Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo's hand lingered on Sayako's soft, pale skin, his fingers lightly brushing over her firm butt. Her beauty was undeniable—flawless in a way no living human could replicate, with her smooth skin, hauntingly white eyes, and a presence that exuded both loyalty and quiet power. Ryo smirked as he traced his gaze over her figure. Sayako was his, and there was no one else who could touch her.

As his thoughts wandered, Ryo found himself considering Ken again. At first, Ken's behavior had revolted him—the way the man had built a harem of beautiful female zombies, all loyal and docile after his intimate acts with them. But over time, Ryo's disgust had mellowed into a kind of begrudging understanding.

Ken's harem wasn't just a collection of random undead women. Ryo had recently learned that one of them, perhaps the most striking of all, had been Ken's girlfriend before the outbreak. The realization had shifted something in Ryo. He still found Ken's methods unusual, but he could no longer look at the man with outright disdain.

Ken's decision to stay on the outskirts of the town also made sense. The zombies in Ryo's territory were unique—fully healed, with no signs of rot or decay, and free from the fetid smell that clung to others outside his influence. Ryo had created an environment where even the undead carried a strange, eerie vitality. It wasn't surprising that Ken sought refuge here.

As Ryo let his thoughts settle, he tightened his grip on Sayako's hand, leading her out of the secluded house and back toward the main town. She followed silently, as she always did, her loyalty unwavering.

Ryo smirked to himself. Ken could live in the shadows of his town if he wanted. Let him enjoy his little corner with his harem. Ryo had what mattered—control, power, and women who were his in every sense of the word.

Ryo's smirk deepened as he walked back toward his main house, Sayako following closely behind. The thought of Ken dared to linger in his mind, but only as a passing amusement.

He didn't care what Ken did with his harem or how he lived, as long as one rule was clear—Ken could never touch what was his. Sachiko and Yumi, his two human women, were off-limits, and so was Sayako, his prized and special female zombie.

Ryo's gaze flicked toward Sayako, who followed him with silent devotion. She was stronger, faster, and more powerful than any zombie under his control. She was more than just part of his horde; she was unique, bound to him in a way that surpassed simple loyalty. The idea of anyone else—especially Ken—daring to lay a hand on her was laughable.

Ryo tightened his grip on Sayako's hand briefly, as if to affirm his claim. No one would cross him, not in his town, not with his rules. Ken could enjoy his harem of healed female zombies on the outskirts, but the line was drawn here.

His women—human or otherwise—were his alone.

Yumi stretched lazily, the morning sunlight streaming through the gaps in the curtains of the bedroom. Turning her head, she noticed Ryo's absence. Sachiko was still lying beside her, half-covered by the blanket and sound asleep.

"Out again," Yumi muttered, running a hand through her hair. She figured Ryo must have gone out to check on his zombie army, a routine he never skipped.

A sudden thought crossed her mind. I should check on my prototypes.

Yumi swung her legs off the bed and stood, quickly slipping into a loose shirt and pants. Her prototypes—13 of them—were her pride, a testament to her knowledge and skills inherited from her father's work. They were faster and stronger than regular zombies, though still not a match for the mutants like Striders or Brutes. It took four or five of her prototypes to hold their ground against a single Strider.

Despite that, they had earned their place. They roamed the base alongside the regular zombies and the mutants, maintaining an eerie sense of harmony under Ryo's control.

Yumi recalled how she had arrived in this town while fleeing the government after her father's murder. She had been desperate and frightened, her father's research weighing heavily on her shoulders. Ryo had captured her back then—though "capture" felt like the wrong word now. He had claimed her, protected her, and turned her life into something entirely different.

As she stepped outside the house, she scanned the yard. Zombies shuffled quietly, patrolling as always, their movements methodical and devoid of the usual chaos associated with the undead. Among them, she spotted her prototypes, their more agile and deliberate motions standing out.

A small smile touched her lips. These were her creations, her contribution to this strange new world. Whatever her fate had become, she was determined to prove her worth to Ryo and the life he had given her.

Yumi hesitated as she stood among the zombies, her thoughts wandering back to Ryo. She respected him, but there was always an underlying fear when it came to him. His serious demeanor, his commanding presence, and the way he exerted his control were unlike anyone she had ever known.

