By Zephyria 
―Kyak! Kyak! Kyaaak! Kyak!
Miu was standing in front of the fence where a bunch of rampaging Dark Zombies were trapped. Seeing them standing still with a collection container in hand, it seemed they had come to collect Zombie goo.
Mo Yeon-hu, who was about to call Miu in the Alliance chat, recalled how the other Alliance Members were watching him and sent a whisper instead.
(Whisper) 0momo0: Miu!
But.
(Whisper) 0momo0: Miu??
(Whisper) 0momo0: Miu~
(Whisper) 0momo0: Are you there!!~!
Miu didn’t respond at all.
Are they pretending to be AFK because they don’t like me?
(Whisper) 0momo0: Cutie pie?
(Whisper) 0momo0: Baby bunny?
(Whisper) 0momo0: Miu~!!
(Whisper) 0momo0: Miu ♥♥
(Whisper) 0momo0: I, diot
But no matter how much he called, Miu didn’t respond.
‘……Where did they go?’
Feeling strange, he cautiously approached. As they were in the same Alliance and in a 〈Friendly Relationship〉, he could view Miu’s status.
‘The stats are low.’
It seemed Miu had been away for quite a while, as their character’s needs weren’t managed at all. In Zombie Village, if you didn’t manage hunger, thirst, and bodily functions, you could die even while in the field.
Of course, for a high-level player like Miu, it was very rare to die even without management…….
‘You have to eat. You must be hungry and thirsty, my Ms. Mi-yeong…….’
Mo Yeon-hu, seeing the low gauge, couldn’t recognize that fact. The Miu in front of him wasn’t a high-level ranker, but a skeletal granddaughter who refused to eat during the long-awaited holidays.
Mo Yeon-hu hurriedly rummaged through his inventory. Fortunately, he had bread and water, so he clicked on Miu with them. The items he was holding disappeared, and a green plus sign popped up above Miu’s head with a ping sound.
Thankfully, the stats quickly rose.
‘It would have been more efficient if I had brought BBQ’s food, but it’s a shame.’
They’re eating well. Mo Yeon-hu watched the rising gauge with satisfaction, then rested his chin on his hand and stared intently at the screen for a moment.
‘If it was always like this, it would be so quiet, peaceful, and cozy.’
He couldn’t help but sigh. How wonderful would it be if Ms. Mi-yeong’s appearance in the game was similar to reality?
At the café, Mi-yeong always smiled brightly and was so affectionate whenever they met. But the Miu in the game…….
[(Alliance) Miu: I can’t kick you out because there’s no evidence, but don’t think that staying here clears you of all suspicion.
[(Alliance) Miu: I still think you’re the most suspicious.
They were extremely cold, and now they thought I was a spy, eager to kill me just by looking at my face.
Just thinking about the bleak situation made him sigh.
―Thump!!!
Suddenly, a loud noise erupted, and at the same time, the screen turned red.
ZOMBIE WAVE!
Due to abnormal weather, a 〈B-Class Boss Type: Core Beast〉 Wave has occurred in the B-3 area!
Currently approaching your coordinates. Prepare immediately!
‘Zombie Wave?’
It’s coming this way? Mo Yeon-hu blinked at the sudden notification and pressed the system window to see the detailed information.
Combat spec judgment for 0momo0 regarding the wave:
Danger
※ Solo engagement is not recommended in the current situation.
The X-1211 Server was a barren land, so Zombie Waves occurred frequently. However, the ‘Danger’ mark rarely appeared for someone of Mo Yeon-hu’s level.
‘I need to run quickly.’
This was definitely a fierce Wave. It meant there was a high probability of enduring for a while and eventually turning into bone dust, so it was safer to run.
Mo Yeon-hu confirmed that the Zombie Wave would reach his location in about 3 minutes, and he paused while estimating the distance to return to the Alliance Territory.
‘But, even if I escape…….’
Mo Yeon-hu, staring at the notification window, minimized the window to the lower left and turned his head.
Miu was still standing still in front of him.
‘What about Ms. Mi-yeong?’
They still hadn’t woken up from being AFK. Mo Yeon-hu, blinking in embarrassment, quickly turned on the mini-map and notifications.
The red dots symbolizing the Zombie Wave were getting closer and closer to Miu and Mo Yeon-hu…….
‘It’s exactly here?’
It was clear that it would pass through this place without any error.
(Whisper) 0momo0: Miu are you still AFK??
