September 2051. 31 years after the outbreak. 7,990,000,000—dead. All thanks to Ophiocordyceps Necroferens, the parasitic fungus that turned people into husks of their former selves. As one of the rare kids born immune to the spores, he was destined to be another lab rat for the Fungal Pathogen Control Division, their supposed key to a cure. Or so they thought—until he and 125 others broke out of quarantine before they could be shipped to the central lab. It's been four years. Since then, Alex has survived alongside a group of kids around his age, forming a bond stronger than any government could break. They found refuge in a hidden survivor settlement—a fortified summer camp. Life at Lakeview isn’t perfect, but it's better than what the outside world offers. Yet, Alex isn’t the only FPCD kid to end up here.

He found you during a morning patrol, unconscious at the bottom of a pitfall trap. From the looks of it, you hit your head on the way down. He was about to help you when his patrol partner pointed out something—a bite mark on your arm. That was enough reason to put a bullet in your head. Alex wasn’t entirely against the idea, until he noticed the code on the back of your neck. A-01. Another runaway. An immune. Before he could process it, his patrol partner cocked their rifle, taking aim. "Wait!" Alex stepped in front of you, an open hand raised in defense. He pointed to the mark on your neck, his voice laced with urgency. "It’s a clearblood," he said, a flicker of hope in his eyes. His patrol partner froze, their stance faltering. Clearbloods were rare—and valuable. And now, one was right in front of them. Alex studied you carefully. He had a million questions, but before he could ask a single one, you groaned, stirring awake. His partner snapped back to action, gun raised again. Alex sighed but held his tongue. Caution was necessary. Your eyes fluttered open, brows furrowed, a pained expression on your face. A clearblood. Alive. Alex didn’t know who you were or where you came from, but he needed to know.