System Mania!

Chapter 1: Unholy Countdown

Chapter 1: Unholy Countdown

Chaos reigned supreme within the cavernous mall parking lot.

The air was thick with the scent of desperation, sweat, and fear, blending into a cacophony of panicked cries and frenzied footsteps.

Korig stood amid the pandemonium, a crowbar clenched tightly in his bloodied hands, his heart racing like a drumbeat.

His clothes were stained with crimson splatters, a stark contrast to his pale face that was etched with disbelief and terror.

He had sought refuge behind a sturdy pillar, yet the safety it offered felt more like an illusion as the world around him spiraled into madness.

"What the fuck is going on?"

he muttered to himself, the words a reflection of his baffled thoughts.

The question echoed in his mind like a broken record, each repetition pulling him further into the abyss of confusion.

Korig's wide eyes scanned the scene, taking in the disarray that surrounded him.

People screamed and shouted, their voices blending into a symphony of hysteria.

Mothers clung to their children, dragging them through the chaos, while others attempted to fight off the relentless onslaught of the undead.

The air was heavy with the metallic tang of blood, and the ground was littered with abandoned belongings, shattered glass, and the lifeless bodies of those who had fallen.

Behind him, the zombie horde advanced, their guttural growls and hungry moans, were a daunting soundtrack to the nightmare.

The sight of people being bitten, their faces contorted in pain and fear, sent shivers down Korig's spine.

It was as though the world had been plunged into a realm of nightmare, where the boundary between life and death had blurred into oblivion.

Amid the chaos, a digital screen materialized before Korig's eyes, its glow a stark contrast to the grim reality around him.

The words seemed to hover in the air, demanding his attention.

Main Objective: Survive the Zombie Apocalypse for an hour.

Bonus quest: Kill 100 zombies.

"What the fuck is going on!"

Korig exclaimed again, his voice a mixture of incredulity and frustration.

It was as though the world had conspired to thrust him into a twisted game of survival, and the rules were unfathomable at best.

As a countdown timer appeared on the screen, marking the beginning of his ordeal, Korig's gaze remained fixed on the digits ticking away.

The relentless seconds seemed to mock him, a grim reminder that time was a precious commodity he could ill afford to waste.

As the numbers flashed before his eyes, Korig's thoughts swirled like a tempest within him.

He squeezed his eyes shut, the chaos and horror around him fading as he attempted to drown out the cacophony.

It was in that brief moment of respite that a sudden flashback engulfed his senses, the past colliding with the present.

**30 Minutes Ago**

The sun had bathed the city in a warm embrace as Korig strolled down the bustling streets.

Laughter, the aroma of street food, and the hum of life had woven together into a tapestry of familiarity.

He had been lost in thought, the mundane worries of everyday life occupying his mind.

His stroll had led him to the sprawling entrance of the city's largest mall.

An architectural marvel that loomed over the bustling streets like a monolith of consumerism.

Korig's friends from college had convinced him to join them for an afternoon of leisure, and as he pushed open the glass doors, he could already hear their voices of excitement.

The interior of the mall was a dizzying blend of sights and sounds, a sensory overload that seemed to promise endless possibilities.

The colossal space was filled with bustling shoppers, vibrant advertisements, and the tempting aromas of various cuisines.

Korig's friends were waiting in the bustling food court on the fourth floor, their animated conversations and laughter reaching his ears even from a distance.

With a grin, Korig navigated through the maze of stores, escalators, and neon lights until he reached the food court.

The sight that greeted him was one of camaraderie.

His friends were huddled around a table, their faces alight with joy as they shared stories and jokes.

He joined them, sinking into the warmth of their company.

"Hey, Korig! About time you showed up," David, one of his closest friends, teased with a smirk.

"Yeah, we were beginning to think you'd gotten lost in the perfume section," Lily chimed in, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes.

Korig chuckled, his worries and troubles momentarily forgotten amidst the easy banter.

The group's laughter mixed with the ambient noise of the food court, creating a soundtrack of youthful exuberance.

They ordered an array of dishes from various stalls, savoring the flavors and the company.

As they enjoyed their meal, a sudden commotion erupted from the ground floor of the mall.

Shouts and screams cut through the air like a knife, sending ripples of unease through the crowd.

Conversations faltered, heads turned, and curiosity mingled with trepidation.

Korig and his friends exchanged glances, concern knitting their brows.

What had started as a distant clamor grew louder, the chaos spreading like wildfire.

People were running, pushing, and panicking, their expressions a stark contrast to the carefree atmosphere that had reigned just moments ago.

"What the hell is going on down there?" Daniel, another friend, mumbled as he stood up, craning his neck for a better view.

A sense of foreboding settled in Korig's chest as he, too, rose from his seat.

The bustling food court on the fourth floor afforded them a vantage point, a view of the unfolding mayhem below.

Korig's heart raced as he watched the scene unravel.

The once lively shopping center had transformed into a chaotic battleground.

People were stumbling, some falling to the ground, while others frantically tried to escape whatever was causing the panic.

And then Korig's gaze fell upon the source of the chaos, figures that moved with unnatural, jerky motions, their features twisted and grotesque.

They were attacking others, tearing into flesh with a feral hunger that sent shivers down Korig's spine.

"What the fuck is that?" Lily whispered, her voice trembling.

Korig's mind raced, struggling to comprehend the horror before him.

Panic welled within him as he realized the truth — something unthinkable had transpired, something that defied all logic.

The world had shifted on its axis, and the nightmare that he had only seen in movies was now playing out before his eyes.

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

This was the beginning of the end, the first tremors of a cataclysmic event that would forever alter the course of history.

Korig's heart raced, his breaths coming fast and shallow as he watched the chaos unfold, the screams and cries echoing in his ears like a haunting melody.

And as the cacophony of panic and horror reached a fever pitch, the world around him began to disintegrate into a nightmare from which there was no escape.

...