The system's precise instructions were to arm and guide the customers in clearing the area around the shelter of any potentially harmful things.
Thinking back to their free meals, Zhao Yuan was happy to put them to work. She divided the refugees into distinct groups, each assigned a specific sector around the compound to sweep and secure. To maintain order and prevent insubordination, every team was placed under the command of their previous leaders—the individuals they already trusted and naturally followed.
Standing before the primary interface terminal in her quarters, Zhao Yuan leaned over the glowing holographic display. A subtle frown marred her features as she studied the real-time sector map, strategizing the safest way to dispatch the teams into the surrounding streets.
The situation at the main gate was particularly grim. A dense cluster of roaming infectees had drifted toward the entrance, drawn by the residual noise of the last survivor group's arrival.
Thinking of the bus carrying the students, Zhao Yuan narrowed her eyes and glanced at the countdown timer ticking steadily on her watch. They would reach the outer perimeter at any moment. If that roaming horde remained parked outside the heavy iron gates, the bus would be forced to turn back, become trapped in an ambush, or engage in a desperate, deadly fire-fight.
We need to clear a breach, and we need to do it now, she thought, her fingers hovering over the interface.
Tapping the screen, she selected the miniature holographic figure representing Gao Shen and dragged it directly to the front gate on the virtual map. As a former bounty hunter, Gao Shen possessed the sharpest tactical instincts among the survivors; placing his squad at the breach point would give them the strong, aggressive vanguard they needed.
Next, Zhao Yuan picked up the miniature figures of the other three team leaders—Captain Vance, a former municipal security officer; Liang Wei, a veteran logistics manager; and Sister Charity, the practical coordinator of the civilian block. She positioned their squads strategically along the eastern, western, and rear flanks, creating a wide, overlapping defensive crescent that would prevent the infectees from encircling Gao Shen's vanguard.
Satisfied with the positioning, she tapped the command console. "System, evaluate this deployment plan."
[Analyzing Tactical Deployment...]
[Vanguard: Sector A (Main Gate) — High Engagement Risk.]
[Flanks: Sectors B, C, & D — Containment & Perimeter Control.]
[Calculated Success Rate: 92%. Deployment Approved.]
Zhao Yuan let out a quiet breath, quickly saved the deployment map to the shelter network, and transmitted the encrypted operational files directly to the four team leaders' personal wrist-comm units.
[Notice to Team Leaders: Review assigned deployment maps immediately. Report to the central restaurant square in five minutes for briefing.]
Across the residential sector, Gao Shen's wrist unit chimed. Reading the notification, a knot of nervousness tightened in his stomach as he set off toward the courtyard. As a former bounty hunter, he understood how to read tactical overlays and flank routes, but leading a squad of panicked, half-starved civilians into open combat was a completely different story. Doubts lingered in his mind, but he maintained a stoic posture as he crossed the empty pavement.
Meanwhile, inside the quiet restaurant, Zhao Yuan stood near the main counter, taking slow, deep breaths to steady her rising pulse. Public speaking and command leadership weren't second nature to her; she was used to managing systems and executing precise solo tasks. She mentally rehearsed her instructions, stripping away unnecessary fluff to sound authoritative and composed.
The heavy glass doors slid open, and the four leaders stepped inside. Seeing their curious, anxious expressions, Zhao Yuan immediately smoothed her demeanor, gesturing toward the timber dining tables.
"Please, sit," she offered smoothly.
Once Gao Shen, Vance, Liang Wei, and Sister Charity had taken their seats around the long table, Zhao Yuan stepped up to the wall-mounted noticeboard screen and tapped the interface, projecting the glowing deployment map across the room.
"As you noticed yesterday, our compound is surrounded by clusters of infectees," Zhao Yuan began, her clear, melodious voice cutting cleanly through the quiet room. "I have called you here because we need to clear the perimeter today. I've already sent a detailed deployment map to your personal terminals."
She tapped the screen, causing Sector A—the main gate—to flash in vibrant red.
"Each of you will guide your designated team members to clear your marked zones," she explained, tracing the routes with her finger. "Gao Shen, your team will take the vanguard at Sector A. You will hold the gate, draw the primary attention of the horde, and clear a central breach. Vance and Liang Wei, your squads will anchor the east and west flanks to catch any stragglers breaking off from the main crowd. Sister Charity, your team will secure the rear alleyways to ensure no secondary wave sneaks up behind us."
She paused, sweeping her calm gaze across the four leaders. "Do you have any questions before we distribute the armaments?"
Gao Shen leaned forward, staring at the flashing red zone in front of the gate. "Sector A has the highest concentration of infectees. My team consists mostly of ordinary survivors. How are we supposed to hold that line without taking casualties?"
"You won't be fighting bare-handed, nor will you be fighting alone," Zhao Yuan clarified smoothly. "The system will supply heavy leather body armor, tactical shields, and iron-tipped spears to every participant. Furthermore, I will personally provide sniper cover from the watchtower during the initial engagement to break their front line."
Hearing that their custodian would be providing heavy fire support, the tension lingering over the table visibly eased. Captain Vance nodded approvingly, while Liang Wei let out a breath of relief.
"If there are no further objections, return to your blocks and brief your teams immediately," Zhao Yuan commanded, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. "You have ten minutes to arm your squads and assemble at the inner gates. Dismissed."
Returning to Block A, Gao Shen called his assigned squad into the main assembly hall. Twenty men and women gathered before him, their eyes wide with apprehension.
Gao Shen stood tall, holding up his wrist terminal to project his sector overlay into the center of the room.
"Listen up, everyone!" Gao Shen's rough voice echoed off the concrete walls, commanding instant silence. "Our sanctuary is safe, but the roads outside are not. A bus carrying young survivors is approaching our sector right now, and a horde of infectees is blocking the front gate. The custodian has entrusted our team with taking the vanguard."
A collective gasp rippled through the group, but Gao Shen raised his hand to quiet them.
"I know you're afraid," he continued, his sharp, intense gaze locking onto every single team member. "I was a bounty hunter before the world ended, and I can tell you this: fear gets you killed, but structure keeps you alive. We aren't going out there blindly. We are receiving full tactical armor, heavy shields, and spears. The custodian will be covering our frontline from the tower, and three other teams are guarding our flanks. All we have to do is hold our formation, thrust in unison, and protect each other."
He stepped closer to the front row, his expression softening slightly into one of grim determination.
"We enjoy clean water, hot meals, and absolute safety behind these walls. Today, we earn it. Briefing over—grab your gear and fall in!"
Inspired by his steady confidence, the survivors straightened their backs and shouted in agreement, their lingering panic replaced by a unified resolve as they marched out toward the armory racks.