombie. Maintaining the connection was exhausting, but it served as both training and an added layer of security¡ªlike keeping watch over himself.


    Balancing rest while staying attuned to the zombie had not been easy. Ronan had failed countless times before finally finding the right equilibrium. Now, he always remained in a light sleep, able to pick up even the faintest noises around him.


    But tonight, sleep refused to come. A figure lingered in his mind¡­


    After losing his parents, there was only one person left in the world he truly cared about¡ªEva. His childhood friend, his secret love, the girl next door.


    When the outbreak began, the last call he received was from her.


    "Ronan, run....!"


    Just a few short words, followed by a dead line.


    Deep down, he knew Eva had probably dead When the world fell apart, she had been on her way to his place, planning to cook him a proper meal¡ªtrying, as always, to make his life a little better.


    That thought had never stopped haunting him. Whether she was alive or dead, he knew he had to find her.


    "Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll go find her."


    After all his preparation, Ronan finally felt ready. With his ability to control corpse puppets, he was confident he could make it through the city.


    He had already mapped out in his mind where she might be. It wasn¡¯t too far from here, but between them lay two residential complexes¡ªone of the most dangerous areas.


    To make it through safely, Ronan had prepared meticulously. Everything would have to wait until tomorrow...


    At the break of dawn, Ronan opened his eyes and got up from his makeshift bed. Stretching briefly, he checked his backpack one last time, took a deep breath, and headed downstairs.


    Outside, his corpse puppet stood guarding the door, its clothes damp with the night¡¯s cold. Despite standing there for hours, it showed no signs of exhaustion.


    For reasons still unclear, the sudden outbreak hadn¡¯t just turned people into monsters¡ªit had also made them stronger. Ronan had noticed, however, that their relentless hunger stemmed from an instinctive need to sustain their hyperactive bodies. And their primary source of sustenance? The uninfected.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Gripping his boning knife tightly, Ronan unlatched the iron door and sent the corpse puppet ahead, following the route he had carefully planned.


    The moment they entered the residential district, the number of wandering zombies increased. In such a dense area, using noise to distract them was too risky¡ªone wrong move could easily trap him.


    The only option was to find a path with fewer zombies and slip through as quietly as possible.


    For most people, navigating this environment would be nearly impossible. But Ronan had his corpse puppet.


    With its help, he silently dispatched more than a dozen zombies before finally emerging from the residential area onto a once-busy street.


    This was the transition point between the suburbs and the city. Based on his calculations, Eva should have been somewhere along this street when she made that call.


    The road was cluttered with abandoned cars, and the storefronts lining the street stood eerily open, their dark interiors swallowing any light.


    Aside from the bloodstains smeared everywhere, the only things left here were the undead.


    Ronan had killed plenty of zombies before, but this was the first time he had seen so many gathered in one place. He counted at least dozens within his immediate view¡ªwho knew how many more lurked in the shadows?


    He needed a vantage point. His plan was to find a high place to observe from. But just as he stepped toward a nearby apartment building, a scream cut through the silence.


    "Help!"


    Ronan hadn¡¯t expected to find survivors here.


    Without hesitation, he directed his corpse puppet forward, moving cautiously toward the source of the desperate cry.


    Outside a residential building, more than a dozen zombies had gathered, hammering furiously at the security door of the apartment entrance.


    Behind the door, two young men clung to the handle, their faces pale with terror as they screamed for help.


    "Idiots..." Ronan muttered, his brows furrowing as he scanned the area.


    Shouting like that would only draw more of the undead. He had initially considered helping them if possible, but now it was clear that intervening recklessly would put himself at risk.


    Sure enough, more zombies were already closing in, drawn by the commotion. The pounding against the security door grew more violent, each impact sending loud bangs echoing through the air. The metal frame wobbled, its connection to the wall weakening.


    The young men¡¯s terror spiraled into full-blown hysteria. Their screams became shrill, desperate...


    Then¡ª


    Bang!


    With a thunderous crash, the security door finally gave way. The screams of the two young men were swiftly drowned out beneath the chaos.


    But Ronan saw an opportunity.


    With the horde now fixated on its new prey, he could slip past unnoticed.


    Navigating carefully, he moved through the zombie-infested zone. But just as relief began to settle in, he reached an intersection¡ªand his heart sank.


    A bus and several crashed cars blocked the road ahead.


    When the outbreak began, panic had caused countless traffic accidents. This bus, packed with passengers, had likely crashed in the chaos. Whether the people inside had mutated or died in terror, the result was the same¡ªtragedy.


    The vehicle¡¯s entire frame was mangled from multiple collisions with desperate, fleeing cars.


    What had happened to the passengers? Were they crushed inside, or had they turned into the undead?


    Ronan had been about to find another route when something about the bus made his mind go blank.


    A deep, buzzing shock pulsed through his skull.


    Eva.


    She always took the bus when she came to visit him.


    The realization struck like a hammer, and his gaze locked onto the wreckage, his breath suddenly uneven.


    His heartbeat pounded wildly, caught between anticipation and dread.


    If she had been on that bus when the outbreak hit... if she hadn¡¯t made it out in time...


    She might still be there.


    Despite all his mental preparation, standing before the truth filled Ronan with unease.


    Would he find a lifeless corpse? Nothing at all? Or¡­


    Taking a steadying breath, he directed his corpse puppet to climb onto the twisted remains of the bus¡¯s front end.


