= = = ☢ THE LIVING WORLD MANUAL ☢ = = =
Compiled by the Ground Zero Scholars Foundation
First Edition. Year 1019 After-Zenon (AZ)
There is no greater knowledge than knowing how to defeat the apocalypse in its own game.
— Governor-General Backhand Fronthand 'the Great', 2nd Governor-General of the Great Cities
☢ FOREWORD ☢
This is a compilation of surviving essays, logs, and memos salvaged in the desolate ruins of Governor-General Backhand Fronthand's bunker during the final days of the Second War of the Apocalypse.
The Ground Zero Scholars Foundation compiles the selection provided in this manual, carefully curated and selected for publishing.
The intended use of this document is to educate the obedient citizens of the Great Cities, providing essential knowledge on the Living World.
☢ The Great Cities ☢
The last stronghold of humanity. The Great Cities is a collective of independent walled settlements. Each city is governed by a General appointed from the ranks of the Zoldier Forces, while the entire network answers to the supreme authority of the Governor-General.
While each city is autonomously governed, the cities are bound by mutual trade, defense pacts, and political cooperation. They remain interconnected through the Long Road: a vast, intercontinental trade route maintained at great cost.
Scattered along the Long Road are towns, villages, and outposts. These settlements fall under the jurisdiction of the nearest city, with authority determined by shifting borders and the city's military reach.
☢ Zoldier Forces ☢
The Zoldier Forces are the primary governing and military body of the Great Cities. They serve as administrators, enforcers, and protectors. Tasked with maintaining order, overseeing operations, and safeguarding the Great Cities from internal unrest and external threats alike.
Their command structure is divided into two known branches:
☢ Spezial Forces
The Spezial Forces are the elite teams of the Zoldier Forces, operating across 26 specialized squads assigned throughout the Great Cities. Tasked with executing high-risk, high-priority missions, and only answer to their city's General. Recruits are selected from top-performing individuals at the Zoldier Academy after completing bootcamp.
☢ Zoldier Army
The Zoldier Army represents the Zoldier Forces in the public eye. Assigned across the Great Cities, they are responsible for maintaining city walls, enforcing curfews, securing checkpoints, and conducting regular patrols. In most cases, they are the first responders to immediate threats and emergencies.
Underling or not, Spezial Forces or otherwise, the Zoldier ranking system is simply stated:
1. Zero
2. Double Zero
3. Triple Zero
4. Spezial Zero
5. ████[REDACTED]████
☢ Underling ☢
A classification used for individuals born with innate Zenon-based powers. Underlings are considered humans caught between life and death. The conditions of an underling birth are: one was pronounced lifeless in the womb, only to return upon birth through spontaneous Zystem reactivation.
This phenomenon is not understood. Many are recruited, most are exiled, and some are executed.
☢ Zystems ☢
Zystems are the special abilities uniquely manifested in every underling. No two Zystems are identical. Their effects are often unpredictable, unstable, and devastating.
The Zystem originates ████████████████[REDACTED]█████████████████
Additionally, the strength of a Zystem can sometimes be determined by the user's undead aura.
☢ The Zenon Virus and Zeno lifeforms ☢
Zenos are the mutated individuals infected by the Zenon Virus█████[REDACTED]██████
Below are known classifications:
Zeno - The most common type found in the wild. Standard Zenon-infected. Mindless, aggressive, and driven by primal instinct.
Zerks - Highly aggressive and physically enhanced. Abnormally high muscle growth, erratic behavior, and extreme pain tolerance.
███████████████████████████[REDACTED]█████████████████████
☢ Threat Levels ☢
The ███████████████████████████[REDACTED]█████████████████, these threat level classifications are not exclusive to underlings and Zenos. It can also apply to rogue individuals or groups found in the Living World.
Below are the following threat levels:
1. Solo Z
2. Double Z
3. Triple Z
4. [REDACTED]