Prologue

Kang Han-seong is a ten-year veteran of the shut-in lifestyle.

The catalyst for his self-imposed isolation occurred when he was seventeen. While saving a child from being hit by a truck, he suffered an accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Han-seong fell into despair, became pessimistic about life, and locked himself away in his room. After reaching adulthood, he began living alone in a studio apartment near his family home.

For years, Han-seong wallowed in the depths of despair.

Then, by chance, he discovered his talent. It was drawing—specifically, creating webtoons.

After making his debut as an official artist, Han-seong began earning a living through his creative work, which helped him regain his lost confidence and zest for life.

“Haaah.”

Standing before the tightly closed front door, Han-seong took several deep breaths.

For the past decade, this door had only been opened to receive deliveries or food orders. Han-seong grasped and released the doorknob several times.

There was only one reason: to end his long period of seclusion and step out into the world.

“…Alright.”

After a considerable amount of time had passed, Han-seong finally made up his mind and firmly grasped the doorknob. Just as he was about to push the door open and step outside—

-Br-breaking news!

An urgent voice stopped him in his tracks.

On the TV screen, a news anchor with a pale face continued in a trembling voice.

-Anomalous phenomena are currently being reported worldwide! People are transforming into monsters and attacking others!

Monsters? All of a sudden?

Unable to comprehend this incomprehensible report, Han-seong paused, tilting his head in confusion.

-For more details, we go to our reporter on the scene… Aagh!

Suddenly, someone rushed in and bit the face of the anchor who had been delivering the news.

The broadcast ended with the gruesome sight of flesh being torn away and blood splattering. Han-seong, who had witnessed this scene in real-time, wore a dazed expression.

“Wh-what’s going on?”

A hidden camera prank? Or some movie promotion?

That couldn’t be. It had clearly been a news channel broadcasting up until just now.

Han-seong paused his attempt to go outside and turned his wheelchair towards his computer.

As a shut-in, this was his only means of communicating with the outside world. He connected to the internet to investigate the news he had just seen.

The results were shocking.

“What in the world…!”

A subway station covered in blood.

People fleeing from something.

Videos of normal humans suddenly transforming into monsters, and more. The information he had just received from the news broadcast was now playing out as reality.

Then he noticed a striking comment.

-Isn’t this totally a zombie outbreak?

Zombies. An opinion that perfectly fit the current situation.

After all, the creature that had attacked the news anchor earlier had a similar appearance to a zombie.

As he stared blankly at this, suddenly—

“Aaaagh! G-get away!”

“Aaaaaargh!”

Chaotic noises erupted from the hallway.

Rough footsteps and screams. With a sinking feeling in his chest, Han-seong looked at the screen that showed the hallway.

“Gasp!”

He was startled by what he saw.

The once-peaceful hallway of the officetel was now completely covered in blood. Moreover, a group of people had gathered and were tearing apart someone who had fallen.

What on earth is going on?

As his mind was reeling from the chaos, a phenomenon as confusing as the current situation occurred.

[Congratulations.]

[You have been chosen.]

A translucent messenger appeared before his eyes.

Someone beyond it had sent Han-seong a congratulatory message. As he struggled to process this sudden turn of events, another message was received.

[Individual information analysis complete.]

[A new qualification has been granted.]

[Please check immediately.]

[Command: Status]

“Status?”

The moment he unconsciously muttered this, something appeared before Han-seong.

[Name]: Kang Han-seong

[Class]: Remote Support Mage

[Grade]: 1st Tier

A game-like summary of Han-seong’s information. Except for his name, it was a parade of unfamiliar information. Han-seong muttered blankly.

“…What is this?”

Kang Han-seong, a ten-year shut-in.

He had just become a mage.