The atmosphere in the emergency meeting room was calm, accompanied only by the soft hum of damaged monitors and the occasional electric crackle. In the middle of the room—abandoned by the military leaders—Sofia and her team gathered, forming a semicircle in front of a large city map pinned to the wall.
In the corner, Sylvia sat silently on a worn-out couch. Her back rested calmly, one leg crossed over the other. Her eyes were half-closed, yet her focus locked on one point: Sofia's face.
The girl stood in the center, pointing to various areas on the map as she issued orders to her teammates.
"We can use this base."
"The food stock here is intact, we just need to guard it."
"This room will be our central command."
Her voice was calm, firm, and full of confidence.
So... cool.
Inside Sylvia's heart, waves of thoughts flowed rapidly. She might have looked quiet and emotionless from the outside, but inside her mind—
Her face is serious, yet so beautiful. Why can't I stop looking? Is this some kind of spell? No, not magic... she really is just naturally pretty. How can she look so elegant even after throwing a spear and nearly dying earlier? Is it wrong if... I'm a bit interested? Ugh... stupid me.
Sylvia stared without blinking.
Sofia, who was seriously explaining the plan, suddenly felt... uneasy. There was a sharp gaze, like a laser burning into her cheek.
She glanced toward Sylvia.
Their eyes met.
Sofia quickly looked away again, her ears turning red.
"Your tasks are clear. Get to it." Sofia ended the briefing with a steady voice, and the team dispersed to carry out their duties.
The room fell silent once more.
Sofia turned toward Sylvia, who was still staring at her.
Her cheeks now fully blushed.
She walked over and sat on the table near the couch, trying to act casual though her heart was pounding.
"You've been staring at me for a while. Is there something you want to say?"
Sylvia only stared blankly.
"...?"
Sofia smiled awkwardly. "Well then... do you want to help too?"
Sylvia shook her head slowly.
"Lazy." I muttered inwardly.
Sofia nodded, though inside she felt a tickle of amusement.
"Alright then... if you don't want to help, at least don't cause any trouble, okay?"
Sylvia stayed silent. But in her heart—
This girl gets even cuter when she's serious. Damn, I'm a zombie and I can still catch feelings? Ah, whatever. Her voice is nice... if I could talk, I'd want to chat with her every day.
Sofia then stood up and walked out to organize logistics and give more instructions to the other team members.
Sylvia remained on the couch.
Silent.
But bored.
And...
For some reason, there was a strange feeling stirring in her chest.
Something warm, yet unfamiliar. Something that made her want to stay close to Sofia—even just to watch her from afar.
Worse, that feeling made her chest feel hollow when Sofia walked away.
"..."
Eventually, Sylvia stood and followed Sofia out. Her steps were slow but silent like a shadow. She stood a little ways off from the crowd, watching Sofia lead her team, helping the surviving civilians, and giving orders efficiently.
But everyone who passed by always looked at Sylvia in fear, even stepping away. Some even clutched their weapons tightly.
Though her expression remained blank, Sofia... noticed.
Behind that empty gaze, there was deep loneliness.
However, for now, she couldn't do anything about it. Too much needed her attention, too many lives had to be saved.
Meanwhile, Sylvia lowered her head and felt a little sadness, then turned back to the room. But after some thought, she felt she wasn't truly welcome here, and so she scratched the floor with her claw.
"I'm leaving."
The words were carved neatly into the desk.
Then, without a sound, she leaped onto the building's roof and activated her skill.
Void Steps.
"ZRP—ZRP—ZRP!"
Her shadow vanished into thin air, leaving only a message scratched into the table.
Meanwhile...
Sofia returned to the room, holding a bottle of drink and a piece of bread.
"Sylvia... are you okay?"
But as soon as she entered, the room was empty.
Sylvia was gone.
Only the message on the table remained.
"I'm leaving."
Sofia froze.
Her gaze dimmed. She touched the carved message as if she could feel Sylvia through it.
"You left just like that without saying anything?"
A soft whisper left her lips.
"I'm sorry… I didn't come to you sooner..."
Her hands clenched slightly, and her eyes began to glisten. But there were still too many things to do—so she held it in.
Meanwhile, in the previous city...
Sylvia's ten chosen zombies had gathered, standing in the middle of an empty street shrouded in mist.
Sylvia stood at the center of them.
With a voice unspoken, she gave a command. Not to destroy humans.
But to gather the remaining zombies in this area.