In the mountain forest, at the hideout.
"He's... he's dead."
Luong Tuan stared blankly, unable to come back to his senses for a long time. His eyes suddenly turned red, his emotions heavily suppressed, a kind of unspeakable bitterness welling up inside him.
He clearly could have just ignored them.
But he still risked his life to get the satellite phone for them, all so they could contact the Sunshine Shelter.
Luong Tuan was filled with deep self-reproach.
He felt that they were the ones who had gotten him killed.
Vuong Cuong comforted him, "Remember his name, Ngo Hao. Everything he did was just so you all could live on. He clearly wasn't that strong, yet he was willing to take the risk. Truly... I admire him. If it were me, I wouldn't have that kind of courage."
The call had been made.
The moment it connected, an introduction came from the other side of the line.
"Hello, this is Lam Pham from the Hoang City Sunshine Shelter. Tell me your location. Don't be afraid of any danger; I will be by your side in the shortest possible time."
It was a very straightforward opening.
But it had to be said, words like that were incredibly reassuring.
They had seen photos of Lam Pham, but never in person.
Luong Tuan's spirits were low. He sighed, knowing this phone call had been bought with a life. He knew he could never repay this debt in his lifetime; even if he wanted to, there was no way to do so.
Just then.
A rumbling sound came through the air.
The sound came from the sky.
Everyone was drawn by the sound and looked up at the sky, a sense of panic in their hearts.
They didn't know what was happening.
They worried that some terrifying zombie had appeared.
Luong Tuan hurriedly called for everyone to hide in the treehouses, not to make a sound. The terror of zombies was already deeply ingrained in their hearts.
. . .
Van Dai City.
Two figures walked along the street.
In the lead was a Fused-type zombie, and following behind was a human.
Such a combination would make anyone who saw it gasp in astonishment.
Right now, Ngo Hao was completely bewildered, unable to comprehend the current situation. The scene just moments ago had been perilous. After that other zombie was wiped out, seeing the Fused-type zombie made him think he was truly done for.
He couldn't have dealt with that first zombie.
Facing a Fused-type zombie, there was absolutely no chance of survival.
Just as it reached out its hand towards him and he thought he was about to die, who would have thought that this zombie, instead of tearing him to shreds as he imagined, would lift him up, sling him over its shoulder, and walk downstairs.
This situation left Ngo Hao utterly confused.
Don't zombies open their mouths and frantically devour humans on sight?
Why did it feel like this zombie he had encountered was a bit strange?
Later, he discovered that this Fused-type zombie in front of him could understand what he was saying and held no ill will towards him. During their journey, a Tyrant Zombie had even appeared.
When the Tyrant Zombie saw him, it actually raised its flesh scythe, wanting to chop him to pieces.
Who would have thought that the Fused-type zombie would just deal with the Tyrant Zombie directly.
He told the Fused-type zombie that he was in good condition and could walk on his own, and it actually put him down. Just like that, it led him out of the city.
"Big Brother, are you a good zombie, is that why you saved me?" Ngo Hao asked, walking beside the Fused-type zombie, asking repeatedly.
"Ugh... urgh..."
The Fused-type zombie let out a low growl, as if responding to Ngo Hao's question.
From that low growl, Ngo Hao confirmed it. Everything was just as he had thought.
"Big Brother, I knew you were a good zombie."
Ngo Hao praised the Fused-type zombie enthusiastically.
If there was a chance to live, who would be willing to die?
The Fused-type zombie ignored Ngo Hao and continued forward. The normal zombies in their path felt the oppressive aura coming from a high-tier zombie and took the initiative to move aside. Even if there was nowhere to dodge, they would press themselves against the walls, trying not to offend it.
Ngo Hao didn't notice the Fused-type zombie's distant attitude.
Instead, he was like a little sidekick, chattering away incessantly by its side.
The sound made the normal zombies a little restless.
But facing the Fused-type zombie, how could they have any thoughts of resistance? They could only timidly shy away.
"To be honest, what happened today has really opened my eyes. I never thought a Fused-type zombie would save me. But... you don't know that I know other survivors, so you're just pretending to save me, when you actually want me to lead you to them so you can wipe them all out in one go, right?"
Ngo Hao was moved, but he wasn't a complete fool.
He was a little worried about such a thing happening.
The Fused-type zombie must have understood. It stopped, glanced at Ngo Hao, and then continued walking out of the city. Although it was just a casual glance.
For some reason, it made Ngo Hao feel as if it were saying... Are you sick in the head?
