System, do you know why Ella's power is slowly corrupting her?
System:
Yes, Master. However, I am bound by the limitations set by the Creator. I am not permitted to reveal the reason behind Ella's corruption.
But rest assured—these boundaries were set to protect you during your growth. When the time is right, they shall be lifted, and the truth behind everything will be unveiled. You will understand why all of this is happening... and why you were chosen to bear the limitless Ultimate System.
For now, focus on becoming stronger. Complete the missions I assign based on the current circumstances.
I will remain by your side, Master, to guide you forward.
—
Hearing the system's response, I took a deep breath, letting the weight of the truth—or rather, the unknown—settle in my chest.
Ella's corruption... From everything that's happened so far, it seems to be triggered by intense negative emotions. The only way to calm it… is by comforting her. Reassuring her.
But as for curing it?
The only hope lies in the knowledge the system holds—knowledge it will only reveal when I become strong enough.
There's no turning back now.
If I fail… that horrific dream I had—of Ella succumbing to the corruption and killing me—will become a dark reality.
I WILL NEVER LET THAT HAPPEN—NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT!
—
I turned to look at Ella, who had finally returned to her normal self.
"Ella… are you okay now? Do you remember what happened?"
She gave a weak nod. "Well… kinda. It's all blurry. The last thing I recall was feeling pathetic after getting gut-punched by those half-mutant zombies.
After that… everything's hazy. I remember… slowly changing again, becoming that same powerful version of myself like during the zombie horde. But then…"
She looked at me softly.
"…you hugged me. You held me tight in a warm embrace. And I calmed down."
"Thank you, Jefford," she said gently, stepping forward to wrap her arms around me.
"I don't know what would've happened if you weren't there."
Feeling her warmth, I quickly hugged her back.
"Ella… Just like how you support and love me… I'll do the same for you. Always."
For a moment, the world went quiet. A fragile peace wrapped around us.
Then, a system screen blinked into view.
System:
Remaining student survivors are located within the school building.
Objective: Find and rescue them.
Warning: Mutant zombies are still roaming the premises. Proceed with caution.
—
With caution and purpose, we moved through the school—floor by floor, room by room.
Then we heard it: a strange, chilling sound—not human, but clearly a zombie… followed by the piercing screams of humans in pain.
We sprinted toward the source. A door ahead had been forcefully broken down, its wooden shards scattered.
Peeking into the room, my heart sank.
My eyes widened in horror.
Dozens of mangled, lifeless human bodies lay scattered across the floor. Blood drenched the walls and spilled onto the floor like crimson rivers.
The culprit stood among the carnage—a grotesque, half-mutant zombie.
Its upper body was grotesquely muscular, with massive forearms and a barrel chest. But its legs… were thin and rotting, like that of a common zombie.
It stood like a gorilla—massive, at least 7 feet tall—using its arms to support its weight.
And in one of those monstrous hands… it held a student in the air.
The girl, wearing glasses, cried out desperately.
"Allan, please stop! I beg you! Please don't—"
Before she could even finish pleading, the monster let out a growl—
—and ripped her body in half, throwing the pieces against the wall with sickening force. Bones shattered, blood splattered.
Then… it turned toward the last student.
A thin, weak boy stood trembling, yet defiant. His eyes, though fearful, burned with anger.
"You're a scumbag, Allan," he yelled. "You've always been a bully, hurting people weaker than you. We turned a blind eye to your cruelty, helped you when you begged for help on the first day of this nightmare… And THIS is how you repay us?!"
Tears welled in his eyes, but he didn't stop.
"You didn't just murder our classmates—you killed Alisha! The girl who believed in you! She helped you… saved you… and when she scolded you for eating a dead student's corpse—you KILLED HER!"
He stepped forward, voice cracking.
"You were a monster even before the apocalypse. But now… now you're worse.
You're the son of the devil!"
The mutated Allan roared in fury, his grotesque muscles bulging as green veins surfaced. His eyes flared a deeper red, glowing with hatred.
"SHUT UP!!" he bellowed.
He lunged toward the boy.
But before he could lay a hand on him—
BOOM!
Ella fired a precise, dark energy beam straight at Allan's head, making him stumble and roar in agony.
"ARGHHHH!! WHO DID THAT?!"
I stepped forward beside Ella, glaring at the monster.
"It's us, you son of a devil."