There had been moments—moments where his possessiveness surfaced so abruptly it left her breathless. She'd felt it in the way he would grab her hair, pulling her close to assert his dominance. It wasn't something she was used to, and part of her still felt uneasy about it. Explore more stories at empire

But then there was Sachiko. Yumi had seen the way Sachiko reacted when Ryo gripped her hair. There was no fear in her eyes—only a strange, unwavering devotion. Sachiko seemed to love it, to revel in the raw, possessive nature of his touch.

Yumi couldn't understand it fully. She wasn't like Sachiko, at least not yet. But there was something about Ryo's presence that drew her in, a magnetic pull she couldn't resist. He was the reason she was alive, the reason she was protected in this town.

"Maybe… it's just the way he is," Yumi murmured to herself, glancing at her prototypes as they roamed nearby. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thoughts.

For now, she had her tasks, her creations to monitor. Whatever her feelings about Ryo were, there was no denying one thing—he was the one in control, and she had to find her place in his world.

Yumi called out softly, her voice firm but gentle, and immediately the thirteen prototypes began moving toward her, their movements precise and calculated. These weren't ordinary zombies; they were her creations, her protectors. Their greyish skin shimmered faintly under the morning light as they surrounded her in a semicircle, standing like disciplined soldiers awaiting her command.

"Good job," Yumi murmured as she reached out to touch the nearest one, her fingers brushing against its cool skin. Despite their monstrous appearance, she felt a connection with them—a sense of gratitude that couldn't be ignored. These prototypes had been her shield, her sword, and her solace when the world had turned against her.

She caressed another, her voice softening. "You've always been there for me, haven't you?"

The prototypes didn't respond, of course, but their unwavering focus on her was enough. She remembered the days before Ryo had found her—how she had wandered aimlessly, a fugitive from the government. The prototypes had circled her like loyal guards, fending off threats, giving her the chance to rest in abandoned buildings, and protecting her from the relentless dangers of the outside world.

"They kept me alive," Yumi whispered to herself, a pang of nostalgia hitting her chest. But she knew that things were different now. She was no longer running. She had found safety in Ryo's town, even if his rule was absolute.

Yumi smiled faintly as she straightened up, her prototypes still watching her intently. "You've done well. Let's keep it that way."

With a wave of her hand, the prototypes dispersed, blending into the crowd of zombies that roamed the base. They moved with purpose, maintaining their disciplined nature, but they were always attuned to Yumi, ready to respond to her call.

As she watched them go, Yumi felt a strange sense of pride. They were hers—her creations, her companions. No matter what the future held, she knew they would always be there, just as they had been before.

Yumi gasped softly, startled by the sudden pull on her hair. She barely had time to turn before Ryo's lips were on hers, firm and commanding. His grip on her hair was possessive, sending a shiver down her spine as he tilted her head back slightly, deepening the kiss.

As always, Yumi surrendered, her hands instinctively resting on his chest, her lips moving in response to his dominance. Ryo's presence was overwhelming, his strength and control undeniable, yet she couldn't deny the spark of warmth she felt in these moments.

When he finally pulled back, his dark eyes bore into hers, searching. "Why are you out here without telling me?" he asked, his tone low but not angry, more curious than reprimanding.

"I… I just wanted to check on my prototypes," Yumi stammered, her cheeks flushing. She glanced at the thirteen zombies scattered nearby, standing at attention like silent sentinels. "They needed to be reassured."

Ryo's gaze shifted briefly to the prototypes before returning to her, his hand still tangled in her hair. "They listen to you like soldiers. You've done well with them," he admitted, his tone carrying a rare trace of approval.

Yumi blinked in surprise at his words, unsure how to respond. It wasn't often that Ryo gave praise, and when he did, it felt like a treasure. "Thank you," she murmured softly.

Ryo smirked, loosening his grip on her hair but not letting go entirely. "Remember, you're mine, Yumi. You don't need to do things alone anymore. Understand?"

She nodded, her heart pounding. "Yes… I understand."

Satisfied, Ryo finally released her, though his hand lingered on her shoulder for a moment before he turned toward the house. "Come back inside soon. And don't forget, I don't tolerate disobedience."

As he walked away, Yumi exhaled a shaky breath, her fingers brushing over her hair where his hand had been. Despite his possessiveness, there was a strange comfort in his attention—a sense of belonging she hadn't felt in a long time.

Her prototypes watched her silently, waiting for her next command, but Yumi needed a moment to steady herself. "Let's go," she finally said, her voice steady. The prototypes followed her as she turned toward the house, her mind lingering on Ryo's intensity and the life she now lived under his shadow.