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  • 46th Death: News

    [THIS JUST IN! A stray meteor has struck the newly built Pineapple School. We thank Montmorency Inc. for their swift response. Due to the recent outbreak, the school has been sealed off until authorities can confirm the meteor is unrelated to the incidents. Furthermore, Montmorency’s heir — Lady Amélie — has generously donated to the state’s repair efforts and even volunteered to teach French as a gesture of goodwill…]

    “Shit… We have meteors now?” Daniel huffed, staring at the television, then looking up at the ceiling.

    I guess I did good by not going to school today. What dumb luck.

    He glanced at his cracked phone screen— a new message.

    ‘…For fuck’s sake.’ He sighed, slapping the phone down onto the bed, palms covering his face, rubbing in frustration. His heart sank deep into his gut.

    After another heavy breath, he picked up the phone and opened the message.

    [Jiho’s mom: Hello, Daniel. Jiho is alive and fine here. I thought you’d have wanted to know.]

    [Reply: You didn’t have to tell me that…]

    He hovered for a second — then erased it.

    Another breath. Fingers hesitating.

    [Reply: I already figured it out. Saw a post…]

    Deleted.

    He looked away from the screen, biting his lower lip so hard it hurt. When he looked back down, he started typing again.

    [Reply: You shouldn’t talk to me, Miss An. I fucked it all up…]

    Deleted.

    Finally, after another long moment:

    [Reply: Thanks.]

    Sent.

    He slapped the phone down onto the mattress with a sigh — but a moment later, picked it back up.

    [Reply: …For letting me know, I mean.]

    Sent again.

    This time, he tossed the phone aside, harder.

    One minute passed. Two.His chest rose and fell faster, breath scraping the inside of his throat with growing frustration.

    Two minutes.

    He snatched the phone back up, typing aggressively:

    [Reply: It’s good to hear he’s alive.]

    Sent.

    He stared up at the ceiling, his throat tightening until it hurt to swallow.

    [Reply: Can you tell him that I want to…]

    Deleted.

    His eyes dropped to the screen — the “Seen” indicator lit up.

    Ji-yeon had read his messages.

    No reply.

    A sharp pang climbed his body, curling into his fists.

    He must’ve told her, right? No—he DEFINITELY told her. Fuck. She hates me too now. I bet… No, but why would she go out of her way to let me know? Fuck… just fuck… Fuck. I overdid it. Sent too many texts. Why am I so fucking—ugh—stupid… I bet she did it out of obligation. She must’ve—

    His thoughts shattered as he suddenly saw her typing.

    A second later:

    [Jiho’s mom: Is everything alright, dear?]

    His breath hitched as his eyes widened in disbelief.

    He couldn’t even swallow. His hands shivered so hard the phone nearly slipped from his fingers.

    ‘What do you mean? If everything’s alright with ME?! I’m the one who fucked it up… I’m… the one who…’

    His panicked gaze darted around the empty house, double-checking no one’s there.

    A shivering breath tore through him.

    He rocked his legs against the floor, eyes blurry with tears he couldn’t release, as he started typing aggressively:

    [Reply: What do you mean I’m alright????]

    Sent.

    [Reply: Jiho didn’t tell you what I did??]

    Sent.

    [Reply: I was the one who fucked it all up. I’m not the one who deserves this kind of talk.]

    Sent.

    [Reply: Why are you being kind to me!?]

    Sent.

    [Reply: Jiho didn’t tell you, did he?!]

    Sent.

    [Reply: He died because of me!]

    Sent.

    [Reply: Even if he didn’t, I was the reason you would’ve never seen him again!]

    Sent. His fingers nearly shattered the already-cracked touchscreen.

    [Reply: I was the one who almost killed him just because I wanted to fuck Eunhee.]

    Sent.

    [Reply: It’s because of me that he ran outside and—] unsent.

    [Jiho’s Mom: He’s alive. That’s all that matters.] came the reply.

    He stopped typing.

    [Jiho’s Mom: Regarding what happened between you, him, and Eunhee — I know.]

    He gulped, paralyzed. She didn’t hesitate to continue typing.

    [Jiho’s Mom: Do you want to tell me why you did it?]

    “…” He looked down with a deep sigh, his brows twisting as he fought back tears, sniffling.

    ‘Why’s she… wasting so much time on this? On me? I don’t deserve this.’

    [Reply: Because I wanted to fuck her. That’s all.]

    Sent.

    [Jiho’s Mom: I don’t believe that.] — another instant reply, another hitch in his throat; his fingers clenching around the phone.

    [Jiho’s Mom: Dear, I’ve known you and Eunhee for 10 years. You three have been inseparable. I don’t believe you’d destroy that friendship for something so shallow.]

    ‘WHY IS THAT… why is she so insistent!? I’m a piece of shit. Why is it so hard to believe?!’ he thought, teeth clenching as he typed.

    [Reply: You better believe it. I’m fucked up. I wanted her for myself.]

    Sent.

    [Jiho’s Mom: Very well. When you’re ready to tell me the real reason, I’ll listen.]

    She went offline.

    “FUCK!!!”

    He hurled his phone at the floor, cracking the screen even more. He swallowed his tears aggressively.

    ‘CRYING!? ME?! FUCK OFF, JUST’

    “FUCK OFF FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT.” He slammed his fist against his bed repeatedly, the bed shuddering under his force.

    ‘She’s just delusional. Always have been idealistic, she was. Haaah…’ He slammed his head against the bed, breathing heavily.

    ‘Fuck… I need a smoke,’ He looked at his pack, taking a cig, and smoking without much hesitation – the only though in his mind at that time…

    … Was how he’d promised Eunhee he stopped smoking.

    ‘Yeah, I suck.’

    “Good thing that meteor didn’t hit you,” Misaki said, letting out a breath as Eunhee laid her head against the bed, looking off to the side with a sigh.

    “…”

    “… I kinda wish it did, you know?” Eunhee muttered, not looking at her sister, who sat sprawled in the chair by her new bed.

    “….”

    “… Alright, now you gotta tell me what happened with that dude,” Misaki said, her expression flat as she leaned back lazily.

    “Why you took me up on my offer?” she pressed.

    “Can we… not talk about this?” Eunhee said, voice strained. “I’m fine. Just stressed about today.”

    “My house, my rules. Tell me,” Misaki insisted.

    “….”

    “Please, sis…” Eunhee’s voice tried to stay composed. “I just want to rest. You don’t know what I’m dealing with. I’m… I—”

    “Yeah. Guess I don’t,” Misaki sighed, slumping deeper into her chair and gazing out the window.

    “Let’s make a deal, alright? I’ll tell you something about me… and you—”

    “I’ll have to tell you why I left?” Eunhee cut in quietly.

    “Haah, you’re no fun,” Misaki muttered. “Whatever. Say something, don’t say something—just listen, then. Since you’re dealing with guy trouble, I’ll tell you…”

    Her voice softened unexpectedly, enough to make Eunhee turn her head toward her.

    “… About my first love.”

    Eunhee shifted to face her fully now, watching her sister silently.

    “…Sis?” she asked.

    “Back at the quarantine zone,” Misaki began softly, “I met this… pretty boy. He was running through the streets, chased by monsters. He was about your age. I called him into the apartment building I was hiding in… saved him, I guess.”

    She rested her head against the back of her chair.

    “I thought I’d saved him,” Misaki said, voice tightening as she bit her lip. “But he was bitten on the hand. Skin ripped clean off.”

    She swallowed hard.

    “I made him hide the bite and brought him up to my place,” she said, her voice growing distant. “He was childish. Talked about silly stuff—how he was scared because he wasn’t scared anymore, how his mom wasn’t answering the phone.”

    She let out a brittle chuckle.

    “He sat there on my couch, dying, still rambling about his school life… about a crush that crushed his heart, typical boy stuff. Like I was his mom. I don’t know if it was love, really. I only knew him for… an hour before he died. But the way he talked—” she swallowed again, “—I just wanted to listen longer.”

    Misaki shut her eyes, pressing her forehead into the backrest.

    “Why couldn’t the guys who got into my pants ever be that… simple?” she said, her voice hollow. “Talk about school. How they worry about their moms. Just show me who they were, like he did.”

    She let out a small, broken laugh.

    “I just…” she shook her head against the chair, “I just wanted to hear him again. It’s like… ever since then, I feel like maybe every man would be better if he got bit. Maybe they’d be that cute too. Some of them, at least.”

    Misaki chuckled weakly.

    “… Your turn?” Misaki asked with a forced smile, her head still buried in the chair’s backrest. “Or should I scram?”

    “….”Eunhee stayed silent, staring at her lap.

    “I…” she began, voice low. “I… I want to feel that too. What you felt with that boy.”

    She swallowed.

    “But… I felt like I’d never be able to unless I left Daniel’s place.”

    “Who’s he to you? Boyfriend?” Misaki asked, lifting her head slightly, her face drier now.

    “… I’d… I’d like to think of him as my ex,” Eunhee muttered. “I also have a boy I care about… and I betrayed his trust with Daniel.”

    “You cucked him?” Misaki said bluntly.

    “No—no!” Eunhee shook her head quickly. “We… we were never a couple. It’s just… I… I liked him. And… Daniel, for whatever reason…”She clenched her fists, biting her lip hard.

    “….”

    “Ahh,” Misaki exhaled, leaning further back into her chair. “That dude sounds like the type. Let me guess — he played your heart like a violin. Until he got into your pants, right?”

    Eunhee frowned, lifting her eyes to her sister. “The… type?”

    “Yeah,” Misaki sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “Kinda like every boyfriend I’ve ever had. They’ll say anything, do anything, just to get in there. Seen it a thousand times. Worked a thousand times too. Honestly,” she shrugged, “I could still get a job at a sperm bank as a dispenser.”

    “SIS!!” Eunhee shrieked, hurling a pillow straight at her.

    Misaki laughed as she blocked it lazily.

    “Who’re you to throw a pillow at your hostess!?” she shot back, grabbing another pillow and flinging it.

    “IT WAS GROSS! You should be mindful of your guests!!”

    “You ain’t my mom, girl!”

    Before long, the room erupted into a messy, chaotic pillow fight.

    They both laid sprawled against the bed, soon after.

    “Either way… Haaah…” Misaki huffed, “You left that Daniel because of that boy you liked, huh?”

    “Yes… Haah… Thanks for… Taking me in, sis.”

    “Anytime. I ain’t gonna let you stay in a house with those deadbeats, after all,” She replied, “I’d like to meet that boy someday. If he got you out of that guy’s house, he must be worth something.”

    Eunhee chuckled, “Well, I think you’d love him… That is… When I…”

    Eunhee went silent, her mind scrambling for words to say.

    “…. I want to make it right with him again. I miss him, you know?” Eunhee let out.

    “Yeah,” Misaki replied, “I get it.” The two looked at the ceiling.

    Meanwhile…

    Jiho stood outside his house, fully dressed, hair neat. It was already dusk.

    5:54 p.m.

    ‘…I told her I can’t go. I wrote it clearly — said I can’t leave. She ignored it. She ignored my calls, my messages. She’s still coming anyway…’Jiho stood firm, his fists lightly clenching.

    ‘I need to be direct when she arrives. Tell her I can’t do it. My mom needs me here.’

    A faint noise pulled his attention. Jiho glanced to the side, sensing it.

    ‘A car… that’s Marcel’s car. She’s here.’

    The engine hummed low as Marcel stepped out, smiling casually at Jiho.

    “Marcel… I can’t leave my mom alone,” Jiho said firmly. “I’m sorry, but I can’t go on that date with Amelie.”

    Marcel simply smiled, walked around the car, and opened the passenger door.Amelie stepped out, holding a small pot in her hands.

    “Luckily, Monsieur,” Marcel said with a grin, “you won’t have to leave.”

    He gave Jiho a nod and got back into the car, driving off — leaving Amelie standing there.

    Jiho blinked at her.

    ‘…Hah?’

    BIG THANKS to my Patreon supporters:

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    Chris Patella
    Silver

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  • 45th Death: Afterglow

    ‘I… I did it…’

    Jiho’s gaze was locked on Joon-Seok’s lifeless, charred body sprawled across the floor.’I… killed someone.’

    Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his mother’s legs. He didn’t dare look up to meet her eyes.

    [ZOMBIFICATION: 0%]

    [Rage Mode: Deactivated]

    The flames engulfing Jiho vanished. His skin cooled. His hair returned to normal.

    [You have slain a PLAYER within your level range! You are eligible to 100% of the EXP!]

    +20,500,000 EXP

    LEVEL 50

    EXP: 0% → 20%

    [CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve prevailed by choosing: FIGHT]

    [A UNIQUE REWARD is now available!]

    [NOTICE: Your first choice was FIGHT. That makes you either decisive… or relentless.]

    Reward unlocked: A new skill has been made available to support the path you’ve chosen.

    [FIRST BLOOD! You’ve taken a human life for the first time. Additional EXP granted.]

    Jiho flinched.

    [FIRST BLOOD BONUS — The first life you’ve taken was that of another PLAYER. Impressive. A UNIQUE REWARD is now available in addition to—]

    He shook his head violently, cutting the message off with a blink. His mother’s face came into view — her mouth agape, her eyes wide, trembling, teary.

    “M-Mom… I—”

    [YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!]

    A message popped in front of him.

    Stop…!!

    He clenched his teeth. But before he could even get angry at the interruption, another message appeared:

    LEVEL 50 → 51

    “STOP…!!!” Jiho muttered, his breath catching in his throat.

    FIGHT [Lv.1] → FIGHT [Lv.2]

    “FUCKING STOP!!!!!” he screamed, violently shaking his head.

    And then—finally—the messages stopped.

    That’s when he saw her.

    His mother. Flinching away from him.

    His face went pale. His breath hitched. He stumbled back, a deliberate step.

    He looked down.

    The corpse was gone.

    Lying there instead… was Pooch.

    And he was five years old again.

    This time, Ji-yeon was the one turning her back on him.

    “I… ah… no… I—” He shook his head again, then turned and bolted for the exit. “I’ll leave first..!“

    “J-… Jiho..!” she called after him, voice trembling.

    But he was already gone—sweating bullets, breath ragged, tearing down the street like the past was chasing him.

    I’m a fucking monster… Fuck… I’m a fucking monster… I’m a fucking monster… I’m just a fucking monster…

    He collapsed to his knees in the park’s old sandbox, digging trembling fingers into the cool, smooth grains like they might hold his composure.

    [… Ugh, screw this. Boyo, what are you on about?]

    “I’m… a monster. She… she’ll leave too now. I wanted to leave first. Before it happened. Because it’s going to happen. I… I just slaughtered a man in front of her.”

    He stared at his hands. His Rage form had burned every trace of blood away — but he could still see it.

    “I’m a monster,” Jiho whispered. His breath hitched. “Like I always was.”

    [… Okay, I gotta hear this now. That’s to do with your dog, right?]

    “You hear me all the time, so you know. I… I tortured him. With a hammer. Because…” He swallowed hard. “It felt fun.”

    His voice cracked.

