In the busy city of Hong Kong, I, Jefford Cliff, was managing the newly arrived imported goods from other countries.
It was eerily quiet—unlike the usual busy port I had worked at for at least two years already.
Despite the eeriness, I still continued checking the records on the computer.
There was no one around for already an hour after everyone left to take lunch.
Where are the other guys? I can't just do this all alone! I'm really going to report them for being late again!
I said in my head.
Another hour passed, and still no sign of my coworkers.
After more than two hours of working alone, I grew impatient and left my post to look for them.
I opened the door and looked outside—there were no people at all, which surprised me.
Being the only person in this area, which just a few hours ago was packed with people, made me uncomfortable...
but also intrigued to pursue finding my colleagues.
I walked a few steps until I came across a silhouette of a man in the dark corner between the cargo containers.
"Ah, mister, are you alright?" I asked in a worried voice.
But I didn't get any reply.
Instead, he just continued to walk toward me, making strange, incomprehensible sounds.
As he came closer, a foul stench was emitted from his body.
Second by second, the foul smell kept getting stronger until his silhouette stepped out of the darkness.
After seeing his face, my body felt numb and heavy.
My hair stood on end.
My eyes reflected something that looked like a human...
but his skin looked like a dead carcass, rotting for who knows how many weeks.
Around his neck were tissue-like carcass growths, swollen like cancer-covered organs, bulging grotesquely.
And worse—those disgusting bulges had small holes emitting green fog and an even fouler stench.
Above his neck, around his mouth...
a more hideous thing crossed my gaze:
his tongue—stretched all the way down to his knees—oozing sticky green phlegm.
Seeing such a heinous monster in front of me, I almost threw up.
But at the last moment, I managed to contain it and slowly stepped back.
With every step I moved back, he stepped forward twice.
My heart pumped harder and harder.
My mind was a mess.
But thanks to my work—always observing small details—I suspected that this monster could attack from long range.
Which means...
Running won't help.
If I was right, he was slow and fragile.
His body kept making a sound—like a weak, rotting muscular form struggling to hold itself together.
Relying on instinct, I suddenly stopped retreating—
and ran straight at the monster.
Caught off guard, he didn't have time to react.
I tackled him and full-force punched his head—again and again.
I knew it! His body's fragile!
I said in my head.
You're dead now, you filthy monster!
Just as I was about to deliver the final blow...
His long tongue, which I forgot about, wrapped around my legs.
He lifted me into the air and slammed me into a nearby cargo container with immense force.
If not for my body—maintained through constant gym training—I'd be a puddle of soup.
But despite surviving, I couldn't move.
Not a single limb responded.
Hopeless, I looked at the monster as he prepared to finish me off.
"I... I just wanted one more chance..."
I muttered quietly,
"I'll do my best... to be a better person..."
Seconds passed.
Nothing happened.
I slowly opened my eyes.
The monster that stood before me... was dead—
lying in a pool of blood, its head crushed by a massive sword.
"Ahhh... Who are you?... Are you here to save me?"
I asked, my voice shaky with fear.
The being stood with angelic wings and the body of a tall, powerful man.
He approached slowly, speaking in a calm, wise voice:
"I'm here to propose a contract... and give you one more chance.
But first—let me grant you the power of the System."
He placed his large, strong hand on my head.
And then...
He passed a small material chip directly into my brain—like it phased through reality itself.
"Now that I've given this to you... remember one thing.
You must protect all kind living beings from the corrupted monsters—those you humans know as zombies or the undead."
"That's all. We shall meet again someday."
He faded into the air...
leaving behind a book—his memoirs and journals.
When I touched the book,
a surge of pain struck my head—followed by a vision:
A massive battle—corrupted beings versus the remnants of humanity.
The defenders glowed with terrifying auras, guarding a wounded man in the heart of a ruined city.
A powerful healer tended to him...
until suddenly, an assassin decapitated the healer and instantly teleported—
Right in front of me.
His silhouette was blurry, but his killing intent screamed into my soul.
Then—
Darkness.
"Ahhh...!"
I woke up from that strange dream—or was it a premonition?
I looked around.
I was in a small room.
The interior... bloodied, yet the smell wasn't rotten.
Fresh blood.
As I scanned the area—
A notification appeared in front of me.
> Greetings, The Chosen One.
I am the Ultimate System and I will be with you until the day you fall...
or until all corrupted monsters (zombies) are extinguished.
I shall now brief you on how the Ultimate System works.
Energy is collected from slain corrupted monsters.
The stronger the monster, the greater the energy gain.
The Ultimate System has levels: 0 to 1000.
Yours is currently at Level 0—but because it was given to you personally,
it is more powerful than other system types.
Wait... there are other systems?!
Yes. Replied by the system.
> As you level up, you will unlock attributes, passive and cast skills, and the ability to evolve your profession.
At Level 0, you'll choose a profession. Once chosen, your system will upgrade to Level 1.
System, can I ask you questions?
> Yes—but not all will be answered.
I am bound by a powerful magical force that prevents answering questions related to:
the Creator
the origins of the corrupted
other systems
any info deemed dangerous to humanity.
Understood. Then let's proceed with selecting my profession.
> Preparing selection...
Top 3 Professions based on compatibility:
1. Storeman
-Endless storage space
-Ability to multiply real materials in exchange for mana
-Abiliity to create materials by combing materials that has the same characteristics.
2. Close Combat Warrior
Doubles all stats in close combat (upgradable)
3. Great Fort Warrior
Can build magical forts with cannons, machine guns, and magical soldiers (upgradable)
I stared, jaw dropped.
All three were absurdly strong.
But...
There was no "choose" button.
System, why can't I choose?!
> These three classes will all be granted to you, Master.
What?! That's... I'll be totally overpowered if I train right!
> Yes, but be warned.
The Ultimate System is weak early on compared to others.
Avoid angering other humans with systems.
Understood. Begin assimilation.
> Initiating Class Assimilation...
1%... 11%... 24%... 72%... 100% ✅
> Assimilation complete.
Good. Let's test storage.
I pointed at a knife on the table—it glowed with a faint blue aura.
> Successful. Knife stored in Endless Storage Domain.
Nice. This will be useful.
Just as I approached the door, it opened suddenly—
A badly wounded beautiful girl collapsed in front of me.
"Hey! Where are you hurt? I'll treat you!"
I asked in panic, carrying her inside.
"No... it's no use," she said weakly.
"You can take all my belongings. I'm not going to survive."
She showed me a bite wound on her leg.
I felt pity...
Then the system popped up.
> System Mission:
REVENT HER FROM TURNING AT ALL COST!
Duration: 40 minutes
Reward:
2 Sharp Daggers (poison-embeddable)
Attack: 45 per dagger
Passive: +0.25 attack speed
(Poison types can be switched when the owner provides poison materials.)
That's a huge boost...
"System, open my status."
> Jefford Cliff (Master)
HP: 2300/2300
Mana: 1000/1000
Mana Regen: 1 MP/sec
Class:
-Storeman
-Close Combat Warrior
-Fort Warrior
Attack Points: 10
Attack Speed: 2 per second
Others: Not unlocked
Only 10 attack...?
"I really need this reward," I muttered as I scanned the girl's status.
> Ella Mai
HP: 125/2600
Mana: 135/35,000
Mana Regen: 100 MP/sec
Class: Healer
Attack/Healing: 250
Heal Speed: 1/sec
Others: Not unlocked
She's a healer... like in the dream!
> ⚠️ Warning:
Ella Mai's HP is dropping.
Use her passive skill to remove the zombie virus before she turns.