A thousand years ago, a small, mysterious beam from a distant part of the universe entered our realm.

As it crossed the boundary into our universe, an unknown force disrupted its path, significantly slowing its speed and altering its intended course.

The beam, once swift and purposeful, was misled by this enigmatic force, causing it to veer off its original destination.

After a long, erratic journey, it was drawn towards Earth, coming to a halt on our planet.

Its origin, purpose, and the nature of the force that altered its path remain unknown, shrouded in cosmic mystery.

The beam of light fell deep into the dense forest, a secluded place inhabited solely by tribesmen, creating a small crater with a deep, gaping hole.

Upon impact, the beam mysteriously vanished, becoming invisible to the naked eye.

At that time, the people nearby didn't dare to approach directly and somehow convince themselves as one of their gods that came for them.

These beliefs was active for 500 yrs. Till before the great war at country C begin.

After the events that transpired, these tribes and their rich history with crater seemed to disappear without much explanation or trace.

As a result, little is known about their customs, traditions, or the significant occurrences that once defined their existence.

The details of their lives and culture have faded into obscurity, leaving a void where once there was vibrant and intricate history.

Fast forward to today's world. Only a few km away from one of country C biggest cities, Donghai City, there's a fast developing city but only around 2000 houses, with half of them are farmer and fisherman occupied near the surrounding of this crater.

The city is both sprawling and expansive, with modern developments rapidly spreading across vast stretches of untouched land.

People went about their daily routines, who lived simple, quiet lives, working the land and sea that surrounded this ancient scar on the earth, unaware of the secrets buried beneath their feet.

They plowed fields and cast nets, never questioning the crater’s origins or the history it concealed.

To them, the crater was just a part of the landscape—a familiar, unremarkable presence that had always been there.

Little did they know, the crater held a past that was far more significant than anyone in the city or their community could imagine.

The proximity of their lives to such a mysterious and forgotten landmark was a silent testament to a history long lost, waiting for the moment when the encroaching city would inevitably uncover its secrets.

In these community, an 18 year old boy named Chen Wei and his family, her dad Chen Hao, a fisherman, his mother Xin Yan, a school teacher, with his younger sister Chen Ling are also one of the families who moved here recently.

Since these places had been filled with both folklore and urban legends of mysterious crater and great war.

It had been abandoned land for most of the time until a few decades ago, people started moving due to high inflation on big cities, high rent and population.

One evening, as Chen walked along a path near the forest, he suddenly heard a girl’s terrified scream.

His heart raced, and without thinking, he sprinted toward the sound, pushing through the dense underbrush.

When he emerged onto a narrow trail, he saw a troubling sight: a group of boys was surrounding a girl, who looked about his age, clearly trying to hurt her.

Chen didn't hesitate. He ran forward to help, but as soon as the boys saw him, one of them charged at Chen with a fierce look.

The boy swung his fist towards Chen’s face, but Chen swiftly ducked and countered with a strong knee to the boy’s stomach.

Before he could take another step, the other two boys were on him, raining punches and kicks.

Chen, struggling under the assault, tried to shout to the girl, urging her to run away.

He glanced around, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Assuming she had managed to escape, he braced himself for the worst.

Just then, a loud thud echoed through the forest, followed by a boy’s scream of pain.

Chen looked up and was amazed to see the girl, now holding a thick tree trunk, swinging it with all her strength.

She struck one of the attackers, who fell to the ground in pain, while the other two boys stood frozen in shock.

Seizing the opportunity, Chen quickly got up and, with a swift and powerful blow, knocked out one of the remaining attackers.

The last boy, seeing the situation turn against him, tried to flee. Chen stopped him and sternly told him to take care of his injured friends.

Chen, feeling exhausted and relieved, began to walk away without saying another word.

The girl followed him, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you so much,” she said, her voice full of warmth. “I’m Bai Jingyi, but everyone calls me Baiyi.” She smiled proudly and mentioned that her name was inspired by two of the country’s most famous actresses.