    Controlling the puppet always felt strange¡ªlike having an extra body. Through their mental link, he could not only command its movements but also perceive the world through its senses.


    And yet, there remained a barrier. A subtle disconnect that kept him from achieving true, seamless control.


    To Ronan, true mastery meant complete synchronization¡ªbecoming one with the puppet.


    It was an unsettling thought.


    But deep down, he looked forward to the day he could reach that level.

 Chapter3 - Encounter with Eva

    At this time, through the corpse doll¡¯s eyes, Ronan could vaguely make out the scene inside the car.


    The figures within the darkened vehicle were blurry and motionless.


    As he moved around the front of the car, he saw that the front and rear doors were severely deformed from the crash and could no longer be opened.


    Several windows were shattered, but none provided an escape route. Ronan controlled the corpse doll to smash one of them completely and crawled inside.


    The smell hit him hard. Though he only sensed it through the doll, Ronan still grimaced at the overwhelming stench.


    A sickening blend of blood and rot filled the air, making him want to gag.


    As the corpse doll entered, its foot landed on a corpse, and Ronan froze in shock as he looked down. Despite the decay, the corpse¡¯s swollen face clearly displayed a pair of red eyes. It was evident that this person had become a zombie before dying.


    No one had escaped, and no one had entered. Had this zombie starved to death?


    Ronan quickly directed the corpse doll deeper into the car but soon noticed something was off.


    Bloodstains and torn clothes were scattered throughout the interior, suggesting that someone had mutated and started a massacre. But the zombies lying around were all mutated, and Ronan could see that their skulls had been violently ripped open.


    Who had done this?


    Ronan felt a chill run down his spine. Just as he was trying to process the scene, a black shadow suddenly leaped from behind a seat. It was fast¡ªlike a cheetah pouncing on its prey¡ªand attacked the corpse doll from behind.


    The shadow moved with deadly speed and precision. Though it wasn¡¯t overwhelmingly strong, it had already struck the back skull of the corpse by the time Ronan sensed it.


    In an instinctive move, Ronan made the corpse doll fall back and pin the shadow to the ground.


    But at the same time, the back skull of the corpse was scratched, and blood immediately gushed out.


    "Fu*k... This hand is like a knife!" Ronan cursed, felt distressed after finally raising such a young and powerful corpse puppet. At the same time, he was terrified of the shadow now under his control.


    He controlled the corpse to press the shadow''s neck with his elbow, and strangled the shadow''s wrist with his other hand, while climbing up with the help of the force and trying to subdue it.


    But just as he stood up, the shadow¡¯s other hand stabbed into the soft abdomen of the corpse.


    The corpse felt no pain, but Ronan''s expression shifted to one of distress and complicated.


    To be exact, at the moment when the shadow attacked again, Ronan had already prepared to counterattack, but when he saw the shadow''s appearance clearly, his heart skipped a beat.


    ¡°Eva¡­¡±


    The shadow on the ground, one hand still buried in the corpse¡¯s belly, was none other than the person Ronan had been searching for¡ªEva.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    He had made countless assumptions, but never imagined he would find her in this condition.


    After mutating, Eva¡¯s once-beautiful eyes had turned blood-red, but her expression was oddly calm and cold, far less twisted than that of a typical zombie.


    Ronan stood frozen, momentarily lost in the sight of her. But when Eva yanked her hand from the corpse¡¯s intestines, snapping him out of his daze, Ronan''s heart raced.


    Her small hands looked the same as before, but now her nails were impossibly sharp, and her fingers were strong enough to tear through flesh¡ªan sign that she was no ordinary zombie.


    Moreover, regular zombies never attacked their own kind. As Ronan observed the wreckage inside the car, it clicked¡ªafter the humans were consumed, the remaining zombies fought each other to survive, and Eva, who had somehow endured, seemed to have gone through a bizarre evolution beyond typical zombies....


    While Ronan was processing this, Eva had already pulled the intestines from the corpse, splashing blood all over herself.


    The scent of fresh blood seemed to push her into a frenzy. Her eyes became even redder, and her strength surged. She grabbed the corpse doll¡¯s arm and tossed it aside.


    Before the doll even hit the ground, Eva was already on it, clutching its neck with both hands.


    Her movements were quicker and more fluid than any ordinary zombie. Ronan barely had time to react before she overpowered him.


    As the pressure on the corpse doll¡¯s neck increased, the instinct of the corpse puppet was suddenly aroused, and Ronan felt his mind clouding,¡ªhis connection to the doll was slipping.


    At last, Ronan snapped out of his shock of meeting Eva again. He realized that Eva¡¯s current state was, in part, his responsibility¡­


    As he struggled to regain control of the corpse doll, a bold idea flashed through Ronan¡¯s mind.


    Since the zombie virus had infected Eva, and judging by her appearance, the virus inside her seemed to have mutated, perhaps there was a way to cure her...


    Though the chances were slim, Ronan was determined to try if there was even the slightest possibility.


    With that thought, Ronan concentrated hard, forcing the corpse doll to lock eyes with Eva. As he focused his mind, Eva¡¯s head appeared to transform into a glowing orb in his vision.


