Chapter 4: The Protagonist’s First Loss

The city had turned into a chaotic landscape of screams, fires, and blood. The distant wail of sirens mixed with the guttural growls of the undead, creating a symphony of despair. Kale, however, remained eerily calm as he led Iris down a deserted street.

"Where are we going?" Iris asked, gripping her metal pipe tightly.

"Someplace quieter," Kale replied, his eyes scanning the area. "Staying in the open will get us killed."

Iris nodded, though her nerves were obvious. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched her makeshift weapon, and her breathing was shallow.

Kale glanced at her. "If you're going to stick with me, you need to focus. Fear will only slow you down."

Iris shot him a sharp look. "Easy for you to say. You're not exactly normal, are you?"

Kale smirked. "Normal doesn't survive an apocalypse."

As they walked, Kale couldn't help but consider the changes in this timeline. In his previous life, he hadn't seen Iris until weeks into the apocalypse. By then, she had already joined Asher's group and grown into one of the most dependable members of the protagonist's team.

But now? She was here, walking by his side, her trust in Asher still unformed.

Kale's thoughts were interrupted by a distant shout.

"Help! Somebody, please!"

Both Kale and Iris froze, their heads snapping toward the sound. It came from a nearby alley, where a group of people were surrounded by zombies.

"We have to help them!" Iris exclaimed, starting forward.

Kale grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks. "Don't be stupid. There are too many of them."

"But we can't just leave them to die!" she argued, her eyes blazing with determination.

Kale sighed. He recognized this stubbornness. It was one of the reasons Asher had fallen for her—her unwavering sense of morality.

"Fine," he said, his tone clipped. "But stick close to me and don't do anything reckless."

The alley was a narrow death trap. Five zombies were closing in on a trio of survivors—a young woman, an elderly man, and a teenager who looked barely old enough to shave.

Kale moved quickly, his machete slicing through the first zombie's skull with a sickening crunch. The second lunged at him, but he kicked it back, its rotting body collapsing against the wall.

"Stay behind me," he barked at Iris as he engaged the remaining three.

Iris hesitated for a moment, then nodded, gripping her pipe like a lifeline.

The next zombie went down with a diagonal slash that severed its arm and neck in one clean motion. Kale didn't pause, spinning to stab the fourth through the eye.

The fifth zombie proved more persistent, its clawed hand grazing Kale's arm before he plunged his machete into its chest.

The alley fell silent except for the labored breathing of the survivors.

"Thank you!" the young woman cried, tears streaming down her face.

Kale ignored her gratitude, turning to Iris. "You see what happens when you hesitate? You could've gotten us killed."

Iris bristled but didn't argue. She knew he was right.

Ding!

Host has earned 100 Villain Points for a kill streak.

Kale smirked at the notification. "Not bad for a warm-up."

But his mood soured as he noticed one of the survivors—the teenage boy—eyeing him warily.

"You're not like us," the boy said, his voice shaking. "How can you kill them so easily? It's… it's not normal."

Kale's gaze hardened. "Survival isn't about being normal. It's about being better than the ones trying to kill you."

The boy flinched, his courage crumbling under Kale's cold stare.

They left the alley behind, the survivors trailing after them like lost puppies. Iris kept glancing at Kale, her expression a mixture of awe and unease.

Finally, she broke the silence. "You've done this before, haven't you? Fought for your life, I mean."

Kale shrugged. "You could say that."

Iris frowned, clearly unsatisfied with his vague answer. But before she could press him further, another voice called out to them.

"Iris! Over here!"

Kale turned to see a familiar figure running toward them. Asher.

The protagonist's arrival was as dramatic as ever. He had a baseball bat slung over his shoulder, and his heroic expression screamed "main character energy."

"I've been looking for you everywhere," Asher said, his voice filled with relief as he reached Iris. "Are you okay?"

Iris nodded. "I'm fine. Kale saved me."

Asher's gaze shifted to Kale, his jaw tightening. The gratitude in his eyes quickly turned to suspicion.

"Thanks for helping her," he said, though his tone was far from warm.

Kale smirked. "No need to thank me. She's been quite helpful herself."

Asher's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, a sharp Ding! sounded in Kale's mind.

Ding!

Protagonist's first encounter with Host: +50 Villain Points.

The protagonist feels uneasy around the Host. Luck has slightly decreased.

Kale's smirk deepened. "This is going to be fun."

Asher quickly took charge, rallying the group with his usual charisma. He convinced the survivors to join them, promising safety and protection.

Kale played along, keeping his true intentions hidden.

As they walked, he noticed how Asher kept Iris close, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive. But Iris seemed distracted, her gaze occasionally drifting to Kale.

Ding!

Protagonist's future partner has taken notice of Host. Luck has decreased.

Host's luck has increased.

Kale nearly laughed out loud. Every small interaction was chipping away at Asher's fate, and the system was rewarding him for it.

But he didn't let his amusement show. Instead, he focused on the bigger picture.

This was only the beginning.