From Castoff to Star Guest at Her Awards

I was alone as the alloy gate of Northvale Base slowly closed behind me. I stood outside with the expulsion order in hand before wandering aimlessly.

Suddenly, I heard a roar coming from behind me. When I turned, I saw a huge, dark mass moving toward me. It was a horde of zombies.

I tightened my grip on the worn-out machete. It still had dried zombie blood on it from a hunt three days ago. I took them on since I had nothing left to lose anyway.

I dodged sideways when the first zombie lunged and buried the machete into its neck. The steel lodged deep into its spine, forcing me to kick the zombie to free the machete. I smashed the second zombie's head with the back of the machete when it went for my arm.

I kept fighting them off repeatedly, eventually losing track of how many I killed. I raised my arm to defend myself when another one lunged forward, but the impact knocked me to the ground, causing my machete to slip from my hand and spin far away. I knew I was done for.

I tried to get to my feet, but my body felt unbearably heavy. I couldn't move no matter what I did. The zombie was pinning me to the ground.

I stared at the face closing in on me as a memory flashed through my mind.

Three years ago, I'd taken a hit from a mutant beast for Whitney Lund, which earned me her very first smile. She'd held my hand and said, "I'll protect you for the rest of my life once I become the strongest ability user, Maverick!"

Because of that promise, I threw myself into hordes of mutant beasts like a madman, all just to get crystal cores for her.

I gave up my share of food just so she could "get the nutrition she needed." I even put my chance of awakening an ability on the line by taking the "physique-enhancing" serums she gave me.

I wasn't even afraid at that moment. I just felt utterly exhausted. I couldn't help but wonder if the hit I took for her three years ago was worth it. Had all those contribution points I earned and all those days I spent risking my life been worth it?

I could feel the zombie's teeth nearing my neck when a loud explosion suddenly sounded, followed by a streak of silver-blue light that flashed past my eyes.

In an instant, the zombie on top of me was ripped into pieces, spraying my face with rotten flesh and dark blood.

I lay frozen on the ground, watching the light tear through the horde of zombies. I couldn't help but wonder if it was an ability. It was so ridiculously strong that the zombies stood zero chance against it.

In just a few seconds, the surrounding horde was wiped out entirely, and a figure jumped down from the top of the ruins, landing right in front of me. She glanced at me and asked nonchalantly, "You still alive?"

I wanted to respond to her, but my vision suddenly went dark, and I blacked out completely.

…

I found myself lying on a bed by the time I regained consciousness. I stared at the tin roof as I tried to wiggle my fingers. I noticed that I was covered in a clean blanket and that someone had bandaged my wounds.

It was then that the curtain was pulled aside, and the mysterious woman in black walked in. She had changed into casual clothes now, with her long hair tied loosely behind her. "You're finally awake, huh?"

I struggled to sit up, my throat so dry it felt like it was on fire. "W-Water…"

I grabbed the bottle of water she handed over to me and drank several mouthfuls before handing it back. "Thank you. You're the one who saved me, right?"

She took the bottle back and sat down in a nearby chair. "Who else would it be? You're from Northvale Base?"

I was momentarily stunned before nodding. "I used to be."