Lined up against the wall were three supply crates, each with a metallic black finish.
The crate sizes may vary—sometimes larger, sometimes smaller; occasionally long and narrow, other times flatter. It all depended on their contents. But this time, they were all similar in size.
Allen looked at the supply crates from left to right. In this case, all of them were 150cm long (4.9 ft) and 90 cm tall(2.9ft).
> [Supply crate "General" Tier 1, Cost 14 Hearts]
> [Supply crate "Weapons" Tier 1, Cost 16 Hearts]
> [Supply crate "General" Tier 2, Cost 13–01]
"Only one Tier 2?"
The reward felt a bit disproportionate after facing a witch and a horde. Besides, Allen found it odd—Tier 3 zombies were very strong, but so far, none had guarded a Tier 3 supply Crate. Could it be that there were even stronger zombies out there?
A screen appeared next to Allen.
Tier 1 – 133 Hearts
Tier 2 – 01 Heart
Tier 3 – 03 Hearts
At least he could breathe a sigh of relief that there wasn't a Tier 4 counter. And when he checked the numbers more carefully, he noticed the horde wasn't made up of mutant zombies but rather Tier 1 ones—though that didn't surprise him much.
He had noticed something strange: the speed and strength of that horde didn't differ much from those of normal humans compared to those of mutated zombies. In fact, they were weaker than the blind zombies, though faster.
"Wait, isn't that too many Tier 1 Hearts?"
Allen had killed plenty of zombies while guiding survivors to the shelter and fighting the previous horde, but it still seemed excessive.
[Host, the zombies you just faced also give you Tier 1 Hearts, but since they're more dangerous, each one gives you double the Hearts.]
"I see. So fifty zombies gave me a hundred. Guess something good came from fighting those things."
That confirmed they were Tier 1 zombies—but of a different kind than the blind ones. It was a pleasant surprise that killing one "rage zombie" equaled killing two blind ones.
Allen proceeded to open the weapons supply crate first. Since it was Tier 1, he didn't expect much.
> [Crowbar]
Just like the metal pipe, it was an ordinary crowbar. Of course, that didn't matter as long as it got the job done. Allen hesitated—should he give it to Isshii or Yamada? Both needed a weapon.
> [Short Crossbow]
The crossbow was small and attached to a kind of wrist mount designed to be worn on the arm. It didn't have the power of a regular crossbow, but it looked silent and strong enough to pierce a human skull.
"Maybe this crossbow would suit Kyoko."
> [Glock 44 (G44) – Caliber .22, Capacity: 15 rounds]
Allen examined the pistol. Among the Glock series, it had the least recoil—ideal for beginners. With fifteen shots, it was much safer than a .22 revolver.
"It's perfect for Shizuka. She might seem clumsy, but I get the feeling she learns quickly."
Allen smiled, remembering how that woman—who didn't even know how to kiss—had quickly adapted to his rhythm and even become proactive.
He stored the weapons and proceeded to open the Tier 1 general supply crate.
> [Green Herb]
> [Clean Bandage]
> [Satiety Seeds]
Nothing seemed unusual—except for the seeds. He picked up the jar containing them.
"Ten..."
When he opened the jar and ate one, it felt as though he'd just had a luxurious feast. Like the energy bars, these seeds instantly fulfilled all the body's nutritional needs.
Allen stroked his chin. "I've noticed this before, but it seems that each supply crate contains one item of noticeably higher quality than the rest."
In the first Tier 2 weapon crate, Allen had found a metal pipe, a mine, and a flamethrower—the latter making the real difference. In this case, the Satiety Seeds and Glock 44 stood out as the best items in their respective crates.
Allen began hearing footsteps in the distance—he needed to hurry. So, he opened the Tier 2 supply crate.
> [Red Herb]
"Red? Does that mean it has a different effect?"
> [First Aid Spray]
Allen held the spray, tempted to test it, but he knew that would be a waste. "It's probably some kind of miracle cure, and since it's Tier 2, it should be stronger than a bandage... though that's just speculation."
He shook his head. It would be better to go to the store and buy the information about the items rather than waste them experimenting.
> [Upgrade Cube: 'Skill']
Allen's eyes widened slightly, and without hesitation, he used it on his metal pipe. Why did he do this?