(Whisper) 0momo0: Even if you hate me, please say somethingㅠㅠ
(Whisper) 0momo0: They say a Wave is coming, you’ll get beat up if you can’t escapeㅠㅠ
(Whisper) 0momo0: Miu????
(Whisper) 0momo0: Miu~;;
He hurriedly called Miu, but there was no response.
‘Come to think of it, if they can’t even manage their needs, they must have really left their character standing and gone somewhere…!’
It seemed Miu was seriously AFK! Mo Yeon-hu finally decided to send an SOS to the Alliance Members.
(Alliance) 0momo0: (Coordinate Link) We’re here right now, and the Wave is coming this wayㅠㅠㅠ Can anyone help us!!! Miu is AFK so they can’t move!!!
(Notification) During abnormal weather phenomena, the radio usage radius is reduced to 500m.
(Alliance) 0momo0: ??? What is this
(Notification) During abnormal weather phenomena, the radio usage radius is reduced to 500m.
(Alliance) 0momo0: Hello??? Everyone~!!!
(Notification) During abnormal weather phenomena, the radio usage radius is reduced to 500m.
……Huh?
Mo Yeon-hu blinked.
Wait a minute, what’s wrong with this?
‘I can’t contact the Alliance Members because of the abnormal weather phenomenon?’
Crazy, how is this possible? Mo Yeon-hu looked at the remaining time until the Wave arrived with a horrified expression.
ZOMBIE WAVE • 00:02:08
※ A group of infected entities is approaching your coordinates.
Only about 2 minutes were left!
‘Even if I run like crazy from here to the Alliance Territory, it’ll take at least 7 minutes?!’
Even if I run right now and ask the Alliance Members for help, the Zombie Wave will have passed by then.
(Whisper) 0momo0: Miuㅠㅠㅠ
(Whisper) 0momo0: Miuuu…. A Wave is coming for us…
(Whisper) 0momo0: ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠWe’re going to die like this, Miu!!!!!!!
It would be great if Miu moved miraculously, but that wasn’t going to happen. Mo Yeon-hu’s face turned pale at the continuous warning sounds.
‘Should I run away?’
Is the Zombie Wave that scary?
Mo Yeon-hu had already experienced it severely several times.
Why is the Zombie Wave scary? The sheer number of Zombies rushing at you is a huge pressure, but the aftermath was the problem.
‘The Corpse gets looted!’
That’s right. Zombies don’t loot Corpses, but humans do……. If he was beaten to death by Zombies, other users would see the notification and appear to loot his bag.
‘I was practically a donation angel….’
Mo Yeon-hu had donated so much to the users of this Server. That’s why Mo Yeon-hu would have a fit just hearing the Wave notification sound.
Of course, this time was different. Since he had joined a top Alliance, there was a high probability that no one would touch him or Miu.
‘But…….’
The recent Siege Warfare came to mind. He had already encountered three forces targeting his Alliance. Feeling uneasy for no reason, he couldn’t take a step, and a loud warning sound was heard along with the sandstorm that appeared in the distance.
ZOMBIE WAVE • 00:01:21
※ A group of infected entities is approaching your coordinates.
The Zombie horde was approaching. Mo Yeon-hu’s gaze turned to his side. Miu, holding a container to harvest Dark Zombie goo, was AFK without a care in the world.
Even if they were a ranker, it would be difficult to survive if they continuously took damage from the Zombie horde. There was a high probability, no, almost certainly, that they would die.
‘Will I be of any help?’
But he was a newbie. Mo Yeon-hu’s strength couldn’t stop the Wave.
‘It’s better for me to quickly call the Alliance Members.’
Thinking about how much help he could be, Mo Yeon-hu summoned his Bike and moved. Miu moved further away with the roaring engine sound.
―Rustle!
However, Mo Yeon-hu had no choice but to stop shortly after. The rustling sound was clearly audible, and he looked around, but there was nothing. But he definitely heard it.
Not a Zombie, not an animal, but an artificial sound.
“……A person?”
A user.
But no matter how much he turned his head, he couldn’t see the user. That meant they were hiding using an invisibility item.
‘The only reason to hide here right now is…….’
Mo Yeon-hu glanced back and saw Miu still standing tall and the approaching Zombie horde. The Zombie horde was much closer than before, and Miu was left alone, and there was a presence.
‘They’re targeting them.’
Mo Yeon-hu instinctively realized.
‘Looting the remaining user during the Wave.’
He didn’t know who it was, but someone was here expecting Miu’s death.