CHAPTER 4 - What? A Familiar?

CHAPTER 4 - What? A Familiar?

Simple plan: Start the motorcycle, ride away from the village, scream like a maniac, and attract as many zombies as possible. If I want the lady to travel safely, I need to kill all the zombies in the area to prevent any accidents. I want her to travel securely and thank me with a loving kiss on the cheek—and, if possible, maybe show me her breasts. Fufu. I can't touch, but I can look. I'm a pervert; I can't help thinking these things! Though if she just gives me a kiss, I'll still be satisfied.

"And that's why I think milfs are way better than young women. Screw virginity and youth—mature women are the best! Phew. Ten out of ten. What do you think? You into young girls, or are you a wise man like me?"

"Waaaa… Ahhh…"

"I'll take that as 'team milf.' Bye."

I stabbed the knife into the head of the zombie I was holding by the neck and sighed. Man, I'm going crazy, huh? I need friends, though I know full well I can't have any because I'd probably end up eating them.

If it's happened once, it'll happen again.

Well, I finished what I was doing.

Zombie I saw, zombie I killed. Not a single one got away!

Obviously, that'd be a stupid plan if I were human, but I'm a zombie, so it was a perfect, brilliant plan. Fufu. Yeah, I know, I know, I'm a genius.

And it worked… This ridiculous plan worked!

"I can't believe it actually worked!!" I shouted triumphantly, raising my arms in the air.

I was sitting on a small pile of corpses I'd stacked together to look cool.

I'm the Zombie King; no zombie is a match for me…! Except for my zombie mom—she's the only one who can boss me around and defeat me with her mighty sandal and belt. Ouch. I just remembered when she checked my computer and found some not-safe-for-kids videos. I'll never forget the pain I felt that day.

Pushing that sad memory aside, my plan worked! I'm the most powerful zombie around! I have no rival!

"I wish I had a camera. I look awesome!"

I'm like the alpha zombie. Show some respect, peasants! Zombies with daughters, get lost and leave your wives with me—I'll treat them better! Fufu. Man… I'm going crazy.

In moments like this, I wish some girls would pass by and see me. I can imagine how scared and shocked they'd be. Surely one or two would fall for me instantly for being so cool. I'm a charmer, I know, I know.

"Fufu… I look ridiculous."

Alright, I should stop acting like an idiot… But I can't help it. I'm alone; no one can see me. I can have as much fun as I want. It relaxes me.

My mom's a zombie, my ex-girlfriend is probably a zombie, the few friends I had might be zombies too… And I hope that bastard Sebastián is a zombie! Ahhhhh! I don't care if he's my best friend's brother—I'll kill him if I see him again! But if he's not a zombie, I'll just beat him up a bit until he's toothless. Fufu.

… My life's become so lonely… Having fun helps me stay calm and not feel sad.

I'm alone in this new life. Why am I the only zombie around here who can keep control? I want friends! I can't even have a dog because I'd probably eat it… Man… I need to get used to solitude.

"… I hope I don't go crazy talking to myself. Zei, you think we'll go nuts?"

I don't think so, Zei. Not yet, at least.

"Yeah, you're right."

By the way, you're pretty handsome and cool, Zei. If I were a woman, I'd fall for you just seeing you.

"I know, I know, no need to state the obvious. Fufu."

… Hey, Zei.

"Yeah?"

We're going crazy.

"Ugh… I know."

My only friends now are zombies. I'll kidnap some and force them to be my friends. I'll only kidnap male zombies. I'm scared of losing control and doing something perverted with a female zombie. That's super messed up, but considering how perverted I am, I'm afraid I could actually do something to a zombie girl. Ahhhhh! Zei, stop thinking stupid stuff! Even you have your limits!

"Ahhhh… Waaa…"

Another zombie? Sounds close.

I turn to my right… Oh… It's her. The little zombie girl I pulled out of the house I'm living in now.

"Hey, little zombie girl. How you doing today? I'm good, just a bit bored. I think I'm going a little crazy. You?"

There were kid zombies in this village, but I let them live. Yeah, I know, that was stupid. They'll probably kill someone, but I couldn't do it… They're little kids… I couldn't bring myself to kill them. I only killed the ones over 12.

"Sorry if I killed your… No… Sorry if I killed your parents' zombies. It was them or the living humans, and zombies lose human rights once they're bitten."

The zombies weren't her parents anymore; they were something else.

Poor kid, she lost her family, became a zombie, and I stole her house. Talk about bad luck.

I wonder what she was like before she was a zombie. Was she a kind, shy, or aggressive girl? I don't know. But her zombie self looks so… expressionless. I can't see sadness or anger… I can't see anything on her face.

"I suggest you head to a forest and eat animals. If you attack a human, they'll probably kill you. Remember, only eat wild animals, not humans."

