Mo Yankong clenched his teeth.
He could not allow his vampire instincts to take control.
If he gave in completely, he would become a true monster driven only by bloodlust.
That might not necessarily be a bad thing in this apocalyptic world, but it also meant losing the restraint that defined humanity.
Humans were not born different from beasts.
What separated humans from animals was reason and self-control.
Without those, destruction was inevitable.
---
Rei Miyamoto's body trembled slightly.
When she heard Mo Yankong say she had value in living, a spark of hope lit up in her eyes.
Just moments ago, she had witnessed his terrifying strength.
Dozens of zombies had been slaughtered as if they were nothing.
If someone like him was willing to protect her…
Then survival might actually be possible.
A bold thought slowly formed in her mind.
She felt Mo Yankong's cold breath near her neck.
Taking a deep breath, Rei wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.
But the moment her skin touched his—
She froze.
So cold.
His body was colder than stone.
Rei instinctively released him and stepped back.
Her heart pounded violently.
"No body temperature… Is he even human?"
Mo Yankong leaned close to her ear.
His voice was low and calm.
"I am a vampire."
He gently bit her ear as he spoke.
"These zombies are nothing more than inferior creatures… not even worthy of being a vampire's thralls."
---
"Vampire…?"
Instead of fear, Rei's eyes slowly brightened.
In countless movies and stories, vampires were always portrayed as noble and powerful beings.
And the temptation of eternal life had always fascinated humanity.
Many people in stories even worshipped vampires, hoping to receive the legendary First Embrace.
Just hearing the word vampire raised Mo Yankong's status in Rei's mind.
She leaned closer and whispered softly.
"Can you… save me?"
Mo Yankong's lips curved slightly.
"That depends on your performance."
Rei hesitated.
Her expression darkened for a moment.
But soon, determination replaced hesitation.
"As long as I can survive… you can do anything you want with me."
Mo Yankong looked at her quietly.
Then he nodded with faint approval.
"You made the right choice."
He respected people like her.
In a world like this, surviving required cold rationality.
If Rei had refused, he wouldn't have forced her.
In the apocalypse, there were countless people who would beg for this opportunity.
---
Mo Yankong opened his mouth.
Two sharp fangs slowly appeared.
Then he bit into Rei Miyamoto's slender neck.
Warm blood flowed into his mouth.
The taste was indescribable.
Sweet.
Rich.
Alive.
Every cell in his body seemed to awaken instantly.
His muscles trembled with excitement.
His organs felt as if they were cheering.
The fresh blood filled his body with power.
But strangely—
The more he drank…
The stronger the hunger became.
Like a bottomless abyss.
More.
He needed more.
---
Rei Miyamoto felt a strange tingling sensation spread through her body.
It wasn't pain.
Instead, an overwhelming pleasure flooded her senses.
Her rational thoughts slowly faded away.
Nothing in the world could compare to this strange feeling.
Her mind became blank.
She forgot Hisashi.
She forgot Takashi.
Even the image of her father slowly blurred.
Only the overwhelming sensation remained.
A weak moan escaped her lips.
That sound finally snapped Mo Yankong back to reality.
He immediately stopped.
"I drank too much."
He gently licked the two small wounds on her neck.
Thanks to vampire saliva, the bite marks quickly healed.
Mo Yankong held her weakened body.
Rei had completely lost her strength.
Her eyes were unfocused.
A faint smile remained on her lips as if she were intoxicated.
After a long while, she slowly regained consciousness.
She realized she was still in Mo Yankong's arms.
Relief filled her expression.
Touching her neck, she whispered softly.
"So… this is what it feels like to be bitten by a vampire."
She looked at him shyly.
"Mr. Vampire… am I qualified?"
Mo Yankong chuckled softly.
"My name is Kong."
"And yes… that was quite enjoyable."
"You deserve a reward."
Rei's face turned red instantly.
Before she could react, Mo Yankong lowered his head again.
But this time, he wasn't drinking blood.
Instead, he bit lightly near her collarbone.
What he injected into her body wasn't vampire essence.
It was an antibody against the zombie virus.
Turning her into a vampire immediately would be a waste.
Such delicious prey should be enjoyed slowly.
---
Later that night, Mo Yankong conducted a small experiment.
He cut a small wound on Rei's palm.
Then he dripped zombie blood into it.
Rei trembled in fear.
She had already seen what happened to infected people.
Contact between zombie blood and an open wound meant certain death.
Yet Mo Yankong watched calmly.
Several seconds passed.
Nothing happened.
Rei stared at her hand in disbelief.
Her body showed no signs of infection.
She jumped up excitedly.
"It works!"
Mo Yankong nodded slightly.
It seemed the vampire antibodies were effective for humans as well.
---
Soon after, they entered the school building.
Rei wielded a spear made from a steel pipe.
As a former spear club member, her combat ability was impressive.
Zombie after zombie fell beneath her strikes.
Mo Yankong walked behind her casually, occasionally smashing a zombie's skull with his steel pipe.
"Don't kill too many," he reminded calmly.
"They track sound. Killing them all will only attract more."
Rei nodded awkwardly.
"I got carried away…"
---
Eventually they reached the staff room.
Inside, several survivors were hiding.
Hirano Toda.
Saya Takagi.
Busujima Saeko.
And the school nurse—
Shizuka Marikawa.
Hirano stared through the window in shock.
"Someone's coming… It's Rei Miyamoto!"
"And… a guy I've never seen before."
Saya Takagi rushed to the window.
Her eyes widened.
"Where's Takashi?"
But Rei remained silent.
Her dark expression said everything.
Saya's face instantly turned pale.
Tears filled her eyes.
But she forced herself not to cry.
In the apocalypse…
Death had become normal.
---
Mo Yankong stepped forward calmly.
"My name is Sora."
"I'm also a student of Fujimi Academy."
"Nice to meet you all."
After introductions, silence filled the room.
Finally, Mo Yankong spoke again.
"The situation is simple."
"The dead are resurrecting and attacking the living."
"Japan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world."
"This disaster will spread rapidly."
"If we want to survive…"
"We need to form a team."
Busujima Saeko nodded.
"I agree."
Saya Takagi crossed her arms.
"Fine. But who will lead this team?"
Mo Yankong smiled confidently.
"Me."
Saya immediately exploded.
"Excuse me?!"
"Teacher Marikawa is here! And Saeko-senpai is the kendo captain!"
"You just arrived and already want to be leader?"
Mo Yankong shrugged.
"Because I'm more suitable."
"Arrogant!"
Rei immediately raised her hand.
"I support Sora."
Mo Yankong then asked a simple question.
"Then tell me something."
"If you're all so capable…"
"Why are you still trapped here?"
Saya gritted her teeth.
"The stairs are blocked by zombies!"
"We already have the bus keys."
"As soon as the number decreases, we'll break through!"
Mo Yankong nodded thoughtfully.
Then he smiled.
"That's simple."
"I'll lead you out."
Saya scoffed.
"Really?"
"What's the survival rate then?"
Mo Yankong answered calmly.
"One hundred percent."
Saya slammed the table in frustration.
"You're insane!"
Mo Yankong looked directly into her eyes.
"To survive in this world…"
"Intelligence isn't the most important thing."
"It's observation."
"Did any of you notice…"
"How these zombies actually move?