Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo sat outside on the worn wooden steps of the house, his gaze locked onto the scene unfolding before him. The afternoon sun cast long shadows, but the air buzzed with tension as his zombie army prepared for their latest drill. This wasn't just any test—it was a display of dominance and control.

Sayako stood in the center of the clearing, her pale, smooth skin gleaming under the sunlight, her white eyes cold and focused. Around her, the strider horde circled, their movements fluid and predatory. Ryo gave a slight nod, signaling the start of the test.

With a snarl, the first strider lunged, its speed blurring the distance between them. Sayako's response was immediate. She ducked low, evading the swipe of the creature's claws with ease. In a single fluid motion, she twisted, her leg snapping out to sweep the strider off balance. The creature stumbled, but before it could recover, Sayako leaped, her body a blur as she soared over its head.

Another strider charged from the side, but Sayako anticipated it. She landed lightly on her feet and spun, her hand shooting out to deflect the attack. The impact resonated in the air, but Sayako didn't falter. She pushed off the ground, flipping backward and landing gracefully out of reach.

Ryo watched with satisfaction, his eyes following every move. Sayako was faster, stronger, more agile than ever before. Every attack the striders launched, she met with precision and grace, never once harming them but making it clear who held the upper hand.

The striders regrouped, circling once more. This time, three of them attacked in unison. Sayako met them head-on. She weaved between their strikes, her body moving like a shadow, untouchable. One strider swiped at her legs, but she leapt, flipping over its back, her feet landing squarely on its shoulders. She used the momentum to push off, somersaulting through the air and landing behind them.

The fight continued, a deadly dance of speed and power. Sayako's every move was calculated, her every dodge and counter flawless. She wasn't just fighting; she was asserting her dominance, proving her worth as Ryo's most formidable asset.

Finally, after several intense minutes, Ryo raised a hand. The striders halted immediately, their heads bowing in deference. Sayako stood in the center, unscathed and triumphant. Her chest rose and fell with controlled breaths, her gaze locked on Ryo.

Ryo smiled, a rare expression of pride. "Good," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. Sayako had surpassed his expectations, and his army was growing stronger by the day. Today was just the beginning. Explore more at empire

Ryo's smirk widened as he observed the strider horde, their movements sharper, quicker, more precise than ever before. The test had revealed more than just Sayako's prowess; it had shown the evolution of his army. The striders, once merely formidable, were now a force to be reckoned with. Their speed was astonishing, their agility almost rivaling Sayako's.

He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms over his chest. "So, feeding them makes a difference," he muttered to himself, the realization both surprising and satisfying. It wasn't just the meat they scavenged or the scraps they occasionally found. It was the fresh fish he had begun capturing from the nearby river. The nutrients seemed to invigorate them, turning them into something more than the average zombie.

His mind drifted back to the day he had decided to experiment with their diet. The river, teeming with life, had become a bountiful resource. He remembered the first time he hauled a net full of wriggling fish back to his base. He had fed the striders himself, watching intently as they devoured the fresh catch. The transformation had been gradual at first, but now, the results were undeniable.

Ryo's gaze shifted to Sayako, standing serenely amidst the recovering striders. She was different. More than just a mindless creature under his control, she had become something unique. His smirk softened as he recalled how he had fed her with his own hands. Unlike the others, Sayako didn't simply consume what was given. She shared his meals, eating what he ate, almost as if she were more human than zombie.

The act of feeding her felt intimate, a bond that went beyond mere control. It was a ritual now—Ryo breaking bread, sharing his sustenance, and watching her evolve. Sayako, faster, stronger, and fiercely loyal, was the result of that connection.

Ryo's fingers drummed against his arm as he considered the implications. If feeding the striders fish had made them this powerful, what more could he achieve? His army was growing, not just in numbers but in capability. With Sayako as his ultimate weapon and the striders reaching new heights, Ryo knew the world outside his domain didn't stand a chance.

