The world I once knew had been replaced by chaos—bloodthirsty creatures roamed freely, and the undead ruled the land. Humanity was on the brink of extinction. The question was: Could we survive? Or were we destined for complete downfall?
My name is Park-Song, a regular high schooler with a peculiar edge—I've been trained as a swordsman by my master. Today was supposed to be just another day in my new high school year.
"Ah, crap! I'm late!" I cursed as I glanced at the clock. Panicking, I rushed out of my apartment, skipping breakfast entirely.
But something felt off. As I sprinted down the street, I noticed something strange.
Why is the street so empty? Where is everyone?
And then it hit me. "Wait… is it Sunday?"
I slowed down, confusion settling in. The road ahead was eerily clear. But as I turned the corner, my breath caught in my throat.
The city… it was in ruins.
Smoke billowed from the heart of the city, flames engulfing buildings in the distance. Dead bodies lay scattered on the streets.
What the hell happened here?!
Everything was silent—unnervingly so. Just moments ago, everything had been fine. Until—
"Aaaah!!"
"Help!"
I snapped my head in the direction of the voices. Two figures were chasing after a girl.
Wait… this can't be happening.
I grabbed a metal pipe from the ground without thinking. My instincts kicked in.
"Hey! Over here!" I shouted, immediately regretting it.
I didn't realize that making noise in the middle of an apocalypse was a colossal mistake.
Two zombies—fast, vicious—rushed toward me at full speed, roaring to attract even more of their kind.
Oh crap. This is bullshit! Stay calm. Just stay calm. *
A zombie leaped at me with terrifying speed, its rotten face inches from mine. I barely dodged its attack and swung the pipe as hard as I could.
Die!
CRACK!
The pipe connected with its skull, a sickening crack filling the air. I stood there, panting, my heart racing.
Is this how we're going to live? Fighting, killing, just to survive?
But deep down, something stirred. Amid the horror and bloodshed, I felt a strange sense of thrill.
Amazingly… this feels incredible.
Suddenly, a robotic voice echoed in my head.
[ANNOUNCEMENT: You have met the requirements to open the system.]
[REGISTRATION COMPLETED.]
[10 POINTS EARNED.]
What? A system? Like the ones in those manhwa I've read? I smirked, adrenaline pumping through my veins.
The last zombie stood before me, its grotesque body twitching. I gripped the pipe tighter.
Master always said, anything can be a sword in the hands of the skilled.
Relaxing my grip just like I was taught, I swung the pipe with precision. It sliced cleanly through the zombie's neck, the head falling to the ground in slow motion.
Pant… pant…
I… survived.
[ANNOUNCEMENT: Download complete.]
[10 POINTS EARNED.]
[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Sword master.]
I exhaled deeply, the rush finally subsiding. But something was wrong. The girl was gone.
Where did she go?