To live or die, that is the question.
To gain power or remain powerless, that is the dilemma.
Eric stood at the doorway of his empty office, staring out into the apocalyptic wasteland. A half-empty bucket of water and a few snacks in a colleague's drawer were the only resources left. He knew these wouldn't sustain him long. If he was going to survive, he needed more than food. He needed strength—and allies.
The system pinged again, its text floating in the air before him:
[Mission: Obtain a Subordinate]
Description: Gain a loyal follower to help you survive in this world. The follower must sign a life and death contract. Only women are eligible. Rewards: 20 Survival Points. Additional rewards upon success.]
Eric's brows furrowed. "Only women?" he muttered. The system's stipulations were strange, but survival was all that mattered now. And if the system was offering him an advantage, he wasn't about to question it.
Looking out into the street, he saw her—a woman among the shambling, infected crowd. She moved differently, more fluid, more aware. Despite her grotesque state, something about her still seemed… human.
Eric's system immediately identified her.
[Target: Emily]
Status: Infected (Stage 1)
Threat Level: Medium
Favorability: 0
"Perfect," he said, a plan forming in his mind. If this system truly had the power it promised, maybe he could turn the infected into allies.
Stepping out from the office doorway, Eric raised his voice. "Emily! I know you're still in there!" His voice carried across the silent street, and the infected woman turned toward him, her eyes glowing with the unnatural light of infection.
"Listen," he continued, not breaking his stride. "You don't want to be like this. I can help you—but you'll have to help me, too."
The infected Emily snarled, her body twitching as if fighting against itself. She rushed toward Eric, her movements jerky, yet filled with a strange hesitation.
The system pinged again.
[Mission Update: Convince the target to sign the Life and Death Contract.]
Eric swiped his hand, bringing up a glowing scroll that floated between him and the infected woman. "This contract will bind you to me. You'll regain your humanity—and more. But in return, you'll follow my orders. Refuse, and the infection will claim you fully."
The snarling infected creature stopped just a few steps away from him, her eyes locked onto the shimmering scroll. A flicker of recognition passed through her eyes, as if her human instincts were struggling to resurface.
"Sign it, and we both survive," Eric pressed. "Refuse, and we both lose."
With a deep, guttural growl, Emily raised a trembling hand toward the contract. As her fingers brushed the ethereal paper, a name—her name—flashed across it in glowing letters. In that instant, the contract was sealed.
[Contract Signed: Emily is now bound to you by a Life and Death Contract. Her loyalty is absolute.]
As the contract took effect, Emily let out a scream—a sound both primal and human. Her body convulsed, and for a moment, Eric feared she might tear herself apart. But then, the infection receded. Her once-gray, decaying skin began to heal, color returning to her cheeks. Her eyes cleared, the red glow fading as her human consciousness fully returned.
She was no longer a mindless infected. She was… human again.
[Emily has regained her humanity. Power granted: Enhanced Strength and Agility. Favorability: +30.]
Eric watched in awe as Emily stood before him, her posture strong, her expression fierce. She was not the same woman he'd seen moments ago. She had been reborn—human, but with newfound strength.
"How do you feel?" Eric asked cautiously.
Emily blinked, taking a deep breath. "I… I'm back." Her voice was steady but filled with disbelief. "What did you do to me?"
"I gave you a chance to survive," Eric said simply. "But now, you're bound to me. Your life depends on mine."
Emily nodded slowly, her eyes filled with determination. "Then let's make sure neither of us dies."
Eric smirked, satisfied. With his first subordinate by his side and 20 survival points in his pocket, he opened the system store. Weapons, food, and survival gear were all available to him now. But more importantly, he had power—and with Emily at his side, his chances of surviving in this nightmarish world had just skyrocketed.
"Come on," Eric said, turning to Emily. "We've got work to do. And remember, from now on, we're in this together. Fail me, and we both fall."
Emily nodded. Her loyalty was no longer a question—it was bound by the contract of life and death.
But as they moved through the streets, the system gave a final, chilling warning:
[Warning: All contracts come with a price. When the time comes, will you be willing to pay it?]