Zombie Apocalypse in Another World

Prologue Part 5: The Researcher

"Amazing. This virus appears to be capable of limitless mutations. Even the undead cannot avoid infection." The ghoul's flesh was dark, covered in dried blood, and rotting in patches. He wrestled against the iron cuffs as he continued to thrash in desperate attempts to consume the dhampir he once served.

The woman maintained her distance behind a line she had drawn, a reminder of his reach.

"Subject number one: Ghoul. No signs of recovery. Few signs of further deterioration. And no sign of fatigue or hunger after a week of constant struggle and no blood," the woman reported into a device on her wrist.

She sighed and took a few steps through the dungeon to the next cell. She carefully examined the subject with her eyes before continuing. "Subject number two: Slime. No signs of recovery or deterioration."

The slime, dyed black and red by its infection, continues to hurl itself at the tempered glass walls in a failed effort to escape. "Also shows no signs of fatigue."

The dhampir pulls a piece of meat from a small pouch on her waist. She places the raw slab of meat on a metal tray. To its side, she presses a button that releases it into the cage. The slime doesn't bother approaching it, opting to further assault the walls.

"Figured as much," she whispered to herself, raising a hand to her lips. Then, in a swift motion, she reveals her fangs and tears through flesh and bone to separate her thumb from the rest of her hand.

The girl, her pale skin dripping with blood, continued with her test. She placed the severed thumb on another tray and released it into the cage.

However, this time, the slime immediately launched itself at it, dissolving the fresh flesh in its acidic stomach.

"Interestingly, unlike other slimes, including itself just a few days ago, after being infected, this specimen will only consume flesh that has only recently been removed from those who are not infected," she continued into the recorder on her wrist.

Done with today's checkup, the woman made her way out of the dungeon. "This isn't new. However, slimes have no brain, only a neural network that barely makes them conscious. So how did it get infected in the first place?" she asked all future listeners.

"It doesn't make sense. All biological tests point to it being the same virus we've always known. But it's never been able to infect the undead or brainless creatures."

She looks at her left hand, missing three fingers, and sighs. "The tests are getting... Costly."

At the dungeon entrance, she picked up a metal gauntlet with tubes of blood coursing through it. Placing it on her left hand, she flexes the five mechanical fingers as a quick test.

"Regardless, I need to try some more. As many as I can think of," she said a little quieter, and with a twisted grin on her face.

Finally done with the prologue! 

Anyone looking forward to the first chapter?