Chapter One: Still Thinking About Love at the End of the World?

Dawn, July 1st, 2026.

A residential complex in Sucheng.

Gu Lang sat blankly before the television, his gaze vacant and lifeless.

At that moment, the screen was broadcasting an emergency news report—

“…Last night, an unknown virus swept across the globe. The infected lose all vital signs within three minutes and swiftly transform into monsters driven solely by slaughter. Only a handful have managed to escape disaster…”

“Survivors are urged to take all possible precautions, gather sufficient supplies, and await rescue…”

As scenes of relentless carnage scrolled across the screen, Gu Lang felt as if none of it was real.

Just yesterday, he’d successfully closed a business deal, drinking with clients late into the night. By the time he stumbled home, his mind was a fog; he collapsed into bed, barely conscious.

Yet this morning, upon waking, the world had become unrecognizably strange.

If it had just been a single morning news segment, he wouldn’t have felt so lost. After all, if someone suddenly told you the world was ending, that a mysterious virus would turn humans into mindless zombies, you’d probably think it was a twisted prank.

But when he’d gotten up and opened the living room windows, stepping onto the balcony to look down—

The once orderly streets were chaos incarnate. Vehicles abandoned in disarray, crowds fleeing in all directions.

Zombies—creatures he’d only ever seen in fiction—were frenziedly hunting their prey.

Tackling, tearing, devouring…

Within minutes, the fallen corpses would rise again, joining the ranks of the undead in pursuit of the living.

Taking all this in, Gu Lang felt as if the world had shattered into pieces in an instant.

Was this… the apocalypse?

He sat barefoot and dazed before the television, utterly at a loss.

His mind was a muddled mess.

Just then, a clear, melodious electronic female voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

[Ding. Host detected to be currently single. Harem Romance System activated.]

[This system’s purpose: to help the host overcome all difficulties, compensate for shortcomings, break free from singledom, and achieve a harem!]

[Note: The system will issue various random romance missions. Complete the challenges to unlock romance rewards and enhance yourself!]

[Current mission: There is a confused woman wandering the corridor outside your door, seemingly unable to find her home. Why not seize the opportunity and strike up a conversation?]

[Complete this mission to obtain one free attribute point!]

A moment ago, Gu Lang had been sitting in a stupor. Now, he sprang from the floor as if stung.

Wait, a… system?!

He’d waited decades for a golden finger, and now, of all times, at the world’s end, it finally appeared—only it was a romance system?

What was he supposed to do—flirt with zombies?

His expression shifted unpredictably, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Aside from the sudden system prompt in his mind, a pale blue overlay appeared before his eyes, displaying his attributes—

[Host: Gu Lang]

[Charm: 4]

[Speed: 3]

[Strength: 3]

[Intelligence: 4]

[Skills: None]

[Note: The average attribute score for a normal adult is 3. Skills can be acquired through mission rewards.]

So, apart from being a slightly charming and clever average guy, he was otherwise completely unremarkable?

Gu Lang was beside himself with frustration, briefly forgetting survival should be his top concern, not his mediocrity.

He had always thought of himself as fairly handsome and likeable. Who would’ve thought he’d be so ruthlessly humbled by a system?

After standing in the living room to compose himself, he carefully reviewed the information.

First, though this wretched system was designed to unlock romantic conquests, it seemed completing its missions would grant him attribute points.

In a world overrun by zombies and fraught with peril, this was a chance to enhance his fighting ability.

If, one day, he could elevate his strength and speed to superhuman levels, no zombie would be a match for him.

So, not entirely useless, after all.

Second: there was a bewildered woman wandering the corridor outside his front door, unable to find her home?

At a time like this, who would be wandering the halls—let alone forgetting their own address?

Unless she was a zombie.

And now the system wanted him to hit on her?

Did it have a death wish for him?

Gu Lang slipped once again into helpless indecision.

His only hope now lay with the system. If nothing else, his current supplies—food, water, medicine—wouldn’t last long.

Sooner or later, he’d be forced to venture out, whether he wanted to or not.

He needed to strengthen himself enough to at least survive before risking the outside world.

