Chapter 5: Indomie on the Edge

"Damn it!" Bima growled, pressing his back against the damp wall of the guard post.

His heart hammered, pumping adrenaline that felt cold in his veins.

Lia tensed up beside him, her dark eyes scanning every shadow in the deserted street.

Dozens of zombies—not just the moans of the Zombie Food Vlogger, but the distinct snarls of hungry creatures—were drawing closer.

"We're pinned, Bima," Lia whispered, her voice tight. "Zombies in front of us, and behind us... there’s him."

She glanced toward the door of the guard post where Kevin and his gang were hiding.

"And he wants to destroy my Indomie," Bima added, tightly clutching the pack of Indomie that felt like his very life.

[Warning! Status: Cornered!]

[Threat: Low-Level Zombies (20+) approaching from the North and South. Kevin & Fitness Freak Survival (4) to the West.]

[Mission 'Protect Indomie for Life' CRITICAL!]

"I know, System!" Bima snapped internally.

This was the worst possible moment. A choice between starving to death or being torn apart by a mob.

"We have to make a decision fast," Lia said, her eyes returning to the darkening street.

"Those zombies are attracted to noise. They'll be here any second."

"The Zombie Food Vlogger is around here too," Bima added, remembering the vroommm sound from earlier.

"He’s attracted to 'good food.'"

Lia turned her head, her eyebrows arching.

"You mean... we can use him?"

Lia's expression shifted; a spark of an idea flickered there.

"I don't know how, but my system says he’s obsessed with making content," Bima explained.

"Maybe we can create 'content' that will distract him... and Kevin too."

"What kind of content?" Lia asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Kevin is a protein freak. The vlogger zombie is a food content freak. Is there anything that could bait them both?"

Bima remembered something.

"Their supplements! Kevin called them 'nutrition.' The Zombie Food Vlogger might not care, but Kevin will definitely panic if his supplements go missing or get ruined!"

The idea began to take shape in Bima’s mind.

"Mission: 'Steal the Fitness Freak Supplements'..." Bima murmured.

"The goal is to get 3 bottles of supplements for system analysis. The reward is 1,000 protein calories and the 'Meme Creator' skill!"

Lia’s eyes widened.

"So that's your mission?! Stealing their supplements?"

She offered a faint smile. "I like that idea."

"But how?" Lia asked, her voice turning serious again.

"They’re inside, we’re outside, and we’re surrounded by zombies."

Bima looked around. Piles of bricks, shattered glass, and dried-up bushes.

"We need to make a massive scene. Something that catches the vlogger's eye and lures Kevin out."

"A scene?" Lia repeated, staring at Bima.

"Do you have some crazy idea?"

"I have Indomie," Bima said, lifting the package. "My system says this is 'Special Chicken Curry Indomie Plus Egg & Vegetables.'"

Lia frowned. "So... you’re going to throw your Indomie at the Zombie Food Vlogger?"

"This is my life, Lia! Not a chance!" Bima defended himself. "But... maybe we can get them to fight each other."

Lia thought hard, then pointed to an old drum lying not far from the guard post.

"That drum... if we push it toward the door, it’ll make a loud noise. It’ll definitely get the zombies' attention."

"And the Vlogger’s," Bima chimed in. "But Kevin will definitely come out too."

"That’s the point," Lia smirked. "Kevin will come out to see what’s going on. And that’s when we slip in."

"To steal the supplements?" Bima nodded, agreeing to the reckless plan.

"And maybe... we can get the Vlogger to attack Kevin?"

It was a mad plan that could only be conceived in the middle of the apocalypse.

"Okay," Bima took a deep breath. "We need perfect timing."

[System Suggestion: Use your 'Agility' to move quickly. Watch your timing.]

Bima and Lia crept cautiously toward the old drum.

The zombies in the distance were closing in, their growls breaking the silence of the night.

Every movement felt slow, as if time were stretching thin.

"Now," Lia whispered.

They both pushed the old drum with all their might.

CLANG! CLATTER! CRASH!

The drum slammed into the guard post wall with a deafening noise.

Dust flew into the air, and the commotion immediately drew attention.

From inside the guard post, Kevin’s cursing could be heard.

"Damn it! What now?!"

At the same time, from further away, came that unmistakable vroommm... vroommm... sound.

The Zombie Food Vlogger was on the move!

"Now!" Bima pulled Lia’s arm.

They dashed around the guard post, looking for an opening.

The main door was still closed, but there was a broken window on the other side.

"There!" Lia pointed.

They moved quickly toward the window; Bima’s scrawny frame and Lia’s agility were an advantage.

From inside, Kevin and two of his followers emerged, their eyes burning with rage.

"Bima, you scrawny runt! You dare cause more trouble?!" Kevin roared.

Behind Kevin, one of his followers shouted.

