The moon shone bright, stars sparse, the night deep and silent.

This was Day One of the Apocalypse. To survive, people had to abandon all past morals and social norms.

In a Zombie-ridden world, only ruthlessness reigned supreme. Don’t be fooled by Bai Ling and Duan Heng’s ease—outside, everything had already flipped upside down. Countless souls had become Zombie fodder.

Ironically, small-time thugs who skipped work and brawled daily now had better survival odds than ordinary folks. Cut to the perimeter of Duan Heng’s safe house: two figures with dyed-red hair and skimpy clothes—the thieves planning to break in tonight.

—

“Honey, aren’t you done yet? Hurry up…”

The woman urged impatiently from behind. The man fiddled with the villa’s side door—blood hung thick in the air. Beads of sweat slightly dotted his forehead. A chill crept up his spine.

The more he rushed, the more the door resisted. After minutes of fumbling, he scratched his head in disbelief.

“What the hell kind of door is this? No gap at all!”

Lock-picking was his old specialty. He could crack safes with wire or metal strips.

But Duan Heng’s side door felt fake. No seam. No keyhole to jam. A light tap echoed with a dull *thud*—like hitting solid iron.

Even a master locksmith couldn’t crack this.

“Can you even do this? We’ll get caught!”

“I know. Shut up…”

…

“If this fails, let’s check the convenience store. I’m starving…”

“Shut it! The supermarket’s all the way to the South Gate. Who knows how many Zombies lurk out there? All ’cause you never stocked food!”

Her nagging grated on his nerves. He snapped back, frustrated.

Still, the door stayed shut. After repeated tries, he gave up. Spitting angrily at the doorstep, he glared upward.

“Damn it. I’ll climb in through the second floor. Wait here while I scout.”

“Okay.”

He scaled the villa wall—using first-floor windows as steps, gripping the AC unit outside.

Thug looks aside, his agility was decent. In under half a minute, he’d climbed halfway.

“Heh. Piece of cake~”

As the luxurious villa drew near, a cruel smile spread across his face.

*Finally—I caught this perfect era!*

*This is how it should be. Humans must devour the weak!*

His eyes glinted with wolfish hunger.

*Why are some born rich? Why am I looked down on for skipping school?*

*Everyone who stepped on me—I’ll slaughter them all in this era! This Apocalypse system exists for me! And tonight… I start with you, damn neighbor!*

*Hahahaha!*

His grin widened. He scrambled upward, the balcony just a hand’s reach away.

Then.

As his fingers gripped the railing, ready to pull himself up…

A pair of legs appeared before him. He looked up in shock—only to find a crossbow bolt aimed at his forehead.

“Wait!”

His face drained white in an instant.

But before the word fully left his lips, the bolt shot forward. Twenty centimeters away, trapped mid-climb—he had nowhere to dodge.

In the silent night, a soft *thud* echoed.

His body dropped like a sack. *Thump*—it hit the ground.

“Ah!”

The woman yelped at the sound.

Spotting her useless husband sprawled below, she walked over, annoyance in her voice.

“Ugh, what’re you doing? Scared me half to—huh?”

Her voice cut off.

Her husband’s head was pierced clean through by the bolt. Eyes wide with terror, he lay dead on the grass—a ghostly sight that nearly made her wet herself.

She jerked back, stumbling to the ground. Her mouth opened to scream—

Then, a cold blade kissed her neck. The scream died in her throat.

“D-Duan Heng?!”

She trembled, frozen. The chill against her skin promised a slit throat if she moved.

Behind her, Duan Heng’s voice came flat and icy.

“I don’t know you. What are you doing here?”

His gaze held no warmth. No ripple in his tone. Pure ruthlessness.

Her hands shook violently. She clutched his arm, pleading like a kicked puppy.

“I… I just wanted food… I’m your neighbor! Don’t you remember me?”

“Oh?”

Duan Heng tilted his head slightly. He didn’t recognize her. He’d bought this villa only half a month ago. Who knew if she was truly a neighbor—or just some privacy stalker?

“You’re that one from daytime?”

“Y-yes…”

Fear softened her body. She leaned weakly against his leg for support.

Up close, despite the red hair and tattoos, her features were delicate. Pale skin. Long legs gleamed like jade even in moonlight—utterly pitiable.

Sensing Duan Heng’s hesitation, she pressed closer. Her hand slid up his arm.

“Duan Heng… I’m so hungry… Let me stay two days. I’ll do anything you want. Okay…?”

She purred, breathy and coaxing.

Duan Heng remained calm.

“But I just killed your husband.”

“H-him?!”

She flinched, momentarily forgetting. Yet she stayed eager—rubbing her back against his leg, voice dripping with fake sweetness.

“No big deal. He was a loser anyway. Never reliable. You’re the real man, Duan Heng. Let me in. We’ll… talk properly inside~”

She twisted her head, batting her eyes cutely.

Duan Heng’s eyes stayed cold. Even with this temptress fawning at his feet, his reply was flat.

“Fine.”

“Really?!”

Her eyes lit up.

Then, his voice turned icy again.

“But not inside. Here. In the yard.”

“Huh? You like out—”

*Shhk—*

The blade sliced flesh. Her words died mid-sentence. Crimson splattered the ground.

Moonlight caught her wide, pale eyes. She clutched her neck, blood soaking her arms, staining them red.

Duan Heng watched silently from behind. His expression never flickered.

Only when she collapsed, eyes burning with betrayal and despair, did he scratch his cheek. Annoyed, he muttered:

“This’ll take some effort…”

“Leaving corpses here’ll attract Zombies.”