"Huff..."

But just as I breathed a sigh of relief, a heavy, rasping breath suddenly sounded right next to my ear!

In an instant!

I whipped my head around!

"Gaaah!!!!"

Zombie!! It was actually a child-sized zombie, looking about seven or eight years old!!

And this little zombie wasn’t growling like a typical zombie—it let out a piercing, shrill scream instead!

"Die!!"

I swung my military knife instinctively. But to my shock, this short creature was incredibly fast!!

He... could actually hop back and forth inside the spacious car!!

*Thud!* My knife missed. The tiny zombie leaped to the front windshield in a flash. As I turned, I instinctively drew my waist pistol!

Just as I pulled it out, a horribly twisted face filled my vision!

"Gaaah!!!!"

*Bang!!!*

With the gun pressed under the zombie child’s chin, I fired. Instantly, it shuddered violently. In a lightning flash, its head *pop!* exploded—a bowl-sized hole oozing thick red, black, and yellow fluids that splattered across the entire car ceiling!

*Splat, splat, splat~*

The sticky liquid hit the fuzzy roof lining, then dripped down like rain with a squelching sound. The foul stench made me vomit.

"Urgh..."

I bent forward sharply. Stomach contents surged to my mouth—I spat out yellow bile. The little zombie lay twisted at my feet, its distorted face staring right at me. A bowl-sized hole in its head slowly dripped viscous goo...

I froze.

But the world doesn’t revolve around me...

*Thump, thump, thump!!*

The pounding snapped me out of my daze. Luckily, I sat in the passenger seat. I forced my eyes away from the zombie below. My mind flashed to the car’s owner—the woman with the completely twisted ankle.

"I never thought... you’d both die by my hand."

I jammed the key into the ignition and twisted hard. A wave of sorrow washed over me as I muttered.

*Squeak, squeak, squeak~~~ Vrooom~~~*

"You must’ve been mother and daughter, right?" I glanced at the blood-soaked zombie child. Gore covered the steering wheel, gearshift, and seats—but I had no time to care.

*Vroom~ vroom~ vroom~*

I revved the engine three times. Then slammed the gear into reverse! Instinctively, I checked the rearview mirror. A zombie stood right there!

"Die!"

Gritting my teeth, I stomped the gas pedal. My hips jolted as the car lurched backward!

*Crash!*

A loud crunch echoed. Vibrations shuddered through the chassis. I didn’t stop—I just kept stomping the pedal wildly!

*Vroooom!!!*

The engine roared. The car sped backward, plowing through several zombies. I shifted gears, floored the accelerator again, and shot forward!!

*Squeal, squeal, squeal~~~*

Even inside, I heard the tires screeching and engine roaring. The cabin reeked of gore. Outside, a horde of zombies. I was drenched in blood, my hair sticky with viscous slime.

But this was the only luxury car I’d ever driven in my life!

A... Land Rover!

*Vroooom!!!*

The car surged forward, pushing me hard into the seat. I rarely drove, but I knew the basics—license or not...

That bastard Dragon Peak had pushed me to learn. But as an author, my job was writing at home. Driving was pointless for me...

I’d never admit it! It was because I couldn’t afford one!

"Never!!"

Random thoughts swirled in my head as I drove off.

I plowed through a dozen zombies, heading straight for the next intersection. I’d loop around and go home—no rush now that I had wheels.

Plus, this new state left me utterly exhausted. I craved sleep. After this crossroads, I’d turn straight home... For Huaguo people, home... is everything.

I pressed the window button. With a mechanical whir, wind rushed in, clearing the stench—and revealing...

Zombies blanketing the entire street!

"Holy shit!!"

I yanked the steering wheel. My stunned mind barely registered it—the Land Rover didn’t flip! It skidded sideways, stopping dead center in the intersection!

I’d come from the west. When the car faced north, I saw where all the zombies had gone.

Packed tight, pitch-black... endless zombies. I was speechless. Mechanically, I turned the wheel. The Land Rover spun around and sped back the way I came...

"No looping... straight home."

After a minute, I neared another intersection. My nerves still hadn’t calmed. That sheer number terrified me—no Vulcan cannon could save me there!

But... luckily, no horde waited here. My tension eased. Earlier, passing the hospital, I’d checked carefully. In the building opposite the back entrance, I’d seen an open door—and beside it, a brand-new bread bag...

The little girl must’ve escaped safely. That bag... was the one I gave Bai Xiao. I’d clearly seen the "Taoli" brand—thanks to my unnaturally sharp vision. Yet... for this weird state, I still didn’t know whether to feel grateful or bitter...

After all, it might’ve caused this hellish world—the virus’s doing, perhaps?

Thinking all the way... I drove toward familiar streets...

My home... wasn’t far now.