Which meant this mission was inevitable.

After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Lang gritted his teeth.

Damn it, here goes nothing!

Flirting with a female zombie in the corridor was surely better than getting chased down and devoured by a horde on the street.

He crouched by the door, peering through the peephole to survey the hallway.

His rented apartment was at the end of the floor, giving him a clear view of the corridor.

With one glance, he spotted his target.

A woman stood there in a sports bra and yoga shorts, tall and athletic, her tight clothing accentuating her striking figure.

If only her skin weren’t an unsettling shade of gray-blue, with dark veins threading beneath the surface.

She must’ve just returned from the gym before transforming—never even changed clothes.

Gu Lang had seen her around before, but they’d never spoken.

Fortunately, his system, ever eager to encourage its host’s amorous endeavors, provided instant information as soon as he looked at her.

[Name: Yu Qiuchi (Status: Poor)]

[Charm: 5 (4?)]

[Speed: 5]

[Strength: 7]

[Intelligence: 0]

[Skill: Savage Charge]

[Note: Single]

Comparing her stats to his own, Gu Lang’s hard-won courage instantly withered.

She was so powerful—was he going to flirt or to die?

Before her transformation, she might have been just another fitness-loving city girl. Now, she was practically a muscle-bound Amazon.

Except for his edge in intelligence, he was hopelessly outmatched.

And she even had a skill—Savage Charge?

What the hell kind of deadly euphemism was that?

Gu Lang’s face twisted in anguish. Go, and he might be killed on the spot. Stay, and he’d starve eventually.

On balance, it was probably better than dying out in the street.

Besides, the mission only required him to strike up a conversation, not necessarily succeed.

Resolved, Gu Lang steeled himself and flung open the door.

The instant he did, the female zombie at the far end heard the noise and spun around, charging toward him at terrifying speed.

The corridor was only twenty or thirty meters long—at speed 5, she was a thunderbolt.

Gu Lang could see the empty, pupil-less eyes in her gray-blue face, the bloodthirsty, savage expression.

He knew he had only seconds. Without hesitation, he shouted:

“Miss, my name is Gu Lang, I’m eighteen, no car, no house, no savings. But I promise, one day I’ll be filthy rich!”

“And from the moment I first saw you, I knew—I will marry no one but you!”

“So—will you give me a chance to pursue you?”

His frantic declaration echoed down the hall. As soon as he finished, he slammed the security door shut with a bang.

A heavy thud followed—her body crashing into the door, rattling his nerves.

He slumped to the floor, heart pounding, watching the doorframe shudder under the relentless assault of her strength.

Luckily, even a strength of 7, while impressive, was still within human limits. And though she was now a zombie, her weight hadn’t changed much—barely a hundred pounds.

There was no way she could break through an industrial-grade security door.

After several tense minutes, reassured that he wasn’t about to be torn apart, Gu Lang dragged himself back to the sofa, limp with relief.

Only then did he have time to check the system overlay:

[Current mission: There is a confused woman wandering the corridor outside your door, seemingly unable to find her home. Why not seize the opportunity and strike up a conversation?]

[Mission status: Completed]

[Reward: 1 free attribute point (System recommends adding to Charm to increase romantic opportunities)]

[Free attribute point: May be added to any attribute]

[Note: Your approach was clumsy and lacked finesse, but given it was your first attempt, your courage is commendable. You also succeeded in attracting her attention—she even chased you to your door, seeking deeper connection. As a steadfast and honorable man, you are awarded a successful attempt!]

Without a second thought, Gu Lang ignored the system’s advice and immediately added the point to Strength.

His Strength jumped from 3 to 4, accompanied by a sudden swelling sensation that lasted several seconds.

Looking at his forearm, he seemed a little more robust.

Having confirmed the reward was real, a new mission appeared.

[Current mission: You’ve successfully struck up a conversation with Yu Qiuchi and aroused her considerable interest—she even chased you to your door, eager for more. Why not strike while the iron is hot and win her over?

Please arrange a romantic candlelight dinner to demonstrate your gentlemanly charm and romance as a man!]

[Mission reward: +3 free attribute points]