Zero kilometer

Runners are fast, gray-skinned, and pupil-less. They can run up to 40 km/h. Nearly blind, they react to noise. They are attracted by gunshots and screams. They are dangerous in packs.

Slow zombies are classic. Rotten and stinking. They rely on smell and movement. They are deaf. They are attracted by the smell of food, blood, and flesh.

Stalker creatures are mutants with long limbs. They live in trees and on rooftops. They are afraid of bright light and become lost in fire. They are attracted to body heat and silence.

Carriers emit gas and develop ulcerated skin. Blind, they rely on breathing for guidance. They are attracted to enclosed spaces. They explode when exposed to fire.

Fatties are huge, slow, and can break down walls. Upon death, they release a toxic cloud. They have poor vision and are sensitive to vibration. They are attracted by noise and crowds.

Raspers make a rasping sound that attracts others. They are nearly deaf. They are attracted to silence and single targets.

The larvae are up to 50 cm long and live in water. They bite and inject venom. They are intolerant of salt and acid and are sensitive to light. They are attracted to moisture and standing water.

Mushrooms—their bodies are covered with mycelium, releasing spores. They are slow-growing and disappear at high temperatures. They prefer damp, dark places.

The Ripples are mutants filled with acid. They explode when injured. They have poor hearing and are unresponsive to movement. They are attracted to loud noises and aggression.

Sleepers disguise themselves as corpses. Vibrations bring them to life. They cannot see or hear. The sound of footsteps attracts them.

General: silence, light, height, and minimal odor are the best defense. Knowledge of weaknesses is the greatest weapon.

"Gudok" are couriers between settlements. They deliver letters, medicine, and small cargo. They travel on bicycles and scooters. They don't fight—they run. They know every yard and alley. Nobody touches them—they're too fast.

The team: Kostya "Gudok" /17 — knows the city like the back of his hand. Alisa /16 — carries notes, never loses them. Roma /18 — repairs bikes and scooters. Sveta /17 — looks for orders. Philip /16 — checks routes.

The "Shell" live in an old bus on the outskirts. They specialize in salvaging rubble and repairing things. They trade with the "Mechanics." They're neutral, but they'll take revenge for being cheated.

Composition: Lyokha "Skorlupa" /18 - haggles to the last. Dana /17 - searches for parts in the ruins. Stas /19 - welder, repairs the bus. Yulia /16 - sorts the found items. Maxim /17 - guards the camp.

"Flash" are extreme sports enthusiasts who explore dangerous zones. They sell information through the "Black Light." They take risks for the adrenaline rush and resources. They have no permanent shelter.

Composition: Ilya "Flash" /18 — gets the group out alive. Kira /17 — films the areas. Gleb /19 — a shotgun-wielding fighter. Nina /16 — a field medic. Artyom /17 — reads maps and terrain.

Wanderer / Chapter 50 / Appears where needed.
Wing / 28 / scout. Climbs, observes.
Sputnik / 24 / assistant. Carries things, makes a fire.
Cold / 36 / medic. Treats for free.
Companion Rose / 23 / resources. Searching for food and water.
Young Nika / 17 / student. Learning to heal from Cold.

Mute / 48 / leader. Writes on paper.
Gesture-Bone / 30 / master of gestures. Explains to others.
Eye / 26 / observer. Sees a threat in a second.
Shadow / 33 / bodyguard. Faceless.
Sister Silence / 22 / assistant. Keeps records of gestures.
Silent Kolya / 18 / student. Already understands everything.

The Master / Chapter 55 / Face hidden, trades in everything.
Secretary Butterfly / 34 / admin. Accepts orders.
Sheptun Market / 29 / information. Knows everything about everyone.
Guardian Mouse / 40 / security. Entry only through it.
Trader Sonya / 26 / transactions. Large contracts.
Assistant Zhenya / 19 / Delivery. Delivers goods.