Ngo Hao blinked, as if he understood something, and followed obediently behind it.
He didn't say anything more.
They quickly reached the outskirts of the city.
The Fused-type zombie brought Ngo Hao to a car that could still be started and let out a low growl at him.
Ngo Hao understood instantly.
"You want me to drive away, right?"
Ngo Hao got into the car. The key was still there. There were dried bloodstains on the seat. Perhaps the owner had been caught by zombies while trying to escape in the car.
He tried to start it, and it actually worked.
"The car works."
The Fused-type zombie glanced at Ngo Hao, didn't say another word of nonsense, turned, and left.
"Big Brother..." Ngo Hao called out, but the Fused-type zombie paid him no mind, simply walking back towards the city.
"Sigh..."
"What a truly good zombie big brother."
He started the car and left.
The events of today were etched in his heart. It was truly a miraculous thing.
He reached the foot of the mountain.
His beloved motorcycle was still there.
"If I show up in front of them, I wonder what their expressions will be..."
Ngo Hao imagined the reunion. They would surely be shocked, because in their minds, he had definitely been killed by zombies.
With light steps, he walked up the mountain.
At this time, on the mountain.
"This is the second-generation battle armor. That Lam Pham is truly formidable, even stronger than I imagined." Vuong Cuong touched the armor, unable to put it down. It was simply a divine weapon for solo combat, its durability absolutely capable of withstanding most zombies.
"Yeah, he's very friendly. No one in the apocalypse has ever given me such a feeling." Ly Cong Vinh recalled his meeting with Lam Pham. When Lam Pham learned that they had chosen to continue adventuring in the apocalypse, he not only brought this group of survivors to the Sunshine Shelter but also brought three sets of battle armor and some crystals for them.
All of this felt as unreal as a dream.
Luong Man said, "The distance from here to Hoang City doesn't seem close, does it?"
Vuong Cuong said, "No, it's very far, extremely far. You could say it's two opposite extremes of distance."
Luong Man said, "But he came and went in a very short time, an unbelievably short time."
They fell silent. Just thinking about it was terrifying.
"Do you guys still remember the base we went to before? There was a book there, the so-called 'evolution into godhood' theory. It has that kind of feel to it," Luong Man recalled.
She remembered that she used to just be a clothes seller, and now she had become like this. Who would believe it if she told them?
Ly Cong Vinh said, "The credibility of the 'godhood' theory isn't too high, is it? It's good that he has such strength. For us humans, it's a final pillar of support. To be able to destroy an entire city, even a city full of zombies, I'm filled with admiration."
Vuong Cuong said, "Alright, let's not talk about this. We should pack up and get back on the road. With this battle armor, we won't have to worry about zombies anymore. I feel very relieved."
Luong Man and Ly Cong Vinh had also finished packing. It was time to leave.
Thinking of the sacrificed Ngo Hao, they felt regret.
What a pity.
However, at this moment.
Luong Man heard a sound and instantly became alert. "Be careful."
They also looked around vigilantly. Whatever appeared now was most likely a zombie.
Until they saw the person clearly.
Luong Man and the others showed expressions of utter shock.
"Ngo Hao..."
They really hadn't expected it to be Ngo Hao appearing before them.
Vuong Cuong and Ly Cong Vinh looked at Luong Man, as if asking, "Didn't you say he died at the hands of zombies? But what is this situation now?"
Luong Man was also completely lost, feeling a bit dazed.
Ngo Hao smiled and waved to everyone. "What's up? Are you surprised to see me back? Hahaha..."
He knew they would have such expressions.
He had already thought about it on his way here.
After some conversation.
Luong Man and the others were in disbelief. Ngo Hao actually said that the one who saved him was a Fused-type zombie.
This... made them feel it was a bit incredible, even unbelievable.
"Don't look so surprised. I didn't expect it either. I thought I was going to die, but who would have thought that Fused-type zombie would actually save me," Ngo Hao said, overjoyed. The feeling of surviving a disaster was truly wonderful.
Luong Man said, "I really didn't expect it."
Ngo Hao said, "I didn't expect it either. That Fused-type zombie is really strong. After saving me, it took me to the outskirts of the city. It was just incredibly friendly."
Vuong Cuong: ...
Ly Cong Vinh: ...
If Ngo Hao hadn't said it himself, they would never have believed it.
Vuong Cuong patted Ngo Hao's shoulder and said, "Brother, you are truly lucky. You're worthy of my admiration."
