Virus King [Translation]

Compared to other universities, De M-anila University didn't have too many foreign students. However, these students formed a tight-knit group with their own circle on campus.

Novak had no interactions with them. In his past life, he had fled De M-anila University shortly after the apocalypse began, barely spending any time on campus amidst the chaos. Reflecting on it now, he realized he had missed out on many things back then.

He knocked on the gymnasium door, and immediately, the sound attracted nearby zombies that had initially kept their distance. But more importantly, the noise inside the gym abruptly ceased as the sound of knocking echoed.

The once noisy gym was suddenly quiet.

Novak smiled slightly, raising his voice, but keeping a calm tone, "Is anyone in there? If so, could you let me in? There are monsters outside!"

"It's a person! Not one of those creatures!"

"Fk! How do we know if he's been scratched? If he has, and we let him in, who's going to deal with him when he turns!?"

"That's nonsense! He's one of our classmates! Do you all have no conscience?!"

"Shut up! Who said he's your classmate? You bastards, if you hadn't crowded in, the gym's food supply wouldn't have run out so quickly. Why don't you go to the convenience store and get more food!"

The argument inside began to flare up again.

But once more, Novak's voice came from outside, calm yet clear, "I'm Novak. I heard voices inside. Could someone open the door? There are monsters all around out here!"

"Novak? Is that Novak!?"

"Quick, let him in, let him in!"

Excitement lit up the eyes of the students inside. Novak, a senior student, was quite well-known at De M-anila University, especially due to the fact that he had been pursued for two years by the popular school Belle Song Dane, yet had never agreed to her advances. His reputation had earned him a place in the university's proverbial Hall of Fame.

Even the international students, who had initially opposed letting anyone in, exchanged knowing glances and smirks, deciding not to stop them.

The gymnasium door opened, and Novak stepped inside just as it was quickly shut behind him.

Taking a quick glance around, Novak estimated that there were about a thousand people inside. Among them were a dozen or so international students, over twenty local male students, and the rest were girls—some from the university and others also international students.

"Wow, Novak, it's so great you're okay!" A scantily clad blonde girl exclaimed in an exaggerated tone.

Novak glanced at her. The girl was nestled in the arms of the man who appeared to be leading the international group, a large burly man whose hand wandered freely around her waist. Noticing Novak's gaze, the man gave him a provocative look.

Novak thought for a moment, trying to recall. This guy was on the basketball team, right? Was his name Wilhelm? And the girl? Hadn't she tried to pursue him once? What was her name?

Years of accumulated memories made it difficult to remember such insignificant people.

Before he could reflect further, the other students had gathered around him eagerly.

"Novak, what's going on outside?"

"Yeah, is it true about the end of the world? What kind of talent was awakened?"

In a few brief exchanges, Novak was able to gather the general situation. The gymnasium had a healthcare room, and some students, who had been exercising late at night, had decided to rest here instead of returning to their dorms. Others had rushed in after the crisis began.

There had been zombies in the gym, but the students, quick to adapt, had grabbed nearby equipment to fend them off, eliminating any immediate threat. Now, the gym had become a temporary refuge, as Novak had just witnessed.

Before he could respond, however, an unfriendly voice chimed in from the side.

"Hey, you all better stay away from him. We don't know if he's been infected yet. If he's been scratched, he'll turn into one of those zombies any minute!"

Novak's brows furrowed slightly, his eyes flashing with a cold light. Yet, outwardly, he smiled, his gaze settling on the international students who sneered at him with arms crossed.

"What do you want?" Novak asked calmly.

"Fk you arrogant bastard," Wilhelm said, then continued mocking with a smirk. "I heard the University's most beautiful bitch chased after you and got rejected. What, are you into men instead? How about you strip down so we can make sure you haven't been scratched?"

Wilhelm's words were met with cheers from the international students.

"Oohh!"

"Do it! Do it!"

The rowdy excitement spread, and even a few girls blushed, their faces flushed with excitement at the prospect of seeing Novak, the most popular guy in the University, naked. Some were even trembling with anticipation.

But Novak's eyes had grown colder. In both his past and present lives, not even the Dark Mother Goddess, with whom he had signed a contract, had ever humiliated him like this. As her spokesperson in the God and Demon Trial Field, their relationship was one of mutual benefit. Even many powerful Monarch-level figures had shown him respect.

Yet here, someone dared to demand that he strip for an inspection?

Novak glanced at the foreign students, their expressions filled with malice. He quickly understood what they were playing at.

"Oh, and since you made it in from outside, I assume you have some abilities. We're low on food and water here. There's a convenience store three streets away. Why don't you take some of your fellow countrymen and go fetch some supplies for us? Then we'll let you stay here safely," Wilhelm added with a smug grin.

"Why should I?" Novak asked, his voice still calm.

"Because we're foreign students, you idiot! In your University and your Country, we have privileges, so you bastards better start doing what we tell you!"

The international students grinned, clearly enjoying their newfound "authority."

Novak smiled again. "If you insist, I might feel a little embarrassed. But honestly, this is exactly what I wanted."

"The fuck your talking about? Maybe your brain's already been eaten by zombies—"

Before the sentence could even be finished, a dark, razor-sharp claw flashed, and Wilhelm's head was severed from his body. Blood sprayed like a waterfall, and the entire gymnasium fell into a deathly silence. Not a single sound could be heard.