Chen glanced at her, feeling a mix of admiration and awkwardness.

Baiyi was incredibly beautiful, with striking features and an air of confidence that made Chen feel both amazed and slightly uneasy in her presence.

As she continued to speak, Chen found himself captivated by her charm and strength.

Later that night, afraid of his family knowing his current condition, Chen secretly went to one of their doctor's house hoping to had a quick check-up, believing he may had internal injures.

As he arrived and knocked on the door, he was stunned when Bai Jingyi opened it.

Chen felt a wave of embarrassment.

He quickly turned to leave, his steps hurried and anxious.

But before he could escape, Baiyi grabbed his arm with a firm, determined grip. “Wait!” she said, her voice a mix of urgency and an unspoken plea.

Their commotion attracted the attention of Baiyi’s mother, who came out of the kitchen with a concerned expression.

“Baiyi, what’s happening here?” she asked, clearly puzzled.

Chen stood frozen, caught between his embarrassment and the tense situation.

Baiyi’s grip on his arm was unyielding.

Realizing there was no way out, Chen reluctantly turned back and followed her inside.

Baiyi’s mother continued to look at them with curiosity as they entered.

Once inside, Baiyi quickly explained to her mother, “This is the guy who saved me earlier.”

Chen, still feeling awkward, asked if he could see Dr. Lou. Baiyi’s mother nodded and directed him to the room where Dr. Lou was.

As Chen sat down, he realized with a jolt that he had never properly introduced himself or mentioned to Baiyi’s when they first met.

He felt a pang of regret for not having had the chance to do so.

Dr. Lou came in, greeted Chen warmly, and began his examination.

Chen winced a little as Dr. Lou checked his injuries, but he was grateful for the doctor’s gentle care.

Baiyi stood nearby, watching with a mixture of concern and relief.

After the check-up, Chen thanked Dr. Lou and prepared to leave.

He glanced at Baiyi, his cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. “I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself properly earlier,” he said.

Baiyi smiled warmly, “It’s okay. You’re a hero in my eyes.”

As Chen walked out of the house, he couldn’t help but feel a little lighter, not just because his injuries were being treated, but also because of the unexpected connection he felt with Baiyi.

The following day, Chen and his family went around to visit their neighbors, offering homemade rice cakes and introductions.

As part of their rounds, they also stopped by Baiyi’s house for a final greeting.

Without realizing it, their eyes met and locked in a gaze that sparked an intense and unspoken connection.

Even it just a mere second, for them time seemed to stand still as they exchanged a look filled with mutual understanding and curiosity.

The world around them faded, leaving just the electricity between them, a silent conversation of emotions and intrigue.

Embarrassed, Chen quickly excused himself.

The next day, Chen and his sister began preparing for their new school.

Baiyi, being homeschooled, spent her days at home.

While Chen helped her father with work after school.

As a week passed with no chance for them to see each other.

Chen found himself thinking about their brief encounter.

One evening, while Chen was working on their farm, his mother called him to come inside urgently.

Upon entering their house, he was both surprised and pleased to see Baiyi playing with his little sister.

Baiyi, catching sight of him, approached with a bright smile.

She handed him a letter, inviting him to her birthday party the day after tomorrow, and then quickly ran off, leaving Chen holding the letter and feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity about what lay ahead.

Chen rushed into his room, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

With trembling hands, he carefully unfolded the letter, eager to uncover its contents.

Baiyi neat handwriting filled the page, and as he read, he could almost hear her voice.

She expressed her gratitude once more for his timely help back in the woods, but there was something deeper in her words—a vulnerability that caught Chen off guard.

Baiyi confessed that ever since their first encounter, she had felt an unexplainable connection to him, something that made her both uneasy and curious.

She admitted that although she often found herself shy and embarrassed around him, there was a pull she couldn’t ignore.

Baiyi went on to write that she hoped to meet him again on her upcoming birthday, yearning for a chance to have a longer conversation—one that might help unravel the confusing emotions swirling within her.