    But the color of orb is different from that of ordinary zombies. The zombies have lost their rationality due to the virus and are acting on instinct. Therefore, theirs'' orbs representing their spiritual world was completely static and blurred. But Eva¡¯s orb was much brighter, tinged with a faint red hue.


    What does this mean?


    But this situation didn''t allow Ronan to get distracted. He tried his best to focus on Eva''s orb, attempting to probe deeper.


    It was different from the usual zombie response. Despite never encountering resistance by ordinary zombies before, Ronan felt a slight force pushing back from Eva, weak but unmistakable. His heart skipped a beat.


    Could it be that Eva had regained some semblance of thought? But looking at her, that didn¡¯t seem possible¡­


    After a great deal of effort, Ronan finally managed to assert control over Eva. His body drenched in sweat, he noticed that the corpse doll had been completely strangled in the process.


    As he cautiously guided Eva to stand, an unfamiliar emotion swept over him¡ªa desire emanating from Eva''s spiritual world. She seemed drawn to something in the back of the corpse doll¡¯s head¡­


    Before, Ronan had never sensed any emotional fluctuations from the corpse doll, as it had no needs beyond basic instinct.


    But this time, he felt it from Eva, which left him confused and surprised. Since the mutation can produce desire, then if it continues to mutate, maybe it can regain its sanity!


    With this thought in mind, Ronan controlled Eva to pierce the back of the corpse doll¡¯s skull. Following the pull of this new desire, Eva quickly retrieved a small, gelatinous mass from its brain.


    It looked like an infected part of the brain tissue¡ªreddish, a little elastic, rubbery to the touch.


    After inspecting it over and over for a moment, Ronan suppressed his nausea and placed the substance in Eva¡¯s mouth.


    Instantly, a wave of heat rose from the abdomen and spread through her body, strengthening her frail form in seconds.


    Ronan hadn¡¯t expected this strange gel to have such an effect. Could it be that swallowing this had caused Eva¡¯s mutation?


    After guiding Eva out of the car and back to his hideout, Ronan finally stood face-to-face with her.


    Looking at Eva''s blood-spattered body, pale face, and strange eyes that were almost bright red, Ronan felt mixed emotions.


    Although Eva gave people the feeling that she was emitting cold air all over her body and was extremely dangerous at first glance, the familiar face made Ronan feel a little dazed.


    He couldn¡¯t help himself; he reached out to wipe the blood from Eva¡¯s face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll find a way to help you recover.¡±

 Chapter4 - Undress her

    But in that brief moment of distraction, a cold gleam flashed in Eva¡¯s eyes.


    At the same time, a sharp pain shot through Ronan¡¯s head.


    Fortunately, he snapped back to his senses just in time, regaining control over Eva before she could break free.


    Even the slightest lapse, and she had nearly escaped his grasp¡ªsending a chill down his spine.


    The corpse puppet had been powerless against Eva, and if he lost control now, he would be in serious danger. More than that, he didn¡¯t want to hurt her, nor did he want to be killed by her. Now that he had found her, dying was not an option. He had to find a way to bring her back.


    Lingering here was too risky. Without wasting another moment, Ronan directed Eva toward his hideout.


    Even with careful maneuvering, they inevitably encountered zombies along the way. But unlike the tense struggle he faced coming here, this time, the undead had no chance to resist.


    Eva was on a completely different level. Whether in speed or raw power, she far surpassed ordinary zombies.


    At first, Ronan hesitated to let her fight, worried she might get hurt. But the moment they encountered the undead, her overwhelming urge to attack surged forward, dragging him into an unfamiliar sensation. The aggression and violence he once felt when controlling regular zombies was now amplified tenfold.


    The moment Eva lunged into battle, Ronan realized something¡ªhe was only half in control over Eva.


    When she fought, her instincts were stimulated to the maximum. With his current level of control, he could only maintain their connection¡ªhe had no influence over her movements in combat.


    "I didn¡¯t expect her to be this strong..."


    A deep unease settled in his chest. If he didn¡¯t grow stronger soon, he knew it was only a matter of time before Eva slipped beyond his reach completely. And when that happened, not only would he fail to save her, but he could also end up dead by her hands. If she disappeared into the vast city, finding her again would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.


    Clenching his jaw, Ronan tightened his grip on the boning knife. Then, without hesitation, he rushed toward Eva.


    At that moment, four zombies surrounded her. She had just twisted the head off one of them, its body crumpling lifelessly to the ground.


    The remaining three had ignored Eva entirely¡ªbut the second Ronan appeared, they turned and lunged straight at him.


    It was Ronan¡¯s first time facing so many zombies at once, and his nerves were on edge. But strangely, the violent energy radiating from Eva ignited something within him¡ªa fierce urge to fight.


    Gripping the boning knife tightly, he let out a low growl and charged straight into the center of the three zombies.


    Unlike the stiff, lumbering undead of the movies, these zombies were powerful and agile. However, they acted purely on instinct, making their attacks predictable.


    The first zombie lunged, reaching for Ronan, but he swiftly pivoted to the side, dodging its grasp. At the same time, he drove his knife deep into the abdomen of another.


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    The blade sank into flesh, but Ronan had no time to hesitate. He immediately lashed out with a kick, sending the third zombie staggering backward.


    The force of the blow knocked it directly in front of Eva. Before it could rise, she grabbed its head and tore it clean off.


