"It's blood!!"

This damn period that had been tormenting me all week had ambushed me at the worst possible moment!

I never saw it coming… No! I’d deliberately ignored it!

Was it my subconscious rejecting this transformed body?! Or…

No! Now’s not the time for this!!

Footsteps below crept closer. Despite the sunny morning, goosebumps prickled my skin. Damp chill seeped through the stairwell windows, wrapping me in sudden cold.

What now?

Fight? But if that Zombie screamed, I’d be dead for sure!! Dozens had gathered downstairs these past days—at least thirty or forty! Trapped in this narrow stairwell with no room to maneuver, escape would be impossible.

The footsteps drew nearer. Breathing grew distinct—a guttural rasp, not snoring, but a hollow, throaty wheeze.

Paralyzed, I watched as a hairless skull emerged around the corner…

Fight?!

Or not?!

What… what should I do?!

I didn’t want to fight… because starting meant activating Transcendent Mode. Already drained, I’d still need to grab shoes and the airdrop supplies. Too risky!!

But… I had no choice left!!

Focus… concentrate… yes… yes!

Right… there…

…

The ‘buzz~’ in my ears lasted one second. Then—gone. Only the approaching footsteps and that heavy, echoing breath remained.

‘It didn’t activate!!! Transcendent Mode failed!! Why…?’

A vicious cramp stabbed my lower abdomen. I clutched it, knees buckling.

“Ugh—!”

The pain hit without warning—knifing through me, tearing a gasp from my throat.

The Zombie snapped its head up. Skinless face. Bloodshot eyes. Locked onto me like prey. Ice flooded my veins.

“Shit!!”

My curse echoed—and instantly, a dozen roars answered. The stairwell filled with Zombie snarls!!

Run!!

No other option!

Without Transcendent Mode, I couldn’t fight this many Zombies in tight quarters!!

I spun to flee—but the cramp froze me for a split second. That instant cost me. The Zombie lunged, grabbing my knife belt!!

“TAKE IT!!”

I yanked the buckle release on instinct.

“ROAR!!”

It gnawed the belt. I bolted upstairs, knife already in hand. Thank god I hadn’t dropped it earlier, or I’d be dead…

No time to think!!

I hit the fourth-floor landing, scrambling up to the fifth. Relief flooded me—the ladder was still propped there from chasing the helicopter!

I seized the rungs. Cramp screaming, legs weak, I jammed the knife between my teeth and climbed.

My strengthened arms felt useless. My body heavy… weaker.

Was this Aunt Flo’s *gift*?!

I hauled myself up, glancing back. The Zombie charged—human-speed sprint after a brief stumble—then leaped for the ladder I stood on!!

No time!!

The ladder’s top was anchored to a bent metal rod cemented into the wall.

Below… the Zombie gripped the ladder…

No! I wouldn’t die like this—in a Zombie’s jaws!!

“AAAAAGH!!”

I jumped.

*Smack!*

My left hand missed—slammed against concrete.

“AAAAH!!”

I stretched desperately. My right fingers caught the lowest rung as I fell—

“NNNGH!!”

…Pain!

My fingers felt shredded.

Below, the ladder clattered down. The knife clanged against stairs, sliding to the fourth-floor landing…

Zombies hopped wildly, snapping at my feet!!

Don’t… let go… One slip meant falling into *many* mouths, not just one!!

Five Zombies surged onto the fourth-floor landing, shoving the jumper aside.

One leaped—grabbing my ankle!!

“AAAAAGH!!”

Finger-tearing agony made me scream. Only my index and middle fingers hooked the rung!

Two fingers holding two bodies’ weight—while this monster dragged me to hell!!

“F***!! F*** THIS!!”

Every ounce of strength surged into those fingers. I didn’t care if they snapped. I heaved upward—

“Almost!! Just… a little more!!”

Teeth gritted, I stared at the rung six inches from my left hand—

“AH!!”

Got it…

Both hands gripped the metal. But my right fingers were numb. I jammed my elbow between rod and wall, twisted—and kicked the hand clutching my pants.

“LET GO!! LET GO!! LET *GO*!!”

Three kicks tore my pants free. The hand tumbled down.

No rest. I dragged myself up. The cramp nearly blacked me out…

When I finally rolled onto the sun-baked rooftop, strength gone, I lay sprawled. Hair fanned across concrete. Staring up at the high clouds. My vision went black…