Because right now, Allen needed to increase his combat capability. After all, he didn't know what would come next.
> [Upgraded Metal Pipe – 5% chance per hit to ignore enemy defense and strike directly]
"I see... so that's a 'skill,' huh? But only five percent?"
Allen wasn't too disappointed. He knew he couldn't expect his pipe to start shooting lightning bolts from just one cube.
Once he finished gathering everything, Allen turned around, unwilling to stay there any longer.
As he exited the public restrooms, Allen was met with a terrifying sight—thousands of zombies were shambling in from every direction.
Their gray bodies and soulless eyes could give nightmares even to the bravest soldier. Thankfully, they were the blind type, meaning Allen didn't have to fight them. He pulled out several phones from his inventory and threw them in two opposite directions.
Soon, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" began blasting at full volume, drawing the zombies toward both sides. The horde split like the Red Sea before Moses.
"Smart work always wins." Allen grinned and walked casually among the crowd of zombies, seemingly without a care—or so it appeared, until he stopped and turned his gaze upward.
[Host, did something happen?]
"I felt like someone was watching me."
Allen didn't want to be paranoid, so he didn't pay much attention. After all, it was the end of the world—any surviving organization or government probably had more important things to do than spy on a guy in the park.
Once Allen left, a drone appeared in the sky, its optical camouflage fading. It was a piece of technology people had only ever seen in movies.
....
Allen walked through the streets feeling... relaxed. Maybe it was the Green Herb suppressing the virus, or maybe the fact that he now had weapons and didn't have to rely solely on his fists. Perhaps it was realizing he could take on Tier 3 zombies that made him relax, even in a world filled with blood and death.
Allen smiled as he walked. "Sorry, I wish I could give you all a less gruesome show, but it seems that's just how things work in this world."
Of course, Allen couldn't see the chat, but he already knew how his viewers would react—so he didn't worry about it.
[Warning!]
Allen checked his minimap and noticed a red dot on it. It was the fourth type of "point of interest" that had appeared so far. However, this time, his instincts immediately warned him not to get close.
"System, what is this?"
[Since a red dot has appeared, I can now explain. There are two types of forbidden zones: red and black. Red zones are extremely dangerous—you'll likely encounter multiple Tier 3 zombies and massive hordes. I recommend avoiding them at all costs; they're dangerous even for you.]
"Got it."
Allen wasn't stupid. He knew his current limits—he was strong, durable, and fast, but still human. He could bleed, he could die. His strength also relied heavily on his weapons, and right now, those were still basic, with only minor upgrades.
"What about black zones, System?"
[Death Zones. If you enter one, you most likely won't survive. Don't forget, just as you created supply crates, shelters, and the shop, Lucifer made sure to design ways to kill you.]
"You've gotta be kidding me. I walked through there before coming here!"
Allen stared closely at his minimap—it pointed to a ramen restaurant he'd seen earlier on his way to the park.
That was the red zone.
Allen's eyes darkened. "So... these zones spawn randomly?"
That was dangerous—extremely dangerous. It meant any place, even a military base or a deserted island, could suddenly spawn mutated zombies out of nowhere.
[In this world, there are only two places that are one hundred percent safe. One is the Shop—while you're there, you'll never be attacked. The second are Shelters, but you have to buy them.]
"Damn it! No wonder they're so expensive!"
Allen quickened his pace to return immediately to Rika's house—he couldn't risk a red zone appearing nearby.
[Host, don't worry. It's not that unfair. Danger zones don't appear very often. Also, once one appears, a rule prevents another from spawning within 5 kilometers (3.1 miles).]
Allen sighed in relief, though he still hurried back. With all that noise earlier, the girls were probably worried sick.
He had only gone about four blocks away, so the gunshots must have been clear enough for them to hear.
Allen decided to give up on finding the second supply crate. "Even if the girls are safe, the people in the shelter won't be."
To avoid the danger zone, Allen decided to take a detour. However, curiosity got the better of him. He climbed up a fire escape to the top of a nearby building to get a view of that ramen restaurant.
What had changed now that it was a danger zone?
"...!" Allen's eyes widened.
On the night of the first day of the apocalypse, there was scarlet red.
The wind whispered danger. The silence surrounding that place was a lie—one that hid horror and death.
The streetlights glowed with a bloody hue.