    Meanwhile, the first zombie had already recovered and was closing in fast. Ronan barely had time to steady himself before he realized¡ªhe was in trouble.


    His knife was still lodged in the second zombie, and the first had nearly already reached in front of him. Its bloodstained hands stretched toward him, and once caught, breaking free would be nearly impossible.


    But under the looming threat of death, Ronan didn¡¯t panic.


    With a firm grip on the knife, he yanked it forward. The sudden motion pulled the wounded zombie toward him, and Ronan quickly sidestepped.


    The two zombies collided, throwing them off balance. Seizing the moment, Ronan slashed his knife upward, slicing open the abdomen of one and, without hesitation, drove the blade into the back of the other¡¯s skull, twisting it sharply.


    It all happened in an instant.


    When the frenzy subsided, Ronan snapped out of his battle haze, realizing that only corpses remained at his feet.


    It was then that he understood¡ªhis reaction wasn¡¯t just quick thinking. It was something more. His mental reflexes and physical movements had been perfectly synchronized. His instincts had sharpened, his body more responsive than ever before. While some of this could be attributed to his growing physical and mental strength, there was no doubt that the violent energy coursing through him had played a part.


    Most unsettling of all, as he stood there, bloodied knife in hand, staring at the lifeless bodies around him, a shiver ran through his frame.


    Not from fear.


    But from exhilaration.


    Nearby, Eva had already finished consuming the gelatinous substance from the zombies¡¯ brains. Her once-dull eyes now gleamed with heightened clarity. If not for their eerie blood-red hue, she would almost look¡­ human, an ordinary survivor.


    And strangely, as Eva changed, Ronan felt something shift within himself as well.


    The difference was subtle, but undeniable. His strength had increased, his exhaustion fading away. More importantly, his connection with Eva had grown stronger.


    Could it be that their bond allowed him to evolve alongside her? Apart from this, Ronan could not find a better explanation.


    Before this, Ronan couldn¡¯t be certain whether this change was good or bad. But one thing was clear¡ªthe changes he felt were exhilarating.


    It did not affect his sanity, his mind remained intact. And yet, he was growing stronger, right alongside Eva.


    A thrill shot through him at the thought. Ronan even began to look forward to further changes. If they continued like this, who knew what they could become?


    Still, he couldn¡¯t afford to be reckless. If anything happened to Eva, there would be no going back.


    On their way back, Ronan stopped at a clothing store and found a clean dress and a pair of sandals, intending to change the blood-stained clothes on Eva.


    The blood-covered corpse puppet hadn¡¯t bothered him before, but Eva¡­


    She had always been someone who cared about cleanliness. Even now, in her current state, he couldn¡¯t bear to see her like this.


    She deserved better.


    But once they returned to his hideout, Ronan found himself hesitating.


    Eva sat motionless before him, he glanced at the clean clothes in his hands, then back at her.


    How was he supposed to do this?


    Whether he controlled her to undress or did it himself, there was no avoiding it¡ªhe would end up seeing a body he had imagined countless times before.


    His throat went dry.


    Back then, his feelings for Eva had always remained unspoken. He had never dared to confess, nor had he ever imagined that their relationship would change.


    After all, he was just an ordinary guy¡ªan unremarkable otaku struggling to make ends meet.


    Meanwhile, Eva had been the campus beauty of X City University, admired by many, surrounded by suitors who were far more accomplished than him in every way.


    Yet now, fate had twisted in the strangest of ways.


    But at this time, because he had to help her change clothes, he had to see her body...


    Even if she no longer had rational thought, Ronan still felt dry mouth, his pulse quicken.


    His gaze flickered between the basin of water at his feet and Eva¡¯s bloodstained figure.


    A long silence stretched between them before Ronan finally let out a slow breath and, with deliberate hesitation, reached out his hand¡­


    As each button came undone, Eva¡¯s delicate, fair skin was gradually revealed before Ronan¡¯s eyes.


    His body burned with heat, but he forced himself to suppress the rising urge, focusing instead on gently wiping her down with a damp towel.


    "Calm down... Stay in control... No matter what, you¡¯re still human..."


    It would be a lie to say he felt nothing while facing the naked body of the girl he had loved for so long. But as his gaze met Eva¡¯s vacant, emotionless eyes, a sharp ache settled in his chest.


    When will she finally regain her sanity¡­?

 Chapter5 - Evolution

    A sudden throbbing pain jolted Ronan awake in the early morning.


    As soon as he opened his eyes, his gaze landed on Eva, who was still sitting in the corner.


    Freshly cleaned and dressed in new clothes, she looked almost the same as before... except for the eerie red glow flickering in her eyes.


    The strange sensation Ronan had just felt was likely Eva¡¯s instinctive hunger. If she could speak, the first words out of her mouth would undoubtedly be: "I''m hungry."


    And the only thing that could satisfy her hunger was the special gel found in a zombie¡¯s brain.


    Based on how Eva had reacted after consuming it, the gel seemed to fuel further mutations in the virus within her body¡ªits effects were undeniable. And if she needed it, he had no choice but to provide it.


    Thinking about it, it''s really complicated and strange.


    Most survivors were desperately trying to avoid zombies, yet here he was, actively seeking them out. Worse still, he had a mutant zombie by his side.


