"Squelch!"

Without hesitation, I yanked the Dagger out. The next second, the Zombie stumbled two more steps before collapsing face-first on the ground.

Two Zombies appeared instantly. I didn’t hesitate—I fired twice. At point-blank range, with my enhanced strength, both shots hit perfectly!

"Bang! Bang!"

They dropped with the gunshots. But my pistol was empty now. Simultaneously, a Zombie lunged from the door’s side!

Instinctively, I holstered the gun and whipped out my fruit knife, hurling it forward.

"Thud!"

The blade sank deep into the Zombie’s skull. As it fell, the handle snapped off, leaving the metal buried in its brain.

*Run!!*

Louder, chaotic footsteps pounded in my ears. I had to flee—but the moment I decided, I snapped out of that state. A flood of exhaustion surged through me, nearly knocking me unconscious.

My vision blacked out. I bit my tongue hard—sharp pain jolted me awake! The footsteps were right behind me now!!

My legs buckled. I barely steadied myself as a shadow swelled in the iron door’s corner.

"Roar!!"

Here it came!!

No time to think—I spun and scrambled upstairs, clinging to the railing. My body screamed to collapse.

Gritting my teeth, I forced my jelly-like legs upward. It felt like I’d spent the whole night overdoing it—standing made my calves tremble!

Every step burned; muscles and bones ached. My knees gave way repeatedly, but I pushed through.

Seconds passed. By the corner, Zombies were already swarming the stairs!

"Tch!"

I strained upward, more fast-walking than running. But the Zombies were unnaturally swift!

As I reached the sixth floor, they were barely six steps behind!

"Open the door!!"

My voice was weak. I’d wait out this fatigue. Twenty Zombies trailed me—three or four shots would clear them.

But… the sixth-floor iron door stayed shut!

"Big sister, run!! Mom won’t open it—wahh!!"

The girl’s cry cut through, then muffled—someone covered her mouth!

"Damn it!!"

I cursed. I’d planned everything… only to be betrayed by that woman!!

No words left—I bolted upward again. The Zombies were less than a meter away!!

*Too late!!*

From the corner of my eye, their clumsy bodies strained to grab me. Despair crashed over me.

No!!!

I won’t die here!! If… if I could just re-enter that state!!

"Last stand!!"

I roared, forcing my mind to focus!

*It’s coming… yes, yes!! It’s here!!*

The world slowed. Zombies moved like statues, yet I felt my body buckling under the strain.

Still—I could fight!

Ignoring the pain, I dashed up. Leaping three steps at a time, I reached the sixth-seventh floor corner in seconds. The Zombies had just rounded the sixth-floor door!

*Chance!*

A life-or-death gamble.

If I fail… I’d still want a cigarette first.

I pulled out a Changbai Mountain cigarette, clamping it between my teeth. From my backpack, I grabbed two alcohol bottles. I hurled the first. Mid-throw, I lit the second with my lighter!

This superhuman state held. I even used the bottle’s blue flame to light my smoke.

Orange glow flared as I inhaled deeply. Leaning against the wall, I watched the Zombies charge. My vision blurred.

*Overexertion…?*

With the last of my strength, I tossed the burning bottle. I breathed in, then whispered weakly…

"Die… monsters…"

"Boom!!"

The final thing I saw was that orange blaze and the searing heat…