[Yue's POV – Midnight, College Classroom]
My name is Yue. Before the world fell apart, I was the daughter of an industrialist. My father owned factories, influence, and a reputation that made people like Tian avoid direct conflict with me.
But in this apocalypse… status means nothing.
It all began when I stood up for Yu Ming—my quiet friend—when Tian cornered and harassed her during the chaos. He didn't like that. And in this new world, where power comes from killing… he no longer feared consequences.
He awakened first, right after killing a zombie. From that moment, the students began following him blindly. Strength became law, and he used it to rule over others—especially the weak and the unawakened.
When I tried to stop him, he didn't lift a hand himself. Instead, he ordered his group of followers to block me. "Stay out of it," he said coldly, as if Yu Ming's pain wasn't worth noticing.
That was the day I got injured—not by zombies, but by humans.
Since then, they've stopped sharing zombie kills with those they don't trust. If you're not part of Tian's group, you don't get XP. You don't level up. You don't eat properly. They treat me like a burden, mocking me behind my back.
I wanted to fight back, but I couldn't. The zombie horde outside meant I had no choice but to follow them.
And then… something strange happened.
During the last battle, when they were distracted fighting zombies near the east corridor, something crawled onto me. A slimy, living creature—I didn't even see where it came from. It slid beneath my clothes and… settled deep in my lower body.
I wanted to scream. I wanted someone to help. But when I spoke up, they ignored me. Laughed it off. Or simply didn't care.
Now it's midnight.
The classroom is cold and dim, barricaded by chairs and desks. Tian sleeps at the front like a king, while his chosen few huddle in groups. I sit alone by the window, hugging my knees, trying not to shake from the sensation moving inside me.
Whatever this creature is… it's alive. And it's part of me now.
I don't know what it wants.
But something tells me…
It's watching everything.