As expected…

My words came true—I’m back again…

A wave of dejection washed over me. Just outside the residential complex, I realized I’d forgotten the Great Black Eagle.

I rushed back. I couldn’t miss that helicopter. Even if I didn’t board it, just getting some intel would satisfy me.

Walking home, I recalled my parting words. Embarrassment flooded me. Thankfully, no one knew.

I didn’t even take off my flip-flops. Liu Jia’s were too big, so these were more practical. Shoes mattered now—bad footwear could mean death while running.

I lifted the bed. The pneumatic pump made it easy. Underneath lay a large case. I unlocked it quickly and pulled out its contents.

Heavy. Nearly twenty pounds with bolts. Plus the electronic infrared sight and maintenance kit. I grabbed my backpack, stuffed everything in, and slipped on the gloves.

Dragon Peak once said the Great Black Eagle lacked precision due to vibration. After much thought, I’d wrapped burlap around the dampening parts. It helped.

I took extra burlap from the pack. Wrapped the grip. Then the steel ring on the shoulder stock. Left a half-meter tail. Secured the crossbow to my backpack with a slipknot. The loose end hung by my left hand—just a tug to release it.

I checked the bolts. Twenty left, plus the quiver. I slung it over my shoulder.

Standing up, the weight hit me. Backpack, crossbow, Samurai Sword—it felt secure but cumbersome.

“I need a ride,” I muttered. “Something to carry gear. Just weapons on me.”

I hesitated. The eastern villas might have vehicles. A rugged SUV like the Land Rover I’d driven back would be ideal. But motorcycles were better for tight spots.

Not now. I set the backpack down.

I kept only weapons and light supplies: candy, chocolate, two water bottles. Essentials I’d saved for emergencies. Water might be gone forever now.

If I boarded the helicopter, the pack didn’t matter. My skills would feed me at the settlement. If not, I’d return for it.

I’d wanted to sleep. The shower eased my fatigue, but I was still drained. That superhuman state today had taken its toll.

I strapped the Great Black Eagle to my back. Samurai Sword on my left hip. Pistol on the right. Combat knife on my chest. Fully armed. Ready.

I tried to feel pumped. But my cold nature wouldn’t allow it.

Locking the door, I headed out. First, a vehicle. Then the city hospital. And shoes—flip-flops wouldn’t cut it.

I walked downstairs, glancing east. Two blocks to the villa district. My neighborhood was poor, but those villas had walls and hills beyond.

I’d never entered before—guards, cameras, strict rules. Now, no worries. The wall was low. I could jump it.

I unslung the Great Black Eagle, handling it freely. No fear of police raids anymore.

The crossbow weighed heavily—seventeen pounds bare. A foot stirrup helped cock it. The torsion mechanism reduced strain, but the 40-kilo draw force still demanded both hands.

I pulled a bolt from the quiver. Simple design: steel tip, plastic fletching.

I tried drawing it one-handed. Strained, but it moved. Before, I’d needed both hands.

“This virus changed me this much?” I froze, then chuckled bitterly.

“I’m a woman now. A little strength? Hehe~”

I acted cute. Then shuddered. A chill shot up my spine. My hair stood on end.

“Ugh!!!”

Why did that come so naturally?

I shook it off. “You’re a man! You’re a man! You’re a man!”

I looked down.

“Well… no man has two peaks like these.”

Lost in thought, I fiddled with the crossbow. Ahead, a Zombie wandered. No hesitation. I raised the Great Black Eagle. Peered through the infrared sight. Focused on its head. Exhaled. Pulled the trigger.

Twang!!!

A blur shot forward. The Zombie’s head splattered. Its body flew half a meter. Thud! It collapsed.

One shot. One kill.

“Powerful thing,” I murmured. Cold steel’s king. That speed, impact, penetration—any hit would erase a fighter instantly.

I slung the crossbow back. Approached the corpse. Bolts were reusable. The steel tips rarely bent.

I bent to retrieve it. A shadow flickered in my peripheral vision. Instinct kicked in. I leaped back—three meters per jump now.

I landed, drawing my Samurai Sword with a hiss. Then I saw it.

“What the hell is that?!”

A long… rope? No. Flesh. Moving.

“A tongue!”

My eyes traced it upward. Stuck upside down on a wall. Its skin matched the concrete—perfect camouflage.

Its bones were wrong. Not like the green mutants. At least they stood human-like. This thing had five fingers… but its feet were hand-like too. Without the head, I couldn’t tell top from bottom.

“Damn it! The virus just hit a month ago. How is this possible?!”

As I spoke, it scrambled up the wall. Unnaturally fast.

Closing in on me.