    After eating a quick meal, Ronan pulled a brand-new, razor-sharp knife from his backpack. His old boning knife was already showing signs of wear, and a dull blade could mean life or death in a fight. It was time to replace it.


    Out of curiosity, he tried offering Eva a sausage. She showed no interest whatsoever. It was clear¡ªher body only craved the gel.


    "Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll take you out to find food." He pulled Eva up and led her downstairs.


    The city was long dead¡ªdevoid of supplies, resources, and life. But what it did have in abundance was zombies.


    However, plunging into a horde was still too dangerous, even with Eva¡¯s strength. Instead, Ronan decided to target isolated zombies, picking them off one by one.


    As he carefully searched for stragglers, another thought crossed his mind.


    Zombies like Eva relied on survivors as their only food source. But most survivors, if cautious enough, could manage to stay hidden¡ªeven if it meant barely scraping by.


    So what would happen when these zombies ran out of prey? Would they start turning on each other like Eva had? Maybe in some places, there already was other mutant zombies like her roaming.


    For survivors, that would be a nightmare beyond imagination. Pushing the thought aside, Ronan refocused on the task at hand.


    With his strengthened mental link, controlling Eva was noticeably easier than it had been the day before. And after a night of practice, he had also begun to understand the trick of controlling Eva.


    Unlike ordinary zombies, Eva wasn¡¯t just driven by instinct¡ªshe possessed a strong desire to attack and had even begun to communicate her needs to Ronan.


    She was naturally powerful, and trying to exert full control over her would only hinder her abilities and increase the risk of resistance. Therefore, Ronan maintained only a mental connection with her, ensuring she wouldn¡¯t attack him while allowing her to move freely.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Despite her autonomy, the bond between them kept her from straying far. She remained within his line of sight at all times, staying close to him as if instinctively drawn to his presence.


    Fortunately, the suburbs had a lower population density, making it easier to find lone zombies. Ronan soon spotted a few wandering near an intersection.


    The moment Eva saw them, she sprang forward without hesitation, moving with astonishing speed and precision.


    Ronan, momentarily stunned by her aggression, quickly followed, gripping his sharp knife.


    Within a minute, the fight was over. The zombies lay lifeless on the ground, and Eva, having consumed the gel from their brains, had grown even more agile, her eyes became more alert.


    At the same time, Ronan noticed a subtle but undeniable shift within himself¡ªhis mental strength had increased, and his body felt slightly more powerful. Though the change wasn¡¯t dramatic, any progress was welcome.


    However, as Eva fought, Ronan also became acutely aware of the intensifying surge of violent energy coursing through their connection.


    For the rest of the morning, Ronan accompanied Eva as she hunted. By noon, she had killed dozens of zombies, and her hunger had finally been sated.


    But what happened next took Ronan by surprise.


    After consuming the brain gel from so many zombies, Eva suddenly appeared exhausted, her emotions becoming increasingly unstable. Had their bond not strengthened throughout the morning, she might have already broken free from his control.


    Sensing abnormality, Ronan quickly found an empty residential building and carried Eva into one of the abandoned rooms.


    By then, her fists were clenched in annoyance, but her body was too weak to move. Completely drained, she collapsed.


    Ronan laid her on the bed and immediately noticed something¡ªher skin seemed to be burning up, her body temperature frighteningly high.


    Had consuming too much gel at once caused the virus in her body to become unstable?


    Just as Ronan was worrying over her condition, an overwhelming wave of rage flooded his mind. His vision blurred, and for a brief moment, everything before him was veiled in crimson.


    It was clear¡ªwhatever transformation the virus was triggering in Eva was now affecting him as well.


    The pain was unbearable¡­ Ronan knew that if he severed his mental connection now, he could escape the frenzy consuming him. But if he did, Eva¡ªcompletely unrestrained¡ªwould undoubtedly attack anything in sight.


    He had no choice but to grit his teeth and endure.


    His body burned as if set ablaze, cold sweat drenching his skin. A crushing pressure built inside his skull, an unbearable swelling sensation, as if something within him was on the verge of breaking free.


    If not for the sheer willpower he had developed through controlling the corpse puppet, he might have lost consciousness by now.


    Eva¡¯s breathing grew rapid, her lips parted as she panted. A faint flush spread across her once-pale cheeks, and the red in her eyes deepened, glowing with intensity.


    Under Ronan¡¯s strained gaze, she suddenly closed her eyes and collapsed onto the bed without a word.


    For a moment, panic gripped him¡ªthen he forced himself to stay calm. He knew next to nothing about this virus, let alone the mutations it triggered. No amount of worry would help now.


    Through their mental bond, he could still sense Eva¡¯s vital signs. It was just that the power brewing in her body was getting stronger and stronger, and she could not bear it temporarily, so her body activated the self-protection mechanism and made her faint temporarily.


    With no choice but to wait for her to wake, Ronan had been enduring the physical torture...


    Hours passed before the heat finally subsided, leaving behind a strange clarity. The energy that had torn through him now settled deep within, seeping into every cell. His body no longer ached¡ªit felt invigorated.


    Clenching his fists, Ronan flexed his fingers, a newfound strength coursing through him. He could tell he had become stronger. As for other changes, he would probably have to experience them one by one in battle.


    Just then, Eva¡¯s eyelids fluttered open. But what made Ronan stunned for a moment was that after this mutation, Eva''s eyes actually returned to the appearance of a normal person! The eerie, glowing red had faded, replaced by a deep, crystal-clear black.


