Zombies feel no pain and fear no death. Theoretically, at the same level, a zombie's combat power far exceeds a human's. Without firearms, humans need level ten to solo a mature zombie unscathed. That's why Liu Ming barely killed one small crawler with a group before.
But this theory didn't apply to Bai Ling and Duan Heng. Duan Heng had vast Apocalypse experience. Against mindless zombies, overcoming stronger foes was effortless. His own power was absurdly high anyway.
As for Bai Ling...
ROOOOAR—
The Charger zombie charged step by step. Buildings trembled under its terrifying weight. The ground shook. Its roars shook the sky. Like a mad bull, it was unstoppable. Any normal person would feel their knees weaken.
But this time, Bai Ling's gaze stayed utterly calm. She'd been startled by its size at first. After three days of Apocalypse trials and Duan Heng's training, she faced zombies with ease. Even elites held no fear.
'Terrible speed and power! A hit would leave me half-dead!'
'But... too clumsy!'
A confident smile curved her lips. The Charger was only three meters away! Its massive fist swung down. Fierce wind pressure hit her first.
Just before impact, Bai Ling calmly lowered her stance and sidestepped. The fist grazed above her head, missing every hair. No arrogance showed. Her eyes turned icy. She swung her arms. Her figure flashed forward like a white specter. A blade gleamed sharply!
Whoosh!
The Charger stood numbly behind her, charge halted.
The next second—
SPLAT—
Gore erupted from its waist, gushing like a fountain! Its huge body crumpled like paper under the alloy blade. Not a trace of resistance.
THUD—
The zombie collapsed. Mighty as it was, it became prey at her feet. Bai Ling had learned her lesson. Even silent, she turned and swung again—beheading it cleanly.
CRACK!
Blood splattered. The head rolled away. A system chime sounded in her mind:
'Combat Index: 29. Zombies slain: 0.6k. Current level: 8.'
'Leveled up? Elites give so many stats!'
'Now I can finally catch up to him. Heh heh!'
Bai Ling grinned smugly. She glanced back at Duan Heng, like a child showing off grades.
'Be cautious. Finish off enemies. Stay alert. Obey orders!'
'I learn fast, huh~'
Sunlight bathed her innocent smile. Tilting her head, she looked adorably silly. Duan Heng nodded in approval. He walked over, patting her head warmly:
"Well done. Single mature zombies won't threaten you now."
"Heh heh, of course~"
Bai Ling lifted her chin proudly, squinting like a spoiled little white cat. After becoming the Ultimate Matriarch, she'd shrunk. Next to Duan Heng, she had to look up.
'Mmm, rub my head properly. Pet my face too. I'm strong now, listening to you~'
...
'Wait...?'
'Hold on?!'
'This isn't right!'
'Who let you touch my head?!'
SNAP—
Duan Heng was still rubbing when a small hand grabbed his arm. He looked down. Bai Ling glared, teeth clenched, eyes resentful. Fiercely adorable. She was angry about the head pat again.
Duan Heng showed no remorse. He wrapped his other arm around her waist. Smiling at her stunned face:
"Why bare your teeth? Want another spanking?"
"Huh?! What?!"
Startled, Bai Ling flushed slightly. Her pink lips parted dumbly for two seconds before she protested:
"I-it's not that! Don't touch my head!"
"Alright, no touching~"
He replied fondly, rubbing his chin on her forehead. Warmth and roughness deepened her blush. Her gaze grew dazed. She shrank back, turning away:
'H-he's underhanded! Don't rub my chin on my face! Ugh...'
'If you do this, I might... might...'
Her heart churned, just like after his last kiss.
--The couple embraced on the Apocalypse wasteland, surrounded by low-level zombie corpses. Such a vivid scene stirred the imagination.
Bai Ling closed her eyes tightly, expecting the indescribable. But Duan Heng's gaze turned cold. Seriously:
"Instead of this, let's run for our lives."
"Huh? Run? Why?"
Held in his arms, she blinked dumbly. Her face resisted, yet her hands clutched his waist obediently.
Duan Heng explained calmly:
"If we don't run now, zombies will eat us alive."
"Hah?"
Bai Ling snapped alert. She turned to look—
The Charger's roar and thick blood stench had drawn them. Hundreds of zombies gathered in the distance! Packed tight, streets blocked completely. Several elites mixed in. She'd never seen such numbers since the Apocalypse.
ROOOOAR—
Zombies screeched hoarsely. Eerie cries echoed, chilling the streets. Some shuffled. Others crawled. Most charged like beasts, lolling putrid crimson tongues.
"Hey! This is bad! Why say it now?!"
Bai Ling sucked in a sharp breath. Panicked, she pounded Duan Heng's chest.
Before she could fight, her feet left the ground. Duan Heng swept her up in a princess carry again!
"Whoa! What are you doing?!"
She cried out, struggling. So many zombies were no joke!
Duan Heng stayed calm. He cradled her, smiled down, and kissed her forehead—pop.
"Don't worry. Running now isn't too late."
"What?!"
Urgency drowned the kiss. Bai Ling just widened her eyes in terror.
Next second, wind howled. The scene blurred. The world rushed downward!
When she focused, Duan Heng had carried her over ten meters high!
'Are you Superman?! Who let you jump this high—'
Screaming inwardly, Bai Ling tightened her arms around his neck.
Before the zombies' eyes, they leaped to the third floor of a nearby office building.