The letter ended with a gentle note of hope, wishing they would meet soon. As Chen reached the end, his eyes caught the final touch Baiyi had added: her mobile number and WeChat ID, neatly written in the corner, almost like an unspoken invitation.

After reading the letter, Chen’s heart pounded with an intensity he had never felt before, a rush of happiness that was both exhilarating and unexplainable.

Wanting to make a memorable impression, he decided to buy a beautiful necklace and a pair of bracelets as a symbol of their friendship—or perhaps something more.

As Baiyi’s birthday approached, Chen found himself standing nervously at her front door, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety.

His palms were sweaty, and his hands trembled slightly.

Mustering all his courage, he finally opened the door, only to find a small gathering: Baiyi, her parents, and few of her friend.

The day before, Baiyi, anticipating Chen’s uneasiness, had cleverly persuaded her parents to keep the celebration intimate.

She had used the excuse of her dangerous previous encounter at the woods, sweetly insisting she only wanted Chen and her few friends to be present.

Ofcourse for Baiyi, her friends is only for to avoid any suspicion her parents might have about her feelings toward Chen.

Baiyi greeted him warmly, her eyes sparkling with joy.

While Chen nervously waited for a private moment to give her his gift.

Since he worried that if anyone saw the gesture, they might misunderstand their relationship and tarnish Baiyi’s reputation.

After enjoying the cake and chatting with her family and friend, Chen stepped outside for some fresh air.

As he gazed up at the sky, he noticed a large, bright star unlike any he had ever seen.

Seizing the moment, Chen called Baiyi outside to witness the breathtaking sight.

The two stood together in awe, marveling at the star’s beauty, unaware that this mysterious object was something unknown heading toward their planet.

Believing the star was a good omen, Chen finally handed Baiyi her gift.

She blushed as she opened it and, seeing the necklace, shyly asked Chen if he would put it around her neck.

Without hesitation, Chen obliged, gently fastening the necklace around her.

As he reached for the second present, Baiyi, overcome with emotion, leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

Both of their faces turned crimson in the soft glow of the starlight.

Realizing what she had just done, Baiyi, flustered and embarrassed, hurried back inside, leaving Chen standing there, stunned but overwhelmed with joy.

However, Chen’s happiness was short-lived.

From the depths of the nearby forest, he heard an eerie, faint voice calling to him, drawing him in with an irresistible pull.

Without fully realizing it, Chen found himself walking deeper into the woods, as if in a trance.

He wandered for what felt like an hour until he stood before a vast, ancient crater, its edges jagged and unrecognizable, as if formed by some catastrophic event centuries ago.

At the bottom of the crater, a dazzling light shone brightly, beckoning him closer.

Chen tried to back away, but an unseen force pulled him forward, dragging him toward the edge.

He screamed, his voice echoing through the emptiness, as he plummeted into the crater.

Miraculously, he landed softly, sustaining only minor injuries.

Now face-to-face with the mysterious light, Chen felt an overwhelming sense of both terror and curiosity.

Before he could react, the light surged forward, merging with him in an instant.

Pain like nothing he had ever known shot through his body.

His skin felt as though it was melting off, his bones ached with unbearable pressure, and his blood boiled within his veins.

Every nerve in his body was on fire, each second stretching into an eternity of agony.

Though the excruciating transformation lasted mere seconds, it was more than Chen could endure, and he collapsed, unconscious, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of his ordeal.

At the same time, the mysterious object in the sky broke apart into countless pieces, couscattering across different parts of the world.

Except a small one remain, that form into a ball shape surround by red aura, that soon flew into a direction of North a path of C country.

The fragments were drawn to big cities in entire world, crashing down as if it were their fate.

Wherever they landed, they unleashed a thick fog swirling in red and black, quickly spreading and covering entire neighborhoods.

The world plunged into chaos as terrifying natural disasters followed: violent earthquakes shook buildings to the ground, giant tsunamis swallowed coastal areas, fierce storms battered everything in their path, and lightning split the sky with deafening thunder.

