"What are you standing around for? Attack now!"

Even Director Yan lost his composure at the sight. He fled while screaming in terror.

But it was too late!

The moment the crawler zombie locked onto him, escape became impossible. A shadow lunged—swift as wind—and slammed him to the ground.

"AHHHH!!!"

His shriek tore through the air. In an instant, the zombie pinned him down, immobilizing him.

Razor-sharp claws sank into flesh, tearing skin and muscle apart.

Blood sprayed wildly, sending chills down every spine.

Yet the Mutual Aid Squad merely watched in frozen horror—no one dared step forward. Not even the student Yan had shielded moments ago moved. They stared blankly as he was devoured alive.

"Help! Someone save me!" Yan wailed desperately. His skill-enhanced body meant nothing now.

"Attack! What are you waiting for? AHH!"

His arm snapped off cleanly. Bones crumbled like dry twigs against the zombie’s jagged teeth.

"SAVE MEEEE—!"

His final scream echoed through the compound. Every witness felt their heart hammer, cold sweat drenching their backs.

No one answered his pleas. Soon, Director Yan lay still—a pile of rotten meat being feasted upon, just like the woman inside. He died never understanding why he’d been betrayed, hatred burning in his heart until the end.

Only then did Liu Ming snap back to reality. He bellowed at the squad:

"Now! Finish it!"

The zombie, lost in its feast, had buried its head deep in the corpse.

Perfect chance for an ambush.

At Liu Ming’s shout, the traitors finally moved. They charged with weapons raised from all sides—this was prime EXP!

The slow-witted zombie couldn’t dodge. Blades, axes, bats, and pipes rained down, shredding its body in seconds.

ROOOAR—!

The crawler’s roar was weaker this time. It swiped wildly, trying to scatter its attackers.

Useless. Every eye gleamed with greedy red light—each person craving leadership of the compound. They hacked frenziedly at the beast.

Even a powerful crawler couldn’t withstand such numbers, especially with several Level 3-4 Espers among them.

Just as death neared the zombie—

Liu Ming finally struck! He lunged forward, driving a steel pipe with all his might straight into its skull.

CRACK—!

Bone shattered. The thick pipe jutted grotesquely from the zombie’s head. Liu Ming had waited, using everyone as bait until the creature was nearly dead.

ROAR—

Thud.

The crawler collapsed into a pool of blood after one last gurgle.

As the killer, Liu Ming received the largest EXP boost. A system alert chimed in his mind:

[Combat Power: 27 | Zombies Killed: 72 | Current Level: 6]

"HAHAHAHA! Trash! I’m Level SIX now!"

He whooped with glee.

No one else in the squad had even reached Level 4. Killing the crawler had rocketed him two levels up—he was now the strongest. No more bowing to anyone. He’d rule this compound… no, this entire Apocalypse city!

"Pitiful mutants? Pathetic Apocalypse? Child’s play!"

"The system just unlocked new features for me. I’m clearly the Destined One! HAHAHAHA—"

His arrogant laughter grated on everyone’s nerves. The property staff and students scowled, disgusted by his last-hit theft.

His worker lackeys, however, swarmed around him, fawning. Even a girl from the student team now clung to him.

"Brother Liu’s courage and strategy saved us all!"

"Liu-ge is amazing! So manly! I adore him! Nothing to fear with him leading!"

"You’re our true leader now! This whole compound answers to you!"

...

"HAHAHAHA—"

Their flattery pleased Liu Ming immensely. His booming laughter made others’ skin crawl.

Just as his group reveled—

A modified sedan rolled silently into view. It stopped beside the zombie corpse, cutting their laughter short.

"Duan Heng! All your dawdling let others steal our kill! Pathetic! So damn pathetic!"

"Keep yelling and I’ll kiss you. Think carefully."

"Ugh! Who do you think you’re threatening, bastard!"

...

"Fine! I’ll shut up! Don’t come near me!"

Muffled bickering drifted from the car—almost playful. The squad exchanged confused glances.

The window slid down, revealing Duan Heng’s sharp profile. Beside him sat Bai Ling, flushed and quiet. Duan Heng stared at the corpse, his expression unreadable.

[Crawler (Juvenile): Evolved from common zombies. One step from maturity. Possesses unnatural speed and strength. Claws can snap rebar.]

[Combat Power: 15~25]

[Intelligence: 1]

[Skills: None]

[Attributes: None]

His ‘Scan’ ability had activated.

Before Duan Heng finished analyzing—

Liu Ming sauntered over, a lecherous grin spreading. He leaned on the car roof, peering down at them with greedy eyes.

"Kid, here to hunt zombies too? Nice ride. Pity you’re late—*I* took all the EXP."

He leered at Bai Ling, his smirk dripping with arrogance. Then his gaze truly landed on her face—and froze. Pure terror flashed in his eyes. *Such beauty actually exists?!*

Bai Ling shifted uncomfortably under his stare. Silently, she raised her middle finger.

Duan Heng remained calm. He offered a faint smile.

"Mutant zombies are dangerous. Celebrating after just one kill invites trouble."

"Trouble?" Liu Ming’s grin turned vicious. His voice dripped with threat.

"Maybe for you. But I’m Level SIX now. Bring on two more—I’ll crush them! Listen up: This compound is *mine* now. Everyone obeys Liu Ming. That includes you two. Got it?"

...

"Liu-ge is unstoppable!"

"Only Liu-ge could do this!"

His declaration sparked immediate cheers.

Then someone recognized Duan Heng’s face.

"Wait—isn’t that Duan Heng? The guy who ate lamb chops this morning!"

"What? That selfish bastard?"

Their shouts carried clearly. Instantly, the crowd turned hostile.

"Yeah! We cleared zombies for him yesterday—he didn’t even say thanks!"

"Bet he hasn’t killed a single zombie! Probably still Level 1!"

"Coward. His wife’s so unlucky stuck with him. Nothing like Liu-ge~! This place has no room for trash like you! Get lost!"

The insults flew. The student girl even hooked her arm through Liu Ming’s, sneering at Duan Heng while fawning over him.

Liu Ming shook her off impatiently.

Bai Ling’s radiance eclipsed all others. He’d decided the moment he saw her: he *would* possess this goddess. By any means necessary.

True Apocalypse power meant owning both strength and beauty—and Liu Ming believed he deserved it all.

...

"I heard you’ve hoarded supplies at home?"

Liu Ming leaned closer, his voice icy. A cruel smile played on his lips.

"Don’t worry. As a fellow resident, I’ll *take good care* of you and your little girlfriend. I’ll visit your villa soon. Prepare yourselves… hehehe…"

"I look forward to it."

Duan Heng’s calm reply only confirmed Liu Ming’s contempt.

As Liu Ming fantasized about killing Duan Heng tonight and claiming Bai Ling—

Duan Heng’s smile sharpened. He added softly:

"But first… a warning."

"Huh?" Liu Ming blinked, confused.

Duan Heng’s gentle tone never wavered.

"The zombie you killed… isn’t the one posted in the group chat."

"??!?"

The car window snapped shut.

On the distant rooftop stairs, two crimson zombies were crawling down the walls—faster and larger than the juvenile crawler.

The earlier roars hadn’t been rage.

They’d been a call for backup.