"What do you want?"
Alex's voice was raspy, almost robotic. His gaze cut straight through the bully standing in front of him.
"W-what's with this guy...? Weirdo." The young man snorted and walked away, unnerved. That gaze—it felt like a monster was staring at him.
"Hey Lexy, I brought food from the storage," Shizue said as she approached and sat beside him with a warm smile. Alex's cold, lifeless eyes flickered with a trace of life. He smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
Shizue smiled sweetly and began feeding him. The others in the room couldn't help but feel jealous.
Why does he get someone so beautiful?
It had only been about 14 hours since their arrival, but Alex had been acting strange. Sometimes he'd stare off into the distance, lost in thought. Other times, when spoken to, he wouldn't respond at all. His movements were sluggish, almost zombie-like. If not for the occasional word, people might have assumed he already turned.
Only Luna, Peter, and Shizue could hold a conversation with him. He ignored the rest. Occasionally, he'd fix someone with a strange, unsettling stare.
Shizue took care of him—whatever he needed, she brought it. Her kindness extended to the others as well, earning her the nickname goddess of the shelter. Even in the apocalypse, she remained admired and desired.
"Hey, pretty girl, how about you stop hanging with that loser and come with me?"
Another boy stepped forward—Brian.
Shizue ignored him, continuing to feed Alex the porridge.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!"
Brian kicked the bowl from Shizue's hands, startling her.
Alex stood up and punched him square in the chest.
"Oh, you wanna fight? Cute."
Brian swung back, confident in his height and muscles. Alex looked skinny—weak.
"Aaaagh!"
Alex's punch landed with brutal force, sending Brian flying into the wall. He hit it hard and collapsed, vomiting blood.
"Guh—!"
Alex approached and slashed at Brian's face with inhuman claws. Brian screamed as a piece of his nose flew across the floor. Blood poured from the wound.
Everyone was stunned.
That was a nose.
Brian howled, writhing on the floor.
The commotion drew attention from the lower floors. A man in a clean suit—a rare sight these days—walked in, followed by a small group.
It was Ryan, the owner of the shelter. The factory they now called home had been his. As a millionaire, he had enough weapons and food stored to ride out the apocalypse.
"What's going on here?"
His eyes locked onto the injured Brian, then onto the eerily calm Alex.
"Nothing! This jerk came and started trouble," Shizue said quickly, defending Alex. The other students nodded in agreement. Better to stand together than alone.
"Is that so? Tell me, boy—are you alright?"
Ryan's gaze remained fixed on Alex.
"Is there a room in this place with no one else around?" Alex asked.
"Yes... there is," Ryan replied, puzzled.
"Good. Please take me there. I don't have much time."
"W-what are you saying?"
Shizue grabbed his shoulders, eyes wide.
"It's obvious, isn't it? I'm infected. I don't know how, but I can feel it. I'll be one of them soon."
Alex smiled faintly. The countdown on his status panel told the truth.
Everyone gasped. They'd noticed he was off, but this was too much. Then again, everyone had been acting strange. The apocalypse was breaking them down, mentally and emotionally.
"Are you sure? Maybe... maybe there's still time," Luna whispered.
Alex shook his head and turned to Ryan again.
"You're strong," Ryan said. "Anyone else would panic or lie. Very well—follow me."
Alex nodded. As he started walking, Shizue clutched his arm.
"Look, Shiz—"
"Yes, I know. I shouldn't be emotional. But I'm coming with you. I'll stay with you till the last second."
Alex opened his mouth to protest but stopped at her determined expression.
"Fine," he said. "As for the rest of you... survive."
He gave a faint smile to his classmates and walked away.
"This isn't fair..."
"You're telling me."
The class fell into silence. Even those who disliked Alex didn't wish this on him. Some of them had even hoped he'd turn earlier—those same people now felt guilt heavier than the air.
"This is the place," said one of Ryan's men, unlocking a small room. Inside was only a bed and a table.
"Thanks."
Alex walked in, Shizue close behind. Ryan locked the door behind them, leaving her with a spare key.
Tough kid, Ryan thought. And his girl's just as strong and kind.
"Take care of yourself, boy. You're a real man. Stand proud your strong," Ryan said before walking away.
Alex turned back to his status panel.
