Fallen Operian Kingdom, Blish City
A man stood before a floor-to-ceiling window, his tall figure reflected in the cracked, bloodstained glass.
With sharp features and an almost idol-like appearance, he would normally attract countless admiring gazes. But now, his expression was cold and empty.
His eyes followed a jeep disappearing down the ruined street, attracting countless zombies to run behind it.
The abandoned city was silent except for the distant groans of wandering zombies.
His name was Julian Drake, an ordinary, unlucky fellow whose life was always without affection or love.
Not long ago, he had finally awakened his ability. He had thought that this was his life turning point to live a better life.
Unfortunately, fate had a twisted sense of humor against him. Before he even had time to understand his new power, a zombie had sunk its rotten teeth into his shoulder.
Once bitten, there was no hope of survival. Heh, at least no cure for the zombie virus had ever been developed on Nivalis.
He and his team had come to the city to scavenge supplies… but the moment they saw the bite mark, they left without hesitation.
Julian didn't blame them; he would have done the same, and anyway, since he remembered he didn't have anyone he particularly cared for.
In this world, since the apocalypse began, survival came first.
"Sigh..."
Shaking his head, Julian tore his gaze away from the empty road. The jeep was long gone now, leaving only the wandering undead behind.
A wry smile curled on his bloodless lips, which were turning slightly purple.
'Will I become just like those mindless beings... will I have no worry then what and how to eat for tomorrow'
"Ugh..."
Clutching his bleeding shoulder, Julian dragged his weakened body toward a nearby leather chair and collapsed into it. His chest rose and fell violently, every breath sending waves of pain through his body.
"Fuck… it hurts."
His voice was hoarse and cracked in between.
'Why was I even born in this era… how wonderful would it be to be born and die before this hell?'
His vision slowly began to darken, and his head throbbed as if it were being filled with molten lead.
With trembling hands, he reached for his broken blade and gripped it tightly, trying to cling to the faint sense of security it once gave him.
But even that feeling was slowly slipping away with thoughts of embracing death.
[Planet: Nivalis]
[Status: On the Verge of Destruction]
[Time Limit: 2 Days]
[Congratulations, intelligent lifeforms of Nivalis.]
[You have been selected from among thousands of planets to enter Tundra Online.]
[Destination: Planet Cryon]
[All lifeforms will receive one Recovery Coin upon arrival on Cryon to increase survival probability.]
[Transporting in: 10... 9... 8...]
The mechanical message echoed in the minds of every living being on Nivalis.
Not only humans, but all intelligent species across the dying planet heard it.
Julian's body suddenly stiffened, making him, who was on the verge of losing rationality and turning into a violent zombie, regain some clarity.
"Who…?"
His left hand clutched his head as a violent pain exploded in his skull once again, as if it were being pounded by invisible hammers.
"ROA—ugh!" An incoherent roar escaped his throat.
His vision spun wildly, making him fall to the floor on his knees.
Without realizing it, the broken blade in his right hand plunged into his own thigh.
Blood slowly seeped through his torn pants, but Julian barely felt it.
The pain in his mind was far worse.
[3...2...1]
White mist engulfed Nivalis and receded as quickly as it came.