    “When I killed that person just now… it felt the same. I felt… satisfied,” Jiho murmured. “I felt good…”

    “That he deserved it…”

    “That I deserved to do it to him…” he growled, clenching his teeth.

    “…And I still think so. I think every bit of suffering I caused him was right…!!! AND THAT I’D DO IT AGAIN!!!”

    His breath came sharp, ragged through clenched teeth as he recalled tearing through Joon-Seok’s flesh.

    [Hm. Alright. What about the dog? D’ya think he deserved it?]

    “No.” Jiho shook his head. “Don’t be ridiculous… He was a tiny mixed pinscher. The worst thing he ever did was shit in the house because we didn’t take him out. He deserved NONE of it.”

    [Then ain’t it fine?]

    “…?”

    [That player was definitely gonna kill you. So isn’t it just… a very extreme case of self-defense? I doubt a dog’s shit could’ve killed you. Even if you ate it.]

    Jiho’s lips pursed. He looked down, arms wrapped tightly around his knees.

    “Gross… What’s even your point?” he muttered.

    [Point is — you know which of them deserved it.]

    [A monster hurts everyone. You…]

    Jiho bit his lower lip. Tears gathered at the corners of his eyes.

    […you protected your mom, didn’t ya, boyo?]

    [By definition — you ain’t a monster.]

    A palm slapped against his mouth as he let out a harsh cough, his whole body trembling. Tears spilled down his face as he buried his head in the sand.

    And sobbed.

    [Geez… What a bother you are, boyo.]

    A new message floated above him.

    [One hell of a crybaby.]

    […It’s kinda cute, though.]

    She murmured it with a smirk, chin resting on her elbow as she watched Jiho sob through the digital screen.

    [To think what drove you out of that house were messages that make every other Player scream from joy… Truly… What an odd player.]

    A while later…

    Jiho sat alone in the park, staring blankly at the noon sun.

    “…”

    “I can hear you, hyung,” he muttered, eyes forward. “What is it?”

    “Pscheh. Leveled up your perception, didn’t you, bitch?” Jang’s voice rang out as he stepped closer.

    He came to a stop behind Jiho, hands buried in his pockets.

    “…How’s mom?” Jiho finally asked.

    “Shaken as fuck,” Jang sighed. “But asking about you. In case you were wondering. Those French guys showed up not long after you ran. Took over. I healed up soon after they arrived.”

    “Right…” Jiho muttered to himself.

    A pause stretched between them.

    Then—

    “…It…” Jang took a breath, his voice low. “It should’ve been me.”

    Jiho blinked, then turned slightly. “…You wanted to be the one to die?”

    “Oh shut the fuck up,” Jang muttered. “I mean—I should’ve been the one to kill him.”

    Jiho inhaled deeply. “Why? Was he a kid you used to bully?”

    He chuckled, but there was no humor behind it.

    “Maybe a nerd you never finished tormenting?”

    “Or some mafia scum you used to deal with?”

    “Or maybe…” Jiho looked down at his hands. “…you’re just hungry for it. The kill.”

    Another moment of silence. Jang recalled how Jiho tore through Joon-Seok’s flesh. Now looking at Jiho lowering his head.

    “I…” Jang’s voice shivered. Jiho, noticing the change, slightly turned again.

    “…I was the nerd, twink.” Jang said quietly, looking away.

    “I was the— the fucking nerd.”

    Jiho kept his head half-turned toward him, silent.

    “I was the kid who got his lunch money stolen. Had cigarettes put out on him… and worse.” Jang took a deep breath.

    “That guy back there? Talk about bad luck. That was Joon-Seok. The main asshole.”

    His voice wavered.

    “He put me in a wheelchair before I ever met you. My parents disowned me. I lived with my uncle after that. Back in school, Joon-Seok had connections—people in high places. My parents kicked me out like it was part of their morning routine.”

    “Pieces of shit. Motherfuckers.” He spat to the side.

    “…Huh,” Jiho muttered.

    “HUH!?” Jang narrowed his eyes. “What the fuck kinda response is that?!”

    “Nothing. Just… Realized I’ve got it real good, that’s all.”

    “You motherfucker—did you just use my trauma as a stepping stone?! AND BE MORE SURPRISED!! I JUST REVEALED SOME REALLY BIG SHIT!!” Jang waved his arms erratically.

    “Well…” Jiho scratched his chin. “I can’t say I’m surprised. I always kinda assumed you were bullied… and lying about it.”

    “THE FUCK!?” Jang stepped forward, vein practically throbbing on his temple.

    “I mean… you were really over the top,” Jiho continued, unfazed. “Like a child’s idea of what a bully should act like.”

    “MOTHERFUCKER! YOU’VE BEEN CUCKED, YOU DON’T GET TO TALK!” Jang shouted.

    Jiho pursed his lips. “I never said I’m better than you, hyung. Why are you so mad?”

    “You… MOTHER… FUCKER… It’s like being a troll is your default state!”

    Despite the outburst, Jiho felt a bit smug.

    And Jang—though shouting—seemed oddly at ease.

    Not long after, the two walked together in silence.

    “You don’t have to escort me, hyung,” Jiho said, glancing up at him.

    “That’s not it,” Jang replied as they came to a stop in front of Jiho’s house.

    “My… uh, place…” Jang swallowed and pointed off to the side. “They put it over there.”

    He looked away, avoiding Jiho’s gaze.

    But after a moment, Jang glanced back and caught Jiho’s reaction—a faint smile.

    “They put us close, huh?” Jiho said with a light chuckle.

    “F-FUCKER! YOU THINK I ASKED FOR THIS?! SCREW YOU. I’M GOING TO BED,” Jang barked before storming off toward his own house.

    Jiho exhaled and turned toward his door. ‘Looks like Marcel and the others already left. I figured they’d still be here, based on what hyung said… he thought, approaching the entrance.’

    ‘I sense people inside. No hostility, though… Wait—can I detect hostility now?’

    He opened the door.

    “…What…?” Jiho’s eyes narrowed as he stepped through the door.

    Yuna was bowing deeply before his mother, while Seokjin knelt beside her, his forehead pressed firmly to the floor.

    “PLEASE, MISS AN! PLEASE ACCEPT MY GRATITUDE FOR RAISING A SON AS GOOD AS JIHO! HE SAVED BOTH OUR LIVES!”

    “Ah… haha… I… I’m sure he’ll be glad to hear that… haha…” Ji-yeon replied, scratching her neck with a nervous smile.

    “I’m… sorry, miss…” Yuna murmured. “He can be a bit overzealous, but… I agree.”

    Ji-yeon’s gaze shifted. She looked up—and froze.

    “Ah! Jiho!” she called out, eyes wide.

    Here we go… Jiho braced himself.

    “Mom, I—”

    “I was worried sick when you ran off like that!” she rushed forward, brushing past Yuna and Seokjin, reaching out to him.

    Her hand rose toward his face.

    He flinched—sharply, instinctively.

    “I… I’m… You shouldn’t…” Jiho looked away, his pulse pounding in his ears. “I… I’m—”

    “My son.” Her voice cut through his spiral as she cupped his cheek anyway. “Just…”

    Her voice trembled.

    She gently turned his face toward hers.

    “Try… not to show…” She swallowed. Then shook her head quickly. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”

    Jiho stared at her, hearing the words she didn’t say—don’t show that side again… please…

    He slowly raised his hand and pressed it over hers.

    ‘I heard you, Mom. Alright…’

    ‘I won’t use it… If I can help it.’

    BIG THANKS to my Patreon supporters:

    SparkyZinger

    Chris Patella

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  • 44.5th Death: A Talk

    Hello! This is a small extra I decided to do – where Jiho talks to another character of mine. You can skip it if you want : )

    Hope you enjoy!

    Jiho sat in front of his computer, fingers fidgeting, unable to sleep. Tomorrow, he would start at his new school—Pineapple. An hour ago, he had said goodbye to Eunhee. Not forever. He knew he’d see her again in school.

    But he didn’t know how to act when that happened.

    ‘Why do I even do this?’ he thought, pressing his lips together with doubt. Still, his hands moved on their own, and he began typing:

    “How to deal with crush fallout… the type where your best friend goes out with your crush behind your back, and now you don’t know how to talk to them. Or if you even should.”

    He hit enter and waited for Boogle to load.

    ‘There’s no way something this specific exists. It’s too ridiculous…’

    And then—there it was. A strange-looking site. Japanese in origin, but auto-translated into Korean.

    ‘What the…?’ Jiho squinted. ‘This is exactly what I typed… Word for word?!’

    He clicked.

    ‘What a weird website…’ The banner was plastered with bizarre ads—every single one featuring the same smug-looking guy.

    ‘Anti… NTR…? Anti-NTR Man’s Official Website…?’

    A chill ran down his spine. Every part of him said to close the tab. It was sketchy. Probably run by some lunatic.

    And yet… he scrolled.

    At the bottom, he saw a public chatroom: “Ask a Love Specialist Anything.”

    ‘This is so wrong. I should leave. What kind of person even makes something like this…?’

    But he didn’t.

    ‘I searched for it,’ he told himself. ‘So what if it’s dumb? Whatever.’

    He exhaled, and began typing.

    [02:01 AM] Guest03: Hello. I’m Jiho. How do I talk to my crush after she betrayed me?

    [02:01 AM] Guest03: I mean, she didn’t really betray me. My best friend did. They got together behind my back. And now she says she can’t leave him—even after finding out he lied to her about me. What am I supposed to make of that?

    [02:02 AM] Guest03: I kinda know what I should think… I just don’t know how to act. I’m transferring schools tomorrow. They’ll both be there. I don’t want to make a fool of myself.

    [02:02 AM] Guest03: I mean, it’s not like I care anymore. Not about her. Not about him. I just… I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel.

    Jiho waited a few seconds.

    ‘This is so stupid. It’s 2AM—both here and in Japan. There’s no point. I should just try to—’

    Ding!

    ‘N-No way… He responded!?’

    [02:03 AM] NotYuuto (moderator):

    Sounds like they both were your friends, esteemed visitor—even that crush of yours. Am I right?

    Jiho gulped.

    [02:03 AM] Guest03:

    Yes! They were! Both of them, for 10 years! I’m in high school now. I liked her for a long time and told my best friend about it. He just told me not to confess—said it would ruin what we had.

    But it turns out he was dating her all along.

    [02:03 AM] NotYuuto:

    Well, betrayal can come outta nowhere. No surprise there.

    Remember a thumb rule for next time: Love advice should come from someone who doesn’t—and more importantly, can’t—love the same person you do.

    [02:04 AM] Guest03:

    What do you mean!? Daniel was a chick magnet! He knew both of us for 10 years—why would he go for Eunhee when he could go for any girl out there?

    [02:04 AM] NotYuuto:

    No clue.

    But is your Eunhee really in the category of “any girl”?

    ‘..!!’ Jiho’s eyes widened. And the odd person kept typing.

    [02:04 AM] NotYuuto:

    Take a moment. Think. He must’ve had some reason for courting her behind your back.

    Something you haven’t seen yet.

    [02:06 AM] Guest03:

    There’s… nothing! Maybe… he fell for her too?

    [02:06 AM] NotYuuto:

    Unlikely. You told him you had a crush on her, didn’t you?

    Courting her behind your back knowing that… Nah. Dude didn’t do it out of love; at least – not the pure, selfless, caring kind.

    Take it with a grain of salt—since I’m not there personally— but I’d wager he did it because he felt like his dick might be too small compared to yours.

    Felt the need to devalue you in her eyes. To take control of the dynamic. And the need to take control usually comes from fear.

    Anything come to mind he might’ve been afraid of?

    Jiho looked down, baffled.

    ‘Daniel… isn’t scared of anything!’ his mind scrambled.

    [02:11 AM] NotYuuto:

    Well, maybe it’s not even worth figuring out, esteemed visitor.

    The reply appeared.

    Jiho stared at the screen.

    [02:11 AM] NotYuuto:

    Whatever his reasons were, the fact stands.

    [02:11 AM] NotYuuto:

    He betrayed you.

    And Eunhee isn’t worth your time either—considering she kept it from you.
    It means, whatever her reasons were… You weren’t more important than any of them. His manipulation was stronger than whatever you think you two might’ve had.

    Jiho clenched his teeth.

    [02:11 AM] NotYuuto:

    So you owe them nothing.

    [02:11 AM] NotYuuto:

    A person like that… Deserves to have his ass baseballed.

    ….

    [02:21 AM] Guest03:
    What if I were the same as him? What if I manipulated too? Would I be with her right now?

    The screen blinked.

    NotYuuto is typing…

    Jiho’s heart pounded in his ears. He hesitated—and then closed the tab.

    He turned off the computer. Something told him… he shouldn’t see the answer.

    Not tonight.

    —— Meanwhile, in Japan ——

    Yuuto stared at the screen.

    ‘Huh. Guess the kid wasn’t ready for the truth…’ he muttered, watching the guest count drop to zero.

    He looked at the message he never got to send.

    [TYPING] NotYuuto:

    Practical. Efficient. And yeah—probably the right answer. But you’re human; and most importantly – you’re not me. You can’t manipulate forever. At some point, the mask breaks.

    Nah.

    Just find someone who loves you for who you are.

    BIG THANKS to my Patreon supporters:

    SparkyZinger

    Chris Patella

    Want to support me?

    patreon.com/Hazy_0832

  • 44th Death: The Making Of A Killer, Part 2

    So, this is when I decided to start using a new AI image generation engine to bring some of my characters to life since, as you’ve seen, I’m a terrible drawer!
    I figured this would be the best way to do it, and honestly, the results were amazing.
    Just to clarify: I have nothing but respect for traditional artists.
    This is simply a tool I’m using to bring my novel to the next level without burning my wallet on commissions that might not even result in something I love.

    Hope you enjoy the chapter!

    “Jiho? You good?” Daniel asked, settling into the seat beside him as Jiho blinked, shaking off the remnants of a dream during the bus ride.

    “Ah… yeah, yeah.” Jiho rubbed his face and leaned against the window. “Just had a weird dream. Like… really weird.”

    A beat passed.

    “Daniel,” Jiho muttered.

    “Yeah?”

    “Why are you staying with me and Eunhee?” Jiho’s voice came out rough, low.

    “…What?” Daniel’s expression tightened. Behind Jiho’s back, his eyes narrowed. “Am I killing your vibe with her or something?” he asked, a subtle growl laced in his tone.

    “Uh, no?” Jiho raised a brow, watching the blurred, rain-soaked scenery roll by. “You’ve got tons of friends, right? Doesn’t it get… boring?”

    Daniel’s body relaxed slightly. He let out a breath.

    “Ah… Haha. You meant it like that.” He chuckled. “Nah, I’m not bored. It’s chill, man.”

    “…You sure?” Jiho glanced at him.

    “Yeah, yeah. Jesus, Jiho,” Daniel laughed, easing back in his seat. “You need to be more specific when you talk.”

    He leaned his head back.

    “Because not everyone’s like me,” he added, quieter now. “If someone else heard you say that, they might think you’re accusing them of something.”