"Kev! There’s a crazy zombie coming! He’s holding a camera!"

The Zombie Food Vlogger appeared at the end of the street, moving fast toward the noise, his camera ready to record.

His glowing red eyes seemed to sparkle, searching for new 'content.'

"Is he a zombie or just insane?!" Kevin yelled in a panic.

"Catch the runt first!"

Bima and Lia had already made it through the window.

The smell of staleness and sweat filled the room.

Kevin’s flashlight was still glowing dimly in the center of the room.

"Hurry! The supplements!" Lia whispered, her eyes searching.

Next to the flashlight, on top of a box, sat a pile of Fitness Freak Survival supplement bottles.

Bima lunged, grabbing three colorful bottles.

His grip on his Indomie tightened.

[Mission 'Steal the Fitness Freak Supplements' Complete!]

[Rewards Received: +1,000 Calories (protein variant), Skill 'Meme Creator' (Level 1)!]

"YES!" Bima cheered internally.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed from the front door. Kevin was coming back in.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SUPPLEMENTS, YOU PEST?!" Kevin bellowed, his eyes bulging as he saw Bima holding the bottles.

"Is that what you were after?!"

Kevin’s other two followers entered as well, cornering Bima and Lia.

They were much larger and stronger.

Kevin sneered, "Now, you have nowhere left to run."

"Oh, really?" Bima suddenly sneered back.

He saw the Zombie Food Vlogger moving outside, heading toward the entrance of the guard post, his camera focused on Kevin.

"Mmmph... action... intense... drama... conflict between survivors..." the Vlogger rasped.

"Kevin, to him, you're just target practice for content!" Bima mocked.

"And me? I'm going to be the greatest meme creator of this apocalypse!"

Kevin was taken aback, his expression shifting.

"What are you talking about?!"

"This!" Bima held up one of the supplement bottles.

"My system says these supplements contain dangerous ingredients if consumed in excess. And you, Kev, you’ve had way too much!"

Kevin stepped forward, his hands ready to snatch Bima.

"Give that back, you dog!"

"No way!"

In one swift motion, Bima popped open one of the supplement bottles and poured the contents onto the floor right in front of Kevin.

Not only that, he also tossed Lia’s scattered potato chips into the puddle of supplement powder.

Lia gasped.

"My chips!"

The Zombie Food Vlogger at the threshold, who had been focused on Kevin, now redirected his camera.

His glowing red eyes widened as he saw the mixture of supplement powder and potato chips on the floor.

"Mmmph... new... content... collaboration... protein... and carbs... extreme... review!" the Vlogger muttered, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

He immediately barged in, ignoring Kevin, and crouched down on the floor.

His camera meticulously recorded the mixture of supplements and chips as if it were a five-star meal.

He began to sniff, then licked the floor with his disgusting tongue.

Kevin and his followers froze, disgusted and shocked.

"He... he’s eating my supplements?!" Kevin shrieked, his face turning pale.

"That’s called content, Kevin," Bima said, his voice calm.

"And you? You're the star of the show."

[Skill 'Meme Creator' (Level 1) Active!]

[Meme 'Protein Freak vs. Food Vlogger' created!]

[Effects: Kevin’s Charisma -20%! Food Vlogger Zombie’s Charisma +15%!]

"Damn you, Bima!" Kevin roared in a rage, a murderous glint in his eyes.

He lunged at Bima.

"Lia, now!" Bima shouted, knowing he couldn't dodge Kevin’s attack.

Lia, already gripping the iron bar, immediately swung it at one of Kevin’s followers who was trying to close in on Bima.

CRACK!

The muscular man staggered.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Bima bolted toward the back door he had entered through earlier.

Kevin was too busy dealing with the Food Vlogger Zombie, which had started rolling around on the floor, thoroughly enjoying its "review."

"Let’s go!" Bima pulled Lia along.

The two of them ran as hard as they could out of the guard post, leaving Kevin and the Vlogger in a state of utter shambles inside.

The zombies outside, which had been closing in, were now mostly distracted by the commotion coming from within the post.

The Food Vlogger Zombie’s shouts of "Top-tier content!" echoed clearly.

Bima and Lia sprinted down the street, their breath coming in ragged gasps.

"You... you actually managed to make them fight?!" Lia gasped, still in disbelief.

"Kevin is definitely going to hold a massive grudge against you."

"I’ve got a grudge against him too," Bima shot back, a sense of satisfaction filling his heart.

"My little revenge mission was a success. And the 'Protect Indomie for Life' mission is partially done too!"

They ran without stopping, putting distance between themselves and the guard post.

The sky was now pitch black, illuminated only by the moon and the dead city lights.

"We need to find a safe place," Lia said. "We can’t stay on the streets forever."

"So, how’s your first kiss mission going?" Lia suddenly asked, her tone a bit teasing.

Bima’s face heated up again.

