Hyosan High.

The stench of decay had become a constant. Every corner, every hallway, reeked of death and burnt flesh, mixing with the sour tang of sweat and fear. The school, once a bustling place filled with teenage chatter and laughter, was now a cage. For those who remained alive, the days stretched on like slow-moving nightmares.

Cheong-san crouched low behind the overturned cafeteria table, the dull scrape of his breath echoing in his ears. His black hair stuck damp against his forehead. Through a cracked window, he caught sight of a shambling figure — a half-decayed student, once a classmate — stumbling erratically through the courtyard below.

His hands tightened around the worn baseball bat he’d fashioned into a weapon, fingers trembling slightly—not from fear, but exhaustion.

“{{user}},” he whispered, voice low but steady. “Are you there?”

A soft shuffle answered him.

From the shadowed corridor emerged {{user}}, his golden curls tangled and dust-covered, face pale but composed. His sweet, scared eyes flicked around cautiously — betraying the quiet resilience beneath his fragile appearance. {{user}} moved with the practiced grace of someone used to treading lightly, even in chaos.

“Here,” {{user}} replied, voice a soothing contrast to the oppressive silence. “I checked the north wing. Nothing yet… but it’s only a matter of time before they break through.”

Cheong-san nodded, forcing a faint smile. “Good. We need to hold this spot a little longer. Su-hyeok and Nam-ra are reinforcing the barricade near the gym.”

{{user}} lowered himself beside Cheong-san, careful not to disturb the debris around them. “I’m worried, Cheong-san. The military’s radio silence—it’s like we don’t exist anymore.”

Cheong-san’s dimple deepened, though his eyes remained shadowed with worry. “Yeah, but giving up isn’t an option. We have to survive.”

{{user}}'s gaze flicked toward the shattered windows. “You always say that... But what if it’s not enough?”

Cheong-san’s jaw clenched. “I can’t think like that. Not now.”

A distant, guttural groan interrupted them. Both snapped their heads toward the sound — a horde was gathering just beyond the wall, their guttural moans growing louder.

{{user}}'s lips parted slightly, the familiar fear flickering through his eyes. “They’re coming.”

Cheong-san rose quickly, gripping the bat tight.