    “…O-kay…?”

    Daniel’s gaze drifted out the window. “Some people,” he murmured, “just aren’t willing to listen. No matter what you say.”

    A silence fell between them before Daniel added under his breath—

    “Some people can’t listen to reason.”

    ————————————————-

    Groggy. Jiho woke up. His vision swam, but the cold floor beneath him felt familiar.

    ‘You didn’t answer my question.. Daniel. Why did you even stay with us?’

    This was his house.

    Next to him lay Jang—bloody, beaten, barely breathing. Each breath came out as a strained wheeze, blood bubbling at the corner of his mouth.

    ‘Hyung…’ Jiho’s heart clenched. Jang looked barely alive.

    “Ah, your son’s awake!” a cheerful voice rang out from across the room.

    Jiho slowly turned his head. Every motion felt heavy, foreign.

    [PARALYZATION: YOU ARE NOW UNABLE TO MOVE!]

    The living room. That man—the one who attacked him—sat neatly on the couch. Across from him,

    Jiho’s mother sat trembling. Unharmed… but paralyzed by fear, her wide eyes locked onto Jiho.

    “Ji…ho…” she whispered, her voice cracked with dread.

    “Now we can start.” Joon-Seok grinned, licking his lips as he stared.

    ‘Some people can’t listen to reason…’

    ‘Yeah. I’m one of them, Daniel.’

    ‘Because even if there was anything… I wouldn’t hear it right now. Not you, not mom, not Pooch would be able to change my mind.’

    ‘I’ve decided.’ Jiho’s gaze sharpened.

    ‘This bastard isn’t making it out of here alive.’

    Joon-Seok tilted his head. “What’s that look for…? Don’t make me be more forceful than I need to.”

    [CHOOSE SUBCLASS.]

    🔻 Subclass: The Untriggered

    Subclass Mechanics:

    🧠 Active Skill – Everyone’s Got a Choice

    “You decide. But you only get one chance.”

    COST: None

    DURATION: 30 seconds

    COOLDOWN: 3 hours

    Upon activation, time halts before a hostile encounter. You are presented with two paths:

    ▸ [FIGHT] – LV.1

    Lock into a lethal encounter. Grants a temporary stat boost scaling with skill level.

    Failure to kill the target = instant death.

    Success = EXP + unique subclass bonus.

    ▸ [DISARM] – LV.1

    Attempt to…

    Jiho didn’t bother reading the rest.

    ‘Untriggered.’ He locked the word in his mind.

    [YOU ARE NOW “THE UNTRIGGERED.” More skills are now available!]

    His eyes met Joon-Seok’s.

    ‘Use skill… Everyone’s Got a Choice.’

    [ACTIVE SKILL: EVERYONE’S GOT A CHOICE – ACTIVATED.]

    Time stopped.

    Two options appeared before him—etched into glowing stone like commandments:

    ▸ [FIGHT]

    ▸ [DISARM]

    Jiho didn’t hesitate.

    ‘FIGHT.’

    [BACKGROUND MUSIC: Rammstein – Sonne [SLOWED] Best Part]

    [STAT BOOST GRANTED. LETHAL PATH LOCKED.]

    [YOU MUST NOW KILL YOUR OPPONENT OR DIE.]

    [GODSPEED, PLAYER.]

    Level: 50

    Stat Points Available: 280

    [Strength]: 100 (+10)

    [Agility]: 100 (+10)

    [Vitality]: 100 (+10)

    [Perception]: 100 (+10)

    [Intelligence]: 25 (+10)

    [YOUR VITALITY HAS SURPASSED 100!]

    [STATUS EFFECT ATTACKS ARE NOW USELESS ON YOU!]

    [YOU ARE NO LONGER PARALYZED.]

    Jiho began to rise.

    “What…?” Joon-Seok muttered, tilting his head, watching Jiho stand like something had gone terribly wrong.

    ‘Activate Rage Mode,’ Jiho commanded silently.

    His body ignited—violent, unholy flames tinged with red engulfing him. Skin melted from his lips, his eyelids, his cheeks. Flesh peeled away in sheets, revealing blood-slick muscle beneath.

    But his body didn’t dissolve.

    The flesh remained—charred, seared, and grotesquely clinging to him.

    It wasn’t disintegration.

    It was mutation.

    Like a…

    “ZOMBIE…!” Joon-Seok shouted, his voice cracking.

    “̶̳̻̦̓G̸̭̙̦̓͊R̵̡̖̥̝̔̓̈́̂.̶̢̟̞̙͋́͌R̵͓͐.̴͈̠̈̀.̷̺̪͙̟̎.̵̤̚.̶̮̙̱̄̀̚.̴̣͒R̶̙̫͚͑̈́͗͂.̵͙͔̳̦̽Ŕ̴̨̝̰.̷͕̥̼̜̈.̵̭̅̄.̵̘̠̈́̋̋.̶̼̣͖͊̐̕”̷̗̻̲͒͂͠͝

    Jiho growled—more static than sound—as the last fragments of skin fell to the floor.

    Across the room, Jiho’s mother clamped her hands over her mouth, eyes wide, her breath caught in her throat.

    Jang, barely conscious, turned his head. Through the blur of blood and haze, he saw Jiho—ablaze, skeletal, barely human.

    His lips trembled.

    ‘…Twink… You used Rage Mode… here…?’

    A single tear slipped down his cheek.

    ‘That’s… so badass.’

    “Kill…” Jang wheezed. “Him… t…wink…”

    Jiho snarled through what remained of his teeth, voice fractured and distorted—no longer his own—as his burning eyes locked onto Joon-Seok

    Jiho snarled through what remained of his teeth, voice fractured and distorted—no longer his own—as his burning eyes locked onto Joon-Seok.

    It was then—

    —for the first time in his life…

    Joon-Seok felt fear.

    “SKILL!” he shouted, instincts firing. His high Perception screamed at him—you won’t survive unless you act now.

    “BLOOD BARRIER!“

    A crimson dome surged around him and Jiho’s mother, pulsing with power.

    [NO ONE CAN BREAK THIS SHIELD FOR AT LEAST 1 MINUTE—]

    Glass shattered.

    Jiho’s flaming fist punched straight through the barrier——and clamped around Joon-Seok’s throat like a vice.

    A message flickered before Jiho’s eyes:

    [YOUR STRENGTH HAS SURPASSED 100.]

    [ALL PHYSICAL ATTACKS ARE NOW GUARANTEED TO HIT.]

    “Shit… Get… GET AWAY FROM ME!!!” Joon-Seok screamed, his skin searing as Jiho’s flames licked across his body.

    GET AWAY FROM ME!!!" Joon-Seok screamed, his skin searing as Jiho's flames licked across his body

    Jiho didn’t move.

    His burning eyes locked on Joon-Seok, who flailed—striking, kicking, thrashing——but couldn’t escape.

    Jiho’s voice cracked through the distortion, barely recognizable:

    “̶̗̙̞̼̓̓͛.̴̳̮̓̉.̸̡̛̹͉̙̎͛.̵͉͚̣̃̈́͘͝.̴̦̲̰̈́̓”̶̵̵̢͕̥͙̩̰̜̣̘͇̙̺̓̄̑̑̓̔̊̇͂͠͝”̴̖̓Ĩ̵̩̬̑ͅ ̷̰̫͓̥̽̂̓͊Ạ̷̡̱̎̂M̶̱̦̂̂ ̴̫̯́̇͂̿ͅS̶̖͙̼̓̓̔̈́O̸̖̾Ŕ̵̙͖̭̙͑Ŗ̸̘̿͘̕Y̶̡͑,̴̫͔̕ ̸͕̳̏M̴͖̫̤̊O̴̬̫̬͆͝M̷͈̓͐̃.̵͈̳̠͂̌̃̃”̵̶̴̡̢̛̬̺̥̤̰̤͔̹̼̉̋͊̂̓̎̃̓̒͠”̴̨̧͓́̒̾̈́.̵̪̥̤̒̊͘.̵̻̫̝̐͜.̵̨̑̇͋̂ ̷̹͖͛ͅI̸͈̺̱͚̽̆ ̵̙̝̰̳͒̇̈͐W̵̖̓̔̊͠Ï̵̤͖̥L̷̹̣̣̣͐́́̊L̷̡̺̈ ̷͚̦͈̜̃͂̕͝K̶̖̖̞̞̓̏I̸̩͎̓̑̕L̷̹̉̃L̷̳͆̉͆ ̴͎̌H̷͍̤̭̋ͅÍ̸̝͖M̸͓̖̏̀̓̊ ̴͉͋̾̿Ŝ̵̹̞̔͊L̵̨̖̐O̶̱͕͝ͅẆ̵̺̓͝L̴͔̫̜̟͌Y̵͓̦̤̻̏̊.̸̨̮̏”̴͕͓̚

    Ji-Yeon gasped.

    Jiho was suspended midair, clutching Joon-Seok by the throat like a demon reborn.

    Joon-Seok flailed helplessly, his fists pounding against Jiho’s burning body—useless. Hopeless.

    Ji-Yeon’s legs buckled beneath her as she looked down, tears cascading freely down her face.

    “Just…” she whispered, voice trembling.

    Jiho turned to her, his flaming body a smoldering ruin—but his eyes, somehow, still recognized her.

    “Come back to me after that… okay?” she asked, her voice cracking, eyes pleading through the tears.

    He stared at her for a long, burning second.

    “̷.̵.̵.̴.̷.̶”̶“̴A̵L̵W̶A̸Y̵S̴.̷.̴.̷”̶

    Ji-Yeon let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

    Crying, smiling, breaking—

    “I’m so happy…” she whispered.

    Jiho looked back at Joon-Seok.

    He gripped his trembling hand—and then his fingers.

    “̸͍͆͝Ţ̶̙́̓h̶͐ͅr̶̝̟͐̓o̶̪̩̓̀ú̵̫̇g̸̦̹̿h̶͉̃ ̸̝͝t̵̬̉̍h̴̳͐e̶̩͓͒s̵͉͛̀e̸̦̝͗ ̶̧̀͒̓p̴̟̣̌a̸̢̜̅̔l̴̡̬̈́ṃ̸̛͇̏s̴͖̑,̸̟̠̃ ̸͖̰̽y̴̗̩͂o̶̲̹̓͗u̶̯̍ ̵̧͚̿d̸̊ͅa̸̢̝̓r̷̬͍̓ë̶́ͅd̸̘͊̾ ̵̢̨͝t̸͉̯̊h̴̬̀͋r̵̖̾e̸͇͈̊a̶̮͊t̷͙̞̃e̷͍̔ṉ̴̥̔͗ ̴̙̦̚ẖ̴̨̈́e̶̢̹̕r̸̻͔̐͝.̴̻̔”

    He snarled, slowly curling Joon-Seok’s index finger back until—

    POP.

    “̷A̵n̵d̵ ̴t̷h̶r̸o̷u̸g̶h̴ ̶t̸h̶i̵s̴ ̷p̷a̷l̵m̸,̸ ̴y̴o̸u̸ ̶s̷h̴a̴l̶l̸ ̷f̶e̷e̶l̸ ̴t̵h̶e̷ ̵c̷o̸n̴s̸e̶q̴u̷e̴n̸c̴e̶s̸.̷.̴.̴”

    Jiho’s burning hand gripped Joon-Seok’s throat tighter, flames now searing the skin directly into his flesh. Joon-Seok howled—

    “GRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!”

    Tendons snapped. Muscle tore.

    The exposed flesh hissed under the flames as Jiho’s palm pressed harder.

    “̷Y̸o̶u̷ ̷s̴o̴u̶g̸h̶t̵ ̷t̴o̷ ̶s̸u̷l̷l̷y̶ ̸h̶e̴r̵ ̵d̷i̶g̷n̷i̶t̸y̷.̶.̸.̵ ̴T̷H̶R̶O̸U̴G̶H̶ ̴T̴H̶I̷S̷ ̷O̶R̷G̶A̵N̴.̴”

    Jiho’s free hand dropped to Joon-Seok’s crotch. His eyes widened in disbelief.

    Then—grip.

    A breathless scream tore out of him, more raw than before.

    Flames bit into sensitive tissue. Nerves caught fire. His body twitched uncontrollably.

    “̷T̶h̵r̴o̷u̷g̵h̴ ̶T̶H̶I̸S̶ ̸Y̶O̶U̶ ̴S̷H̵A̷L̶L̵ ̸F̵E̷E̸L̸ ̵M̴Y̷ ̶P̸L̸E̵A̸S̷U̴R̵E̵.̶”

    Joon-Seok screamed again—shrill, high-pitched, choking as his vision blurred.

    His head tilted back. The fire had reached his gut.

    Jang stared through the blood and haze, crying.

    “Yes… yes… haha…”

    His laughter choked through tears. “Kill him… kill him… Aah…”

    He sobbed. He saw the face of his dog.

    Below them, flesh cracked. A charred stump remained.

    Joon-Seok’s crotch was gone. His body trembled violently—shock overtaking his system.

    “̴A̴n̵d̴ ̸t̸h̵r̷o̴u̸g̴h̸ ̷t̵h̸i̴s̷ ̸o̵t̷h̴e̸r̷ ̶f̸i̵s̵t̴.̷.̸.̴”

    Jiho raised his flaming hand again—ready to strike.

    But then—a sob.

    His burning eyes turned.

    His mother, Ji-Yeon, was still sitting there.

    Sobbing. Frozen. Watching.

    Jiho paused. He looked down at Joon-Seok’s charred body—unconscious. Barely alive.

    Quietly, without a word, Jiho twisted his wrist—

    SNAP.

    The neck cracked.

    Joon-Seok died.

    BIG THANKS to my Patreon supporters:

    SparkyZinger

    Chris Patella

    Want to support me?

    patreon.com/Hazy_0832

  • 43rd Death: The Making Of A Killer, Part 1

    ‘So… this is the classroom,’ Jiho thought, standing beside Seokjin and Yuna, eyes fixed on the room number at the end of the empty hallway.

    “Alright, Jiho.”

    Yuna’s voice snapped him out of it. She looked at him with a serious expression.

    “…Let’s talk after school.”

    Jiho’s gaze drifted—then snapped to the window.

    ‘…!!!’

    Both Seokjin and Yuna tilted their heads, noticing his eyes widen. They followed his gaze toward the window—nothing.

    “What’s wrong—”

    “GET DOWN!!!”

    Jiho shoved Yuna aside and threw himself over her.

    “Wha—!”

    BOOM.

    The hallway exploded.

    The window burst first, followed by a shockwave that tore through the corridor. The entire building trembled from the blast. Jiho shielded Yuna with his body as shattered glass and dust rained down around them.

    “Seok…jin…!! SEOKJIN!!” Yuna cried out the moment she realized he wasn’t beside them.

    Instinctively, Jiho pressed his hand against her shoulder, holding her down, eyes scanning the smoke-filled hallway.

    ‘I need to keep her out of this…!!’

    A cold, almost casual voice echoed through the settling dust.

    “Jiho… An? Nah, that ain’t you, right kid?”