Merchant Gray / 59 / chapter. The price is unchanged.
Counter / 32 / weigher. Controls the goods.
Loader Lom / 28 / strength. Carries boxes.
Security guard Tikhon / 44 / watchman. Order at the point.
Lera the saleswoman / 24 / sales. Cunning, smiling.
Assistant Olya / 19 / warehouse. She arranges goods.

Old Fang / 62 / in charge. Knows the cracks in the asphalt.
Wind / 33 / tracker. Reads tracks.
Wood grouse / 26 / hearing. Can hear from 200 meters away.
Dust / 21 / messenger. Carries notes.
Guide Tina / 25 / routes. Leads through the forests.
Assistant Lesha / 19 / student. Learns from Vetra.

Commander Scar / 47 / chapter. Scar across the face, hard.
Shooter Filin / 34 / sniper. From a kilometer away.
Scout Whirlwind / 29 / fast. Avoids flocks.
Machine gunner Grach / 41 / power. The machine gun is like a toy.
Doctor Goose / 55 / physician. Old, infallible.
Sniper Nika / 22 / long-range vision. Not afraid of heights.
Liaison Tanya / 20 / communications. Maintains patrols.

Master Chrome / 49 / leader. A weapon that gives you goosebumps.
Cutter / 36 / sharpening. Sharpens blades to a razor edge.
Barrel / 40 / long-barreled. Caliber specialist.
Syringe / 28 / chemistry. Impregnations and explosives.
Gunsmith Kristina / 33 / pistols. Short barrel.
Assistant Pasha / 22 / assembly. Works with Chrome.

Chief / 52 / head. Knows everything about engines.
Tooth / 31 / mufflers. Makes exhaust quieter.
Hammer / 27 / body. Straightens dents.
Welder Rusty / 43 / welding. The best in the junkyard.
Maslenka / 24 / student. Assembles engines blind.
Yulia Podruzhnaya / 21 / Electronics. Wiring and devices.
Mechanic Pasha / 20 / engines. Young, but experienced.

Chief Executive / 57 / Engineer. Former plant director.
Blacksmith Gleb / 44 / steelmaker. Forges everything from metal.
Welder Matvey / 34 / welding. Joins metal precisely.
Electrician Valya / 48 / Lighting. Generators and charging.
Draftsman Lika / 26 / projects. Weapon upgrades.
Lab assistant Anya / 22 / chemistry. Impregnations and reagents.
Intern Grisha / 19 / student. Inquisitive, tenacious.

River / Chapter 60 / Speaks to the trees.
Toptun / 35 / patrol. Walks in circles, whispers.
Sun / 29 / collector. Carries a flower in a pot.
Bonfire / 43 / fire. Stares at the flames for hours.
Gray / 21 / young. Still speaks like a human being.
Zola / 24 / Pathfinder. The best of the young.
Mgla / 19 / River's daughter. Quiet, dangerous.

Alpha / 52 / leader. Speaks in whispers, comes out at night.
Shadow-Bone / 30 / hunter. Moves silently.
Shadow Knife / 27 / assassin. Works only with a knife.
Shadow-Bell / 45 / observer. Watches for days.
Shadow-Rain / 23 / messenger. Disappears into the crowd.
Shadow-Moon / 20 / Night shooter. Sees in the dark.
Shadow-Dew / 17 / scout. Silent as death.

Caravanner Igor / 40 / head. Cynical, knows 500 km of roads.
Assistant Plague / 24 / reconnaissance. Runs ahead of the caravan.
Loader Baron / 33 / security. A huge strongman.
Mechanic Spica / 28 / repair. Repairs on the road.
Oksana, a medic and paramedic, 31. Treats everyone.
Driver Dasha / 23 / truck. She drives a truck better than any other man.
Nick's Assistant / 18 / Supplies. Responsible for water and food.

Elder Light / 67 / chapter. A teacher, gentle but firm.
Gardener Lada / 41 / agronomist. Growing crops in ashes.
Hunter Egor / 28 / protector. Tracker, knows the trails.
Chef Mila / 35 / kitchen. Feeds everyone from nothing.
Watchman Ded / 73 / watchman. Doesn't sleep in the tower.
Field Scout / 19 / patrol. Quick, first to spot a threat.
Assistant Zoya / 22 / field. Loves the earth and silence.

