Dead Man

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.

So this is how it ends? Bleeding out on the floor of my shitty apartment?

I mean, come on, I was going to be admitted to the academy tomorrow. At least I could've learned an ability before I died.

Ah, but no. I was fated to be a punching bag for this snobby rich kid until the bitter end. I mean, you can hardly call me a punching bag.

I hardly survived a single punch from that kid! Where the hell is he, anyway? Damien, that bastard.

Damn it. He's going to get away with it, too. He's got a strong ability and a rich family. Nobody's going to care if he kills a nobody like me.

My vision is black. Am I dead? Is it just this, for the rest of eternity?

[Uploading Zombie System, please stand by.]

...What?

God, is that you?! I'm sorry for never praying! And for not believing in you! Just let me into heaven!

[Ding! Congratulations. You're not dead! The Zombie System is here to save you, young Champion! Please prepare for the excruciating pain of being resurrected!]

...Huh?

Hold on. Resurrected?! I'm being brought back to life?? Hey! Who the hell are you?!

Suddenly, a deep, burning pain coursed throughout my veins. My eyes shot open, and I could see little strands of flesh connecting in my stomach, filling in the hole that had been left there by that bastard Damien. I screamed at the top of my lungs as my body contorted and healed until finally it was over.

I got up out of the pool of sweat that I'd left on the floor and looked at my stomach. It was completely healed. The wound had disappeared without a scar.

"The Zombie System? What the hell was that?"

I said out loud. Suddenly, the same robotic female voice spoke in my head.

[Ding! Revival successful. Initiating setup protocol.]

[What should I call you, young champion?]

"Shit. Shit. Shit. SHIT. What the hell is going on? Who are you? How am I alive?"

[Understood. Champion has chosen the name "Shit". I think it suits you quite well, Champion.]

I stood blank faced, a vein popping out in my forehead.

"Care to answer my questions now?"

I asked through gritted teeth.

[Of course, Shit. I am the Zombie System, a Genetic Alteration and Modification Mechanical Aid, or G.A.M.M.A. for short. I have altered your genetic structure on a cellular level to heal you and change your race entirely. I regret to inform you that you are no longer human. I have transformed you into a Zombie, an undying creature who extends its lifespan and grows its power by feeding on the flesh of men. You were not chosen or special, but simply an ideal candidate for synchronization. We are now stuck together, Shit. I am here to aid you with any problems you might encounter.]

"Well if you're my aid, then stop calling me Shit! You can do that, right?"

[Of course, champion. What shall I call you instead?]

"Mars."

[Mars it is. How unfortunate. "Shit" suited you so well.]

I cursed the voice in my head silently before falling into a panic.

"Wait... I'm no longer human, huh? I'm a zombie, huh? This sounds like a load of bullshit! How can this be real? Zombies are something from fucking movies! They're not real!"

[Zombies are very real. They have been injected into pop culture after countless stories of their existence in ancient wives tales. Many of those wives tales, though, have plenty of truth to them.]

"You've gotta be kidding me..."

I rolled up into a little ball.

"I have to eat people? What the hell...? How am I supposed to go on in society? My flesh is gonna start rotting and falling off and I'b gudda turd idoo a bonsdurrrrrr..."

I started weeping in a snotty mess as I cried on the floor.

[No worries! Your brain has changed significantly, and you will no longer be disturbed by the sight of ruptured organs and rotting flesh! In fact, they will appear to be far more delectable than any delicacy you may have tasted in your days as a human! Being a zombie has many benefits. One of the greatest being immortality! So long as your brain remains intact, the rest of your body will always heal! You will also be given the opportunity to learn new abilities and grow far more powerful than any human after consuming enough human flesh!]

I sniffled and took my head out of my knees.

"R... really?"

I asked pleadingly.

[Really! And you won't turn into a bloodthirsty monster so long as you consume a sufficient amount of human flesh regularly! Now, stop being a baby and get up. You have work to do, you pathetic sadsack.]

I got up and glared. I wasn't really glaring at anything in particular, since I couldn't see the system, but I hoped she would get the message.

[Mars, try saying "Status" for me. Even thinking it will work just fine.]

I complied, and to my surprise, a green display appeared inside the film of my eye.

"Woah!"

I concentrated on it, and it got larger and moved around however I wanted it to. When I stopped focusing on it, it turned into a little ball that disappeared into the corner of my eye.

"Gamma, what was that?"

[That was your status window. Access it at any time by saying "status" or simply focusing on the icon in your peripheral vision. Important information is displayed there. Please, take a look.]

I opened my status display and read the words on it.

[Name: Mars Valentine]

[Race: Zombie]

[Mutation Points: 1]

[Skill Points: 0]

[Skills:

Immortality (MAX):

*PASSIVE*

Bearer is effectively immortal so long as its brain remains intact. Bearer will not age and all injuries will be healed rapidly.

NOTE: If bearer does not consume human flesh regularly, the effects of {Immortality (MAX} will be diminished, reducing healing capabilities of the skill.

Pain Tolerance(LVL 1):

*PASSIVE*

Increases bearer's tolerance to pain.

Mana Drain (LVL 1):

*PASSIVE*

Through consuming human flesh, bearer can harvest the mana within it and increase his capabilities with mana-required skills as well as increase his physical capabilities.]

[Mutations: N/A]

[Ability: N/A]

[Curses:

Zombified:

Bearer has been affected by a strange and ancient pathogen. No longer requires sleep. Buffs to all stats. After going long enough without eating, bearer will turn into an insatiable killing machine, out to consume human flesh.

G.A.M.M.A.: The incredible and powerful system known as G.A.M.M.A. has granted pity on the pathetic bearer and granted him new life as a zombie. G.A.M.M.A. is amazing, beautiful, and all around the greatest creation the universe has produced.]

[Capabilities:

Strength: 7

Agility: 6

Endurance: 5

Intelligence: 8

Mana: 0

???: --

???: --]

"Woah..."

I was overwhelmed, and had a lot of questions. Like, what the hell is with that self-absorbed description of yourself, Gamma? And what's with the blurred out sections of my capabilities? And what's a curse?

but before I could bother to ask them, I heard my door swing open and heard laughing. I looked around the corner of my apartment to see the bastard that did this to me. Damien.

Mars' status:

[Name: Mars Valentine]

[Level: 1]

[Race: Zombie]

[Mutation Points: 1]

[Skill Points: 0]

[Skills:

Immortality (MAX):

*PASSIVE*

Bearer is effectively immortal so long as its brain remains intact. Bearer will not age and all injuries will be healed rapidly.

NOTE: If bearer does not consume human flesh regularly, the effects of {Immortality (MAX} will be diminished, reducing healing capabilities of the skill.

Pain Tolerance(LVL 1):

*PASSIVE*

Increases bearer's tolerance to pain.

Mana Drain (LVL 1):

*PASSIVE*

Through consuming human flesh, bearer can harvest the mana within it and increase his capabilities with mana-required skills as well as increase his physical capabilities.]

[Mutations: N/A]

[Ability: N/A]

[Curses:

Zombified:

Bearer has been affected by a strange and ancient pathogen. No longer requires sleep. Buffs to all stats. After going long enough without eating, bearer will turn into an insatiable killing machine, out to consume human flesh.

G.A.M.M.A.: The incredible and powerful system known as G.A.M.M.A. has granted pity on the pathetic bearer and granted him new life as a zombie. G.A.M.M.A. is amazing, beautiful, and all around the greatest creation the universe has produced.]

[Capabilities:

Strength: 7

Agility: 6

Endurance: 5

Intelligence: 8

Mana: 0

???: --

???: --]