    The smoke thinned—just enough for Jiho to see.

    ‘In… one hit? He’s down!?’

    There, emerging from the haze, was a man in a leather jacket, holding Seokjin—hulking form and all—by the throat.

    Unconscious, as the man was smiling calmly. Directly at Seokjin.

    “I can tell just by looking at your memories… The mom’s memory drawer is empty…” the man muttered, amused. “But what luck—you’re still a player. I’mma get loads of EXP from you.”

    ‘What…!? Even with this Perception stat… I… I didn’t even see how he took him down!’ Jiho exhaled sharply, stunned.

    “SEOKJIN…!!! SEOKJIN!!!” Yuna’s voice rang out again.

    Jiho’s head snapped toward her. She looked frantic—eyes wide, face pale.

    “LET GO OF HIM, MOTHERFUCKER!!!” she screamed, unhinged, struggling beneath Jiho’s hold.

    ‘Right. That doesn’t matter. I need to stop him,’ Jiho thought, gaze sharpening.

    ‘If I don’t… he’s going to get us all locked up and experimented on like lab rats. I can’t have that. I need to stop him before anyone spots us—!’

    “Stay here. I’ll take care of this.”

    Jiho stood, his calm voice slicing through Yuna’s panic like a knife.

    As he rose, Jiho’s Perception surged—time seemed to slow.

    The man was about to crush Seokjin’s throat.

    ‘I don’t know how he got him… but I won’t let him use that on me…!!’

    ‘Put it all equally into Strength and Agility!!!’ Jiho commanded in his mind.

    [Status Window]

    Name: Jiho An

    Class: Assassin

    Level: 50

    Stat Points Available: 400 → 280

    [Strength]: 40 → 100

    [Agility]: 40 → 100

    [Vitality]: 100

    [Perception]: 100

    [Intelligence]: 25

    [You cannot raise any more! You must advance to Second Subclass Advancement!]

    ‘…Fuck!! No—it doesn’t matter. This should do it!’ Jiho clenched his fist.

    “Skill,” he called aloud, voice steady.

    “…Ah?”

    Joon-Seok turned slightly, sensing something—

    —A second too late.

    “[Shadow Step – Lv.1],” Jiho said.

    He vanished.

    EXP: 0%

    Instantly blink a short distance in any direction. (Range: 1m)

    HP Cost: 100

    Cooldown: 10s

    Jiho reappeared right in front of him—fist already flying.

    He struck the arm holding Seokjin.

    BOOM.

    It disintegrated instantly—shoulder and all.

    “…Ah…?” Joon-Seok murmured, stunned, staring at the space where his limb used to be. His eyes widened, almost comically slow, as if his brain couldn’t register what had just happened. Blood spilled freely from the exposed, mangled joint.

    Jiho’s chest rose and fell with ragged breaths as Seokjin’s unconscious body slumped to the floor.

    Yuna immediately scrambled toward him.

    “Seokjin, Seokjin!! Come on, I’m here, please—wake up, wake up…!!”

    She slapped his cheeks over and over like a panicked child, desperate, not knowing what else to do.

    His head lolled uselessly from side to side. Still unresponsive.

    “He’s… alive…” Jiho’s chest heaved, eyes wide as he stared down at his bloody fist.

    “I can hear his breathing,” he huffed.

    Yuna didn’t understand how he knew. But somehow… she believed him.

    There was a calm certainty in Jiho’s voice that anchored her.

    “Ah… hahaha…”

    A wheezing laugh echoed from below. Joon-Seok, kneeling in a pool of his own blood, grinned up at Jiho.

    “You must be Jiho… I’m sure of it.”

    ‘Right… this guy. He knew my name… Who is he…?’ Jiho’s heart pounded, his body tense. The man was bleeding out—but he was still smiling.

    “Before I die…” Joon-Seok coughed, blood spilling from his lips, “…I need to tell you something. It’s an important life lesson… and a critical detail. Just for you… only for your ears… Come close. Listen to me.”

    Even with his heightened Perception, Jiho could hear it—his heartbeat was real, faint, but honest.

    He wasn’t bluffing.

    And he knew Jiho’s name.

    Whatever it was—Jiho needed to hear it.

    Driven by instinct and adrenaline, Jiho dropped to one knee, eyes narrowed with caution, and leaned in.

    His ear hovered inches from the man’s mouth.

    Then—

    Seokjin’s eyes snapped open.

    “SEOKJIN!!” Yuna cried out, overjoyed.

    “JIHO… NO… GET… AWAY FROM HIM…!!”

    Seokjin’s voice was hoarse—strained—but desperate.

    He couldn’t move.

    Jiho didn’t hear him. His focus was locked on Joon-Seok’s dying breath—until it wasn’t.

    “Your naivety…” Joon-Seok whispered, lips curling into a grin, “…is why I’ll get to kill your mommmy.”

    His voice twisted into a low chuckle.

    “Thanks, kid.”

    Before Jiho could react, Joon-Seok’s palm slammed against his face.

    “[Skill: Life Drain],” he said, voice thick with mockery.

    Jiho’s body went limp.

    A heartbeat later, Joon-Seok’s mangled shoulder began to regenerate—flesh reknitting, muscle reforming.

    “You’ve got some nice stats, bro…”

    [EFFECT: YOU NOW TEMPORARILY GAIN A STAT BOOST FROM YOUR VICTIM’S BODY!]

    [JOON-SEOK – STATUS WINDOW]

    [Strength]: 100

    [Agility]: 100

    [Vitality]: 100

    [Perception]: 100

    [Intelligence]: 74

    [EFFECT DURATION: 2 HOURS]

    [WARNING: YOU’VE USED LIFE DRAIN TWICE TODAY! YOU MAY NOT USE IT AGAIN FOR 48 HOURS!]

    “And… damn. That’s my target?” he muttered, glancing at the profile in his head.

    “Sheesh… That’s one hot mommy you got there, Jiho.”

    His grin deepened. Cruel. Unfiltered.

    “Maybe I’ll play with her once I get there. And when you finally wake up—paralyzed, helpless—I’ll make sure you get a front-row seat while I fuck her. While I kill her. That’ll teach you… not to be so deliciously naive.”

    “…Before I kill you too, of course.”

    “Ahh…”

    ‘Fuck… no… No… Mom… MOM…’

    Jiho gasped internally, panic rising—before everything faded to black.

    His consciousness slipped away.

    Yuna sat frozen, unable to move.

    Joon-Seok slung Jiho’s limp body over his shoulder and turned to her, grinning.

    “Lucked out, haven’t you?” he said casually, looking down at her.

    “I’ve gotta kill this guy’s mommy for some EXP and rewards. You understand, right?”

    He smirked.

    “Well. Smell ya.”

    And with that, he jumped into the air.

    Yuna clutched Seokjin tightly, trembling. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t speak.

    — LATER, OUTSIDE JIHO’S HOUSE —

    “Phew… Nice joint, kid,” Joon-Seok muttered, standing in the backyard with Jiho slung over his shoulder.

    He scanned the home, licking his lips.

    “Don’t worry, I won’t make too much of a mess. Nothing a good mop can’t fix—”He paused.

    “Or maybe I will… She was fucking hot, after all…”

    His eyes gleamed as he looked toward the door.

    “Now then. Let’s do thi—”

    He froze.

    The door to the An residence opened.

    “Thank you, I’m full,” said a calm voice.

    A young man stepped outside and turned back.

    “You sure? Don’t feel uncomfortable—I can always make more when Jiho gets back!” a gentle female voice called from inside.

    “I… I know, Miss An,” the boy replied, awkward.

    “Thanks. Really. That was the best…” he cleared his throat, “the best meal I’ve ever had.”

    He bowed.

    “I’ve got something I need to take care of.”

    He shut the door behind him and slowly turned.

    Facing Joon-Seok.

    His hands slid into his pockets. He stood tall.

    “Ahh…” Joon-Seok exhaled, grinning like a child.

    “Jangy!!!” he sang out. “Look at you! You LOST THE WHEELCHAIR! That means… You’re just like me, right? Since no way your mommy and daddy did anything for you since you were so worthless!”

    “…”

    Jang’s eyes flicked to Jiho’s body—then back to Joon-Seok.

    His hand clenched, knuckles popping.

    “…You dog-killing piece of shit,” he growled.

    “I’m gonna break every bone in your body and feed you your own SHIT. Cocksucking cum gobbler.”

    He raised a middle finger, his voice cold and unshaking.

    “Let’s see if you’re still laughing when I cave your fucking skull in.”

    Joon-Seok’s smirk vanished.

    “…That’s rude, Jangy. Do I need to reteach you manners?”

    “Kill yourself,” Jang snapped.

    BIG THANKS to my Patreon supporters:

    SparkyZinger

    Chris Patella

    Want to support me?

    patreon.com/Hazy_0832

  • 42nd Death: New School

    Heyo, Hazy here!
    Based on some feedback from readers, I decided to start adding short descriptions of terms and characters just to make it easier to remember everything.
    You obviously don’t have to read them if you already remember!

    Hope you enjoy the chapter!

    ‘Pineapple… there it is.’

    Jiho stood before the school gates, morning light spilling over him.

    Hundreds of students flooded in around him, voices blurring into a storm of chatter.

    With his heightened perception, he could single out individual conversations—every voice distinct, easy to isolate if he wanted.

    Instinctively, he listened, searching for any trace of Daniel or Eunhee among the noise.

    ‘No. Forget it.’

    He sighed and shook his head, stepping forward.

    ‘Even if I hear them… I don’t…’

    His gaze dropped.

    ‘I’m not in the mood to look for them.’

    As he moved through the crowd, his eyes flicked back to the subclass window.

    🔻 Subclass: Blade Zombo

    [Key Trait: You’re a melee DPS focused on speed and critical hits.]

    Light on defense, heavy on dodging. You move fast, hit fast, and rely on crits to deal real damage. Miss those crits, though, and your hits won’t mean much.

    ‘I’ve decided… I’m going to choose this one.’

    But Jiho swallowed hard, his gaze faltering—drifting down to the hidden subclass listed just below.

    🔻 Subclass: The Untriggered

    Subclass Mechanics:

    🧠 Active Skill – Everyone’s Got a Choice

    “You decide. But you only get one chance.”

    COST: None

    DURATION: 30 seconds

    COOLDOWN: 3 hours

    Upon use, time is briefly suspended before a hostile encounter. You are presented with two paths:

    ▸ [FIGHT] – LV.1

    Locks you into a lethal path. Grants a temporary stat boost that scales with skill level.

    Failure to kill the target within the encounter results in instant death.

    Success rewards EXP + unique subclass bonus. [NOTE: Reward depends on the individual you’re facing.]

    ▸ [DISARM] – LV.1

    Attempt to talk the enemy down.

    Failure to persuade results in a severe penalty.

    If you resort to violence after choosing [DISARM], the penalty is doubled.

    Success rewards EXP + unique subclass bonus. [NOTE: Reward depends on the individual you’re facing.]

    🎭 LV.1 Insight:

    Gain a brief glimpse into the enemy’s current emotional state. Accuracy depends on your familiarity with the target.

    🔓 LV.2+ Insight Unlocks: Difficulty ratings for BOTH options, emotional triggers or weaknesses, and triggering phrases.

    [MORE SUBCLASS SKILLS WILL BE UNLOCKED UPON ADVANCING IN THIS CLASS.]

    “I’m not choosing that one.” He paused, eyes narrowing. “Yeah, the stat boost is tempting. But I’m not a killer. I’d rather keep my agency than get shackled to a kill-or-be-killed scenario. And I already decided—I won’t become a liar.”

    So why does it still tempt me?

    His fists clenched. A thrill pulsed through his chest.

    ‘Damn it… it’s just a trick.’

    ‘This subclass was far more detailed than the others. It’s like they’re trying to sell it to me.’

    ‘Fuck.’

    [Is it really such a bad thing, boyo?] The prompt flickered into view as Jiho walked. [We did save you, after all.]

    He didn’t respond.

    [But hey, like I said before—no pressure. I can’t force you. You’ll choose eventually. No biggy.]

    ‘The way he says that… like I’m destined to choose it anyway. Screw that.’

    “I’m my own person,” he muttered, jaw tight. “I won’t be manipulated. Not again.”

    “Besides, I’m in a pretty good position.” He eyed his stats:

    [Status Window]

    Name: Jiho An

    Class: Assassin

    Level: 50

    Stat Points Available: 400

    [Strength]: 40

    [Agility]: 40

    [Vitality]: 100

    [Perception]: 100

    [Intelligence]: 25

    ‘…!’ His eyes widened at the familiar voice.

    He turned his head.

    There she was—surrounded by her friends, chatting, laughing; a bandage on her nose.

    Cha.

    He held his gaze, looking at her with a deadpanned face. The image of that moment—the way he accidentally smacked her face, the sound, the blood—hit him again. His chest twisted.

    He stood at a distance, watching her.

    ‘Come on. I’m stronger now. No one can hurt me anymore.’

    His heart pounded.

    ‘Come on.’

    He stepped forward. Each footfall echoed in his skull.

    Cha was the first to notice. Her eyes locked with his, and the laughter faded. Her friends turned, cautious. Guarded.

    “It’s Jiho…!” one of them said, eyes narrowing.

    Jiho lowered his chin, keeping his expression blank.

    One of the guys stepped forward to block him, glaring up at Jiho—who now towered over him.

    ‘Shit… Did he get taller!?’

    ‘He really is a zombie or something, huh!?’

    “YOU FUCKER! Stay away from her!” the guy shouted, planting himself between them like a wall.

    Jiho didn’t react. His eyes were fixed on Cha, who stood frozen, her friends crowding protectively around her; their hostile gazes directed at Jiho.

    “…”

    He looked down, as if trying to find his words somewhere in the dirt.

    “Uh…” he mumbled, “Cha… right?”

    Silence.

    He scratched the side of his neck, eyes softening with shame. He couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze.

    “…I’m sorry,” he said at last, voice small. “I was… just…” He paused, shook his head. “No. There’s no excuse. It was my fault. I’m sorry.”

    They all blinked. Cha’s lips parted slightly.

    She watched him—this taller, quieter Jiho who suddenly looked so small—unable to hold a single stare.

    “You didn’t deserve that,” he continued. “I just… wanted you to know—”

    “FUCKER!” the guy snapped, stepping forward. “YOU ALMOST BROKE HER NOSE! THINK SHE’LL FORGIVE YOU!? You’re lucky we didn’t report your freak ass—”

    He shoved Jiho.

    Jiho barely flinched.

    The guy stumbled backward, landing hard on his ass. “The fuck…!?” he muttered, looking up in disbelief. Heads turned.

    “THIS FUCKER’S A ZOMBIE!” he shouted from the ground.

    More heads turned. Fast. Fear rippling through the crowd.

    “…I’m not a—” Jiho muttered, his voice strained.

    “ZOMBIE!!! SHIT!! CALL SOMEONE! HE’S A FUCKING ZOMBIE, I KNOW IT!”

    “What’s he talking about?”

    “Was he bit?!”