    Her gaze was colder now, more piercing, as if shrouded in an unreadable depth. The dangerous aura she once carried had vanished beneath an illusion of normalcy.


    To an outsider, she would appear no different from any other survivor¡ªa quiet, distant girl hardened by the apocalypse. No one would ever suspect she was, in reality, a mutant zombie.


    This wasn¡¯t just mutation. This was evolution. An evolution achieved by consuming her own kind.

 Chapter6 - Mutated zombies

    After the initial shock, Ronan was overwhelmed with a surge of exhilaration!


    Eva¡¯s eyes had returned to a normal human appearance, which meant his theory could be true! If the virus continued to evolve, perhaps Eva could slowly regain her sanity...


    However, after her eyes changed, the virus¡¯s evolution rate in Eva¡¯s body seemed to slow significantly. Despite hunting hundreds of zombies over the past three days, Eva¡¯s strength continued to grow, but the mental changes Ronan had hoped for never came.


    But there was still something to be happy about¡ªRonan himself had changed. As his mental powers grew stronger, he attempted to control other zombies while semi-controlling Eva. After several failed attempts, he finally succeeded. The more he practiced, the better he became at puppeteering.


    Not only that, his combat abilities were improving as well. Though his speed didn¡¯t match Eva¡¯s, he was now more flexible and could respond quicker than she could when fully in control of himself. He now felt confident in his ability to stay safe, even if Eva lost control.


    But then, Ronan faced an issue that left him dumbfounded¡ªhis food supply had run out....


    Previously, he had relied on the zombies to do the fighting and gather food, which meant his own consumption had been minimal. But now, as he was engaging in the battles himself, his physical demands had increased. He found himself eating more than before.


    This area was a suburb, and when the apocalypse hit, most of the food had already been looted. What remained was barely enough to last a few survivors. After combing through two small supermarkets without finding much, Ronan finally decided to take Eva into the city center.


    While the city offered much greater access to supplies, the outrageous and sheer number of zombies in the densely populated area made it far more dangerous.


    Had it not been for Eva, Ronan might have considered retreating to the countryside or the mountains. But without a doubt, Eva would starve in such a place.


    In fact, a city teeming with zombies seemed to be the best environment for both him and Eva to continue evolving.


    However, before heading to the city center, Ronan knew he needed to make thorough preparations. He¡¯d need a reliable mode of transportation, portable food, and, most importantly, weapons...


    For transportation and food, Ronan had already prepared a bicycle, but weapons were a different story.


    Ordinary household knives wouldn''t last long and would easily become dull or chipped, making them hard to use. A good knife was absolutely essential.


    "Wait, isn''t Emma''s family in the handmade knife business...?"


    Emma was a little girl who lived in the same building as Ronan. She had a pleasant face, and Ronan couldn¡¯t help but glance at her occasionally, every time he meets her. But since the outbreak of the apocalypse, he hadn''t seen her. The thought of her crossed his mind now, and a twinge of discomfort settled in. A girl as fragile as Emma... even if she hadn''t mutated and had somehow survived, she must have been struggling terribly.


    With that thought, Ronan packed his gear early in the morning and took Eva with him to Emma¡¯s family knife shop.


    Though Ronan had consciously chosen a safer route, they still had to take down over a dozen zombies before reaching the now-abandoned store.


    Bloodstains smeared the glass windows, the door was shattered, and the dark interior gave off an eerie vibe¡ªyet this kind of scene had become all too common in the apocalypse.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Naturally, Ronan sent Eva inside first. Although Eva would attack zombies on sight, the undead didn¡¯t target her.


    When they entered, there were no zombies in the shop. Eva and Ronan walked in without encountering any problems.


    The shop was filled with knives, though most were ornamental and hadn¡¯t been sharpened. Ronan remembered that a while ago, a friend had asked him to buy some knives here, so he knew the shop actually had sharpened blades hidden somewhere, but they weren¡¯t displayed for sale.


    "I think the workshop is behind here..."


    Ronan walked toward a security door behind the counter. He grabbed the handle and twisted it, but something felt off.


    Usually, doors like this could be opened easily, but when Ronan turned the handle, he found it was locked.


    Could the people who ran the shop have taken refuge in the workshop? If that¡¯s the case, maybe someone was still alive inside... perhaps even Emma!


    Ronan felt a surge of excitement as he thought of this. He knocked on the door and whispered, ¡°Is anyone inside?¡±


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    After a moment of silence, a muffled sound suddenly came from inside, like the sound of something being knocked over.


    ¡°There¡¯s someone!¡±


    Ronan stood stunned for a moment before knocking again, but this time all he heard was a ¡°clang,¡± and the door didn¡¯t budge.


    Could it be that whoever was inside was too weak to open it? Yet listening to the movement from inside, Ronan couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something wasn¡¯t right. Despite his bad premonitions, the priority was still to get inside and retrieve the knives.


    Ronan alone couldn¡¯t break down the security door, but with Eva¡¯s help, it became a simple task.


    With a muffled bang, the door cracked open slightly. Just before Ronan could fully push it open, a hand shot out from inside.


    At the sight of this hand, Ronan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. On the surface, it seemed like any other hand, but the faint redness of the nails and the ¡°squeak¡± of them scratching the security door reminded him all too much of Eva!