Floodwaters surged through streets, turning once peaceful cities into scenes of destruction and panic.

Even nearby towns could see the devastation, but hardly.

Their residents watching in horror as screams echoed from the affected cities.

People ran in every direction, desperate to escape the destruction, but the red and black fog was everywhere.

Those who breathed it in felt something strange taking over their minds.

They lost control of themselves, as if their thoughts and senses were being hijacked.

Overcome by an intense, uncontrollable hunger, they turned violent, attacking anyone near them.

It didn’t matter if it was a friend, a neighbor, or even family—they were driven by a primal urge they couldn’t understand or resist.

The fog had turned them into something monstrous, and the cities were filled with the sounds of their terrifying rampage.

Most governments and military forces around the world were quick to respond in each of their respective countries, sending soldiers to take control of the affected cities.

Same with country C, roads were blocked off, and quarantines were set up in a desperate attempt to stop the spread of the fog.

But the soldiers themselves were unprepared, and many had no idea what they were dealing with.

The fog kept spreading, and those who breathed it in continued to lose their humanity, turning against each other in a frenzy of fear and madness.

Authorities were left scrambling for answers, trying to understand what was happening.

Even with all their experts and scientists, for now, the situation was far beyond their control.

In the end, the world was left to face an enemy it had never seen before, whose true nature was still unknown.

But, after few hours, all that mysterious fog along with that fragments from unknown object that landed everywhere disappear without much explanation.

But the damage had been already done, and it just getting worse.

Since those infected not just lost their mind, and become men eating flesh, they're hard to kill and had superhuman strength.

For government, this somehow relief, since they now able to know little, even it just a few hours.

They're like zombie, so government of C country announced in their media that these unknown will be call C Zombie, and admitted they didn't know a shit except a structure that resemble zombie.

Even tho they're difference in few ways, these new disease are way intelligent, strong and had their own mind.

Amidst all this chaos, Chen City remained strangely untouched.

The government and soldiers didn’t approach the city for unknown reasons, even though it wasn’t far from Donghai City, where the chaos had erupted.

The community in Chen City was torn, unable to decide whether to stay or leave, especially since many other cities had started evacuating with government assistance.

Fear and uncertainty hung in the air, with neighbors arguing over what to do next.

Meanwhile, Baiyi, who had just enjoyed a lovely time with Chen, was still in her room, lost in her daydreams and little fantasies.

She was unaware of the growing danger outside.

But as soon as she heard the news about the outbreak, she jumped up, her heart racing.

She quickly looked around the house, calling out for Chen, but to her dismay, she couldn't find him anywhere.

She dialed his number repeatedly, but there was no answer.

Thinking that Chen might have rushed home after hearing the news, Baiyi tried not to panic.

But reality hits hard, especially since it's her first time liking someone, that makes her even more urge and make it hard to stay still.

With that, she hurriedly prepare to search their surrounding and call Chen house.

But after realising she's home alone and that her friends already rush home while her parents went to community hall, since they all thought Chen and Baiyi still stay together.

With that, she convinced herself that everything was fine and that Chen was just being cautious.

She hurried back to her room and began packing her belongings, preparing for the worst-case scenario.

Clothes, food, water, anything she thought she might need—she threw it all into her bag, knowing she had to be ready to leave at any moment.

Outside, most of the community had gathered at the town hall for an emergency meeting, trying to figure out their next steps.

Streets that were usually filled with laughter and daily life were now quiet and empty, with houses closed and abandoned.

Baiyi felt a chill run down her spine as she glanced out the window at the empty city.

It was hard to believe that just hours ago, everything had been normal.

Now, she stood alone, waiting for Chen, and hoping they could find a way to survive together

Minutes passed slowly, time moving at snail's pace.

With that unforgettable mayhem going on everywhere, the sunrise could be seen from far away.

The sky slowly turned a mix of pink and orange, casting a soft glow over the city.