    Students whispered around him, confused, tense—gazes narrowing in on Jiho from all directions.

    ‘Motherfucker…’ Jiho’s expression flattened. Cold. Unreadable.

    “I said, I’m not—”

    “EVERYONE FUCKING RUN!!! HE’S A ZOMBIE!!!”

    The shout cut through the tension like a blade.

    Cha looked down at her friend—the one screaming—and reached for him.

    “Stop it!” she called. But he didn’t hear her, he only saw Jiho.

    Jiho stood frozen. His head bowed.

    Everyone’s stares pierced him like knives.

    “A zombie…? Oh shit, what if he’s really bitten?! We’re all gonna die!!”

    “Someone get a teacher—!”

    The voices blended. Swelled. Spiraled.

    ‘Heh… piece of shit,’ the one on the ground thought, sneering. ‘Like hell I’ll let you off. They should ‘put you in a lab and dissect—’

    He stopped.

    Jiho was staring at him.

    [RAGE MODE AVAILABLE!!!]

    Jiho’s hand trembled, clenched so tightly that blood welled beneath his nails.

    He glared, locking eyes with the instigator.

    The boy’s breath hitched. He went silent.

    “Shut… the fuck up…” Jiho growled—a whisper forced through gritted teeth.

    Visions flashed. His hands gripping the boy’s jaw—fingers tearing into his mouth, pulling his chin and skull apart, the flesh splitting open under the pressure, blood spilling across Jiho’s face—

    …It felt good.

    “Hey.” Two figures stepped up beside him—one on each side.

    The rage paused.

    One was a girl—dark lipstick, dark eyeshadow, dark hair, wearing a revealing black outfit that matched her intense presence.

    The other was a spectacle of his own—tall, chiseled, broad-shouldered. A walking monolith.

    “Jiho, right?” the girl asked, calm but firm. “Let’s go. We’ve been waiting.”

    Jiho’s breathing was still ragged, but her voice reached him. He blinked, confused.

    “…!” Recognition struck.

    He looked to her—then to the guy on his other side.

    He’d seen them before. They were the ones who attacked him, claiming to be players.

    Though back then, the guy was even bulkier—almost monstrous.

    “You’re—”

    “Still waiting,” the girl cut Jiho off, her gaze sharp.

    Jiho’s eyes widened as the two flanked him. Solid. Unmoving.

    Students whispered all around:

    “Who are they?”

    “His friends…?”

    “They look like models—”

    “Wait… isn’t that the Jiho who was released from the quarantine zone with that Jang guy? From that InstaGrab post?!”

    “It’s like a trio of supermodels…”

    Then the tall guy stepped forward. Calm. Quiet.

    He turned the instigator’s head with two fingers.

    “Hey, cockroach,” he said softly. “Leave it. Or you answer to me.”

    The instigator gulped, looking up at him.

    “From what I heard, Jiho came here to apologize to this lady. Right? Leave it at that.” He turned to address the crowd.

    “And the rest of you—” His voice rose, proud.

    “You really gonna side with someone who mocks a guy who’s been through hell? Anyone who does that…”He pointed to himself, chest puffed.

    “Answers to me.“

    The girls gasped.

    Meanwhile, the girl beside Jiho let out a long sigh, clearly unimpressed.

    Jiho looked between the two of them, still disoriented.

    “He used to be the fattest kid in the room,” she muttered, rubbing her forehead. “Every girl he talked to shut him down. Now he just grandstands whenever he gets the chance.”

    “…” Jiho exhaled, then muttered, “You did try to kill me and take over the world. Not sure you’re qualified to talk about subtlety.”

    Her breath caught. Her eyes sharpened.

    “About that,” she said, tone shifting.

    “Don’t mistake this for kindness.” She looked away.

    “This is just us… paying you back for the advice.”

    “Come on,” the taller guy turned to both of them. “We’ll be late for class. And school is way too important for that.”

    “He’s so dreamy…”

    “Education first…” the girls swooned.

    “I’m Seokjin,” he said, glancing at Jiho. “…Yuna,” the girl added, as the three of them began walking together.

    “…”

    “…What happened to Black and Red?” Jiho deadpanned.

    Both of them froze and blushed.

    “SHUT UP! That’s not us anymore!” Seokjin snapped. “And what kind of manners is that?! Introduce yourself!”

    “…”

    “…I’m Jiho. And…” He hesitated.

    “…Thanks.”

    Seokjin looked away. So did Yuna. “Like I said,” she muttered, “Just repaying a debt.”

    “…Okay.” Jiho nodded as they disappeared into the building.

    Unbeknownst to him, Cha’s eyes stayed on his back, unmoving.

    “Unbelievable,” her friend hissed beside her. “That guy hurt you and has the balls to show up again? I’d spit on him if I were you. And that bandage—look what he did to your nose! Fuckin’ ruined my mood.” The others nodded, their voices sharp with disgust.

    “…Right,” Cha murmured.

    But her eyes never left him. Her fingers drifted, almost unconsciously, to the edge of her bandage.

    Jiho and his new… “friends” entered the school building.

    Eyes followed.

    …Cheeks flushed.

    ‘I can hear you…!’ he thought, pressing his lips together as the words rang out:

    “Who is that hunk and that hottie next to him…” a girl muttered. “He looks like he could bench press me and you at the same time…”

    His perception locked onto the hungry gazes—some from girls, some even from guys… though the guys carried more envy than heat; and turned more to Yuna.

    “I’d fuck his brains out…”

    His face burned redder than a tomato.

    Then came the other side. The one that never left.

    “You shouldn’t,” someone snapped. “At least with the middle one. That fucker’s Jiho. He used to go to my school in the quarantine zone… total manipulator and liar.”

    “What did he do?”

    “Planned to rape someone from my class. Isolate her or something. I don’t know the details, but I know he did that.”

    “Holy shit, really? Guess he’s just a golden statue full of shit…”

    ‘…Some things never change,’ Jiho thought. Daniel…! He imagined his fist crushing Daniel’s skull.

    His jaw clenched. Breaths uneven. Yet neither Seokjin nor Yuna cast a judging gaze at Jiho.

    “…I mean, he is kinda hot. Yandere daddy, then,” a girl muttered. “I’d think twice about fighting back if he raped me.”

    And just like that, Jiho’s anger was relieved a little.

    ‘They mentioned an InstaGrab post about me and hyung…?’

    DEFINITIONS & CHARACTERS:

    📘 SUBCLASSES

    After meeting certain (yet undisclosed) conditions, a sentient zombie may choose a subclass in addition to their main class. Subclasses grant additional versatility and refine the user’s expertise in a chosen path.

    On rare occasions, a hidden or elevated subclass may appear—uniquely tailored to the individual.

    📘 PLAYERS

    Nothing is known about the players yet. Only this: they were bitten. But instead of dying, they received a strange system that enhances them. They retain their sanity, emotions, thoughts, and memories.

    By the system’s definition—they are sentient zombies.

    Yet, they display no hunger for human flesh.

    Even without stat upgrades, their base strength equals that of four Olympic athletes combined into one.

    With every level gained, they receive stat points—just like in an RPG.

    📘 ZOMBIFICATION METER

    Every player begins with a zombification meter—an indicator of how close they are to losing their mind. The meter rises with intense emotion.

    To reduce it, one must kill: zombie, human, or player.

    Past a certain level (of the player), something changes. The zombification meter no longer causes madness at 100%. Instead, it becomes a unique “ultimate ability” gauge.

    Another way to annul zombification is to kill a zombie precisely when the meter hits 100%—a hidden workaround.

    Unlikely, nearly impossible to discover early on.

    And yet… by sheer dumb luck, Jiho An did.

    He bypassed the system.

    And even luck, it seems… gets rewarded.

    📘 PINEAPPLE SCHOOL

    In South Korea, few things matter more than education—and cramming.

    After the Seoul outbreak, many schools inside the quarantine zone were shut down. In response, a massive education complex was built just outside the zone to accommodate displaced students. Now known as Pineapple School, it houses thousands of students—from elementary all the way to university level.

    Given the circumstances, it’s not surprising that Jiho now shares a school with students from all over, including those whose schools were lost to the outbreak.

    📘 YUNA & SEOKJIN

    Jiho’s former attackers—and confirmed players.

    Seokjin was the one who punched Jiho hard enough to nearly break his arms & send him through a small building…

    …Though that probably wouldn’t work now, considering the way Jiho is currently.

    It was later revealed that both Yuna and Seokjin are still in school—presumably high school.

    Their appearance at Pineapple confirms their original school was also destroyed, marking them as recent transfers invited to join the institution.

    📘 CHA

    A girl Jiho accidentally hit shortly after leaving the quarantine zone. They attended the same school.

    He later apologized for it.

    BIG THANKS to my Patreon supporters:

    SparkyZinger

    Want to support me?

    patreon.com/Hazy_0832

  • 41st Death: The Slaughterer

    “Alright… I was just worried,” Daniel muttered, rubbing his eyes as he leaned over his phone. The morning light seeped in through the window, pale and indifferent.

    [… Okay.] Her voice came through flat, distant.

    “You can always come back if you want,” he added, voice hoarse. “I meant what I said, Eunhee. I… I want you to be safe.”

    [… Okay. Thanks.] Another deadpan reply. [Bye, Daniel.]

    The line went silent.

    Daniel stared at the screen.

    Then—

    “FUCK!” The phone slammed against the wall with a sickening crack, denting the drywall. It hit the ground, face down.

    He clutched his temples, breathing hard. A deep sigh escaped him as he staggered over to the fallen phone.

    Cracked screen. Still working.

    ‘…Shit.’ His teeth clenched. ‘Shit…!’

    He scrolled through his contacts. Jiho’s name hovered under his thumb—but he couldn’t bring himself to look straight at it.

    He kept scrolling- then stopped.

    He pressed dial.

    “…Hey.” His voice barely carried.

    [What do you want?] A sharp, bitter voice answered. Feminine—but hard. A far cry from Eunhee’s softness.

    “Come over.” He called, his tone flat.

    [You’re really something, you know that?! Still ordering me around? No. FUCK you. I did what you asked. I owe you shit right now—”]

    “Please…” His grip tightened around the phone like it was the last thing tethering him.

    […]

    […Fine.]

    “Thank you,” he whispered, the tension unspooling from his lungs. “…Sarah.”

    — A FEW MINUTES LATER —

    A knock.

    Daniel didn’t move at first. Still hunched on the edge of his bed, phone dead in his hands, screen dim.

    Another knock.

    He slowly stood, dragging his feet to the door, peeking through the eyehole.

    There she was.

    Tall and slender. Taller than Jiho ever was. Roughly Daniel’s height. Black hair, tipped with blonde. Short denim shorts, a white fitted tee, piercings lining her lips and brow—just enough makeup to look like she didn’t try too hard, but still turn heads.

    The same girl Jiho used to greet at school. The one who waited for him each morning.

    She looked sharp. Annoyed.

    Daniel opened the door with a sigh.

    “Thanks for—” he started, but she bumped past his shoulder without a glance.

    “Let’s get this over with,” she muttered, clicking her tongue.

    Daniel’s jaw flexed. He gripped the doorknob a second longer than needed before quietly shutting and locking it.

    “You brought something to eat, at least?” he asked, following her toward the kitchen.

    “Yeah. Dumplings and kimbap. I know you keep nothing but shit in here.” She dropped a white plastic bag on the counter like it meant nothing.

    Then, with a practiced flick, she pulled out a pack of Marlboro. Her hand paused mid-motion. She glanced at him.

    “Ah. Forgot. Still keeping your little prize here, right?” she said with a half-smile, half-grimace.

    Daniel cleared his throat and looked away.

    “…You can smoke if you want,” he said flatly. “But give me one too. I threw out my pack weeks ago.”

    Another sigh. She handed him a cigarette without a word, lit his first, then hers, exhaling a thick plume of smoke while eyeing him from across the room.

    “Didn’t know you quit,” she muttered.

    “Yeah, well. Now you do.” He leaned back on his worn, stained couch, watching the smoke drift upward.

    “She hated smoking. I didn’t want to lie to her about that, so I stopped smoking instead of trying to hide it.” He added.

    “Sounds like an excuse you thought about in the shower if anyone asked,” She chuckled bitterly. “Acting like you care about that poor girl. That’s the kind of shit people do out of guilt.”

    Several moments passed in silence. Smoke curled between them as Sarah studied his face. Daniel didn’t respond.

    “…Anything else?” he asked, eyes locked on the blank TV screen.

    She bit her lip, clearly annoyed. Then she looked away, inhaling from her cigarette.

    “Nah. Then I’d be too cruel.” She exhaled. “Even I’ve got limits. You let me smoke, so I get the picture.”

    A pause.

    “She left you, didn’t she?”

    “Yep.” Daniel answered flatly.

    “Why? She find out?”

    Daniel’s face twitched. That image of Jiho—the one Eunhee saw after quarantine—flashed across his mind.

    “…Yeah. Something like that.” His exhale was sharp now. He snubbed out the cigarette with force, grinding it into the table.

    He looked at her. His gaze, now impatient.

    She held it for a moment, then sighed.

    “…Let me just finish this,” she muttered. She smoked it down to the filter in silence.

    Then they went to Daniel’s bed…

    Afterward, Sarah sat naked, eating a dumpling. Daniel lay on his back beneath the blanket, staring at the ceiling.

    “The reason she left,” he said suddenly while Sarah kept eating, unfazed.

    “Apparently,” he rubbed his forehead, “she thinks Jiho’s alive.”

    Her heart jumped at the name. Still, she chewed. Swallowed.

    “Then she’s grieving.” A small laugh. “You could use that to your advantage. Let her come running back once she realizes the boy she loved is still dead. It’ll work out for you.”

    “Just shut the fuck up.” Daniel’s voice cracked—then exploded. “Holy shit, just shut the fuck up!”

    He slapped the wall. She didn’t flinch, just sat with her back to him.

    “I LOVED him!” he screamed.

    “Yeah.” She tilted her head back, eyes on the ceiling. “I bet he’s grateful.”

    Daniel’s fists curled over his face, shaking, teeth grinding.

    She shook her head, her voice strained and bitter.

    “He didn’t deserve to die like that… Not him.”

    Silence settled again. Then, a memory stirred—flickering across Sarah’s mind; at the thought of Jiho, someone else surfaced.

    “…An old friend of mine lived in the NOW quarantine zone. Moved in there with his uncle after he left the suburbs,” she said quietly, eyes fixed on the ceiling. “Wonder if he made it out… probably not, though.”

    “Maybe he did,” he replied, voice low. “There were a lot of evacuations.”

    “Yeah…” Her breath caught. She nodded a little too quickly. “Thanks.”

    “Why won’t you just check if he’s—”

    “I said thanks.” She cut him off—sharp, abrupt.

    A beat.

    “Why does she…” She hesitated, swallowing hard. “Why does she think he’s alive? That girl.”

    “Forget it,” he said flatly. His voice shut like a door. “Something stupid.”

    He sat up.

    “You heard anything from that Joon-Seok prick?”