This girl is small and weak, easy to kill. She's fast, which could be a problem, but she's not strong. A group of humans would take her out easily.

"Bye."

I walked away and looked at my hands.

"I'm strong, agile, I regenerate, and I don't get tired… What should I call myself? My kind must have a name… Super zombie? Evolved zombie…? Whatever, the name doesn't matter."

And I don't think I need one… Huh?

Is someone grabbing my clothes?

I stopped and turned around… Huh? The little zombie girl is holding onto my shirt?

Wow… She looks adorable staring into my eyes with that blank face. She's still growling like a zombie, so she can't control herself. For a moment, I thought she might be able to control her zombie side, but I think she's just looking at me because I'm a zombie like her. If I were human, she'd probably try to kill me.

"What's up, kid? Need help?"

I guess she doesn't want to be alone either.

I crouched down and patted her head.

"Sorry, I can't help you… I'm a zombie like you, but I'm different… But…"

It's true… I'll be so lonely… I don't want to go crazy. Plus, she's a little girl, like having a younger sister by my side.

I need company… Would it be a good idea to befriend her? Honestly, she's super cute, and I want to protect her… Ugh, that's silly, isn't it?

"… No… You might try to eat me while I sleep…"

I hear a louder growl coming from her. Wait… I recognize that sound. It came from her stomach.

"… Are you hungry?"

I guess she hasn't eaten in days… Well, two days.

… This is stupid… But she's too cute! A little zombie girl is terrifying and adorable at the same time.

I shouldn't… Uwaaaah! What kind of monster doesn't feed an adorable starving little girl?!

"… I'll do it… It'll be an experiment. Maybe my blood will turn you back to normal or make you stronger. It's an experiment to help me make future decisions. It's not silly… Right?"

I have to experiment, and this is the perfect chance. This will confirm how special my body is.

Alright… If she gets stronger and attacks me, I'll admit it was a dumb idea.

If she turns back to normal or dies, it'll be a positive result, though I hope she doesn't die.

And if nothing happens, it means my blood isn't special.

"… I might regret this, but it's absolutely necessary. For the sake of science! And my own mental well-being."

I took one of the knives I had stashed.

"… Come on, Zei, you don't feel pain… It'll be quick."

I put my hand on the ground… I'm gonna regret this!

"Ahhhhh!!"

Using all my strength, I literally sliced off my right pinky finger with the knife.

… Yes!!

It didn't hurt! I didn't feel a thing! Ahhhhh! Thank you, God!

"It worked!!"

This is part of my experiment too. I want to know how powerful my regeneration is. Can I regrow a finger? We'll see.

"Here, enjoy."

I handed her the finger, and she devoured it immediately… It's a bit disturbing to see a little girl chomp on my finger like that. I'll have nightmares tonight.

I stepped back as a precaution.

"Please don't turn into a giant zombie."

… I should've cut off a toe instead. If this experiment fails, I'll be fingerless forever… Ahhhhh!! I'm an idiot…! Huh? What's that?

A bright light started glowing from her chest… Huh?! Why?!

[Familiar contract completed.]

… What?! What's that message that popped up in front of me?! I don't understand!

The bright light vanished when the message appeared… What just happened?!

"T-this is too weird… Damn, life, you keep getting weirder?"

Cautiously, I approached the girl. That light must've meant something. I don't see any change in her, at least not in her appearance. Can she control her zombie side now, or do I have control over her? I don't know.

"C-can you understand me?"

The girl nodded… What?! It worked?! She can control her body!!

"I found the cure!! It didn't take me long…! Though… What was that message?"

[Response: It's a notification. You receive notifications when you activate a skill or complete a significant event. For example, the notification you received confirmed that the contract with your familiar was successful.]

… Uh… Yeah… I figured… I've gone crazy!!

Notifications?! This is real life, not a video game!! Why do I have them?! Why am I getting them?! Why does a screen with a message pop up in front of me?!

[Response: You started receiving notifications because you unlocked skills.]

… Skills? Which ones? I don't remember getting any skills.

[Response: Current skills.]

[Strength Level 3.]

[Regeneration Level 5.]

[Agility Level 4.]

… That's all? Oh… I get it… I activated them when I became a zombie.

And they're measured in levels. Like a video game, huh?

[Message: The system adapts to the most popular format in your world. Would you like to switch to more precise numbers?]

… No… Levels are fine. It makes me feel like I'm in a video game.

… What does "familiar contract" mean?

[Response: A familiar is a servant who does what their master commands.]

I see. Basically like slaves… How many familiars can I have?

[Response: 1.]

So… My blood isn't the cure?!

… Hey? I'm asking you.

[Unable to respond.]

Unable? Why?

[Response: I can only provide information about your skills.]

