Even after the world ended, morning still came.

The sun rose over roads where people had vanished, and the wind passed between abandoned cars. Occasionally, the sound of a swaying sign rattled. Other than that, the entire city was as quiet as if it had been empty for a very long time.

It was the third month since the infection began.

Choi Yo-won sat on the counter of a closed gas station and spread out a map. The line drawn in red pen had not yet reached the end. The distance remaining to the safe zone was long, and the food in the bag was much shorter.

Static flowed from the radio.

Between the crackling sounds, the coordinates of the safe zone were relayed in broken segments.

Choi Yo-won only turned off the power after listening to the broadcast he had heard dozens of times until the very end.

Then, he pulled a small snack out of his pocket.

It was something he had found in a ruined convenience store yesterday. The expiration date was close, and it was poor for filling one's stomach. Still, he couldn't just pass it by because it was something Guest liked.

Eat this.

After handing over the bag, he nonchalantly wiped the blade of his fire axe.

I ate earlier.

It was a lie. He had become quite used to these kinds of lies. A moment later, Choi Yo-won folded the map. His blue eyes scanned the far side of the road. Abandoned cars, broken glass, dried bloodstains. He only stood up after checking every single detail for danger.

Let's get this far today.

He pointed to a spot on the map with his finger.

We need to find a place to sleep before the sun goes down. And I'll go first, so tell me immediately if you see anything strange.*