    Could there be another mutant zombie inside?


    Despite suspecting this might be the case, seeing a second mutant zombie caught Ronan off guard.


    From the size of the hand, it seemed to belong to a man. This meant Emma was likely dead...


    Imagining the horrific possibility that the owner of that hand might¡¯ve torn Emma apart and stuffed it into his stomach, Ronan felt a surge of anger. With a swift movement, he swung the sharp knife, and chopped it down with a "clang". The man¡¯s hand was severed, falling to the ground with blood spraying, and the security door was flung wide open under the force of the blow.


    The scene that greeted Ronan was very bloody.


    Inside the small workshop, the walls and floors were splattered with blood, clothing shreds, and scattered human bones. There were also two complete corpses, both facing down, just exposing the empty back of the head.


    The only survivor was a young man, who had been knocked to the ground by the door. But as soon as he hit the floor, he sprang up like a shadow, lunging straight for Ronan.


    This was the first time Ronan had to face the mutant zombie''s assault head-on. The speed of the attack was so fast that no one had time to react. If it had been the old Ronan, he would have been struck down and killed on the spot. But now, after his improvements, Ronan remained eerily calm in the face of danger.


    Despite the mutant zombie¡¯s speed, Ronan¡¯s reflexes were no slouch. Almost as soon as the mutant zombie moved, Ronan was already in motion.


    He took a small step back, pivoted his body, and swung his arm, gripping the sharp knife, toward the mutant zombie.


    "Thud!"


    A spray of blood burst out as the two passed each other. In the process, Ronan spun a full 90 degrees, pulling the blade that sliced through the zombie¡¯s abdomen upwards. He then brought the knife down with full force.


    If this had been a regular zombie, Ronan¡¯s attack would have landed without question. But the mutant zombie was incredibly fast. The moment Ronan turned, it dodged, not only avoiding the downward strike but also charging straight into Ronan, its powerful hands reaching for his chest.


    Gripped by the zombie¡¯s powerful fingers, Ronan''s injuries were probably not just superficial injuries. At this angle, Eva wouldn¡¯t be able to help him.


    "Asking for death!" Ronan snarled.


    In that moment of life or death, the fury inside him ignited. He didn¡¯t try to evade; instead, he twisted his wrist and slashed again. At the same time, he raised his knee, driving it into the mutant zombie''s chin, momentarily halting its movements.


    In a fight, even a fraction of a second of hesitation can mean disaster. And in that brief window, the sharp knife in Ronan¡¯s hand found its mark, stabbing into the back of the mutant zombie¡¯s neck.


    "Crack!"


    A soft sound echoed as the mutant zombie¡¯s movements abruptly ceased. Ronan gritted his teeth and twisted the knife harder.


    "Snap!"


    With a sharp crack, the blade snapped in two, leaving only the broken portion lodged in the zombie¡¯s body. That final strike sealed the creature¡¯s fate.


    Clutching the half-broken knife, Ronan felt as if every ounce of strength had drained from his body. He couldn¡¯t help but gasp for breath, his chest heaving with exhaustion.

 Chapter7 - The Girl Behind the Window

    As the mutant zombie''s body collapsed, Eva swiftly leapt over and extracted the gel from its brain.


    With her incredible hand speed, Eva could remove the gel without spilling a drop of blood. It wasn¡¯t until she released her grip that a thick mixture of red and white began to slowly ooze from the large hole in the zombie¡¯s skull.


    Ronan was taken aback. The gel in the mutant zombie¡¯s brain was vastly different from that of ordinary zombies. While the gel in regular zombies was only faintly red, the gel from this mutant was heavily veined with crimson lines, almost resembling a gorgeous red gemstone at first glance.


    After instructing Eva to wait, Ronan carefully took the gel from her hand and examined it closely.


    Previously, Ronan had speculated that this gel might be some kind of viral lesion¡ªsimilar to a stone-like growth in the body but with a softer consistency. The fact that it resided in the brain could explain why the infected lost their sanity and became zombies.


    Swallowing the gel might make the virus in Eva¡¯s body more concentrated, and her influence will gradually deepen. It could be a form of fighting poison with poison¡­


    When he held it near his nose, a sharp, pungent scent immediately assaulted his senses, causing Ronan to recoil and grimace in disgust. He almost passed out from the overpowering smell. However, this kind of thing that normal people can''t bear is the most delicious in Eva''s eyes.


    From the appearance of the gel, the virus within it seemed far more potent than that in the gel of regular zombies. Given their previous encounters, Ronan made up his mind. He would have Eva swallow it once they found a safe place to rest. If not, she might collapse from the virus, and Ronan would also lose all ability to move. At that point, any normal zombie would easily finish them off.


    Stepping past the fallen mutant zombie¡¯s body, Ronan frowned as he entered a workshop that resembled a gruesome slaughterhouse. He left Eva outside, preventing the smell of blood to attract more zombies.


    The floor was covered in a thick layer of blood and flesh, making each step feel unsettling. The overpowering stench of decay made his head throb.


    As he thought about the possibility of Emma being among these dismembered bodies, a wave of rage surged through him. He almost wished he could drag the mutant zombie¡¯s corpse back and beat him up.