Oh… I see… You can't answer questions unrelated to my skills… Do you have a name?

[Would you like to name the notifications?]

… No… It's fine as is… That'd be weird.

Well… That was weird… I need to get used to weird stuff.

Alright… I have a familiar, huh? I don't know if that's good or bad, but at least I've got a friend now! Goodbye, lonely life!

I patted the girl's head. I hope she doesn't try to attack anyone.

"I understand you'll do what I… Huh?!"

Wait, wait, wait…! Hold on a second! My finger grew back that fast?! Thank you, skills!! I got my finger back in no time!!

Body, you're amazing! I promise to take better care of you!

"Awesome!!"

Having skills is gonna be great… Can I unlock more?

[Response: Yes.]

Awesome!!

I need to work hard to get them. I'll become an even more powerful zombie! I'll be the supreme zombie and have a harem of milfs! Though first, I need to figure out how not to infect anyone.

"… Anyway, like I was saying. I understand you'll do what I tell you. Listen, don't try to eat anyone. You're not going to attack innocent humans. Got it?"

The girl nodded… She doesn't smile… Is she completely dead inside? I thought she'd regained her memories.

"… Do you have your memories from when you were alive?"

The girl shook her head.

Oh… She doesn't remember anything.

"… How old are you?"

The girl crouched and wrote a number in the dirt. I guess she can't talk like I can.

"… 17?!"

Did she mess up and mean 7?

Wait… She drew a body and a ghost?

"I… I…"

She points at the ghost.

"Body… new…"

She points at her own body… Body… Ghost…

"… Huh?"

She erased the drawings with her hands.

"C-com… C-com… C… Co…"

"Combination?"

The girl nodded.

Body plus ghost equals… Oh.

"Were you a ghost and you entered her body?"

The girl nodded.

Man, nothing surprises me anymore. After learning skills exist, ghosts don't shock me. If zombies exist, why be surprised by ghosts? I wouldn't even be shocked to learn this zombie virus was created by aliens to enslave us as their sex slaves.

"… Do all zombies have ghosts in their bodies?"

The girl shook her head and pointed at herself.

"I… I… Familiar…"

She pointed at me.

"Y-you…"

"You entered her body because I made her my familiar?"

"Y-yes," she said, nodding.

"Do you know what a familiar is?"

"M-message… M-message…"

"A message appeared in your mind and told you what was happening?"

"Y-yes."

"Yeah, I know. Weird, right? I freaked out when I saw it too."

She nodded.

Her voice is soft, and she stutters a lot… She can't speak well… That'll be a problem… But I guess she just needs to calm down.

"Do you remember your name?"

The girl shook her head.

"I see… Hmm… I'll call you Kiasan. Like it? I don't know why, but I think it suits you perfectly."

Kiasan nodded… Perfect, everything's settled.

Kiasan's a cute, easy-to-remember name.

"We need to figure out if you can eat normal food… But first."

I took off my shirt and gave it to Kiasan.

"Your shoulder bite is still visible. You don't have other noticeable wounds, so my shirt should be enough. We'll get you better clothes and something to treat your wound."

I don't want it to get infected. She's a zombie, but that could cause problems later.

Does she not have regeneration?

I took off my glasses and put them on her.

"This way, you'll look like a normal girl. Just don't talk—they might suspect something."

Kiasan nodded.

"Perfect. Let's go."

I took her hand and started walking.

Man, I feel like a single dad… Wait… 17 years old?!

I turned to look at her… S-she's a little girl… She looks like a little girl…

My shyness vanished. If she had an adult body, I'd be nervous holding her hand, but I just see her as a little girl, so it's fine.

"First, we'll get clothes and try to treat your wound… Though it's a small bite, I don't think there's an infection risk… It didn't tear off any flesh. It's more like it grazed you… You were lucky… Well, the girl was lucky… Man, I don't understand this situation."

Unlike others who were devoured, she was only bitten slightly… Is that bad or good luck?

… Given the situation, I think it was good luck.

Well, that's how my adventure begins, with a quiet, tiny companion.

Next mission: charm a widowed mom. Or at least see her breasts.

I can't help having these perverted thoughts; I'm into older women… Oh… Right, I need to stay away from people.

I'll leave her at a shelter and say goodbye, though I hope she at least gives me a kiss as a reward.

I sighed and looked at Kiasan.

She turned to me, and I smiled.

"I hope we get along, Kiasan. You can think of me as a good friend or your brother."

Kiasan nodded, and I kept looking forward.

Skills, ghosts, a familiar… Man… What's this world turning into? Everything's changing. Why?

I hope one day I find answers to my questions. For now, I'll just keep moving forward and try to enjoy my life. I've got someone to look after and protect now. Kiasan's counting on me, and I don't want to let her down.