The Zone is full of dangers, and mutants are far from the most terrifying of them. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a tense episode in which you’ll face off against fanatics from the “Monolith” faction to save a stalker from a terrible fate—turning into a mindless zombie.

Quest Start: Meeting and Making the Right Choice in the Dialogue

The event begins with an encounter with a desperate stalker. He shares some alarming news with you: cultists (“those jerks from Monolith”) are trying to influence his comrade to turn him into a zombie. The stalker declares that he won’t let this happen and asks for your help.

To successfully start the quest and join the stalkers, you need to choose the right line:

  • Your choice in the dialogue: “You can count on me.”
  • NPC reaction: The Stalker will gratefully accept your help, noting that “another gun will come in handy right now.”

Battle Progress: Attack on the “Monolith”

Immediately after the dialogue ends, the combat phase will begin. The Stalker will order the attack: you’ll need to join forces (“swarm them together”) to break through the Monolith’s defenses.

Combat Tip: Monolith fighters are traditionally well-armed and charge into battle with fanatical zeal. Use cover and try not to get caught in crossfire. Stay close to your ally to provide covering fire.

Consequences and Character Survival

After clearing the area of cultists, a critical moment arrives. Panic sets in over the condition of the rescued comrade: it seems that the zombification process has already begun (“What are you talking about, man? He’s probably already turning!”).

However, the situation is not as hopeless as it seems:

  1. Recovery: It turns out the character isn’t lost yet. To get back on their feet, they’ll need time, a day of rest, and proper care (medical attention).
  2. Farewell: The quest initiator takes responsibility for the injured person. He apologizes for how things turned out and acknowledges that there was simply no other way out of the situation.

The Reward and the Ending

The quest ends with you and the stalkers going your separate ways. As a token of gratitude for saving their lives, the quest character bids you farewell on a respectful note. He calls you an “unusual person” and promises he will never forget you.