"It's here!!"

I sat up in a hurry and peered out the window. In the distance, two helicopters circled nonstop over the city center and outskirts, broadcasting across the entire urban area.

"All survivors, this is Military Support Command. We will conduct an airdrop shortly. Prepare yourselves. Do not rush blindly. Bring suitable weapons if possible, and stay clear of Zombie groups!"

The chopper slowly hovered above my building, about six or seven stories high—right over my rooftop!

"All survivors, remain alert and ready. We will airdrop supplies shortly. Repeat: all survivors, remain alert..."

The broadcast looped endlessly. Yet that helicopter lingered above me, circling without leaving.

I scrambled to put on my bra. In my haste, it pinched my chest sharply—I winced—but now wasn’t the time to fuss. I yanked on clothes, slipped into flip-flops, grabbed my combat knife, and bolted upstairs!

But... by the time I reached the roof, the helicopter had already flown away...

"Tch!! I almost thought I’d catch it!"

Watching it fade into the distance, I gritted my teeth and trudged back downstairs. I readied everything, but before the airdrop, I needed proper shoes—staring at my flip-flops, I made up my mind.

I should list my next steps. Writing them down would keep me organized. For now... shoes first.

I recalled... the budget shoe store was downtown, near the north side. Could I grab gasoline on the way too?

Gas stations usually have emergency generators, even without external power. Hopefully—this one still worked.

Truth was, I had no idea what awaited me there. I’d have to play it by ear. Why shoes before the airdrop?

Well... a trace of fear gnawed at me.

With my current appearance, meeting other survivors during the airdrop was likely. If they were decent, fine. But if I ran into the worst kind—those whose minds had completely snapped—what then? Trapped in flip-flops, how could I run?

Conclusion: too risky!

Just like on the 11th, when I’d urgently needed the city hospital but detoured to the villa district for a car instead.

I’d woken up in that hospital. The Zombies downstairs and on nearby streets were endless—every alley, every block, swarming with them. I’d seen it myself. If trouble struck, could my two feet outrun a horde?

The answer...

Too dangerous. Streets packed with Zombies could block all exits. Best case: I’d find shelter until they scattered or starved. Worst case: I’d die by their hands.

Sure, Transcendent Mode let me slaughter dozens of Zombies easily. But the stamina drain was brutal. Twice a day was my absolute limit—no third use possible.

And Zombies... there weren’t just hundreds. Thousands, maybe tens of thousands.

Without a vehicle, I lacked confidence to survive a trip to the city hospital and back.

So... for safety, I’d sought a car in the villa district.

Now, for the same reason, I had to get shoes—multiple pairs, to rotate.

As I descended the stairs, a low, rasping breath suddenly echoed from below on the third floor!!

'Zombie!!'

I realized—the helicopter hovering over my roof must’ve drawn nearby Zombies.

"Damn it!!"

I hissed under my breath, crouched low, strapped the knife sheath to my body, and drew the blade. I crept downward step by step...

Sunlight streamed through the stairwell windows. A shadow—scalpless, grotesque—slowly came into view.

'It’s... climbing up?!'

Yes. This Zombie was ascending, slow but steady!!

Trouble. Its gaze fixed on the steps. If it spotted me and screamed, every Zombie gathered here these past days would come running!!

I couldn’t fight it head-on. I wasn’t fast enough to silence it before it opened its mouth—unless I activated Transcendent Mode.

But... today was the airdrop. Using that mode would drain me, ruining my plans and inviting danger!

Teeth clenched, I had no choice. I retreated step by step. Before the Zombie rounded the landing, I slipped back to the fourth floor. But...

"Thump... thump..."

Footsteps drew closer!!!

Why was this Zombie suddenly heading straight for me?!

Wait—something’s wrong! Why... why were more sounds rising from below...

Identical footsteps. Identical rasping breaths!!

I held my breath, straining to count...

One. Two. Three... No! At least five... seven or eight?

What was happening?! Why were Zombies swarming upstairs for no reason?

I hadn’t made noise. Nothing should’ve lured them!

Wait! Wait! Calm down. Think carefully!

Why?!

Did I make sound?—No! Even rushing upstairs earlier, I’d stayed silent, alert from the moment I left my door.

The helicopter?—Impossible! It was long gone. Logically, they should’ve headed downstairs!!

Then what—?!

As I pondered, I felt it... that thick, clinging sensation I’d wrestled with for two days. It seeped slowly upward from below...

Blood!!