The restaurant, the hair salon to its right, the antique shop to its left—this entire little street lined with businesses was bathed in red light.
A light that didn't hurt the eyes, but left behind an eerie chill—a feeling only those who sought death would dare to follow.
Allen narrowed his eyes. "No zombies in sight... I can't hear any sound from that area, but all I feel is that strange sense telling me not to enter..."
Having seen enough to understand the kind of threat a red zone posed, Allen steeled himself. He needed to stay on guard against this new kind of danger.
Bang!
A gunshot echoed in the distance. Allen opened his eyes wide and focused his gaze on the danger zone.
"Are they trying to die?" he muttered, frowning.
....
There were five of them—two adults and three high school students.
One was a middle-aged man in a business suit, the other a woman in elegant but flashy clothing, like some rich lady eager to show off her wealth. The three teenagers ran beside them, their school uniforms torn and stained.
They dashed through the streets, running for their lives.
"Hikaru! I told you we should've gone to the temple!" shouted one of the students.
"Shut up and run!"
The boy named Hikaru stayed behind the group, holding a shotgun. He didn't hesitate to fire as the horde approached, managing to take down several zombies—buying them time but also drawing more of the undead toward them.
"To the right!" yelled the older man. "There's a bar on that street—I know it! The doors there are reinforced!"
Seeing no better option, they all sprinted in the direction he pointed. None of them questioned the scarlet lamps or why every shop glowed red.
"Look! They're not following us!" cried the pompous woman.
The zombies seemed reluctant to enter the street. They lingered at the edge but didn't take a single step forward.
"Don't tell me those red lights have some kind of zombie-repelling effect?" the girl panted.
"But they're blind," Hikaru said, frowning.
"Who cares? I need to rest!" the man barked. Now that the danger had passed, his arrogance resurfaced. To him, the three students were just kids. "Let's go—"
He turned to call his wife—but she was no longer beside him.
"Honey?"
The three students froze. The woman had been right there a second ago.
"What's happening?" Hikaru asked.
"Kondo-san?!"
The girl's voice snapped Hikaru out of his thoughts. His best friend was gone too. A chill ran down his spine as realization hit him—
The reason the zombies hadn't entered this street wasn't because of the red lights.
"Run!" Hikaru shouted, dropping the shotgun—it was heavy and would be useless against whatever was lurking there.
The remaining three didn't hesitate and bolted with all their strength. Hikaru grabbed the girl's hand, even though it might not save her.
'Damn it! Damn it!' Hikaru bit back tears, forcing himself to focus on escaping.
It was just one block—but the exit felt miles away.
"Wait!—"
Hikaru glanced back and froze. The arrogant man in the suit was being dragged backward, his leg caught by something—a tentacle. It whipped around a lamppost before yanking him violently toward a nearby shop.
"Keep running!" Hikaru screamed desperately.
Each second felt like a death sentence, but he saw hope—the light ahead was changing tone. The hellish glow was fading. Freedom was so close—until he felt a sudden pull on his arm.
He turned around and saw the girl gripping his hand—her leg caught by the same kind of tentacle.
"No! Help me, Hikaru!" she cried, tears streaming down her face.
But Hikaru's eyes were hollow. Help her? How?
"I'm sorry, Haru," Hikaru whispered.
With one harsh tug, he broke free from her grasp. Haru's eyes widened in disbelief. Wasn't he her boyfriend? How could he just abandon her?
She didn't have time to understand. The next moment, she was dragged away screaming.
Bang!
A gunshot echoed, hitting the tentacle dead-on and making it recoil. Haru, still dazed, realized she was free and ran on instinct—past Hikaru, without even looking back.
Hikaru didn't even call Haru because he knew that their relationship had ended the moment he abandoned her. Furthermore, the biggest shock for the boy was realizing what kind of person he really was deep down.
....
"People show their true faces in front of death," Allen said quietly, holstering his weapon as he stepped down from the building. His eyes were shadowed. Now he understood the true danger of a red zone.
Allen didn't dwell on it further. He quickened his pace. He didn't want to leave the girls alone for too long, even though the System had assured him they weren't in immediate danger.
This new situation put Allen in a bind. From now on, he couldn't leave the girls—or any survivors—behind while searching for supply crates. He'd have to take them with him.
