Chapter Six: The Little Zombie is a Golden-Haired Girl?

[Current Task: Yu Qiuchi is very happy that you can be her boyfriend. Now that you've officially become a couple, isn't it time to give her a proper date? Dinner, shopping, a movie—please complete the above date mission.]
[Task Status: Completed]
[Reward: 5 free attribute points (The system recommends adding to Charisma to increase romantic opportunities.)]
[Note: You prepared a candlelight dinner, bought jewelry while shopping, and watched a risqué movie. System evaluation: too clichéd and not proactive enough—you should have taken the initiative at the cinema! Task barely counted as completed. In this new era of the apocalypse, a man should have more originality!]

What?
At the cinema? That’s rather bold, isn’t it?

Gu Lang was speechless for a moment, but excitement soon replaced his confusion. The rewards this time were generous—a full five points. It seemed that fortune really does favor the bold. After this experience, Gu Lang understood just how precious attribute points were. They couldn't be spent carelessly. If he could turn a zombie back to normal with them, that alone made him unbeatable. He wondered if investing in other attributes might yield unexpected benefits as well. He was eager to see what kind of person he would become.

This time, he decided to save the points for a crucial moment.

After waiting a little longer, the movie ended. Gu Lang took Yu Qiuchi’s hand, intending to return home. Her cheeks were still flushed, clearly recalling scenes from the film. Before the apocalypse, Yu Qiuchi had been an innocent maiden, pure in every sense. She'd only heard of such movies; tonight was her first time watching one. With her beloved at her side, her heart raced uncontrollably, her gaze drifting toward Gu Lang again and again.

Gu Lang glanced at her—the color in her face, the slight sheen of sweat on her skin. Her loose clothing was almost translucent, revealing hints of what lay beneath. He coughed, unable to resist another glance.

Ahem! I have no improper thoughts.

"Let's go. Let's take the supplies and head home. It’s not safe here," Gu Lang said cautiously. Though he was also new to surviving the apocalypse, he was naturally vigilant. The mall might have been cleared, but that didn’t guarantee safety. In the apocalypse, people could be even more dangerous than zombies. If they ran into bandits, neither of them would escape unless he became stronger or got his hands on a gun. As things stood, that would require him to complete more tasks.

On the way back, their arms loaded with supplies, even the two of them found it hard to manage. Fortunately, both Gu Lang and Yu Qiuchi had a strength stat of 7; otherwise, ordinary people would hardly be able to walk. As they left the mall, they found the streets swarming with zombies. Gu Lang retraced their route using side streets, dodging many of the zombies.

They were nearly at their apartment building when Gu Lang finally let out a breath of relief.

But things were never that simple.

As they turned a corner, Gu Lang saw dozens of zombies blocking the way. They had spotted the two of them, arms loaded with supplies.

With guttural howls, the zombies charged at Gu Lang like rabid dogs.

Damn it! Weren’t there no zombies here just a moment ago?

Gu Lang’s eyes widened. There was no time to think—he quickly retreated. He recalled the zombies’ stats: their strength and speed were the same as normal humans. His own strength was 7, but his speed was only 3.

It was time to use those attribute points!

With his life on the line, Gu Lang didn’t hesitate. He allocated 3 points to Strength and 2 to Speed. Now, with 10 points in Strength and 5 in Speed, he was well beyond a normal person. He immediately felt stronger; the supplies in his arms seemed lighter. Even the zombies' movements appeared slower.

Combining strength and speed, Gu Lang kicked one zombie square in the chest.

Bang!

The zombie let out a wretched howl, sent flying to the ground and unable to get up for a long while. It was as if it had been hit by a speeding scooter. And that was only 10 points in Strength—he would be even stronger in the future!

But there were too many of them. Hoping to cut a path through the horde alone was impossible. Even as he kicked zombie after zombie aside, the encirclement tightened. The commotion drew even more zombies; soon, hundreds were converging on them.

Gu Lang knew they had to escape quickly. He abandoned some supplies for greater mobility and called out to Yu Qiuchi.

"Cover me! Let me get upstairs first!"

Yu Qiuchi hurried forward, kicking away zombies as she went. Since zombies ignored her, she could attack them openly. With strength equal to Gu Lang’s, she easily held them back.

Gu Lang didn’t dare linger. He dashed upstairs with the supplies. Inside the apartment building, the narrow corridors meant fewer zombies. It seemed safer, but as he rounded a corner, Gu Lang froze.

Not far away, standing in the hallway on the second floor, was a little blonde girl. She wore a pale blue dress and white stockings, her long golden hair framing a pair of sapphire eyes. She looked adorable—before the apocalypse, she would have been the perfect gothic lolita.

But her complexion was tinged with a purplish hue, black veins visible beneath her skin.

She was a zombie.

At that moment, the little zombie girl simply gazed at Gu Lang, making no move to attack. More importantly, from her position she could see the battle below, as if she had orchestrated it. The zombies seemed to be drawn here by her.

Instinctively, Gu Lang glanced at his interface.

[Name: Ellie]
[Charisma: 0]
[Speed: 3]
[Strength: 3]
[Intelligence: 5]
[Skill: Sovereign]
[Note: A little blonde zombie girl—don’t be fooled by her charming appearance!]

"High intelligence? But weak in other attributes?" Gu Lang frowned, but felt relieved. So she was just a weakling with brains—intelligence alone wouldn’t help her survive in the apocalypse.

Just then, a new task appeared.

[Prompt: Host has completed the previous mission. New conditions triggered. Two new tasks available.]
[1: Now that you and Yu Qiuchi have gone on a date and her affection has reached the critical point, it's time to become true husband and wife! Mission: Return to your room and share a bed with Yu Qiuchi!]
[Reward: 5 free attribute points!]
[2: As the ruler of a harem in the apocalypse, how can you have only one wife? A new target has appeared—strike up a conversation with the little blonde girl!]
[Reward: Newbie Graduation Pack!]

Gu Lang’s spirits lifted—two tasks at once? But now wasn’t the time; he needed to settle down first. Confirming that the little girl wouldn’t pursue him, Gu Lang carried the supplies back to his room. Soon after, Yu Qiuchi returned as well. Since she was a zombie, she was unscathed and managed to salvage more supplies.

He caught his breath. Night had fallen. After their date, Yu Qiuchi’s affection seemed to have peaked; she gazed at him with tender, longing eyes.

A single bed, a man and a woman together in the room.

Thinking of the task the damn system had just given, Gu Lang took a deep breath.

Well then, was he really going to lose his virginity tonight?