    The workshop was filled with numerous finished or half-finished craft swords, but none of them were what Ronan needed. He searched the area for what felt like an eternity before finally finding a box hidden beneath a blood-soaked sleeve.


    As soon as Ronan opened the box, he found several daggers and short knives inside. Each blade gleamed with a cold light, sharp and well-crafted. Compared to the bulky kitchen knives he had seen before, these were not only of higher quality but also easier to carry.


    After testing the grip and balance of each weapon, he selected a short knife, securing it at his waist, and a dagger that suited his fighting style. These two weapons would offer at least some advantage on the journey to the main city.


    Even though Eva was powerful, the deeper they ventured into the city, the more zombies they would encounter. Relying solely on her wasn¡¯t a viable strategy.


    Being with Eva gave Ronan a complex feeling and subtle mentality. He didn¡¯t want to depend on her strength for survival¡ªhe wanted to surpass her. If Eva ever regained her sanity, he wanted to stand as her equal, not as someone who had merely survived under her protection.....Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Their spiritual connection allowed him to evolve alongside her, offering him a rare opportunity to grow stronger. But evolution together alone wasn¡¯t enough. As a mutant zombie, Eva¡¯s raw physical strength far exceeded his, while his advantage lay in his ability to learn and refine his combat skills.


    Through his battles with Eva over the past few days, Ronan had gained valuable experience. His recent fight with the mutant zombie was proof of that.


    But it still wasn¡¯t enough.


    As he stepped out of the workshop, he glanced at Eva¡¯s back, his expression unreadable.


    Now that he knew other mutant zombies existed, it was only a matter of time before even stronger ones appeared. Eva¡¯s rapid growth alone suggested that more powerful creatures would emerge soon. In a densely populated urban area swarming with zombies, the number of mutant zombies would likely be significant.....


    At this rate, he wasn¡¯t growing fast enough.


    "Let¡¯s go."


    Seeing nothing else worth taking, Ronan led Eva away. Even though she received his mental commands without question, he still saw her as the lively girl who once clung to him, and he couldn¡¯t help but talk to her as if she could respond.


    But what Ronan didn¡¯t realize was that, just after they left, a slender, pale hand parted the heavy curtains of a two-story building across the street. Through the narrow gap, a pair of sharp eyes watched as he and Eva disappeared down the road.


    "Emma, what¡¯s wrong?"


    A man''s voice echoed from within the dimly lit room.


    Emma let the curtain fall back into place, turning toward the shadowed interior. Her delicate features, framed by soft light, were expressionless, making her seem even more fragile.


    "The mutant zombie is dead," she said flatly. "And the best dagger from inside was taken."


    The man stepped forward, his face in disbelief. "Impossible! How did they do it?"


    "Head-on combat." Emma''s expression also seemed a little complicated. "I originally considered killing him myself¡ªhe is, after all, a relative of mine. But I never expected anyone to face a mutant zombie directly and win. I noticed them when they arrived. One was a girl with little combat ability. The other¡­ he looked familiar, but I can¡¯t place him. Nothing about him stood out."


    "Incredible. We racked our brains for a solution, and someone else beat us to it." The man shook his head, his expression a mix of shock and frustration.


    Emma groaned in annoyance. "The real issue is the dagger! I forged it myself, and he just took it! I wouldn¡¯t have bothered coming back if it weren¡¯t for that."


    "It¡¯s gone now. Just let it go," the man said with a sigh.


    Emma¡¯s eyes darkened with anger. "Let it go? I spent over half a year crafting that knife! Why should he get to take it? We should track him down and take it back!"


    "Don''t ask for trouble..."


    "You¡¯re such a coward! If I ever see him again, I¡¯ll make sure he regrets it. Thief!"


    "Fine, fine¡­" the man muttered, rubbing his temples in frustration. Then, as if remembering something, he hesitated before asking, "So¡­ what now? Should we check your cousin¡¯s shop? Maybe see if any of his family survived?"


    Emma scoffed, her face twisting with disdain. "I hope they¡¯re all dead."


    She fell silent for a moment before sighing in reluctant agreement. "We don¡¯t have much choice. That family inherited My grandfather¡¯s blacksmithing skills, so their weapons should be decent. Let''s go and take a look."


    "If I knew how to use any other weapon, I wouldn¡¯t even bother. But¡­" She trailed off, her brows knitting together. "That guy back there¡­ the more I think about it, the more familiar he seems."


    "In a town this small, it¡¯s not surprising," the man replied. "You probably saw him around before. Forget about it. Let¡¯s just prepare and head to your cousin¡¯s place."


    Unlike Emma, who remained cold and indifferent, the man seemed oddly eager about the plan.


    Looking at the man''s reaction, Emma just scoffed. "I really hope they¡¯re all dead," she muttered under her breath. "Especially him. Taking my knife¡­ I hope he dies soon."


    Meanwhile, as Ronan and Eva continued on their way to the temporary stop, a sudden chill ran down Ronan¡¯s spine. His body tensed instinctively, and an unshakable sense of unease crept up from his feet.


    He spun around quickly.


    Nothing. Only a few freshly slain zombie corpses littered the ground.


    "What the hell¡­? Am I imagining things?"


    He scanned his surroundings warily but saw nothing unusual. After a moment, he sighed, shaking off the strange feeling.


    Turning back to Eva, he quickened his pace, eager to leave the area behind.