Commander Sedoy / 52 / leader. Former colonel, his voice is law.
Lieutenant Zub / 33 / Deputy Kholodny, conducts interrogations.
Sniper Rita / 27 / shooter. Lives on the roof, sees the entire south.
Private Boroda / 45 / security. Veteran, knows the city.
Medic Lisa / 25 / orderly. She's afraid of blood, but she won't let it go.
Patrolwoman Kira / 20 / patrol. Fast, sharp, sharp-sighted.
Messenger Misha / 19 / messenger. Easy-going, tireless.

Captain Grom / 44 / leader. Former major. Tough, sleeps 4 hours.
Sergeant Kuznets / 38 / gunsmith. Silent, hands covered in oil.
Private Tikhiy / 23 / reconnaissance. He barely speaks, but can see far away.
Dr. Vera / 41 / physician. Surgeon, does not tolerate panic.
Mechanic Mole / 30 / equipment. Fixes anything that burns.
Sniper Alya / 21 / shooter. Young, fast, accurate.
Signalman Tim / 19 / radio. Hears signals from 20 km away.

The "Steel Ones" are former military. Discipline, weapons, the "Silence" base. They demand resources for protection. They don't kill outsiders, but they don't trust them.

The Red Line are former police officers and mercenaries. They patrol the south. They are cruel, but fair. They consider themselves the ultimate law.

Horizon is a farming community. They accept refugees for work. They are neutral and self-defensive. They are governed by a council.

"Last Flight" - caravanners. They transport people and cargo between settlements. Payment is food or ammunition.

"Shadows" live in ruins. They emerge at night. They consider the infected to be the masters of the land. They hunt the living. They are dangerous.

"Wasteland" - wild animals in the park. They talk to themselves and can attack without provocation.

"Masters" are artisans at the Rubin factory. They have electricity and water. They accept orders for rare parts.

"Mechanics" - at the Car Graveyard. They repair cars and weapons. They take food or spare parts.

"Izlom" are gunsmiths on the outskirts. They make custom weapons and only deal with trusted individuals.

The "Gray Zone" are mercenaries who guard caravans. They'll take any job for a fee.

"Guides" know the city. They lead you through dangerous areas. They provide provisions.

"The Abandoned" are traders at the port. Food, medicine, clothing. Expensive, but honest.

"Black Light" is a black market. Weapons, drugs, information. Admission by referral.

"Silence" - they don't speak. They communicate with gestures. No one knows who they are.

"Nobody's" help in times of trouble, accepting no reward. They wander. They are respected and feared.

"Kilometer Zero" is a ruined stele at the entrance to the city. A point of reference. A place of memory where the old world collapsed. There are no resources.

The abandoned Krasny supermarket, a former shopping center on the outskirts, was ransacked, but the basement contains water and canned goods. It's dangerous—there's a pack of runners inside. They react to noise.

The Gray Hospital is the first outbreak site. Inside are mutants and corpses, but there are medical supplies. The risk is high, the reward is life.

The Tishina military base is an abandoned garrison 20 km away. Weapons and fuel are inside. Occupied by the Steel Group. Access is by pass.

The village of "Horizon" is a fortified settlement. It has water, vegetable gardens, and a school. It is a neutral zone and is governed by a council of elders.

The metro tunnels are an underground network. "Moles" live there. They're nearly blind, but their hearing is perfect. You can walk beneath the city if you don't make any noise.

The chemical plant is a northern facility. The air is toxic, death without a gas mask. There's fuel and reagents. Dangerous, but valuable.

The Car Graveyard is a junkyard in the southwest. Iron, spare parts, batteries. Inhabited by "Mechanics."

The radio station is a tower on a hill. It transmits occasionally. Neutral territory. It's unknown who lives inside.

"Fifth Sector" is a closed area behind a wall with turrets. The gates recently opened. It's unknown what's inside or who came out.