It started with the sirens.
Not the monster kind—the annoying city-wide emergency ones that sound like a robot screaming into a soup can. They echoed across the city like a countdown.
Then came the Global Notice.
> đź“Ł [WARNING: Z-Virus Outbreak Confirmed. All citizens are advised to seek shelter immediately.]
📢 [System Sync Initiated… Establishing Authority Links…]
⚠️ [Anomaly Detected: Regressed Entity "Seo Ha-eun" recognized. System Error Stabilizing...]
Inside the orphanage, chaos bloomed like weeds in a graveyard.
> "W-What's going on?!"
"The gate—it's broken!"
"Was that blood outside?!"
Ha-eun, meanwhile, calmly brushed Cheddar's ribcage with a toothbrush.
> "They finally launched it. About time."
---
đź’€ Outside: Screams, Panic, and Brainless Humans
A caretaker tried to block the front gate with chairs. Another screamed into a phone that no longer had a signal. Kids sobbed and clutched teddy bears.
And upstairs, a teenager's voice cracked:
> "I saw someone bite a teacher! THEY'RE—THEY'RE EATING HIM!!"
Ha-eun sighed and stood up, slinging her backpack over one shoulder.
> "I warned all of you. But sure, 'Ha-eun's crazy.' Who's laughing now?"
She didn't even flinch when the sky flickered red—and the System Prompt finally hit her view.
> [System Linked: Apocalypse Survival Interface (Restricted Access)]
[User: Seo Ha-eun — Age: 8]
[Race: Human (???)]
[Title: regressor, betrayed one,child of decay
[Skills:]
[Necromancy Lv. 3] – Raise one zombie (Corpse required)
[Inventory Pocket Lv. 1] – Store non-living items (Limit: 10)
[Death link]
[Passive:]
Cold Resistance (Minor)
Undead Affinity (Major)
> Special Note: Due to mental maturity, partial access to advanced system functions has been granted.
---
🧟 First Blood (Not Hers)
> BANG BANG BANG!
A loud smash. A screech. Then the sound of cracking glass.
The zombie burst through the side window and rolled across the hallway like a bowling ball made of teeth and rot.
Everyone screamed—except Ha-eun.
The janitor tried to fight it off with a mop. He got bitten. Another caretaker froze up.
That's when Ha-eun walked up to the zombie, raised her hand, and let the dark power in her fingers swirl.
> "I said... kneel."
> [Necrotouch Activated]
Corpse Detected: Incomplete Infection Stage 1
Override Successful.
The zombie paused, then slumped forward, on one knee.
Everyone went silent.
> "Th-That's not normal..."
"How did she…?"
Ha-eun stepped forward like a queen surveying trash.
> "From now on, you all listen to me. I'm not explaining myself twice."
Someone whimpered, "W-What are you?!"
She tilted her head with a deadpan face.
> "I'm the only person in this building who knows what she's doing. You want to live?"
"Then shut up, follow orders, and don't step on my rat."
Cheddar squeaked from her hoodie pocket. He approved.
---
🎠But Then… Another Notification
Just as things calmed down, the system buzzed again in her vision.
> [System Alert: You have stabilized an undead before full infection. Unlocking Unique Effect...]
[You have acquired: Command Corpse (Lv. 1)]
Allows limited control over newly-turned undead within 3m for 5 minutes.
Ha-eun grinned.
> "Now that's more like it."