Chapter 2

Barret gunned the engine and raced back to the villa.

Watching my fingerprint unlock the door without a hitch, the two of them let out long breaths.

"Thank God. There's plenty here. We can hold out until the military clears the zombies."

"Nina, it's a good thing you always liked stockpiling. I'll never call you a spendthrift again."

I gave a small smile, but I didn't tell them the truth. I'd stocked up in advance precisely to prepare for entering the game.

Barret gently massaged my hurt ankle while Marjorie went to take inventory.

By the time the swelling in my ankle was fully gone, three days had passed.

Over those three days, the internet failed first, then the power, then the water.

Watching the food supply dwindle by the day, Barret's brow furrowed.

"We have to reach the outside world and find out what's really going on."

Marjorie held up a radio she'd dug out and searched for a broadcast. The moment the words came through clearly, we all froze.

【According to the latest reports, every nation on Earth has fallen.】

【Cities are overrun with infection. Casualties are catastrophic. All survivors are urged to fend for themselves. Do not expect rescue.】

In the empty living room, Barret and Marjorie went ashen.

"Nina, can you reach your company's staff? Have them bring us supplies?"

I sighed.

"I tried already. Upper management said the staff didn't get out in time. They were all wiped out."

The two exchanged a glance, something churning in their eyes that I couldn't read.

After a long moment, Barret spoke, stiffly.

"We can't just sit here and eat through everything. Nina, you go out and find supplies."

I stared at him, stunned.

"Me?"

"I've been pampered my whole life. Half the time I'm too lazy to even walk. And you want me to go scavenging?"

"But it's the apocalypse now!" Barret's voice rose. "Marjorie and I already risked our lives to save you once. Shouldn't you pay us back?"

Seeing how sour the mood had turned, Marjorie stepped in to smooth things over.

"Stop fighting. Things are urgent right now. Let's go take a look outside first."

A thought stirred in me.

The two of them still didn't know they had powers. It was only human to be afraid of what was out there.

Once they came face to face with the zombies and their powers were triggered, once they understood the world-ending strength they held, they'd naturally protect me!

Thinking that, I nodded in agreement.

"Let's check the front door."

Out in the real world, the design team immediately spawned zombies outside the villa.

Through a single wall, Barret and Marjorie looked at the horde of bruised, purple-black bodies, and suddenly clutched their heads.

A moment later, Barret tested the air with an outstretched hand. A streak of purple lightning flashed, and the zombie nearest us dropped where it stood.

Marjorie looked at him, thrilled, and reached out her own hand.

As a green glow shimmered into being, a protective barrier sprang up around Barret in an instant!

Marjorie grabbed a baseball bat and swung at the barrier with everything she had, and still couldn't crack the defense.

The two of them were beside themselves. They turned to look at me.

"Nina, what's your power?"

I copied them and stretched out my hand.

A long while passed. Nothing happened.

They wouldn't give up. They told me to focus and keep trying.

I tried again. Still nothing changed.

"Looks like heaven gave me a fortune to rival a nation, but no power to go with it."

"From here on out, I'll be counting on the two of you to protect me!"

I looked at them, smiling, and waited for their answer.

But the two people who had promised to protect me forever both changed their faces at the same moment.

"You're useless. How do you have the nerve to stand there and beg us power-users for shelter?"