He looked at Lia. Her hair was a mess and her face was dirty, but her eyes still sparkled with spirit.

"There’s... there’s still time," Bima stammered.

[Warning! 'Anti-Zombie First Kiss' mission: 1 hour 45 minutes remaining!]

[Status 'Fishy Smell' still active! Charisma -15%!]

"Damn it!" Bima cursed inwardly. That fishy smell.

"I... I still smell," Bima admitted dejectedly.

Lia let out a small laugh.

"Yeah, you really do. Who’d want to kiss someone who smells like a sewer?"

Despite her words, there was a strange warmth in Lia’s laughter.

They found a narrow alleyway squeezed between two tall buildings that were still standing firm.

The air felt a bit colder there.

They headed inside, hoping to hide.

At the end of the alley, there was a steel door slightly ajar, leading to a basement.

"I remember this place," Lia whispered. "It’s an old warehouse. It used to be a storage unit for a mini-market."

"Is it safe?" Bima asked.

"It should be," Lia nodded. "Zombies don't really like dark, cramped spaces."

They entered slowly, the steel door creaking softly.

Inside, it was pitch black, and the pungent smell of mold and dampness hit their noses.

Bima turned on his phone’s flashlight.

The room was filled with empty iron shelves and a few worn-out cardboard boxes.

"This will do," Lia said. "We can rest here for a bit."

Bima nodded. He felt utterly exhausted.

Hunger clawed at his stomach again.

He looked at the Indomie in his hand.

"Want some Indomie?" Bima offered again, this time with a small smile.

Lia looked at the noodles, then at Bima.

Once again, her expression was conflicted.

"But... won’t I gain weight...?" Lia bit her lip.

"This is special Indomie, Lia," Bima reassured her. "My system upgraded this to Special Chicken Onion Soup Plus Egg & Veggies!"

Lia gave Bima a strange look.

"You’re really crazy, Bima. In the middle of the apocalypse, you’re still thinking about upgrading Indomie?"

But she smiled. A genuine smile.

[Warning! Your 'Charisma' is starting to increase (temporarily)!]

"We can split it," Bima said, his heart warming.

"We’re both in this fight. It’ll keep me from getting too thin, and it’ll help you... not be so traumatized by food."

Lia was silent for a moment. Then she nodded.

"Okay. But you have to promise, we’re burning off the calories tomorrow morning."

Bima laughed. "Deal."

The two of them sat on the warehouse floor, leaning against an iron shelf.

Bima pulled out his Indomie.

[Skill 'Instant Indomie Buff' Active! Your Special Chicken Onion Soup Indomie Plus Egg & Veggies is ready to eat!]

[Calorie Status: +400! Status: Temporarily Full!]

Bima split the dry noodles in half.

Lia accepted her portion with sparkling eyes, though a hint of hesitation remained.

"It tastes like... nostalgia," Lia murmured, biting into the dry noodles.

"This is good," Lia admitted, a small smile blooming on her lips.

Bima watched Lia.

The zombies outside, the furious Kevin, the unaccomplished first kiss mission...

All of it felt a little lighter.

He took a deep breath.

"Lia..." Bima called out softly.

Lia turned, noodles still in her mouth.

"What?"

Bima felt his heart pounding.

This was his chance. The first kiss mission.

Maybe it wasn't a romantic spot, and he still smelled, but...

"I... I wanted to say..." Bima began, his voice trembling slightly.

Suddenly, from the darkness at the far end of the warehouse, came the sound of metal scraping.

SCRAPE... SCRAPE...

It wasn't the sound of a zombie.

It sounded more like... someone moving an iron shelf.

Bima and Lia locked eyes, their pupils dilating.

Bima’s flashlight trembled.

"Who’s there?" Lia whispered, her hand reflexively reaching for her rusted iron bar again.

Out of the darkness, a massive silhouette emerged.

Larger than Kevin.

Larger than the Food Vlogger Zombie.

The silhouette was carrying a... massive chest freezer on its back.

Then, a bald head with glowing red eyes squinted at them.

"Mmmph... Indomie... delicious... protein... and carbs..." the raspy voice muttered.

"Top-tier... content..."

[Warning! Food Vlogger Zombie (BOSS Level) detected!]

[This zombie appears to have the 'Freezer Survival' upgrade and is highly aggressive!]

[Mission 'Anti-Zombie First Kiss' CRITICAL! High risk of failure if no action is taken!]

This wasn't the Vlogger from before. This was a bigger Vlogger, with a freezer?

Bima and Lia froze, paralyzed by fear.

The massive zombie lowered the chest freezer from its back with a heavy THUD!.

Then, it swung the freezer open.

Inside, it wasn't ice, but rather, various types of rotting raw meat, and also several crushed packs of Indomie.

And beside them, a large meat cleaver, ready to slitting its throat his Indomie's.