The scene around was horrific. Blood and flesh scattered everywhere, the ground cracked open, and the buildings now only glowed with the red hue of flames and the pitch-black color of smoke.

The smell of smoke mixed with the tangy scent of blood... that smell, strangely, evoked a nameless feeling of nostalgia.

"Grrr..."

A sound echoed.

'Oh.'

Something. A human? No, just looking at its condition, it's clear this thing is no longer human. Its right arm seemed like it could break off at any moment, its body riddled with dried black blood. It was gnawing on a corpse. A young boy. He was dead, his eyes still wide open, as if he hadn't realized what had happened.

Around, the chaos never ceased. Screams, the sound of bones snapping as the unfortunate were trampled by the crowd. And also...

"Grrr..."

...the sound of flesh being ripped from a body.

"Hey, mister."

'Huh?'

A clear voice rang out.

I turned around. A young boy walked up to me and stood right next to me. Strange, even though he was so close, I couldn't make out his face. He only came up to my forearm, small, but his voice was clear and showed no fear.

"You calling me?"

"Who else would I call?"

"There's that thing over there."

I glanced at the strange creature.

"How can that thing be called human? You're strange."

"Yeah, who knows. But hey, look at yourself before calling anyone strange, kid."

I tried to look directly at the boy, but once again, I couldn't see his face clearly. Something seemed to be distorting my vision.

"Haha! Strange, huh... Alright, since you're the strange one, I'll ask you a few questions."

The boy slowly walked towards the creature. I stayed silent, watching his tiny back.

"How do you think the world is now?"

"What's with the philosophy? I'm not good at that stuff."

"Just tell me how you feel."

"You sound just like my teacher."

The world now? What is it like?

"A bit too much to take in?"

The boy slowed his pace and looked back at me. Even though I couldn't see his face, I could still imagine the curious expression he had.

"Too much? That's not really the word to describe it."

"Well... just look around. This chaos literally fell from the sky. Even that thing over there doesn't know where it came from."

"Grrr..."

The strange creature growled softly, as if reacting to my words.

"Hm, you make a good point."

The boy continued to approach the creature.

"Now, what else should I ask you?"

"Don't make it too hard. And who are you, by the way?"

"Who am I? Hmm, I'm ______. Oh."

"Who?"

"Ah... sorry, I can't say it for now."

The fire still burned, the crackling sounds echoing steadily, like a strange, surreal melody in this catastrophic scene.

"Click click, looks like I have to go soon."

The boy clicked his tongue, as if disappointed.

"Going? So no more questions?"

"Hehe, I haven't thought of one yet, but next time, I'll have one for you. Anyway—"

The creature suddenly turned around and bit into the boy's wrist. I couldn't see his expression, but clearly, he didn't resist.

"Hey, kid, are you okay?"

"Are you seriously asking that? Can't you see?"

"Oh, so you're not okay then."

"Sigh, you're really strange."

"I told you, look at yourself first. And also, your wrist is about to break."

"Whatever. Goodbye, mister, see you next time."

Right after the boy's farewell, the zombies suddenly rushed in.

My vision blurred.

"Kid, that's one unique way of saying goodbye."

Darkness completely engulfed me.

...It's time to wake up.