There once was a young boy who lived in a crowded city in the year 2016.

He had recently completed his business administration studies and joined a rising-star company.

He knew it was risky to work for a not-fully growned company, but he once knew the CEO, and always admired her. She was as cold as she was fierce.

He had a silly crush on her back in high school, but she always put up a wall. He was sure of it. He could finally become close with her, after these many years. Though, even after three whole months of working there, he had never even catched a glimpse of her, which disappointed him.

As he was preparing his morning coffee in the staff room, two of his seniors entered the room, seeming to gossip about something. One of them was Jeff, he had trained the young man when he arrived.

Jeff: What were you saying? The rival company stole us a really big customer? That's insane, man... We've been working so hard to please him.

Other Man: Yeah dude... But, some rumors are actually saying that our CEO was the one who made the client flee, with her icy attitude. She can really be threatening sometimes. Would not be surprised if she was part of a mafia group...

Jeff: F*ck... I hope that's not the case or I quit. That woman is already hard enough to deal with. I'm a team leader, and she's talking to me like I'm some toddler! F*cking insane!

The young man greeted his teeth, hearing his superior and another team leader talking behind the back of someone he admired so much. After all, to him, they were the ones difficult to deal with. As he was turning around, to sneakily escape the room, Jeff suddenly noticed him.

Jeff: Hey, Richard! Didn't see you here, haha! How are you adapting? Still did not receive your report, you should be more responsible.

Richard, as he was called, knew the team leader was just acting 'nice' in front of the other man. But, as soon as he would get to his desk, he would get yelled at, or simply mocked. The young man was pretty popular with both women and men, due to his appearance and nice personality. Nevertheless, he was often mocked by strangers or colleagues for his old-fashion name, which deeply irritated him.

As Richard ignored his superior and was about to leave, like he didn't hear anything, the fateful moment arrived.

Finally... He could see her!

Her glacial aura filled the room as she was suddenly entering.

Richard cursed silently, hoping he would have at least encountered her with a smile, not a somewhat irritated expression. He would have to get payback against the two other idiots for ruining his moment. After all, that woman only two years older was to him his destined soulmate.

Jeff: Oh, good morning ma'am V... Sorry if we were loud.

Looking like a tamed dog, Jeff hided his true colors, looking like a completely faithful servant. The other man whispered to the team leader's ear.

Other Man: Jeff. Dude, you're such a boot-licker.

Ignoring everyone in the room, 'Madam V', like she was called, made herself some coffee. Then, she turned around. The tall CEO in her twenties approached Jeff, who was much larger than her and in his late-thirties, with a sugar cube in her right hand. Even though the team leader was physically more threatening than his boss, he looked terrified as she was right in front of him, an icy smile put up on her face.

Madam V: A well-trained dog takes what its master gives and never complain. What are you going to do, doggy? Take the food or bite the hand that already fed you your salary?

As she was finishing her sentence, she approached the sugar cube near the man's opened water bottle, looking at him with menacing eyes. Jeff, clearly understanding the meaning behind her words, nodded, as she released the cube in his bottle. He then drank all the water, not even waiting for the sugar to completely melt.

Madam V: That's a good boy. Now, get back to work.

Her sadistic smile disappearing, she left. As Richard was stunned by the disturbing scene, which he found compelling, he realised she had left her coffee in the room.

It's my chance to impress her!

He took the cup and ran as fast as he could, without spilling everything. Back in the staff room, the two terrified men were both awkwardly silent.

Richard: Madam V! Sorry to disturb you, but you forgot your cup of coffee.

He quickly bowed, before cautiously handing her her drink in the middle of an empty hall.

As she took it, and looked at him for a while, he nervously tried to initiate a conversation, a bright smile on his face.

Richard: I really, really admire you and your work, Madam. I don't know if you remember, but...

Madam V: Business Administration Degree. You were in the same departement as me, I remember. It's funny how we meet again, what a coincidence.

Even though she said this with a straight face, the young man was sure she was somewhat interested, or she would have completely ignored him. Taking this opportunity, he pushed his luck.

Richard: Madam, I would really like going out for a drink with you. I would be honored to be able to talk to you outside of work.

Stolen story; please report.

A silence...

Madam V: You have a pretty face. Come see my secretery, Jenny, at the end of the day. You are now my newly-appointed aide. I hope you're already well-trained, Richy.

As she said this, his heart skipped a beat. Normally, he would be filled with murderous intent, but he suddenly liked that nickname.

I should change my legal name to Richy. This is the best day of my life!

The same day, at evening, a man named Jeff was reported on TV to have died of food poisoning.

It was a tragic accident.

