Love After Infection (Apocalypse)
Continuation.
The following weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Felix, with Jae-hoon's tireless assistance and Vivian's surprisingly insightful contributions, began the arduous task of rebuilding the Daeshin Group. It was a daunting undertaking, given the state of the city and the scarcity of resources, but Felix approached the challenge with a single-minded determination that inspired those around him.
He established a strict hierarchy within the remaining Daeshin employees, rewarding loyalty and competence while ruthlessly weeding out corruption and inefficiency. He repurposed the company's factories to produce essential supplies, such as food, medicine, and weapons, and he organized teams of survivors to clear the streets of Zeros and reclaim territory.
Vivian, initially overwhelmed by the corporate environment, quickly found her niche. She used her artistic skills to design propaganda posters, boosting morale and recruiting new members to the Daeshin cause. She also organized art therapy sessions for the survivors, providing them with a creative outlet to express their trauma and find solace in the midst of chaos.
She even managed to convince Felix to invest in a small urban farm on the rooftop of the Daeshin headquarters, providing a sustainable source of fresh produce for the survivors. It was a small victory, but it symbolized their commitment to rebuilding a better world, one plant at a time.
Of course, there were challenges. Felix's undead nature presented unique logistical problems. He required a steady supply of fresh brains to maintain his cognitive functions, a demand that Vivian found deeply unsettling.
"Can't you eat something else?" she pleaded one evening, as Felix prepared to consume his nightly meal. "Like… tofu? Or kimchi? Anything but brains!"
Felix sighed, his expression a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Darling, I appreciate your concern, but brains are essential for my… well, for my brain. I've tried other things, but they just don't cut it. Besides," he added with a mischievous grin, "it's not like I'm enjoying it. It's a purely functional necessity."
Vivian reluctantly accepted his explanation, but she still couldn't bring herself to watch him eat. She would turn away, focusing on her art or engaging in conversation, trying to distract herself from the gruesome reality of his diet.
Another challenge was the constant threat of Zero attacks. Despite their best efforts, the city remained overrun with the undead, and the Daeshin headquarters was a frequent target. Felix, with his enhanced strength and agility, served as the primary line of defense, personally leading the charge against the hordes of Zeros.
Vivian, armed with a modified crossbow and a healthy dose of courage, would often join him on the front lines, providing support and inspiration to the other survivors. She had learned to fight, to kill, to survive in a world where death lurked around every corner.
But the biggest challenge of all was Felix's own internal struggle. He was haunted by memories of his past life, by the guilt of his family's death, and by the knowledge that he was no longer truly human.
He would often withdraw into himself, spending hours staring out at the ruined city, his face etched with a deep sadness. Vivian would try to comfort him, to remind him of the good he was doing, to reassure him that he was still loved and valued.
"You're not a monster, Felix," she would say, her voice filled with conviction. "You're a hero. You're saving this city, and you're saving me."
Felix would look at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. "Do you really believe that?" he would ask, his voice barely a whisper.
"I do," Vivian would reply, taking his hand. "I believe in you. Always."
Their love was a constant source of strength and inspiration, a beacon of hope in a world consumed by darkness. They were an unlikely couple, a living girl and a zombie, but their bond was unbreakable.
One day, while exploring a hidden laboratory beneath the Daeshin headquarters, they stumbled upon a groundbreaking discovery. A team of scientists, working in secret before the apocalypse, had been researching the Necrosis Virus, searching for a cure.
They had made significant progress, developing a serum that could potentially reverse the effects of the virus. But the serum was unstable, untested, and potentially dangerous.
Felix and Vivian faced a difficult decision. Should they risk using the serum, potentially curing Felix and restoring him to his former humanity? Or should they play it safe, accepting their current reality and focusing on rebuilding the city?
They debated the issue for days, weighing the pros and cons, considering the potential risks and rewards. Jae-hoon, ever the pragmatist, advised against it, arguing that the serum was too dangerous and that Felix was already doing a remarkable job as a zombie.
But Vivian felt strongly that they should try. She wanted Felix to be whole again, to experience the joys of human life, to be free from the limitations of his undead existence.
"It's your decision, Felix," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "I'll support you no matter what you choose. But I think you deserve a chance to be human again."
Felix looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and fear. He knew that the serum was a long shot, that it could potentially kill him. But he also knew that he couldn't deny Vivian's wish.
"Alright," he said, his voice firm. "Let's do it. Let's see if we can bring this zombie back to life."
They gathered the remaining scientists, explained the situation, and began the process of preparing the serum. It was a delicate and dangerous task, requiring precision, expertise, and a healthy dose of luck.
As they worked, Vivian couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to reverse the effects of the apocalypse, to restore the world to its former glory.
And maybe, just maybe, she could finally have a normal life with the man she loved.
End of Chapter 3
To be continued...