    “Nope.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Not since you scared the shit out of him. He hasn’t tried anything.”

    “I see,” he murmured behind her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. “I’m glad.”

    She looked back over her shoulder—mocking, eyes laced with cynicism.

    “So that’s why I’m here, huh?” she said, brushing his hand off with a lazy flick. “She bruised your ego when she left, so now you need someone to crawl back to. Someone to remind you you’re still a special boy.”

    Daniel’s fists clenched. His heart thudded, a bitter pressure building in his chest. His eyes narrowed into a glare.

    “At least I didn’t make you do anything against your will,” he snapped.

    Her face hardened. She stood without a word, still nude, and began dressing.

    “Asshole.”

    She slammed the door behind her.

    Daniel sat there for a long moment.

    “I’m the asshole,” he muttered with a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. Then slowly, his voice dropped.

    “Yep. I’m the asshole…”

    ELSEWHERE…

    [QUEST: COMPLETED!]

    [REWARD: EXP GAINED!]

    [YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!]

    [CURRENT LEVEL: 37]

    “Awesome…” the man grinned, standing amidst the broken bodies.

    “Please…” a man wheezed, his voice barely a breath as he was held by the throat, “Spare… spare m—”

    Snap.

    The neck cracked like dry wood. He let the body drop to the floor with a thud.

    “Now… all stat points from that level-up into Intelligence,” he said lazily, stepping over bloodied limbs as he staggered toward the sofa. He collapsed onto it, sprawling out as if it were a throne—his arm hanging off one side, his foot resting on a corpse.

    He opened his status window and barely glanced at it.

    [QUEST: SLAUGHTER THE SURVIVORS’ OUTPOST — COMPLETED.]

    ‘Too easy… and after a dozen of these, I only level up once? This is getting exhausting.’ He sighed. ‘All my class skills are level 8 or higher. Aren’t I already the strongest bastard in this bitch?’

    “Hey, System,” he called out, switching on the house’s television while kicking aside the curled-up corpse of a mother clutching her son. “Give me a harder quest. Better rewards. You know my class—it’ll be a breeze either way, no?”

    He dug into his teeth with his nail, pulling out a string of muscle fiber.

    ‘Shit… went too wild again. Hate when that happens.’ Another sigh. ‘Should I just grind humans? They give the best exp anyway…’

    [Certainly! Generating a more challenging quest tailored to your performance metrics. Please wait kindly.]

    ‘Annoying piece of shit…’ He grunted.

    [NEW QUEST AVAILABLE!]

    [REWARD: UNIQUE SKILL — TIER: EXCLUSIVE]

    [WARNING: HIGH RISK DETECTED!]

    “Ohh… that’s more like it.” He grinned, eyes gleaming as he leaned forward. “Show me the quest already!”

    Then—‘…?’

    His eyes narrowed.

    “Who’s that?” he asked, bored. “And where can I even find her?”

    [I’m sorry! Unfortunately, that information exceeds my access level at this time.]

    [Target location is classified under restricted system parameters.]

    ‘Tch. Figures…’

    [However!]

    [A link to the target has been identified within system access scope.]

    [Would you like me to proceed? 😊]

    His eyes lit up.

    “Finally. Yes! You know what I can do—so why didn’t you start with that?!”

    [Understood! Here are the available details:]

    [Name: Jiho An]

    [Age: 17 years old]

    [Location: The newly constructed Pineapple School]

    [Caution: Target is a registered player.]

    “Pfft. Who cares? I’ve killed a few of those already.” He rolled his eyes and stood up, cracking his neck.

    ‘Well then… sorry, Mr. Jiho An,’ he thought, brushing gore off his coat with a lazy hand. ‘I need some exp. Let your mommy be slaughtered for that, alright?’

    And with that, he strolled toward the exit—grinning.

    [Would you like a route planned for you on your mini-map…?]

    [Mr. Joon-Seok?]

    “Nah,” He dismissed the system. “I’ll manage.”

    ‘Hmm… Maybe I’ll visit Sarah, too.’ He licked his lips.

    ——————–

    [8:45 AM] Jang lazily glanced at his status window.

    ‘… I need to ask those French fucks for access to the quarantine zone. I feel uneasy.’ He narrowed his gaze.

    ‘One thing’s for certain. I ain’t going to that school. FUCK THAT.’ He spat. ‘That bitch’s so strong now? He can handle it on his own. I’m done with him. Fuck if anything happens to him.’

    [Status Window – Jang Seung-Jae]

    [Name]: Jang Seung-Jae

    [Level]: 34

    [Title]: Corpse Wrangler

    [Class]: Necromancer

    [Sub-class]: Commander (of the Damned)

    [HP]: 4000/4000 (+500 Due to title)

    ====== STATS=========

    [Strength]: 15

    [Agility]: 13

    [Vitality]: 40

    [Perception]: 30

    [Intelligence]: 98

    [Skills]

    [Zombie Army – LV.8]

    Effect: Raise a personal army by reanimating fallen enemies into undead soldiers. Stronger corpses have a higher chance of revival at higher skill levels.

    Cooldown: 18 hours

    Command Radius: 80 meters

    Max Controlled Undead: 80

    HP Cost (Activation): 10%

    [Soul Drain – LV.7]

    Effect: Absorb the soul essence of a defeated enemy or an expended undead minion to restore HP.

    HP Recovery: +40% HP per body

    Cooldown: 20 minutes

    [Corpse Explosion – LV.9]

    Effect: Detonate a fallen corpse or active undead minion to inflict massive area-of-effect damage. The blast only affects designated targets within range.

    Explosion Radius: 5 meters

    HP Cost: 0.5% per corpse detonated

    [Plague Aura – LV.6]

    Effect: Emit a lingering miasma that weakens living enemies within range. Undead units are immune—and receive a boost while within the aura.

    Radius: 6 Meters

    Effect Strength: Reduces living enemy stats, buffs nearby undead

    [Shadow Call – LV.9]

    Effect: Summon a previously stored undead soldier to fight alongside the user.

    Current Capacity: 3 / 20

    Cost per Summon: 3% HP

    Sustain Cost: 100 HP/s while active

    [Passive Skill – Commanding Presence – LV.9]

    Effect: Instills fear in human enemies and boosts morale among allied undead. Enemies who meet the user’s gaze suffer weakened strength.

    Note: Only affects non-player characters

    ‘The new Shadow Call’s solid. Versatile… The Sustain Cost is lower than my regeneration rate, so I only end up with reduced regen while the skill is active. But I should’ve packed in more corpses when I had the chance… whatever.’

    His stomach growled.

    He glanced out the window—toward Jiho’s house.

    ‘…I wanna eat her cooking again. Fucking damn it.’

    His jaw tightened.

    ‘Guess I’m ordering in today.’

    —————-

    [CHARACTERS]

    SARAH

    Not much is revealed about Sarah throughout the story, but a few key facts stand out. She was Jang’s childhood friend and once his closest companion—until she started dating Joon-Seok, the very person who tormented him. Though she wasn’t aware of Joon-Seok’s cruelty at the time, the fallout strained her connection with Jang beyond repair.

    Years after her and Jang’s final goodbye, she met Daniel—and became indebted to him. That debt led Sarah to become Daniel’s reluctant accomplice, helping him spread damaging rumors about Jiho. She didn’t do it out of malice, but out of obligation. Sarah is the kind of person who honors her debts, no matter the cost.

    As the outbreak loomed, her conscience began to stir. Aware that the truth would eventually surface and hurt Jiho, she made it her quiet mission to wait outside the school gates each day—ready to console him when everything came crashing down.

    JOON-SEOK

    Jang’s tormentor.

    Why do people wish to hurt each other?

    One thing’s for sure—Joon-Seok wouldn’t say he hurts anyone.

    He’d say he educates them.

    Tough love, he’d call it. And like any loving person, he’d do it with a smile. Joyfully.

    Even when it leaves them paraplegic.

    Even when it costs them their only friend.

    Even when he gets them expelled from school, disowned by their parents.

    Even when he kills their dog in cold blood.

    Even when he turns cigarettes off on their skin.

    Recently, he got something new:

    A system. He, like Jiho and Jang – is a sentient zombie with abilities and skills.

    As well as a new quest.

    And a reward.

    Kill Ji-Yeon An — Jiho’s mother.

    But the system seems to be leading him straight to Jiho instead.

    How considerate.

    ——

    Note: Jang’s skills and stats have been slightly adjusted since their initial appearance—some to reflect his natural progression, others to better serve the story’s flow and consistency.

    BIG THANKS to my Patreon supporters:

    SparkyZinger

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  • 40th Death: I mean…

    Eunhee leaned against Daniel’s door, sliding down to a sitting position shortly after Jiho walked her home.

    ‘…Why couldn’t I say anything?’ she thought, lowering her head. ‘Jiho… he believes in something so horrible now.’

    Her chin tucked into her chest.

    ‘…But is he wrong?’ She folded her arms, cuddling herself.

    ‘I couldn’t deny it. I couldn’t say a single word.’ She buried her head within her arms, her ginger hair sliding off the edges.

    ‘He stayed the same…’ Her eyes drifted toward the door to Daniel’s room. ‘I’m the one who changed. Because of him.’

    ‘…But I don’t love Daniel, Jiho. I can feel it. I don’t love him…’ Her heart twisted. ‘I feel… insulted. Humiliated…’

    She bit her lower lip, clutching her chest.

    ‘And the more I stay with him, the angrier I get.’

    But then the anger slipped from her face again, replaced by something smaller. Quieter.

    ‘Still… he knows me. And I’m scared of… being alone.’

    THUD.

    She leaned her back to the door and looked up at the ceiling.

    ‘…I wish you’d taken me to your place instead,’ she thought, biting her lip. ‘I would’ve come. Jiho… I wanted to.’

    Her shoulders slumped as a soft chuckle escaped her lips.

    ‘Something tells me… you would’ve liked that, too.’

    She turned again to Daniel’s door.

    ‘If it were him, he would’ve just done it. No hesitation. Dragged me home.’

    Her expression softened.

    ‘But you’re too honest for that, Jiho. Really… Like a child.’

    She closed her eyes and let out a tired, playful scoff.

    ‘Even when you say you believe in lying… you do it so earnestly. So honestly.’

    She pulled her knees in and leaned her forehead to them.

    ‘That’s why I…’ She took a deep breath.

    ‘…Fell for you, you know?’

    Her cheeks flushed, the first warmth she’d felt in weeks. His image came to her—kneeling, hand extended. That calm, that gaze.

    ‘It’s coming back to me now… why I felt that way.’

    Her lips curled.

    ‘Why I still feel that way.’

    A small tear slipped down her cheek.

    ‘Thank God… I thought I’d lost it.’

    She closed her eyes.

    ‘Don’t worry, Jiho.’

    Then, with a deep breath, she pulled out her phone. Her thumb hovered a moment—then tapped.

    Calling: Misaki

    ‘I’m not giving up. Not on you… and not on myself.’

    The call connected.

    “Hey… Sis?” Eunhee’s voice was small, breathless. She rose to her feet, stepping away from Daniel’s door. “Sorry for the time. A-about your offer, you know to move in with you. Can… can I come over? Right now?”

    ——— NEXT MORNING —–

    ‘…I couldn’t sleep,’ Jiho thought, staring up at the ceiling. ‘Not that it’d be a problem. The real problem is…’

    [PLEASE CHOOSE A SUBCLASS!]

    ‘I still haven’t decided…’ He facepalmed, then glanced at the watch beside his bed.

    [7:56 AM]

    ‘…Not on how to lie. Not on a subclass.’

    He took a deep breath and stared at the subclass window again.

    ‘Click it. This is a good thing. Seeing people’s emotional state… I’ll be able to lie better than anyone..!’

    His thumb hovered over the accept button—trembling.

    But his body refused to move.

    ‘Why!?’ He slammed his palm into the mattress. ‘I could’ve had it all if I just…!’

    He sighed.

    ‘If I just stopped being such a—’

    “JIHO! Are you awake?” his mother’s voice cut through the silence.

    “A-ah… Yeah,” he snapped out of his thoughts, glancing up at the message prompt. His thumb still hovered over it.

    ‘…I’ll accept it after breakfast.’ He sighed, rising from the bed and stepping out of his room to get ready. Grabbing some clothes out of the closet and walking to the bathroom with them—

    —only to notice how tightly his shirt clung to his body.

    ‘This is…’ he paused, catching his reflection in the mirror.

    The first thing he noticed was how the small collar coiled snugly around his now more rigid neck muscles.

    ‘Embarrassing.’

    His eight-pack abs pressed clearly against the thin fabric. His taller frame made the shirt ride up slightly, exposing a strip of smooth stomach and his belly button. His chest—square and iron-like—pushed out from the front, while the short sleeves clamped down around his biceps and thickened shoulders.

    ‘They grew bigger… Was it because of last night? Because of how I boosted my Strength stat?’

    He tilted his head and flexed slightly—only to hear a rip tear through the back of his shirt.

    ‘Thank God I grew taller too… Otherwise I’d look like a smurfy lump of muscles…’

    He looked down. His thighs—wider, denser—pressed tightly against his pants.They were moments away from bursting, too.

    ‘…No, I can’t go to school like this..!’

    “M… Mom!?” Jiho called out. “C-can you come in, please? I… uh… need some help.”

    ‘She already saw me. I hope she won’t be freaked out that I got a little bigger again… I think I’m almost as tall as Daniel now…’

    He pressed his lips, anxiety growing in his chest.

    ‘M-maybe she shouldn’t see me…’

    “M-MOM, ACTUALLY I’M FINE—”

    But the door opened. Ji-yeon walked into the bathroom, and her eyes widened slightly as she saw her newly muscled son.

    She pressed a palm to her lips, holding back a laugh.

    “Oh my,” she said with a smirk.

    Jiho scrambled for a towel, wrapping it around his torso as he looked away, flushed.

    “Y-yeah… You got some clothes maybe…?” he muttered, red-faced.

    ‘I did it now… She’ll freak out…’

    “Oh, I have just the thing!” she chimed. “Wait here.”

    Jiho blinked. His head snapped up.

    ‘Huh…’He watched her walk off cheerfully.

    —- A FEW MINUTES LATER —-

    Jiho stood fully dressed.

    “To think you still kept Dad’s clothes…” he muttered, adjusting the collar of an old-school button-up with no crest. It hugged his frame snugly. The jeans were looser… but he couldn’t shake how strange they felt.

    “Your father was a jock at your age,” Ji-yeon said, folding his old clothes back into the wardrobe. “I figured you’d fit into them someday—so why not keep them?”

    “He was almost as muscular as you are now. Really a beacon of envy, that one,” she added warmly.

    “Huh…” Jiho murmured, slipping into his father’s old shoes. “Dad was a… player?”

    “Oh, was he…” Ji-yeon chuckled. Then her eyes dropped. “But really, that’s all he was.” She sighed.

    “If anything, he fits Daniel more than he fits you. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you weren’t his son at all.”

    Jiho blinked. “Uh… I *am* his son though… right?” He gave her a wary glance.