He chuckled darkly, the sound echoing through the quiet air. "This is just the beginning," he whispered, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Sachiko stood at a distance, her smartphone held steady as she recorded the entire spectacle. Her eyes were fixed on the screen, capturing every swift movement, every leap and dodge, as Sayako gracefully outmaneuvered the striders. She knew this footage was invaluable—not just as a record of Ryo's growing power but as a testament to the evolution of the zombies under his control.

Yumi, meanwhile, sat nearby with her 13 prototype zombies, observing the scene with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She had reluctantly followed Ryo's directive to start feeding them fish, just as he did with his own army. Though her prototypes were indeed faster and more muscular than average zombies, the stark difference in power was undeniable.

She glanced at her prototypes as they devoured the fresh fish she had brought them. Their speed and strength were impressive, but she knew the truth. Four of her prototypes couldn't take down even a single strider in a head-to-head fight. The realization gnawed at her pride, reminding her of her vulnerability and the overwhelming power gap between her creations and Ryo's formidable army.

Yumi's gaze flicked to Ryo, sitting confidently as he watched Sayako and the striders. There was a calm authority in his demeanor, a sense of control that left no room for doubt. Her thoughts drifted to the prototypes beside her. Despite their enhancements, they were no match for the striders, let alone Sayako. And with Ryo's army growing stronger by the day, she knew there was no room for rebellion or resistance.

As if sensing her thoughts, one of the prototypes growled lowly, finishing its meal. Yumi's hand trembled slightly as she reached out to stroke its head, a futile attempt to soothe both it and herself. She couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped, her life now intricately tied to Ryo's will.

Sachiko's voice broke the silence, her tone calm but laced with a hint of satisfaction. "This is progress," she said, eyes still on her screen. "Every step we take strengthens his control, and we're safer because of it."

Yumi nodded silently, her gaze dropping to the prototypes at her feet. She had no choice but to adapt, to follow Ryo's lead, and to ensure her own survival in this new world dominated by the undead.

Ryo shifted his gaze toward the brute horde, their massive forms looming in the distance. He didn't bother counting them anymore—there were too many. The brutes had just finished their meal, their grotesque hands still smeared with remnants of raw meat and fish. As they stood, their already formidable frames seemed even bulkier, their muscles visibly swelling under their greyish skin.

He observed them with a calculating eye, noting the subtle but significant changes. They were growing not only in size but also in speed, albeit still not as fast as the striders. Yet, the slight increase in their agility was enough to make them even more lethal.

With a wave of his hand, Ryo issued a simple command. The brutes grunted in acknowledgment, their heavy footsteps thudding against the ground as they began to move. They spread out, forming a slow but deliberate patrol around the perimeter of his base. Their sheer presence exuded an aura of menace, an unspoken warning to any potential intruders.

Ryo smirked, satisfied. His army was evolving with each passing day, becoming an impenetrable shield around his domain. The brutes, with their unparalleled strength and growing speed, were now an even greater force to reckon with.

He leaned back, letting the satisfaction settle in. "Let them move," he murmured to himself. "No one will dare approach, not with them on guard."

Ryo leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips as he envisioned the scenario. The thought of fully equipped government soldiers attempting to navigate his town amused him. He imagined their clunky gear—helmets, body armor, heavy weapons—slowing them down, making them easy prey for the relentless horde of regular zombies.

Even a civilian in just jeans and a shirt couldn't escape the swift onslaught of the zombies, so what chance did soldiers in full tactical gear have? Ryo chuckled softly. They might have all the firepower in the world, but speed and agility weren't on their side. The regular zombies alone would overrun them in no time.

And then there were the striders—quick, agile, and deadly. No amount of armor would protect those soldiers from the razor-sharp speed of a strider. Their swift movements could outmaneuver any defense, slicing through their ranks like a knife through butter.

The brutes, with their sheer strength, would crush any resistance. Ryo imagined the soldiers trying to hold their ground, only to be thrown aside like ragdolls by the brutes' massive fists.

And the creepers—those silent, lurking nightmares—would ensure that no soldier, no matter how prepared, could rest easy. Their stealth and precision would make short work of even the most vigilant defenders.

Ryo's smirk deepened. "Let them come," he thought. "No armor, no weapon, no strategy will save them. This town is mine, and my army will ensure it stays that way."