&Maomao: So tragic! She was torn into pieces!

&Queen Guo: Disgusting! Why post this in the group? I’m gonna puke up my breakfast!

&HaoziWeizhi: Forget leveling up—who dares to go out? Just surviving’s a win!

——

Just as Bai Ling predicted, Duan Heng grabbed his phone and instantly saw the WeChat homeowners’ group in chaos. Panic-filled messages flooded the chat. Someone had even shared a bloody photo: a woman’s body gnawed down to bare ribs.

The corpse lay alone in a corner of the compound, dried bloodstains everywhere. Her drooping head still had eyes faintly open, vividly showing the endless despair and fear before death—a sight that sent chills down the spine.

Any normal person would lose their appetite just seeing this.

But Duan Heng raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise and shifted his gaze out the window. Near the flowerbed far from his villa, the five corpses he’d shot last night still lay there—now reduced to a pile of bones. The stark white skeletons and blood-stained lawn were horrifying.

‘Uh oh, this is bad.’

Seeing the completely devoured bodies, Duan Heng scratched his face awkwardly. He knew he’d unintentionally raised a powerful monster.

As the Star-chan morning broadcast had warned, zombies could evolve or even mutate after eating human flesh. The extent depended on the quality of the meat consumed.

Normally, one dead human fed several zombies. But with too few zombies in the compound, yesterday’s victim had been entirely eaten by a single one—likely the shadow Duan Heng saw last night.

‘If it’s that one, it’s probably an elite monster by now?’

‘But on second thought… not bad. If Bai Ling kills it, she’ll level up multiple times. Her self-defense will improve greatly, and I can worry less.’

‘The other residents will just have to fend for themselves—live or die, it’s up to them.’

Duan Heng had raised a fat ‘jungler,’ but he felt little guilt toward the panicked group members.

This wasn’t because he was irresponsible or cold-blooded.

This was the Apocalypse. People would eventually face strong zombie monsters. To survive, they had to confront death, kill monsters, and level up. Otherwise, they’d have no combat power when real crises hit—and still die.

Now, an elite zombie was right here. Whoever killed it would level up several times! This seemed like a crisis but was actually a huge opportunity—to become a powerhouse early in the Apocalypse!

From this angle, they should thank Duan Heng.

“Duan Heng! Is this the elite zombie you mentioned? Let’s go kill it!”

Bai Ling’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she read her phone. She clearly craved leveling up—though her courage and humanity weren’t fully trained yet, her mindset far surpassed most. After all, she’d been like this in her past life too.

Duan Heng felt deeply gratified.

But to her enthusiasm, he simply smiled calmly and replied offhandedly:

“No rush. Let’s wait and see.”

“Huh?”

Bai Ling tilted her head in confusion. The usually bloodthirsty Duan Heng wasn’t eager this time.

Still obedient, she sat back down and picked up her phone to keep reading the group.

…

&Committee Li: Everyone, don’t panic! The mutual aid team observed only one zombie yesterday! If we unite, we can kill it!

&Committee Li: But these are extraordinary times. Our team only has ten people. We need everyone to unite!

&Committee Li: It’s time to test your spirit of sacrifice! Join us! Participants get three packs of instant noodles—and a permanent spot on the team!

&Committee Li: How about it? Anyone signing up?

‘Hah?’

When Auntie Li sent those last messages, even Bai Ling couldn’t hold back a laugh:

‘Three packs of noodles to risk your life? Way too stingy!’

‘Surely no fool would fall for this?’

Just then, Bai Ling and Duan Heng exchanged a glance by unspoken agreement. Both found Auntie Li ridiculous.

Sure enough, the group erupted into heated discussion:

&HaoziWeizhi: Three packs? You kidding, fool?

&LiuQiangdong: Screw you! The committee’s all trash!

&ArrogantMaster: Don’t trust her. Their team’s already lost people. I haven’t seen Gai Yanlong today—he’s zombie food!

&Queen Guo: That gang leader died? Wasn’t his ability strong?

&Queen Guo: Forget it! I’m staying home, nowhere else!

Residents cursed the committee and Auntie Li nonstop. Screens flooded instantly. Auntie Li sweated bullets, overwhelmed by insults, considering raising the reward to four packs.

As for Duan Heng.

Seeing the chaos, he curled his lips in amusement and said:

“See? This is why I didn’t join them—a disunited mess.”

He spoke calmly, seemingly to himself but actually teaching Bai Ling, who listened curiously.

“Not to mention the team members all have ill intentions. Their leader’s a foolish, greedy woman. In the Apocalypse, a leader needs foresight. To offend everyone over a few noodle packs—she’s doomed to fail.”

“Oh, I see.”

Bai Ling nodded, seeming to understand.

But she suddenly remembered something, widened her eyes, and retorted:

“Wait? According to you, I’m definitely losing the second bet!”

“Who knows? Let’s see what happens next.”

Seeing her flustered look, Duan Heng winked smugly, looking punchable.

Bai Ling shot him a resentful glare, her face darkening as she gritted her teeth silently:

‘Damn it, if I lose this round too, I’ll have no excuse left. Can’t drag it to best of five!’

‘But I really don’t want to call this bastard “Dad”! Committee people, please don’t self-destruct! I beg you!’

Bai Ling cried out helplessly in her heart. No one heard her. By now, the zombie was probably ready for its next meal.

Recalling her pre-Apocalypse dorm life, Bai Ling sighed. Back then, she’d used her handsome looks to charm seniors and juniors, often mocking Duan Heng in jest.

Like mimicking anime tones:

‘Minnow, such a minnow! Poor unwanted kid. But if you call me “Dad” and farm passes for me, I’ll introduce you to juniors. How about it~’

‘What? Juniors? You’re my real dad!’

Back then, Duan Heng was easy to bully. He’d really shout “Dad,” and his gaming skills were trash.

But now? Bai Ling couldn’t believe this guy was the same person. The art style had completely changed!

‘How to put it… he’s just not cute anymore!’

‘But honestly, this version of Duan Heng is actually quite handsome?’

Thinking this, Bai Ling stroked her chin and glanced at him twice, suddenly finding him pleasant to look at.

‘Wait? Why do I think he’s handsome?’

‘So weird!’

Though Duan Heng hadn’t spoken, Bai Ling’s brain spiraled into chaos. Her fair face faintly flushed pink.

Just as she was lost in thought, Auntie Li in the group had been shamed into desperation. She suddenly turned her words toward Duan Heng.

…

&Committee Li: @Hengyu

&Committee Li: Duan Heng! Aren’t you saying anything? As a resident, four or five people died under your building yesterday! This zombie threatens you most!

&Committee Li: The mutual aid team’s clearing dangers for you! You’ve stockpiled so many supplies—shouldn’t you share the food in the spirit of generosity!