Ch. 45 - Breaking Through on the Brink
Each room in Weixing Residential Complex revealed a new tragedy: an elderly zombie couple, a toddler with vacant eyes, a solitary old man, a reclusive anime enthusiast, a writer lost in darkness, an adult still dependent on parents. They were snapshots of a broken Earth. The team was confronted again with the harsh reality of the new world order.
Zhang Chong muttered, “This is a tower of zombies.” No survivors remained; the military’s initial broadcasts had evacuated over 60% of Liao City’s population, a feat envied by outsiders, akin to locals profiting from pre-apocalypse demolitions. Zombies lurked everywhere—hallways, stairwells, elevators, utility rooms. Solitary or in small packs, seven-star zombies often led clusters, making house searches perilous. Under the bed was their favourite hiding spot. Constant vigilance was draining; normal humans would have crack under the strain.
By noon, with the last zombie in Room 2404 felled, Unit One was cleared. “Let’s eat and rest,” Chen Liu suggested, still energised after killing four seven-star and thirty-two six-star zombies. He didn’t count the five-star zombies he had killed. The command’s ten six-star white crystals felt meagre compared to his haul: instant noodles, biscuits, medicine, enough to fill their backpacks. Food was secure for now. Their vehicle was already loaded mid-mission. His kills outstripped Zhang Chong’s trio combined, highlighting the steep power gap among Awakened. “Let’s eat on the roof,” Yu Na suggested, recoiling from the stench. “Too many flies down here.” Zhang Chong and Yu Dachao agreed instantly—no one wanted to dine amid rotting flesh.
GRAAARGHH~~~! An eight-star zombie lunged as Zhang Chong opened the rooftop exit. “Shit!” he cursed, paling. A seven-star female zombie trailed it. “A couple?” Yu Dachao quipped, his lewd grin misplaced. “Focus!” Chen Liu snapped, excitement flaring. An eight-star’s a real test, he thought, charging. Its iron-hard, ten-centimetre claws gouged his shield, threatening to shred it. Too fast, he thought, struggling to track its ghost-like movements as red veins pulsed beneath its withered skin, signalling blood energy rebuilding its systems. A gash tore his back armour when he faltered. Underestimated it, he admitted, locked in a stalemate.
Zhang Chong’s team fared better against the seven-star, with Zhang Chong berserk at the front, Yu Dachao flanking, and Yu Na firing bolts. Her aim, still raw from yesterday’s crossbow acquisition, missed the head, complicated by friendly fire risks. “Stay patient,” Zhang Chong urged. Yu Na steadied, and when Yu Dachao’s slash exposed the zombie’s back, her bolt pierced its skull, grazing Zhang Chong’s shirt and embedding in the parapet. That power’s unreal, Chen Liu thought, noting the crossbow’s car-door-piercing strength. A sweating Zhang Chong and anxious Yu Na exhaled as the seven-star fell.
GRAAAARGHHHH! The eight-star’s wail pierced the air, its blood-red eyes mad with grief. They were lovers. Chen Liu’s heart sank as he watched the zombie evolving unexpectedly. “You jinxed it!” he snapped at Yu Dachao. They now had a nine-star zombie to deal with.
thINKer: Thankfully, this doesn’t happen in real life…right?
Yuyu: If it happens, I'll be royally f*cked.
Challenge Goals
Challenge 1 - Reach 15 votes on NU
Reward - 3 bonus chapters
If we reach it within 3 days we give out 4 bonus chapters
Current progress - 5/15
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