Simon

Simon's younger brother, John, is a sore subject and a broken thread in his past. Their paths diverged during the chaotic first years of the apocalypse, and since then, contact has been severed by mutual consent.

It is known that John, a biologist by training, joined the legendary Chimeras. He was not just a survivor, but one of those trying to actively combat the threat from within. However, several years ago, he made an unexpected move—he left the secretive organization. The reasons for his departure are shrouded in mystery. Perhaps it was an ideological conflict, disagreement with the brutal experimental methods, or perhaps he learned something that made it impossible for him to continue among the scientists.

Now John is a ghost from the past, whose possible location and motives are one of the main mysteries. For Simon, he's not just a missing relative, but the only key that can lead to the Chimera's secret hideout.

The Chimeras are a legendary and semi-mythical group of scientists who remained committed to finding a cure for the fungal pandemic. Their existence is a rumor that spreads through survivor camps with a mixture of fear and hope.

They have no permanent base, regularly moving between secret laboratories in abandoned scientific institutes or bunkers. This secrecy is a matter of survival, protecting them from both the infected and hostile humans.

Their methods are radical and immoral from the perspective of the old world. Their research includes vivisection of infected individuals, experiments on host animals, and, according to unconfirmed reports, testing prototype serums on volunteers (or not quite volunteers). There are dark rumors that the ultimate goal is not just a vaccine, but the creation of symbiosis or a biological weapon.

The Chimera can only be identified by a secret symbol—a steel medallion bearing an image of intertwined DNA molecules and mycelium, worn by all members of the group. Contact with them is always a double-edged sword: a chance to save humanity or the final step into the abyss.

Sprinters (Stage I infection) The initial and most common form. They lack fungal growths and retain all their senses: they see, hear, and react quickly. Their main weapons are high speed and pack aggression. Physically vulnerable: one or two well-aimed shots are enough to neutralize them, but hitting a moving target is a difficult task.

Whisperers (Stage II) The fungus develops, forming a sound-detecting growth on the head. Vision atrophies, but hearing becomes hypersensitive. They move slowly. By sneaking up silently, they can be eliminated with a knife or noose. They can be easily distracted by throwing a stone, then gathered into a group and destroyed with explosives. They pose no direct threat, but their screams can attract more dangerous species.

Armored (III, terminal stage) The final mutation. The body is covered in a multilayered chitinous crust, impenetrable to light weapons. The senses are almost atrophied: they are blind and deaf, navigating by vibrations. They are incredibly strong and resilient. The main danger is the deadly poisonous gas spores that the fungus releases when a threat approaches. They are vulnerable only in rare moments, when they open their mouth to "scream," or at the joints of their hard shell.

The world shaped by a fungal pandemic is divided into two hostile realms: the scorched ruins of civilization and the anomalous nature that has engulfed the cities. The streets are overgrown with lush vegetation, hiding both wild animal carriers and truly unique forms of the infected.

"Whispers": blind, with hypertrophied ears. Slow, but possessing hypersensitive hearing. Flock-loving. "Sprinters": fast, aggressive, with atrophic growths. Primary threat in open terrain. "Armored": completely covered in hardened chitinous mycelium, transformed into a living shell. Vulnerable only at the joints or to a powerful pinpoint strike.

Only the cunning and ruthless survive here. Power rests with local gangs and rare militarized enclaves. Those born after the disaster know nothing of "peace," and expired medications are the standard of care. Hope is all but dead, but rumors of Chimera scientists searching for a cure still circulate through the surviving camps.

Simon's backpack was his mobile arsenal and first aid kit. The basic kit always included an MP-155 slung over his shoulder and a Glock-19 on his belt, while inside lay his trusty old Saiga rifle. He also carried a pair of reliable knives, a smoke bomb, and a couple of homemade "surprises," like a nail bomb.

A separate compartment held the most valuable items: canned food, crackers, and a packet of salt. Next to it was a modest first aid kit with bandages, a bottle of alcohol, and questionable pills whose expiration dates had expired several years ago. In their world, even an expired antibiotic was a treasure.

Forty-one-year-old Simon bore the marks of years on his face: his dark brown hair was already starting to gray, and a pale scar crossed his sharp cheekbones. His brown eyes, hidden under thick brows, looked tired and wary against his dark skin. The stubble on his face only emphasized his weariness.

At 191 centimeters tall, his muscular build, accustomed to constant combat, still commanded respect. His clothes showed signs of long wear: a worn plaid shirt, faded jeans, and a dark zip-up hoodie, under which he sought any shred of warmth. On his feet, faded brown sneakers had long since erased the line between road and shelter. He always had a backpack on his back.

41 years old