Chapter 53 - 49
As the sky gradually lightened with the dawn, the sound of gunfire in the town gradually faded away, but the flames continued to burn the houses, although with much less intensity than before.
With the fall of the last infected person outside the defensive line, it marked the end of the crisis for the entire convoy.
Looking down from the sky at the entire town of Vaskom, one could see that the battle from last night had turned half of the town into ruins.
At this moment, the streets of the town were bustling with people, their faces filled with joy and excitement, showing a sense of relief after the ordeal.
Perhaps facing death together and experiencing this crisis side by side had brought everyone closer. Compared to when the convoy had just set out, people were now more open to chatting with each other, even with strangers.
Now, whether soldiers or civilians, they would engage in conversation with each other, even exchanging greetings. The convoy, devoid of its initial aloofness, perhaps made everyone realize that only by sticking together tightly could they survive in this dangerous world.
Whether it was the soldiers and civilians who fought all night or the women and children who hid in their homes in fear, almost everyone had spent the night without sleep, enduring through the night.
Although the crisis had passed, there were still many matters to attend to, and most people couldn't rest immediately.
Firstly, the casualties needed to be accounted for. Despite successfully overcoming the crisis with the advantage of the barricade, the number of casualties was still significant. Including those who died in combat with the infected, the total casualties were around three hundred and fifty soldiers and over a hundred civilians either dead or infected.
Secondly, there was the issue of handling the soldiers and civilians who were injured or bitten during close combat with the infected. Overnight, some wounds had already begun to rot, with dark circles forming around the eyes. Although it might seem harsh, those who had already been infected by the cordyceps fungus could not continue with the convoy.
Furthermore, to be on the safe side, Commander Harry ordered a scan of everyone to ensure there were no hidden dangers.