Ngo Hao scratched his head and smiled foolishly. "Oh, where are the others?"
"They've been picked up. Look at our battle armor. It was given to us by Lam Pham from the Sunshine Shelter. He even gave us some precious crystals. It's just like you said, it's amazing." Vuong Cuong's smile was as bright as a flower; even a brilliant smile couldn't express his excitement.
"Oh..." Ngo Hao was very regretful, not expecting to have missed the chance to meet Lam Pham.
After this incident, Ngo Hao had gained their approval.
Luong Man said, "We'll keep the satellite phone. If you want to go to the Sunshine Shelter, you can make the call now. If you don't want to go, you can join us. We can venture through the apocalypse together. What do you think?"
Faced with such an invitation, he didn't even have to think.
"I'll go with you guys."
Ngo Hao felt the joy of saving others. This kind of joy could not be replaced by any form of entertainment.
He believed there were definitely more survivors in the apocalypse.
They might be living in misery, in need of someone to bring them hope, and he, Ngo Hao, was willing to be such a messenger of hope.
"Welcome to our team."
Luong Man and the others extended their hands, stacking them on top of each other, their gazes firm as they looked at Ngo Hao.
"Thank you." Ngo Hao was moved by their gazes. He placed his hand on top. The four-person apocalypse squad was officially formed.
They had no background, no status, just a little bit of ability. They were just a group of ordinary people launching an assault against the dark apocalypse.
. . .
Night.
Room 704.
Lam Pham touched his chin. "The way I make an entrance... does it scare people who don't know me...?"
He thought about it carefully.
It seemed there was some noise, but that was unavoidable. That's just how it was when you were too fast.
"Alright, I'd better explain it."
He wrote in his original handbook.
[Sound is produced by friction. The slower the speed, the smaller the friction, so the sound produced is also small. But my rescue speed is very fast, so the friction is greater, and the resulting sound is also louder.]
[In the future, after our conversation ends, if you hear a booming sound from the sky, don't be nervous. That's me arriving.]
He looked at the content and nodded in satisfaction. This was taught in middle school physics; it should be easy to understand.
He thought about what had happened during the day.
A brilliant smile appeared on his face.
"Ngo Hao, he's really not bad."
When he had learned of his death while searching for the satellite phone, his mood had been very low. In the apocalypse, there were still people quietly dedicating themselves.
Searching for a satellite phone in a city full of zombies, even for someone with a camouflage ability, was still dangerous.
But then he received a call.
He wasn't dead, but had been saved by a Fused-type zombie.
It had to be said, this was indeed a cause for celebration.
Lam Pham took out his phone and called the Zombie Emperor, Vuong Tu Hien.
The call connected quickly.
"Hello there," Lam Pham proactively greeted Vuong Tu Hien.
"Hello."
Vuong Tu Hien, who was afraid of Lam Pham, was very polite, not daring to have any thoughts of offending him.
"Did you send any Fused-type zombies to cities outside?"
"Yes, all kinds of zombies. It was to search for the Creator's shadow. But don't worry, I gave all those zombies orders to only look for the Creator and to avoid humans if they encountered them. If the humans were in danger, they were to help."
Vuong Tu Hien didn't know the specific situation, but he still reported it truthfully.
"Thank you."
"Huh?"
Hearing Lam Pham proactively thank him, Vuong Tu Hien was a bit dumbfounded. Why thank me for no reason? If it was for searching for the Creator, there was really no need to thank him.
Lam Pham told him about the situation during the day.
Vuong Tu Hien also let out a sigh of relief, fearing that some misunderstanding might have arisen.
Thinking that the Fused-type zombie had actually saved a human, his mood was very good. Excellent, worthy of being a zombie sent out by me, the Zombie Emperor Vuong Tu Hien. Its ideology is correct.
He hung up the phone.
At this time, Vuong Tu Hien sat before a floor-to-ceiling window, holding a wine glass, his legs crossed, looking at the night outside. The round moon hung high in the sky, looking so peaceful.
As the Zombie Emperor of Hop City, he enjoyed this moment of tranquility, feeling that his current life was very good and not wanting it to be disturbed in any way.
He knew that to maintain his current life in the apocalypse, he had to pick the right side, and the human Lam Pham was the side he had chosen. As a zombie, choosing to cooperate with a human was in itself a very incredible thing.
But he knew this was the right choice.
"What are you thinking about?" Trieu Van slowly walked over.
"I'm thinking about where the Creator among the zombies is. I've sent so many zombies out to search, but I still haven't found any trace of the Creator. It feels a bit strange," Vuong Tu Hien said.
