Well then, it’s finally time to introduce the neighborhood’s key group: the Mu—tu—al—Aid—Squad—

The Mutual Aid Squad, though nominally formed by the neighborhood committee, was actually made up of pre-Apocalypse property staff, migrant workers who’d renovated the north gate, and some naive students. Mostly burly men with solid skills, they could handle dozens of Zombies easily.

Granny Li was elected leader simply because her WeChat group had the most survivors. It suited their rule.

What she didn’t know? They let her strut unchallenged because they couldn’t be bothered. Everyone knew only the highest-ranked member would lead someday.

Granny Li? Just an ignorant clown. They’d never taken her seriously.

“Hey, see that? Inside there…”

Cut to Building 12. Outside, a dozen-strong team lay in ambush by the wall. Eerie crunching echoed from within. One bold man peered through the window. A tall, red-skinned Zombie was savagely devouring a woman.

Gulp…

He nervously swallowed. Beads of cold sweat slid down his forehead. The room was a wreck. The corpse was soaked in blood, torn beyond recognition. The monster gripped her entrails, tearing flesh into its mouth. Horrifyingly bloody!

Strangely, the group didn’t retreat. Their eyes gleamed with excitement.

The reason was simple. Whoever took down this monster would level up fast. They’d become neighborhood leader overnight. Fame and glory awaited today!

“Bro Liu, it looks tough. What do we do?”

“We need bait…”

The workers whispered. Liu Ming’s eyes flashed with ruthlessness. Full name Liu Ming—he’d been a construction foreman before the Apocalypse. Burly and thick-skinned, he gripped a steel pipe with menace. A real tough guy.

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the nearest college student. The kid’s eyes shone with naive stupidity. Liu Ming barked low:

“You. Throw a stone to lure it out!”

“Huh?”

Both crouched under the window. Afraid to alert the Zombie, they spoke in hushed tones. The student’s face flushed with indignation. He shot back:

“Why me? Why don’t you go?”

“Hah, me?”

Liu Ming sneered, eyeing him ruthlessly.

“Aren’t you students and property guys so tough? You fought over every confiscated supply. What? Now you chicken out? Cowards.”

“You!”

The student’s face turned crimson. He forgot the Zombie and yelled:

“It’s you migrant workers with sticky fingers! Wasting food and stealing—that’s why we—”

“Shhh—”

The property manager behind him grabbed his arm, signaling silence.

Everyone froze. They clamped mouths shut and crouched lower. Seconds ticked by. The silence was deafening. Faint, rapid breaths echoed. Tension hung thick.

Luckily, no alarm. The Zombie inside didn’t notice. After a pause, it resumed feasting.

Phew—

Hearing the crunching, all breathed relief.

The manager glanced sideways at Liu Ming. With a hint of disdain, he declared:

“Typical country bumpkin. Can’t rely on you. Since you’re scared, I’ll lure it out!”

He spoke with righteous pride, posing as a role model. Property staff and students admired him.

Liu Ming just smiled slightly, sinister. “Manager Yan, your courage is commendable. By all means.”

“Hmph.”

Manager Yan was the property head and a respected squad member. Future leader? Him or Liu Ming. That’s why he showed off.

Ignoring Liu Ming’s grin, Yan snorted. He grabbed a stone, stood, aimed at the Zombie, and hurled it!

Thud—

The stone slammed into the Zombie’s head. The tall, mutated Zombie paused. Slowly, it turned its head.

Roar—

A piercing roar shook the unit!

Manager Yan’s righteous face paled instantly. Sweat poured down. That eerie roar sounded inhuman—a hellish beast ready to unleash carnage!

The squad gasped. Yan snapped back, backing away while yelling:

“Quick! Get ready to take it down!”

As he shouted, Yan sprinted meters away. Once the Zombie crawled out, ambushers would swarm it.

But things rarely go as planned.

A blood-soaked claw gripped the window edge. Before it fully appeared, its savage aura froze the ambushers in terror!

Then the Zombie emerged. Its blood-covered face had no human features. Teeth bared like a movie alien’s. Only two meters tall, but up close, its muscles were grotesquely dense—ready to burst through skin!

‘This isn’t a Zombie. It’s a pure monster!’

Almost everyone thought the same.

The sight stunned them all. Even Liu Ming’s forehead beaded with sweat. He nearly lost his nerve.

But here’s the twist.

The mutated Zombie ignored others. Its gaze locked solely on Manager Yan. The moment it left the window, it dropped to the ground. Spider-like, it crawled two steps toward him.

Crimson eyes held no humanity. Only thirst to kill!

It lunged! Yan saw only a blur rushing at him. Terrifying speed!

“What are you waiting for? Get it now!”