Regressed with Omnipotent AI on Zombie Apocalypse

Sophia gasped, covering her mouth. "That’s Uncle Lee and Aunt Linda..." Seeing a stranger turned into a zombie was one thing, but seeing someone she had once known was entirely different. Her face went pale.

“Let’s save the reunion for later,” Zack said, his voice cold. He pressed the accelerator harder, pushing the vehicle forward. Sophia shut her eyes, but the unmistakable sound of bones crunching beneath the wheels as they ran over the undead was unavoidable.

Overcome by emotion, Sophia began to sob. The sight of familiar faces transformed into monsters was too much for her. Zack didn’t know what to say, so he simply muttered, “Let it out,” as he kept driving, circling the neighborhood to clear any remaining zombies.

They passed a few more, mostly former security guards, and Zack crushed them without a second thought. Once the streets were clear, he parked in front of Mansion No. 9, stepped out, and forced open the courtyard gate. Sophia’s tears slowly subsided, though her eyes were red and swollen. Just then, Ego spoke up with unexpected advice.

“Sir, data suggests that women are most vulnerable to romantic feelings when emotionally distressed,” Ego said, voice calm.

Zack rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Ego. But we’ve got more important things to worry about than romance right now.”

Grabbing his shotgun, he exited the vehicle. Sophia joined him, wielding the makeshift bat he had crafted for her. Though it was heavy, it gave her a small sense of security.

As they entered the mansion’s courtyard, an alarm suddenly blared, breaking the silence. Sophia slapped her forehead in frustration.

"I forgot! This mansion belongs to Mr. Whitaker, a well-known collector. His security system is probably top-notch. We might not even get through the front door without triggering more alarms!" she said, tugging at his sleeve in panic.

Zack simply smiled. A moment later, the alarm stopped abruptly.

"Sir, the alert has been cleared, and the system now recognizes only your pupils and fingerprints," Ego reported smoothly.

Sophia watched in surprise as Zack approached the mansion door and pressed his thumb against the fingerprint scanner. A soft chime sounded, and the door unlocked. Zack stepped inside.

He immediately drew his gun and began a thorough sweep of the mansion, making sure every corner was secure. The mansion was enormous, with three floors above ground and two below. The first floor contained living spaces like the living room and kitchen. The second floor had four bedrooms and a nanny’s room, while the third floor featured a spacious master bedroom and a large area dedicated to showcasing valuable collectibles.

When he descended to the basement, he found that half of the first underground level was a garage with two antique cars parked neatly. A pool table sat across from them. On the other side, Zack noted a temperature-controlled wine cellar, a bar, and a private cinema. The mansion was undeniably luxurious, designed for both comfort and entertainment.

The second underground floor, however, was different. There were no stairs leading down, only an independent elevator that required a passcode. Without it, reaching this hidden floor was impossible. Inside, a few precious collectibles were stored, though their value had diminished greatly in the apocalyptic world. Relics that were once priceless now felt like little more than decorative pieces in a wasteland.

"I’ll check the basement. Can you bring in the cans and water from the car?" Zack asked, halfway to the elevator. He paused and glanced back at Sophia. "By the way... do you know how to cook?"

He immediately felt foolish. Someone like Sophia, with her background, probably never had to cook a day in her life. But to his surprise, she nodded with a slight smile.

“You really do?” Zack asked, surprised. Not wanting to linger on it, he quickly added, “Good. I saw some vegetables in the fridge. See what you can make with them.”

Satisfied with the plan, he entered the elevator and simply instructed, “Ego, negative two.” Without needing a passcode, the elevator descended smoothly to the mansion’s hidden level.

The doors opened, and Zack was greeted by surprisingly fresh air, thanks to the mansion's advanced air purification system. As he surveyed the basement, he found only five or six collections displayed in the vast, open space—two porcelain vases, a suit of European black plate armor, and a few calligraphy scrolls and paintings. The room felt strangely empty for such a large space.

"Ego," Zack mused aloud, "I have an idea." Images from his favorite movie flashed through his mind. He wondered if he could build a suit of armor here.

"Do you think I could make power armor?" he asked.

“Unfortunately, Sir, we lack the necessary materials for a reactor,” Ego replied.

Zack had expected this. Without a Zero Point Reactor, his ambition was limited. “Is there any alternative power source?” he asked.

“If you forego flight capabilities, battery power could work,” Ego calculated quickly. “High-energy storage graphene batteries would be ideal for stable operation.”

Zack was intrigued but still skeptical. “Where would I even find graphene?”

“The mansion owner once collected a piece of graphite, which could be refined into graphene using honeycomb extraction,” Ego explained smoothly.

Zack raised an eyebrow. Honeycomb extraction? That sounded like something unfamiliar, maybe another form of future technology. Compared to traditional methods, this black-tech process bypassed the need for complex equipment and increased efficiency.

“List the other materials for the graphene battery,” Zack ordered, focusing on the task at hand.

“Right away, Sir,” Ego responded, displaying the necessary materials. Most of them were common, with only a few requiring refining. Ego also provided the extraction methods.

“Good. We’ll start gathering everything tomorrow,” Zack said, feeling satisfied with the plan.

Curious about Sophia’s progress upstairs, he asked, “Ego, show me what she’s doing.”

The mansion’s surveillance cameras, originally set up to monitor the valuable art collection, were now under Ego's control. A live feed from the kitchen appeared before Zack.

In the footage, Sophia moved skillfully, washing and chopping vegetables before pouring oil into a pan. Zack couldn't help but look at her with a new sense of respect. She wasn’t just a pampered young lady after all.

“Sir,” Ego reported, “after retrieving the cans and water, Ms. Sophia quietly ate a can of beef and hid the empty can under the lawn.”

“It’s just a can,” Zack chuckled. “Let her enjoy it. No need to report on every little thing, as long as she doesn’t do anything reckless.”

“Understood, Sir,” Ego replied.

As the sun set, the last dish was brought to the table, filling the room with warmth that sharply contrasted the eerie cries of zombies faintly heard outside. Mansion No. 9 had become a haven of calm in the midst of the apocalypse.

“Come, sit,” Zack gestured as Sophia placed the final dish on the table. The aroma was enticing, and as Zack tasted the food, he raised his eyebrows in appreciation.

“I didn’t expect it to taste this good,” he said, genuinely surprised.

“Thank you,” Sophia murmured, her eyes downcast. Her hands fidgeted slightly under the table.

Inside, her mind replayed Zack’s earlier words: “If you want to follow me, be prepared to become my woman.” A blush crept over her face as the weight of her decision hit her. She was sitting here, eating with a man she barely knew, feeling emotions she had never experienced before.

“Are you... uncomfortable eating with me?” Zack’s voice broke her out of her thoughts.

“N-no,” she replied quickly, shaking her head, though her flushed cheeks told a different story.

“Don’t worry. I eat food, not people.” Zack flashed a rare, teasing smile as he took another bite.

A small laugh escaped her, and the tension eased. As they continued their meal, Sophia found herself relaxing, enjoying his company more than she had expected.