Trieu Van said, "They can't fly. You'll find it eventually."
"That's what I think too," Vuong Tu Hien said with a smile.
He had already sent out so many zombies. Even if the Creator was hiding at the ends of the earth, he would be found.
. . .
Early morning.
At the Hoang City River-Crossing Bridge.
The patrolmen were on their usual patrol. Awakened ones were now stationed here, just in case.
"Hey, our place here is probably a Paradise in the apocalypse," a fully armed patrol member chatted with his companion.
His expression was very relaxed, without the tension of being in the apocalypse.
"Definitely. Our Hoang City Sunshine Shelter is probably the only safest place."
This patrol member said with great pride.
They were all seriously protecting the stability of the Hoang City Sunshine Shelter, absolutely not allowing anyone to come and cause trouble.
Just then.
A patrol member looking through binoculars saw movement in the distance. He rubbed his eyes and looked again carefully.
"It looks like a zombie is coming."
As he said this.
The surrounding patrolmen became alert.
"How many?"
"I only see one for now, haven't seen any others."
Ever since Lam Pham had pushed the defense line far out, they, who were stationed here, rarely saw zombies. It could even be said they had basically never seen one.
Now that a zombie had appeared, it naturally attracted their attention.
A sniper held his rifle, aiming at the zombie appearing in the distance. The distance was a bit far, and he wasn't sure if it was a zombie, so he couldn't fire rashly. He would wait for it to enter his sights before making a decision.
The sniper observed while reporting the situation.
"Body shape is normal, about the height of a normal person, walking towards us at a leisurely pace. Based on the current situation, there's a 10% chance it's a person, and the rest of the possibility is a zombie."
Compared to binoculars, a high-magnification sniper scope could see much more clearly.
He observed carefully. A zombie's face was relatively dirty and bloody, but based on his observation, there was no such obvious evidence, so he couldn't be too sure.
"Wait, we must confirm it's a zombie before opening fire."
This was a principle they had to abide by.
Perhaps for other bases, they wouldn't care if it was a zombie or not. As long as it appeared in their sights, to ensure the safety of the base, they would shoot directly, even if it was a living person.
But in the Sunshine Shelter, human life was the top priority, and that would never change.
Soon.
The figure in the distance gradually approached, reaching the head of the bridge.
The sniper saw the specific situation clearly. Although there was no blood on its face, its skin and pupils were not something a human could have.
"Zombie, that's a zombie."
"Open fire."
Biu~
The sniper rifle's lethality was very strong, and with the bullet's speed, no human could block it. But now, they were not facing a human, but a strange zombie.
Just as they thought one bullet could solve the problem.
Who would have thought that the zombie's arm in the distance would actually transform into a flesh shield. The bullet hit the flesh shield, sinking in. The flesh shield rebounded, and the bullet fell to the ground.
"Evolved-type zombie."
The patrol member exclaimed in shock, then quickly made a phone call. Whether they could deal with this type of zombie was known with one shot. Even the sniper rifle in his hand couldn't harm it.
This could only mean that this zombie's ability was definitely not something they could deal with.
What to do in this situation?
The natural course of action was to immediately call and notify the shelter.
The zombie in the distance, dressed in a tailcoat, lightly patted its transformed flesh shield, then opened its mouth, its voice carrying far into the distance.
"Humans, don't be nervous. I have no ill will. I have come on behalf of the great Creators to talk with the human Lam Pham. I hope he can come out to meet me."
The patrol member, who was on the phone, heard this and showed a look of great surprise.
The call connected.
"Brother Hang, a strange zombie has appeared on our side. It says it wants to meet with Brother Lam, that it has something to discuss."
"Understood, we'll be there soon. Don't go out, hide in the fortress."
"Yes, understood."
He hung up the phone.
The patrol member still watched the distant zombie vigilantly.
This fortress had been specially reinforced by Brother Lam. It was extremely sturdy and could defend against the attacks of many, many zombies. Even the currently strongest Dam Thanh and Brother Chung couldn't damage it in the slightest.
At this time.
When Lam Pham received the notification, he was very puzzled. A strange zombie had come to find him, and even called him out by name. He thought about it; it definitely wasn't the Zombie Emperor Vuong Tu Hien. If it were him, he would have called.
Without thinking too much, he headed towards the river-crossing bridge.
Co Hang, Captain Loi, Lao Chung, and the others all headed towards the bridge.
