"Let's hear it. Judging by all your bags and bundles, you weren't just planning to take some food and leave, were you?" Bai Wen suddenly asked.
Yun Fei Wu nodded: "That's right. If possible, we'd like to move into your Safe Spot! Don't worry, we'll work hard—we won't freeload!"
"There are too many of you. My Safe Spot can't accommodate everyone, so you'd better give up on that idea," Bai Wen refused outright.
"Have you no conscience? The outside is crawling with Zombies! We have no weapons and no food left—you're sending us to our deaths!" Yun Duo shouted.
"Wrong. You came here seeking death yourselves!" Bai Wen's expression turned icy. "The fact that I haven't killed you already shows tremendous morality. Your existence provides more fertilizer for zombie evolution. If I killed you now, I could prevent that from happening—but I haven't! That's because I still have a shred of conscience left. Even though I know your survival might create several or even dozens of Advanced zombies, I'm not killing you!"
Bai Wen's frigid attitude drained all color from their faces. He kicked the manhole cover at his feet, and Wang Han—who had been prepared—brought Yan Jiang forward. Seeing that Yan Jiang was unharmed, Yun Fei Wu and the others visibly relaxed.
Bai Wen removed Yan Jiang's handcuffs and said coldly, "Take your people and leave immediately. Who knows—I might change my mind any minute."
Yun Fei Wu bit her chapped lips. She knew their chances of survival if they left were less than one percent. They'd either starve to death or be eaten by zombies—their fate would be utterly miserable. But she didn't want to die! This man before them had brought hope, only to cruelly tear it away, leaving them with despair. Yun Fei Wu and the others were on the verge of emotional collapse.
Suddenly, Bai Wen felt a tug on his sleeve. Turning, he saw it was Wang Ya, who had come out with Wang Han for some fresh air.
Her large, exposed eyes gazed at him pitifully—clearly pleading on behalf of these people, wanting Bai Wen to let them into the Safe Spot to live together.
Bai Wen twisted his mouth helplessly. This kind-hearted girl. He wanted to refuse, but he couldn't withstand Wang Ya's pitiful puppy-dog eyes. For a moment, he didn't know what to do.
Wang Ya tugged his sleeve again, her eyes glistening with tears that made Bai Wen even more helpless. He could only whisper, "It's not that I'm heartless. Our food supplies are already limited—with so many extra mouths, we'll run out quickly. Besides, we can't let our guard down. What if they enter the Safe Spot and try to harm us? Then we'd be the ones who die!"
Wang Ya frantically gestured with her small hands. It took Bai Wen a while to understand.
She was saying she'd already hidden and locked up all their food supplies. Moreover, these people didn't seem like bad individuals—if they were, they wouldn't have starved to this extent without turning on each other. They should be trustworthy!
This kind-hearted little girl.
Yun Fei Wu spotted Bai Wen's conflicted expression from afar and immediately felt a renewed sense of hope. She hurriedly said, "W-we won't freeload! We'll follow your orders from now on, and we'll actively search for food and help everyone with tasks."
Bai Wen pondered for a moment, then glanced at Wang Ya, who was looking at him with hopeful eyes. He let out a long sigh. Just as he was about to agree, an unexpected turn of events occurred.
Yun Lin, who had been standing silently, suddenly let out a blood-curdling scream. Everyone turned to look and were instantly horrified. Several girls shrieked and jumped in fright, while others collapsed to the ground, their legs giving way at the sight before them.
Yun Lin was now drenched in blood. A crimson claw had pierced through his chest from behind, and a shadowy figure was viciously tearing into his neck. Blood splattered everywhere, creating a gruesome scene.
"Run!" Bai Wen shouted, immediately recognizing the figure—it was the Beautiful Zombie he thought he had blown up. She was still alive?!
He fired a burst of bullets at Yun Lin.
Thud! Thud! The rounds tore through Yun Lin's body, sending chunks of flesh flying before hitting the Beautiful Zombie, splattering green blood. But the damage was superficial.
The Beautiful Zombie discarded Yun Lin's body and locked her crimson eyes onto Bai Wen, her lips curling into a mocking grin. Bai Wen's expression darkened—their Safe Spot had been compromised. They couldn't stay here any longer.
Screeeech! The Beautiful Zombie let out a piercing shriek, her body blurring into an afterimage as she lunged at Bai Wen.
Bai Wen fired while retreating, but her speed was overwhelming. Bullets barely fazed her as she closed the distance in erratic bursts.
"Damn it! I'll fight you to the death!" Enraged, Bai Wen drew his Blood-colored Battle Blade, feinted, then spun and slashed behind him. It was his first time using it—would it even work?
Squelch! Green blood sprayed as the blade severed one of the Beautiful Zombie's arms. She shrieked in agony before kicking Bai Wen away.
Bai Wen's heart surged with triumph—the blade was powerful enough to harm her! He scrambled up, steadied his footing, and charged.
If she's this strong, the Crystal inside her must be huge. I'm about to strike it rich!
But the Beautiful Zombie ignored him, instead pursuing the fleeing survivors. In a few bounds, she caught up to Yun Feng, who was already paralyzed with terror. His fire axe long discarded, he let out a final scream as she gripped his throat and—crack!—snapped it effortlessly.
Just as she was about to feast on Yun Feng, her crimson eyes locked onto Wang Ya, who was being dragged away by Wang Han. Excitement and hunger flared in her gaze. She hurled Yun Feng's corpse aside and dashed toward them.
Bai Wen sprinted after her, shouting, "Wang Ya, watch out!!"
Wang Han reacted faster than Wang Ya. He immediately shielded his daughter behind him, raised the pistol he carried, and pulled the trigger at the Beautiful Zombie.
But—
The gun didn't fire!
"Thud..." Bright red blood splattered as the Beautiful Zombie's sharp claws pierced through Wang Han's frail body, even tearing his heart out in one swift motion.
Bai Wen was completely stunned. Next was Wang Ya!
He had quite a favorable impression of her, but no matter how fast he moved, it was already too late to save her.
Just then, another unexpected turn of events occurred!