Karl Hendricks is twenty years old and going nowhere. Living in his father's basement, he spends his days playing zombie video games and avoiding real life. When a tragic accident leaves his only friend dead and Karl hospitalized, he encounters Death as an actual supernatural entity. Convinced he's been chosen for a cosmic purpose, Karl begins killing people he perceives as suffering, rationalizing murder as soul liberation. His crimes escalate into an elaborate plan to capture Death itself using electromagnetic technology funded by ransomware attacks. When he finally succeeds, the consequences are catastrophic. With Death imprisoned and unable to collect souls, every person who dies rises as a zombie. Karl's ultimate victory becomes humanity's doom.