    “Oh, you moron!” she laughed, swatting the air. “I was faithful, thank you very much.”

    She smiled at him—softly, warmly.

    “That’s why it’s so magical… that I was blessed with a son like you.” Her lips then pursed. “And that this… this son is actually alive…” She clutched the folded clothes, tears climbing up her throat.

    Jiho rose and slowly walked toward her, wrapping his arms around her as she wept, resting his head on her shoulder.

    “Oh… my baby is alive… he’s really alive… Even now… I still think I’m dreaming… They all said you died… Ahh~…” She sobbed into his shoulder.

    ‘….’

    “…Mom,” Jiho asked, a minute later, once she’d calmed a little. “Should I… start lying from now on?”

    She pulled back slightly, concern etching into her features.

    “Jiho…? Why would you say that?”

    “Because… uh…” He lowered his gaze. “If I could lie better… maybe I could keep Eunhee. I can see she’s being taken away from me—”

    “Your father was a great liar,” she interrupted. “But I didn’t love him.”

    “…Because you found out,” Jiho said. “What if you never found out? You would’ve loved him all the same!”

    “Jiho,” she said, taking his hands, “no one alive can lie forever. And even if you could—you’d ruin yourself. Because no one would love you. Not really. Not who you are. Just… the mask.”

    She squeezed his palms tighter.

    “And when they find out the truth, Jiho; when you’ll break down like every person breaks down and needs someone to lean on… they’ll be scared. Because they’ll realize there’s a stranger in front of them. And they’ll leave.” She looked at his palms, caressing them.

    “…But Eunhee… she…” He looked down. “She knows Daniel lied. And she’s still with him…”

    “Then she’s miserable, Jiho,” she said firmly. “Even before you came back, she cried every time she talked about you.”

    Jiho’s eyes widened at Ji-yeon’s words.

    “People lie. And yes—sometimes it works. That’s why they do it.”

    “But people like that only see what’s right in front of them.” Her voice softened. “They don’t see twenty years down the line… how alone they’ll be. Or how happy they could’ve been—if they’d just been honest.”

    “In a relationship,” she continued, “both people need support. If only one side gives it, it falls apart. You can’t build a palace on a single pillar.”

    “…But…” Jiho narrowed his eyes, his thoughts drifting to the subclass window. “I could… do it.” His voice trembled, uncertain.

    “Don’t, Jiho.” She stepped closer, voice gentle but firm. “Stay the way you are. If Eunhee’s with Daniel, it just means… she’s not ready yet—for someone like you.”

    “Then what’s the point of being someone like me,” Jiho argued, “if the person I want isn’t even there to see it?!”

    “I know it doesn’t feel like it now, baby…”

    “But one day, you’ll meet someone who just can’t get enough of you.” Her smile returned—warm, steady, certain.

    “How can you even say that, Mom?” Jiho’s gaze lowered, eyes dark with doubt. “The only one you ever had was Dad. I know I’m reaching, but… there’s just no proof it’ll ever happen.”

    “Of course there is,” she said softly. “I exist, don’t I?”

    She hugged him tighter.

    “And you are that person for me.”

    Jiho’s breath caught.

    “So I know you’ll find someone,” she whispered. “Whether it’s Eunhee… or someone else.”

    His mind drifted—

    Back to Amelie.

    Back to the moment she asked him out…

    After he’d been honest with her.

    “Your mom isn’t just pulling this stuff out of her ass, alright?”

    “…Okay. Now it’s getting weird,” Jiho muttered, pulling away as Ji-yeon burst into laughter.

    ‘But… she’s right.’

    He sighed, stepping out of her room and heading downstairs.

    ‘If she wasn’t here to hear my nonsense… I’d have lost my mind.’

    He smiled faintly.

    ‘I’ll pick some other subclass later. That secret one doesn’t fit me, after all.’

    The message prompt lingered just above Jiho, quietly watching.

    […Two pillars to build a palace, huh?]

    [What a weird zomboy you are, boyo.]

    [Though, I don’t dislike it. I’ll admit that.]

    BIG THANKS to my Patreon supporters:

    SparkyZinger

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  • 39th Death: Legendary Skills

    [Come on, Boyo. Didn’t you promise not to give up your seat anymore? Take what you can get…?]

    The message flickered above Jiho as he lay in bed, eyes unfocused.

    [Check your legendary skills already. Who knows what you’ve got?]

    “…Yeah. Good point.” He exhaled, dragging the status window up with a lazy flick.

    [That was fast. You really did turn a new leaf, huh?]

    “There’s no choice.” He muttered, eyes dull; looking over his status window, mindlessly scrolling back and forth without aim with his index finger. “Forget not wanting to get fucked over by the people closest to me—…”He stopped himself.

    […Okay?]

    Jiho let out a breath and buried his face in his palms, the status window closing itself.

    “I think there’s more to it, you know? What I told Eunhee about lying and all…”

    [Why’s that? I think you were pretty on point. If you became the greatest liar in the world, everyone’d love you. Like that… what’s-his-name—Daniel?]

    “Uh… don’t get me wrong, I accept that. But…” He scratched his head, frowning. “Daniel lied to her… but I hate him. I don’t love him.”

    [Well, he ain’t a good liar, then. If he’d kept it going—if you never found out—you wouldn’t hate him now. Truth stinks.]

    “Good point. But more than that…” Jiho sighed. “There’s my mom. She never lied. I put her above everyone.”

    [Maybe she’s just a better liar than you think.]

    “Could be…” He looked up at the ceiling. “I don’t doubt she must’ve thought something bad about me when I… did something terrible when I was five; but kept saying she loved me.”

    “She probably did lie to herself, at least at the start… But… I don’t know. There’s something more to it.” His voice dropped lower. “Even Eunhee pretty much apologized for falling for Daniel.”

    His gaze narrowed.

    “Huh.” He muttered. “I just realized—it went smoother than usual.”

    “…She’s usually way more argumentative. Tries to act like a guide or something… I’m usually the one that needs to be talked to. She’s always been the steering force in our talks. But this time… she was really quiet.”

    “She must’ve thought about it. Which means…”

    “She figured it out, huh? What Daniel did… right before we talked.” His eyes dropped.

    “But the truth is simple. She still returned to Daniel…”

    ‘Because I escorted her there,’ he thought bitterly, a knot twisting deep in his stomach.

    Another thought followed. Uninvited.

    ‘Would she have… accepted if I asked her to come here instead? If I was… confident?’

    His gaze shifted to the empty space beside him. For a brief moment, he imagined Eunhee lying there—peacefully asleep, her breaths soft against his skin.

    ‘She felt guilty. Wanted to console me… Couldn’t I have used that to… finally get some? Maybe even pull her to my side…’ His eye twitched.

    ‘But I just escorted her to his home… like some FUCKING IDIOT. Led her right to that bastard’s doorstep… instead of just using—using—’

    A more unbothered version of himself lay beside her, one arm lazily draped around her neck, pulling her in. Calm. Confident. In control.

    ‘…her.’

    He shook his head.

    ‘No. Stop. Stop feeding yourself bullshit. I have Amelie now.’ His fist clenched tight, brows knitting with force. ‘I hate Daniel…’

    His mind snapped back—to the moment she stepped into Daniel’s house. The way her hand left his, her body moved forward, and he just watched.

    His fist clenched again. Harder.

    ‘And I hate her too, after all.’

    ‘…Lying is the way of the world. I accepted that.’

    ‘I hate that they lied to me.’

    ‘I should lie to everyone.’

    The thought contradicted itself—twisting like barbed wire in his chest, refusing to unravel.

    How could he despise Daniel for lying to get what he wanted…when Jiho had just decided to do the same?

    “F… FUCK!” he hissed, the word forced through clenched teeth, sharp and bitter.

    “Skills. Skills now.”

    [Finally.]

    The status window opened before his eyes.

    [Status Window]

    Name: Jiho An

    Class: Assassin

    Level: 50

    Stat Points Available: 400

    [Strength]: 40

    [Agility]: 40

    [Vitality]: 100

    [Perception]: 100

    [Intelligence]: 25

    [MULTIPLE ACHIEVEMENTS UNLOCKED!] (Read more to see rewards)

    [MULTIPLE TITLES UNLOCKED!] (Read more to see rewards)

    [LEGENDARY SKILLS UNLOCKED!] (Read more to see rewards)

    ‘Legendary skills… But before that, I need to check my normal skills.’

    He scrolled down and tapped the [Skills] button.

    “…Just two?” Jiho muttered as he eyed the list of skills that was unlocked for him.

    [What did you expect? You can’t start with everything, Boyo.]

    ‘Okay…’ He focused on the first two.

    1. [Shadow Step – LV.1]

    EXP: 0%

    Instantly blink a short distance in any direction. (Range: 1m)

    HP Cost: 100

    Cooldown: 10s

    Note: Shadow cannot pass through solid obstacles.

    “Good for flanking… or running away.” He blinked. “But… this is basically teleportation. That’s insane.”

    His gaze narrowed at the fine print. 

    “Wait—100 HP? Isn’t that… Health Points?”

    [Yeah. Almost every attack and skill works like that, Boyo. You’re a sentient zombie now. Of course you use your health. Zombies can’t use magic.]

    “…You’re the most magical thing I’ve ever seen, though,” he muttered, deadpan.

    [Wooing me won’t get you a better deal.]

    “Wasn’t trying to.” Jiho sighed. “Anyway… why does it say LV.1? I’m level 50.”

    [You really didn’t play a lot of games, huh? Skills have their own levels—separate from yours. The more you use them, the more they grow.]

    “That sounds nice. But what do I get from it?”

    [Tell me this, Boyo—if you shovel shit every day, what happens?]

    “…O…kay…?”

    [You get better at it.]

    “So if I level this up… I get better at shoveling shit?” Jiho replied, deadpan.

    […]

    […I’m done explaining. Figure it out yourself.]

    “Okay, okay, that was a joke—I am actually interested,” Jiho said quickly, holding up a hand.

    […Fine.]

    ‘Does it have a soft spot or something?’ he wondered, raising an eyebrow.

    [Skill level-ups increase effectiveness—Shadow Step, for example, will cover more distance, cost less HP, and have shorter cooldowns. Plus, the higher your Intelligence stat, the faster your skills level up and the better they scale.]

    “Alright… Thanks.” Jiho felt the words slip out before he could stop them.

    […Just keep reading.]

    2. [Martial Arts – LV.1] (PASSIVE)

    EXP: 0%

    As an Assassin, you possess natural talent in close combat—far beyond that of an average human. Fighting instincts come easier, and real experience is absorbed more efficiently by your body and mind.

    “That’s… that’s it?” he muttered, frowning. “That’s the skill? Where’s the HP cost and cooldown?”

    [Can’t you see the word PASSIVE next to it?]

    “Passive…?” Jiho echoed, studying the screen.

    [Means it’s always active. In this case, it just makes you a better brawler than most.]

    ‘Huh…’ Jiho examined it for a moment longer, then asked, 

    “Wouldn’t my Perception stat complement this?”

    […]

    […Interesting thought, Boyo.]

    ‘That means… leveling up Perception while also training Martial Arts… Wouldn’t that make me brokenly strong?’His eyes widened.

    His pulse began to thump in his ears with growing excitement.

    Then his gaze drifted down—past the two unlocked skills.

    3. [LOCKED] [REQ. COLLECTIVE SKILL LEVEL 5]

    4. [LOCKED] [REQ. COLLECTIVE SKILL LEVEL 10]

    —- GET MORE SKILLS BY CHOOSING A SUBCLASS! —-

    “…’Collective skill level’? That mean the total of all my skill levels added together?”

    A small smirk tugged at the edge of Jiho’s lips.

    ‘I… I wanna go outside again.’

    His eyes drifted toward the window, heart thudding in his chest.

    ‘I wanna test all these out.’

    [There’s still the legendary skills, Boyo. Don’t forget about those.]

    “…You’re right…!” His eyes widened as he clicked the next message:

    [CLICK TO VIEW MORE]

    [CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’VE UNLOCKED SECRET SUBCLASS YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM DUE TO YOUR LATEST ACHIEVEMENTS!]

    ‘Hm… I guess the Legendary skills are tied to the subclass…?’ he thought, scrolling down.

    [Something like that. When you reach a certain level, your class evolves through a subclass.]

    ‘I see… There’s a lot of cool ones…’ he muttered, eyes scanning the standard list.

    🔻 Subclass: Blood Channeler

    [Key Trait: You’re a bruiser with lifesteal and high sustain.]

    Every hit restores HP. You get harder to kill the longer a fight drags on… but your damage stays low.

    “Sounds useful…”

    He clenched his fists.

    [But you wanna hurt, Boyo. When it matters, anyway. This one won’t give you that.]

    “…Yeah.”

    🔻 Subclass: Shadow Zomboy

    [Key Trait: You’re a long-range assassin with stealth and burst.]

    You poke from afar, vanish, then finish fast. Fragile, but deadly if you get the jump.

    [A sniper’d love that one, lemme tell ya.]

    “I can imagine.”

    🔻 Subclass: Toxic Edge

    [Key Trait: You’re a DOT-focused fighter with weakening effects.]

    Your cuts don’t hurt much at first, but enemies keep bleeding. They get slower. Softer. Easier to kill.

    “DOT?” Jiho asked.

    [Damage over time. You don’t hit hard up front, but—]

    Jiho’s brow furrowed. He already got it.

    “The damage—”

    [—accumulates.]

    “Accumulates. Got it.”

    They said it at the same time.
    Jiho smirked, then turned his eyes back to the subclasses list.

    […]

    🔻 Subclass: Pulse Reaper

    [Key Trait: You’re an AOE melee fighter who spends HP.]

    Burn health to deal big splash damage. More enemies = more value. But you’ll need to manage your life bar carefully.

    “AOE…?” Jiho glanced up.

    [Area of Effect. Basically, big radius attacks around you.]

    “Got it… Now then…” Jiho muttered, eyes narrowing as the final standard subclass loaded.

    🔻 Subclass: Blade Zombo

    [Key Trait: You’re a melee DPS focused on speed and critical hits.]

    Light on defense, heavy on dodging. You move fast, hit fast, and rely on crits to deal real damage. Miss those crits, though, and your hits won’t mean much.

    Jiho sighed.

    […Damage Per Second.]

    The system added it quietly, like it already knew he was tired of all these terms one after another.

    [Basically, you deal steady damage—if you land your crits.]

    “Yeah…” Jiho murmured.

    He recalled stabbing zombies with those makeshift knives.

    “I… would’ve picked that one. If it weren’t for the secret subclass…”

    A pause.

    “Still might.”

    The next section loaded with a flicker.

    [DUE TO YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A SECRET SUBCLASS.]

    ‘Alright… Now for the secret class…!’

    Jiho’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

    …And then they didn’t.

    His expression dulled.

    ‘What the…?’

    🔻 Subclass: The Untriggered

    Core Identity:

    You don’t inspire mercy. You disarm wrath.

    You stare a killer in the eye, and by the time they blink, they’re doubting themselves.

    You don’t stop blades—you stop intent.