NAME: ALEX
TITLE: MONARCH OF ZOMBIES
GENDER: MALE (CURRENTLY)
RACE: HUMAN
TIME REMAINING: 10 MINUTES
Shizue stared at the screen, and her heart shattered. She hugged him tight, tears falling.
"It's not fair... it's not fair at all!"
Alex hugged her back gently and kissed her cheek.
"Don't worry. Even if I turn into a zombie... I'll still love you."
....
"H-Hey, Brian… what's wrong with you, man?" someone asked, their voice trembling.
Brian turned and looked at him with a strange, empty stare.
"Arghhhh…" A raspy growl echoed through the room on the eighth floor.
Everyone froze.
After Alex left, Brian just stood there—silent, motionless.
One of his friends stepped closer, unaware of the danger.
"Oh shit! He's turned into a zombie—run!!"
Brian lunged at his friend like a wild beast and tore into his face with his teeth, feasting on the flesh with an insatiable hunger.
Panic erupted.
Chaos descended on the shelter. People screamed and scattered as Brian stood up, blood dripping from his mouth, and charged at another victim. Behind him, the man he had just attacked twitched and slowly rose to his feet, his expression lifeless.
"Aughhh…" the newly risen zombie groaned, joining the hunt.
One by one, more victims fell and rose again. The infection spread like wildfire.
"Hey! Alex! Shizu! We have to go—Brian turned into a zombie!" Luna pounded on the door, gasping for breath. She had asked Ryan earlier where they stayed, so she knew where to find them.
"Z-Zombie? Seriously?!" Shizue cried out, opening the door with a key. She hurriedly pulled on her clothes, her cheeks flushed.
If her lover was going to become a zombie, she wanted—at the very least—to give herself to him before it happened.
But they were interrupted.
Alex still had his clothes on. He sat there, motionless, staring at the floor. It was hard to see his expression in the dim light.
"Alex, let's go!" Shizue turned around, noticing he hadn't moved. She started to panic
Luna stood nearby, her eyes pleading. The other students were beginning to gather, tension building.
"He's obviously already a zombie," Jade sneered. He still hated Alex for being with Shizue.
Shizue shot him a glare, then looked back at Alex. She let out a soft sigh, stepped into the room, and closed the door behind her, locking it.
"H-Hey! What are you doing?!"
"Y-Yeah, get out of there!" someone shouted.
Her classmates stared in shock. Luna banged on the door, shouting, "Idiot, don't!!"
"Just give me a few minutes," Shizue said softly. She turned to Alex with a faint smile and opened her arms. "Come… I'd rather be eaten by you than die to another zombie."
"Arghhh~" Alex finally looked up. Tears welled in his deadened eyes as he stepped forward.
Shizue embraced him tightly, closing her eyes with a sad smile.
If he was going to become a monster, she would follow him.
Alex opened his mouth and bit into her neck.
She squirmed, but clung to him.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in Alex's mind:
[BLOOD OF THE PHOENIX OF UNDEAD HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ACQUIRED. INITIATING MONARCH AWAKENING PROCESS...]
Alex's eyes widened. He turned and punched the door with unnatural strength, splintering it apart. Then, he flung Shizue back toward the group.
"W-What's going on?!" Luna gasped as she and the others caught Shizue.
Before them, Alex was changing—his features and energy beginning to resemble Shizue's.
"L-Lexy…?" Shizue whispered weakly.
She hadn't turned into a zombie. Instead, a glowing lotus-shaped mark had appeared on her neck.
"G-Go… I-I will… I'll find you… soon," Alex muttered, his voice dull but his smile faint and real.
Shizue burst into tears.
Luna and the others dragged her away. They didn't want to leave Alex—but the danger was too great.
Alex collapsed to the floor, breathing heavily.
His vision faded.
Darkness fell over him.
Foreign memories appeared in his head.
...
A planet where billions—no, trillions—of undead knelt before a towering figure. The sky thundered above a lifeless landscape.
On a throne of bones sat a woman with Shizue's face, but none of her warmth.
Her glowing red eyes were filled with death and fury. Her presence was suffocating—an embodiment of the end itself.
She sighed softly, her eyes fixated on the countless army of undead.
The army of the dead roared in unison:
"WE GREET THE UNDEAD MONARCH!!!"