It was early morning, they had just finished breakfast and were about to go out to work, but they didn't expect to encounter such a thing. They hadn't even gone looking for trouble with the zombies, but who would have thought a zombie would come looking for them.
This was a very interesting thing.
At the bridge.
The patrolmen remained vigilant of the distant zombie. Fortunately, it just stood there without moving, clearly waiting for the main person to appear before coming over.
"I'm here, what's the situation?"
Lam Pham asked the patrolmen in the fortress.
The patrolmen inside the fortress hurried out and reported what had just happened in detail. Lam Pham nodded as he listened, understanding the specific situation.
A moment later.
Captain Loi and the others also arrived.
As the apocalypse progressed, the zombies' intelligence seemed to be getting higher and higher. Even zombies that could relay messages were appearing one after another.
"Little Pham, what's the situation with that zombie?" Co Hang asked.
Lam Pham said, "I don't know yet. Let's go take a look first."
They walked onto the bridge and saw the zombie in the distance. The zombie's attire made everyone very puzzled. My goodness, it was even wearing a tailcoat. Was it attending a banquet, or was it just particularly concerned with its appearance?
As they got closer.
The zombie's appearance fell into their eyes. Unprecedentedly different from other zombies, it was very clean, with no bloodstains, no viscous saliva, just its skin and eyes were very strange.
Its skin had spiderweb-like blood vessels, and its pupils were red, emitting a gloomy light.
Captain Loi and Co Hang and the others looked at each other.
A strange zombie.
This further confirmed that the strangeness of zombies was beyond imagination.
Even the rational Officer Hoang would drool viscous saliva. It wasn't that he couldn't control it, but it was likely a zombie's instinct.
"Chuc Thanh, what's its situation?" Lam Pham asked.
Chuc Thanh stared at the zombie in front of him, his expression strange. "Brother Lam, it's called an [Aberrant-type zombie], not a mutation-type. And it has an ability called [Self-Consistent]. According to logical deduction, it's a type of evolution that has no errors or contradictions."
As Chuc Thanh said this.
Not only did Lam Pham not understand, but even Captain Loi and the others were dazed.
What a strange creature.
The tailcoated zombie looked at Chuc Thanh with a smile on its face. "It seems he is an Information Awakened, and he has raised his ability to a very high level, to be able to see through my information. Truly amazing."
"Oh, allow me to introduce myself. Although I am now a zombie, I still have a name. My name is Cuong Ban Linh Nhat. I am very happy to meet the strongest among humans."
Seeing Lam Pham, it was not flustered in the slightest, even appearing very calm.
"Cuong Ban 001?" The young Chuc Thanh immediately thought of a familiar product. And hearing the name, it was clear he wasn't from their country. "You're from Phuc Dao."
Cuong Ban Linh Nhat smiled and said, "That's right. In times of peace, I was the president of a company here. With the descent of the apocalypse, this is what I look like now."
At this time, apart from Lam Pham, Captain Loi and the others were filled with vigilance towards this person before them.
Because its behavior was different from other zombies.
It exuded a sense of eeriness everywhere.
"Speak, what do you want from me?" Lam Pham asked.
Cuong Ban Linh Nhat said, "I have merely come on behalf of the great Creators to converse with you. I am their messenger. They are well aware of your power. Humans and Creators should not be enemies. They are willing to reach an agreement with you, whereby everything to the north of Hoang City will belong to you humans, while the south will be managed by us Creators. Thus, we will cease hostilities and no longer interfere with each other. What do you think?"
As he said this.
Captain Loi and the others were all stunned.
My goodness.
Zombies actually knew how to negotiate, and it seemed they wanted a ceasefire with Lam Pham. After all, Lam Pham had been cleaning up zombies all this time, his territory constantly expanding.
If this continued, one day he would completely wipe out the zombies.
And what was the reason for the zombies' actions?
Were they afraid of Lam Pham?
That was a given. If they weren't afraid, why would they make such a move?
They were also trying to get Lam Pham's agreement, to buy time for them to evolve. The theory of zombie evolution had already been established. As time went on, zombies would become more and more powerful.
This was what Professor Ha had told them.
After all, the situation of the Mutants was to evolve by borrowing zombie genes. So... given enough time, who knew what kind of monstrous forms the zombies would evolve into.
Lam Pham refused, "I don't think that's a good idea. I refuse."
"Haha, well that's truly a shame." Cuong Ban Linh Nhat appeared very disappointed. Obviously, in its view, the choice made by the human Lam Pham was not a wise one.