An Accident.

***

V had just eaten her first meal in this new world. The pain and nervousness she felt back when her stomach was entirely empty were both eased. Still, she knew her hunger would never be fully satisfied, just like the irritating little boy had said.

Her puppet tree had died. It seemed like her puppets were more fragile if she didnn't put all her accessible energy when creating them. The zombie that had immobilised it destroyed both of its legs. Now, she had lost her first puppet and didn't have enough magical energy at the moment to create another. She really hoped her mana would increase with time passing by, even though the system didn't answer right after she had eaten the attacker and remarked the puppet tree had died.

In fact, she was now heading on her own two feet towards the two other zombies who were still fighting each other.

I can walk! No matter how that decayed flesh was disgusting, I would eat it over and over again, for all eternity. After all, I can walk!! Not crawl like a baby zombie, but walk like a toddler!! Pretty pathetic, being so happy for just being able to walk, but who cares? I couldn't and now I can. I need to keep that resolve to one day screw up that f*cking kid. But first, keep your cool, V.

She killed the two weakened undead with a rock she had found in the mud ant then proceeded to eat them, a smile on her face. The taste was indead horrible, but the simple yet intricate feeling of the meat being consumed was the utmost paradise. Her mind was step by step, adjusting to this little girl's dead body, and as hours passed by, she took the habit to talk to herself, not having anyone to really converse with, other than a rigid system.

She had killed a total of five zombies by herself, as she was starting to regain her forces and getting used to this muddy terrain. There were some thin dead trees who were scattered across the 'desert' of sludge. The air was humid and charged with a putrid smell. There were many bones, who were often close to the numerous little rocks that could be found. This felt like a giant graveyard made in honor of a past civilisation. The crooked trees were the proof of the existence of what was once a flourishing forest. The rocks seemed to have been used to mark tombs, even though there were clearly not enough for the thousands and thousands of bones everywhere.

Was there a war here? It seems like a graveyard built by peasants for their loved ones who died on the battlefield. Well, maybe this body is that of a soldier's daughter who died of hunger? I'm just suprised this body of mine was not eaten before my soul was put in it. Is the death recent?

V could not help but ask herself a million questions as she wandered, seeking her new meal.

Then, she felt a strange sensation. Something similar to nostalgia, but mixed with fear and anticipation.

She felt it. That irrational fear some would call phobia. It was not as intense as it could be, but when rain drops fell from the cloudy sky, she remembered the final instant of her life. Just like the 'Great Reaper' said, she drowned. She could feel both the sensation of water filling her lungs and the immense pain that came with it.

Even though she couldn't remember anything else, she felt that last second of her previous life so vividly that it horrified her.

As it started pouring on the 'valley of mud', she was immobilised by her insecurities.

I feel like my own shadow. I'm sure I had reached the top. I feel it. And here I am, scared of water.

She fell to her already bruised knees, and curled up on the now more liquid mud.

I can let myself give up. Just this one time... It's gonna be okay, right?

As she was letting her consciousness fading away, to run away from that emotional pain that the rain was giving her, she felt something new once again.

Even though the unpleasant rain decreased her sense of smell, she noticed it. The scent of an incoming zombie.

As the System, I have to inform you that this irrational decision has an 80% rate of getting you killed.

Even if the approaching undead doesn't kill you, there's still a rate of 8% chances that you will die drowned by the incoming storm.

It is heavily advised to get up.

...Another choice, huh. Get up now and fight the numerous hardships coming on, or lay down and choose the easy way...

Even though the moment seemed like an eternity for her, just a few seconds passed.

If I find myself pathetic to fear the rain, it's even more so to let myself die so stupidly... It seems that even after drowning, my pride won't let me die a second time. Not if I can stop it.

She knew what she had to do. She got up and focused on the thrilling feeling of eating flesh.

Yes, that same feeling that made her want more and more flesh.

Always more.

Step by step, while the rain was intensifying, blocking her view, she followed the smell of decayed flesh. She was ready to attack and tear up her opponent as only a few meters were keeping them away from each other.

The last moment of her life. The fear of rain, or rather water. The tempting opportunity to give up.

In just a few minutes, she had discovered so much new sentiments.

But, It seemed like they didn't come alone.

Relief.

That's what she felt when she met the first ever inhabitant of this world who did not want her dead.

The zombie didn't want to harm her, instead it tried to communicate in it's own way.

The background sound of rain mixed with the somewhat friendly groans of the gesticulating monster opened up a new chapter for V.

Congratulations.

Your resolve was rewarded by the Common Skill 'Intimidation'.

The skill was added to your Soulbook.