    Subclass Mechanics:

    🧠 Active Skill – Everyone’s Got a Choice

    “You decide. But you only get one chance.”

    COST: None

    DURATION: 30 seconds

    COOLDOWN: 3 hours

    Upon use, time is briefly suspended before a hostile encounter. You are presented with two paths:

    ▸ [FIGHT] – LV.1

    Locks you into a lethal path. Grants a temporary stat boost that scales with skill level.

    Failure to kill the target within the encounter results in instant death.
    Success rewards EXP + unique subclass bonus.

    ▸ [DISARM] – LV.1

    Attempt to talk the enemy down.

    Failure to persuade results in a severe penalty.

    If you resort to violence after choosing [DISARM], the penalty is doubled.

    Success rewards EXP + unique subclass bonus.

    🎭 LV.1 Insight:

    Gain a brief glimpse into the enemy’s current emotional state. Accuracy depends on your familiarity with the target.

    🔓 LV.2+ Insight Unlocks: Difficulty ratings for BOTH options, emotional triggers or weaknesses, and triggering phrases.

    [MORE SUBCLASS SKILLS WILL BE UNLOCKED UPON ADVANCING IN THIS CLASS.]

    Jiho blinked.

    ‘The… fuck?’

    BIG THANKS to my Patreon supporters:

    SparkyZinger

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  • 38th Death: The Night We Met

    ‘Marcel or Amélie should’ve let me know something like this!’ Jiho thought as he walked away from the spot, pouting.

    ‘It was those two Frenchmen with Marcel at the time… Haah.’ He slapped his cheek.

    ‘Why did I do that?’ He paused.

    ‘Well, it doesn’t even feel like a slap.’ His gaze dropped to his status window.

    [Status Window]

    STAT POINTS AVAILABLE: 15 (+400)

    [Strength]: 40

    [Agility]: 40

    [Vitality]: 100

    [Perception]: 100

    [Intelligence]: 10

    ‘Hm. I got 15 points. Might as well toss them into Intelligence. Skill efficiency is always useful.’

    “15 points to Intelligence!”

    [Intelligence]: 10 >>> 25

    ‘Now I’ve got 400 points left. I’ll figure out what to do with them later… While keeping an equilibrium is important, I think I should make Vitality or Perception a priority. Unlike Strength or Agility, there’s no harm in keeping these two higher than all of them. Anyway, why put the stat points behind a plus sign?’ His gaze narrowed.

    [It’s because those stat points are a reward for an achievement, Boyo.]

    “Didn’t ask,” he muttered.

    [You were about to.]

    “…True. So, what achievement? What did I even do that’s so impressive?” He kept walking, adjusting his bag.

    [How about ya’ look for yourself?]

    “Alright.” He pulled up the status window, scrolling through past messages.

    [SYSTEM MESSAGES]

    [MULTIPLE ACHIEVEMENTS UNLOCKED!] (Read more to see rewards!)

    [MULTIPLE TITLES UNLOCKED!] (Read more to see rewards!)

    [LEGENDARY SKILLS UNLOCKED!] (Read more to see rewards!)

    [EXTRA EXP GRANTED DUE TO ACHIEVEMENTS!] (Read more to see reward!)

    [SECRET CHALLENGE COMPLETED!] (Read more to see reward!)

    ‘Hmm… Let’s start with the singular one. This… Secret Challenge.’

    He tapped the notification.

    [SECRET CHALLENGE COMPLETED!]

    You are the FIRST player to discover the zombification secret—WITHOUT GUIDANCE, NO LESS!400 STAT POINTS REWARDED FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND LUCK!

    ‘Huh. So that’s where the extra points came from…’ Jiho exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. ‘That’s from when I killed a zombie while my zombification hit 100%. I really am lucky.’

    He scrolled again. ‘Next up… EXTRA EXP?’

    He tapped.

    [EXTRA EXP GRANTED DUE TO ACHIEVEMENTS!]

    You are the ONLY player to survive the quarantine zone without activating the system! 50,000,000 EXP REWARDED!

    ‘I guess that’s what leveled me up to 50…’

    His eyes drifted down to the next message.

    Legendary Skills.

    He swallowed.

    I wonder…

    His hands trembled slightly. A smile threatened to creep onto his face.

    Jesus… This… really is kinda fun…

    His heart pounded as his fingers hovered over the message prompt.

    So engrossed in the game-like reward system, he didn’t notice the presence stopping behind him.

    “Uh… Hello?”

    A timid voice.

    Jiho froze. His breath hitched- he knew this voice.

    “…Eunhee.”

    His voice was subdued as he dismissed the status window. His expression, unreadable.

    Her lips parted. “It… really is you, huh?”

    She stopped too.

    “….”

    “….”

    Jiho replayed the lines he’d rehearsed. The ones he memorized in front of a mirror.

    The words he was supposed to say. The way he was supposed to act.

    But when he opened his mouth—they were gone.

    “You want something?” His tone came out impatient, detached.

    But it wasn’t the line he had prepared. It wasn’t the sharp response he was supposed to throw back at her.

    “Ah… I… Uhm…” She fumbled. “I couldn’t sleep… so I went to the park. This place… calms me down. It… I…” She hesitated. “I knew it calms you down too, right?”

    “It doesn’t calm me down at all.” Jiho’s response was immediate, sharp.

    He looked ahead. He should walk away. Why wasn’t he moving?

    “Right… J-Jiho…” Her voice trembled slightly.

    She forced a laugh. “You… grew taller, haha. Your voice is… kind of… deeper, too.”

    She looked away, brushing her hand through her hair. Awkward.

    Jiho didn’t understand.

    He had rehearsed for this. He had waited for her to say something like this. He had the perfect response—he knew exactly how to throw it back in her face.

    So why… why wasn’t anything coming to him?

    “Uh…” She hesitated again, shifting on her feet.

    For a second, she almost reached out.

    “I… I know it might not mean much coming from me… right now,” her voice wavered, “but I’m… really glad to see you. Really… really glad that you’re alive.”

    Something in Jiho snapped.

    His muscles tensed, his teeth clenched.

    “Great,” he spat, voice tight, strained. “Go celebrate with Daniel, then.”

    Her breath hitched.

    Jiho stepped away.

    Her lips parted, eyes widening. She had feared this—feared he would distance himself.

    But hearing him say it… and watching him walk away…

    Made it real.

    “Don’t… please… Jiho, don’t walk away…!”

    Her voice was small at first.

    “I’m… I’m SORRY!”

    She leaned toward him, desperation creeping into her tone.

    Jiho pursed his lips. Pressed them into a thin line. Kept walking.

    “I’M SORRY!!”

    Her voice cracked.

    “You… out of EVERYONE… didn’t deserve—”

    Jiho stopped.

    His head half-turned.

    “Didn’t deserve what?!”

    His voice was razor-sharp.

    “You falling for Daniel? Is that what I didn’t deserve?!”

    Eunhee had come to apologize.

    She had planned to apologize for lying to him.

    But the second Jiho spat those words back at her…

    Was that really all she came to apologize for?

    “I… right after that happened… I…” Her hands clenched at her sides. “I looked for you…! But then… you died… I… I had to… I had to stay with Daniel!”

    Jiho let out a breathless chuckle, still turned away.

    “I’m really happy for you,” he muttered.

    Eunhee’s lips parted.

    “Look at you,” he sighed, rubbing his face. “Feeling guilty for falling in love with that backstabber…”

    His head lowered.

    “You’re definitely going to have to stay with him now.”

    His voice was rasp. Dry. Final.

    “Since we’re DONE.”

    She clutched her dress tightly.

    “… Please, look at me.” She pleaded.

    Jiho exhaled sharply.

    “… For what?”

    “Just look at me. Please…”

    “Have Daniel do that.”

    His voice wavered. Just slightly. Cracking at the edges.

    And Eunhee heard it.

    Even before she processed what he said, she felt it.

    Jiho let out a forced chuckle.

    “I bet,” he muttered. “He looked at you lots of times, didn’t he? Go to him.”

    His voice turned hollow.

    “We’re done. I’m done. With you. And him.”

    He started walking away.

    Tears climbed up Eunhee’s throat. She fell to her knees.

    Jiho stopped.

    “I don’t get it, Eunhee.”

    Her head snapped up.

    His tone was calm. Unforgiving.

    “Why are you so bothered?”

    “…?”

    “You’ve apologized. I didn’t accept it, and I mocked you.” His voice was firm. “So why aren’t you going back to him? Why are you crying here?”

    Eunhee let out a soft, shaky chuckle, wiping her tears.

    “Because… unlike me,” she murmured, “you bothered enough to ask me just now.”

    Her voice wavered. “While I just… up and left you on that rooftop.”

    Jiho lowered his head slightly.

    “You’re that much better than me.”

    The words slipped from her lips before she even processed them.

    But Jiho caught it instantly.

    His Perception stat kicked in.

    That phrase—too familiar.

    A script.

    His mind rummaged through old memories, and then—

    He remembered.

    ————————-

    “I always make her believe her friends are better than her. Elevate their image instead of my own. It’s a scummy tactic, but it works.”

    Daniel’s voice echoed in his mind, from a conversation nearly two years ago—just before they started high school.

    Jiho had frowned at the time. “Why? Wouldn’t that make her admire them more and look away from you?”

    “Ah, you’d THINK THAT!” Daniel had grinned, proud of himself. “But I figured it all out!”

    He had leaned forward, voice brimming with confidence.

    “Jiho, you hate having to act all dignified when an army general walks into the room, right? Someone you DEFINITELY think is better than you in everything? You have to be respectful, all polite and smiley, right? That’s kinda exhausting, isn’t it?”

    Jiho had hesitated. “I guess…?”

    “YEAH! So, I make her think her friends are army generals. I make her believe they’re SOOO much better than her, so being around them exhausts her!” Daniel had explained, his eyes practically glowing with amusement. “So she likes being with ME more, because I’m just a NORMAL person she doesn’t have to exhaust herself for!”

    Jiho had paused, considering it. “Should I do that with Eunhee, then?”

    Daniel had perked up immediately.

    “OOooooooooooh? You like Eunhee, Jiho?”

    Jiho had stammered. “I… I mean… Maybe…”

    Daniel had hummed, tapping his chin. “You could. But… I feel like that wouldn’t work on Eunhee.”

    Jiho had blinked. “Why not?”

    Daniel had smirked.

    “Because she knows you too well to fall for that bullshit.”

    A pause. Then, his smirk faded slightly.

    “Besides… if you really care about her, you wouldn’t even try that.”

    His voice was softer now.

    “Because you don’t want your relationship to be built on a lie… like all of mine.”

    He looked down, smiling just a little—but it wasn’t smug.

    It was somber.

    Jiho frowned. “But you don’t lie to me.”

    Daniel’s eyes widened slightly, like the thought had never crossed his mind before.

    For a brief moment, he just stared at Jiho.

    Then, he let out a small, relieved chuckle.

    “Ah… I guess… I don’t. Haha.”

    ———————

    Jiho chuckled—low, bitter.

    “Ah… Hahaha…”

    His forced smirk barely held.

    “You really are Daniel’s girlfriend.”

    Eunhee’s breath caught in her throat. Her face paled.

    Jiho finally turned to her, locking eyes with her teary gaze.

    “Daniel told me the best way to get a girlfriend is to isolate her from her friends.” His tone was unnervingly even.

    “Make her believe the people she… ” He took a breath, “might have loved were always out of her reach. Make her act refined, make her feel exhausted trying to be perfect around them—so that when she’s with him, she feels… safe.”

    His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile.

    “…!” Her breath stilled.

    “Funny thing is,” he exhaled, “he told me never to do that with you. Because he didn’t want our connection, when we’ll eventually be lovers, to be built on a lie.”

    A pause.

    Then, his voice darkened.

    “But hearing you say that… That fucking ‘phrase’.”

    His smirk faded. His gaze sharpened.

    “I see.”

    Silence.

    “A connection is just that much stronger and certain when it’s built on a lie, then.”

    Eunhee’s stomach churned. A sickening nausea clawed up her throat.

    That pure Jiho… was slipping away.

    And there was nothing she could say to stop it.

    ‘No…’

    ‘Don’t… become like him, Jiho… Not you…’

    Jiho let out a deep sigh, kneeling to meet her gaze.

    “Thank you, Eunhee.” His voice was quiet, almost relieved. “I get it now.”

    She lifted her head weakly.

    “I’m sorry you fell for it. But it was inevitable.”

    Her lips parted, but nothing came out.

    ‘Inevitable… I… Ha… Wha…’

    Her gaze dropped, defeated.

    Jiho lowered his own as well. “There was nothing you could’ve done,” His voice softened even further. “It wasn’t your fault.”

    And then, a chuckle. Somber this time.

    “And… Because of that… I know that you felt the same for me, at some point.” His words were calm, resigned.

    “Thank you.”

    Tears wouldn’t stop falling from her eyes.

    And through the haze, she saw his palm reached out to her.

    “Can I escort you home?” His voice was steady, composed, and tired all the same.

    She looked up.

    It wasn’t mockery.

    It was sincere.

    Jiho’s transformation was complete. He truly… no longer saw her as guilty.

    He truly believed that her no longer loving him was inevitable when faced with someone like Daniel—a master at lying. And that lying is needed to build something strong.

    “Y…” Her breath came out ragged, “Yes…” She lowered her head, reaching toward his palm.

    Jiho helped her up.

    Her hand stayed in his.

    And as they walked, she clung to it. Caressed it. Held onto him, as if trying to hold onto something slipping away.

    Because the direction they were headed wasn’t her house. It was Daniel’s.

    And Jiho was leading the way.

    She didn’t resist.

    They passed by the park; where Jiho had once stood flustered. Excited. Earnest.

    She squeezed his hand tighter.

    Jiho’s grasp remained firm. Not pressing, not pulling.

    Just holding.

    Before long, they reached Daniel’s apartment, and Jiho let go of her hand before Eunhee did.

    She took a shaky step forward, pausing at the door; then turned back, wanting to say something.

    But the words wouldn’t come.

    She looked down.

    She turned away, stepping inside.

    Jiho watched the door close behind her.

    ‘… Goodbye, Eunhee.’

    He turned around and walked away.

    [Hey, Boyo. Now that you’re done with that, check out the legendary—]

    The system’s voice cut off.

    [Boyo…?]

    It repeated itself.

    Jiho’s breath hitched. Tears slipped down his face.

    “Show me how to lie…” His voice trembled. “Is there a stat for that?”

    [Nah. Even if there were, I wouldn’t tell you about it.] The message prompt flickered. [There are lots of books about it, though.]

    Jiho clenched his teeth. Another sob tore through his throat.

    “I want to be very…” His fingers curled into fists. His breath came out ragged.

    “Very good at it.” His voice cracked.

    “Very… Very… Good at it… The best…”

    Silence.

    Then, the system’s response.

    [… Yeah, me too, Boyo.]

    Background Music: Lord Huron – The Night We Met (Alive From Whispering Pines)

    https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/iqu90TLintI?rel=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1

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