"Lucifer really is going all out to screw me over," Allen growled. He was genuinely irritated. It was such a petty, insidious move—exactly the kind of thing The Devil would do.
When Allen reached the street where Rika's house was located, he frowned. Most of the zombies had gone toward the park, drawn by the gunfire, yet there was still a small horde wandering the street.
'What the hell is going on now?'
....
(Flashback)
His name was Kenji Maserato—a regular man, a reporter by trade. He had the luck of marrying a beautiful woman and having a lovely daughter named Alice Maserato.
That was the image everyone knew of him. There was no reason to suspect otherwise. But ever since the apocalypse began, something about him had seemed... off. It wasn't just the desperation to protect his daughter—it was as if he was running from someone. Someone powerful enough to track him even in the middle of the world's collapse.
Kenji fled with Alice in his arms, but his poor physical condition caught up to him. He had to set her down.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Daddy's tired—you'll have to run on your own now."
Alice looked up at him, confused. She was only four years old. How could she possibly understand what an apocalypse was, or why she had to run through the night instead of sleeping in her bed, hugging her teddy bear?
"I understand," Alice nodded obediently. She was a well-behaved girl—other kids her age would've been crying nonstop by now.
"Thank you," Kenji whispered, kissing her forehead. Then, seeing the zombies approaching, he took off running again.
Strangely, despite his exhaustion, Kenji never let go of the metal case he carried with him.
Bang!
Gunfire echoed in the distance—multiple shotgun blasts, followed by an explosion. Not unusual these days, but there were so many shots it felt like a warzone.
'Must be a group of survivors... good, those creatures are heading that way!'
Kenji seized the opportunity and ran, clutching Alice's hand tightly.
....
(Ten minutes later)
Kenji found himself cornered. Father and daughter reached a street swarming with zombies. Normally, that wouldn't have been a problem—but dozens more were coming from behind.
"Damn it, why didn't they all go toward the gunfire?!" Kenji gasped, panting heavily.
"Daddy..." Alice's little voice trembled. Sweat dripped from her face—she was reaching her limit too.
'We need shelter!' Kenji thought, gritting his teeth. He spotted a lit-up house and made a split-second decision.
The property had a small gate—barely strong enough to hold a dozen zombies before giving in.
Kenji reached the door and began pounding on it.
"Please! Help us!"
No answer. He knew most people wouldn't risk helping strangers now. Everyone just wanted to live.
"I beg you! I have a little girl!"
Still no response—until a terrified voice shouted from inside:
"Shut up! You're attracting them!"
Kenji clenched his jaw and kept knocking. His desperate banging only drew more zombies—the fence began to groan and bend under the weight.
Holding Alice tightly, Kenji made one last attempt.
"PLEASE!"
Click.
The door opened—and Kenji's eyes lit up with hope. He straightened, starting to speak.
"Tha—"
His words died as a knife plunged deep into his stomach. Kenji fell backward, staring up at the terrified family in the doorway.
'I can't blame them... no one's at fault in this world... no one...'
"Daddy!"
Alice knelt beside her father, crying.
"I'm sorry, Alice... listen to me. You have to hide. Don't let those things catch you."
He hated saying it—but he knew there was no way out. If the door broke, his daughter wouldn't survive.
'No, maybe there's a chance', Kenji looked at the metal case.
"Alice... bring Daddy the case."
"Huh? Yes," Alice stopped crying and did as she was told. Once it was in his hands, Kenji stroked her hair.
"Alice, you have to—"
A loud crack cut him off—the door shattered, and zombies poured in.
"Ahh!" Alice screamed as Kenji threw himself over her to shield her small body.
He could only curse himself. This was the fitting end for someone like him.
'Please God, I know I don't deserve your help, but my little girl isn't to blame!'
'PLEASE HELP HER!'
Just before father and daughter were devoured.
A figure vaults over the wall and lands between them and the undead.
A flash of metal cut through the air, followed by the sound of bones shattering. Five heads burst open in an instant.
"You're..." Kenji gasped, eyes widening.
Allen turned to them and gestured silently for them to stay quiet. Then he faced the horde, a look of annoyance on his face.
"Great... now I'll need two baths to wash all this blood off... Heh"
Grabbing a zombie by the head, Allen charged into the horde like a wolf among sheep.