To their surprise yet relief, the C Zombies, when their skin made contact with the ultraviolet rays from the sun, unlike any other things inside earth atmosphere, their skin get UVC 500-1000 nm and began to burn.

Smoke rose from their bodies as they sizzled, turning black like charcoal, breaking apart into ash.

But only a few C Zombies were victims of the sunlight, as they were intelligent in their own ways.

They were smart enough to avoid danger and even had the ability to make telepathic connections with their kind within a 20-50 km radius.

They used this mental link to communicate quickly, warning others to find cover.

As the sun climbed higher, the C Zombies ran away to different places, looking for shadows, basements, and other dark spots to hide from the burning rays.

Soon, the city streets were empty, and the once chaotic scene was now eerily quiet.

Seizing this rare opportunity, the government acted quickly.

They called upon the few cities that were still left unharmed and asked for their help except Chen's city.

Those cities became safe havens, setting up bases to provide shelter, food, and medical care to the survivors.

Supplies were gathered, streets were cleared, and old buildings were turned into emergency shelters and hospitals.

Government secretly select adult mainly between 18-40 years old from facial recognition device for their backup plan, hoping they will join if needed.

If it's the other way around, it's clear government won't hesitate to used force and any tactics available to make it work.

Engineers worked around the clock to set up power and clean water, ensuring that those who had been affected could start rebuilding their lives.

People from the unaffected cities welcomed refugees, sharing what little they had.

Communities came together, supporting one another in ways they had never imagined.

Even though everyone was scared, they found strength in each other.

Children played again, laughter mixed with the sounds of work as people cleaned up debris and made the streets livable once more.

But these doesn't mean everything goes well.

Few of them didn't like this idea, and stay in a small group or alone , looting from shop and doing whatever they want.

Government know their activities, but didn't had time for them -- Or atleast for now.

Yet, despite this newfound hope, the survivors knew that the danger was not truly gone, with their future unknown.

While C Zombies were hiding, waiting for the sun to set.

They were biding their time, planning their next attack.

Back at Baiyi’s place, she was restless.

She had called Chen’s parents the previous night, hoping for good news, but they confirmed that Chen hadn’t come home.

The news made Baiyi’s heart sink, and she spent the whole night wide awake, tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep.

Chen’s parents had tried to calm her down, convincing her to stay inside and leave the search to them, especially with the danger outside.

They reminded her that it was too risky to go out with the C Zombies lurking in the dark.

The thought of Chen being out there, lost and alone, was unbearable for her.

When Baiyi heard that the C Zombies retreated during the day due to the sunlight, she couldn’t wait any longer.

She jumped up, feeling a mix of fear and determination.

She grabbed her bag, tightened her shoes, and rushed out the door without wasting any time.

She started her search by going to all the places she thought Chen might hide: the old library, the quiet park behind the school, and even the small café.

She searched every corner, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but every place was empty, filled only with the silence of a city that felt abandoned.

She tried calling his name, her voice echoing off the empty buildings, but there was no response.

As she ran through the quiet streets, Baiyi’s mind raced with worry.

What if something had happened to him?

What if he was hurt or worse?

She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him, and it pushed her to keep searching, even though every minute that passed felt like a lifetime.

Baiyi was so focused on finding Chen that she didn’t realize the danger she was putting herself in.

She already took a path to forest.

Baiyi realize she was in a life-threatening situation, but all she could think about was finding Chen and making sure he was safe.

The world had shifted drastically in just a few days.

Once-thriving cities now lay in ruins, used only as military bases by the government.

In response to the chaos, authorities erected massive walls and set up strategic defenses around their designated camps.

Each base was fortified, serving as a shield against the C-Zombies.

Food and resources were still abundant, enough to last everyone for days, and the distribution of rations kept morale high.

The government’s camps became the last refuge for those who had lost everything.

Despite the seemingly organized system, not everyone chose to take shelter in the camps.

Some—especially the wealthy—opted to stay in their luxurious mansions, confident that their money and resources would protect them.

In this new world, somehow money was more valuable than ever, as those who had it could still buy food, security, and whatever else they needed.

They believed they were safer within their own heavily-guarded estates, relying on private armies and looted goods to maintain their lifestyle.

Meanwhile, Baiyi was in the forest, far from the safety of their city and the comforts of the rich.

She had been searching for Chen all day, and the sun was beginning to set without her realizing it.

Her throat was raw from calling out his name, her voice barely audible anymore.

She had been searching endlessly, deep into the dense, dangerous forest. With each passing minute, her heart sank a little more.

Baiyi knew how fortunate she was that no danger had come her way.

With the country in shambles and C-Zombies roaming the outskirts, it was a miracle she hadn’t encountered one.

Still, the fear in her heart was nothing compared to the sorrow she felt from not finding Chen.

She dropped to her knees, her body trembling from exhaustion and despair.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered into the wind, "Wherever you are, Chen, please don’t give up on me. I’ll find you… somehow. Until then, stay strong."

With a heavy heart and tears streaming down her face, she made her way back home.

The promise she made to herself echoed in her mind—she would do better, she would find him, no matter the cost.

A week passed since the incident that changed the world.

Nations and their cities had adapted surprisingly well to the new threats.

Governments established communication networks, and their soldiers quickly adjusted to the ever-present danger of the C-Zombies.

The civilians had found a way to trust their leaders again, finding comfort in the structured defenses and the regular supply of rations.

Soldiers became heroes, the backbone of the new society, their every move carefully coordinated to ensure survival.

But while the world seemed to find stability, Baiyi's and Chen’s families were far from peaceful.

From the night Chen disappeared, there was no word of him.

From day one, since government didn't apporch their city, Chen's city didn't have that technology, defence, device or soilders that can help from C Zombies and other needs of survival.

So, their small city, around two thousand houses only, makes a plan on how to looking for Chen.

Day after day, hope began to wane for everyone in their community, except for Baiyi and Chen’s family.

Despite extensive searches for three days and nights, even venturing deep into the forest, no one could find any trace of him. It was as if Chen had simply vanished into thin air.

No one dared to say it aloud, but most believed Chen was gone for good, lost to the dangers of the forest or worse—the C-Zombies.

Yet Baiyi refused to believe it.

She knew, deep in her heart, that Chen was still out there, somewhere.

She clung to that belief, even as her own health deteriorated.

The endless search had taken a toll on her—she barely ate, and sleep was elusive. Her body was weakened from exhaustion, and her mind was worn thin by the stress and grief of not knowing where Chen was.

As the sun set again and people returned to the safety of their homes and camps.

The streets were eerily silent, as if the world had gone completely still.

The only noise that broke the quiet was the occasional distant howl of the C-Zombies, lurking in the shadows of the abandoned cities. But something was different tonight.

The C-Zombies didn’t attack like they normally did. Instead, they gathered in large numbers, surrounding the camps and bases but keeping their distance. It seemed as though they had learned their lesson—every night, hundreds of them were slaughtered by the government’s forces.

People began to relax, thinking the creatures had finally been deterred by their consistent defeats.

But what no one knew was that the C-Zombies were not acting on instinct alone.

Someone—or something—was controlling them, guiding their every move with a sinister purpose. Quietly and strategically, the zombies began probing the camps, testing their defenses.

They soon discovered weak points—walls that were hastily built, guard towers that were undermanned, and the routines of the soldiers, which had grown predictable.

The attack began without warning. Before the government forces could react, a wave of C-Zombies breached the walls, having found the camp’s vulnerabilities.

Panic erupted as alarms blared through the camp, and soldiers scrambled to defend the base. In the chaos, the people living within the camp—civilians who had grown comfortable in their relative safety—were thrown into a frantic struggle for survival.

The night was filled with the sounds of gunfire, screams, and the unrelenting growls of the C-Zombies. For the first time in days, the people realized that their safety was nothing more than an illusion.

The real battle for survival had just begun.