September 11th, 2027. The sky was clear blue. I stood beneath the high wall, knees slightly bent. Pushing off hard, I felt weightless for a split second. My hands gripped the wall’s edge. Muscles strained—I hauled myself up.

Below sprawled a spacious villa district. Dozens of two-story homes, each with its own iron-fenced courtyard. I balanced on the wall’s edge. Below, a small park with a statue held three or four Zombies wandering aimlessly. Far enough not to spot me.

I glanced down. Thick grass cushioned the drop—likely untouched since the outbreak. This wealthy area hadn’t fallen into chaos. *Makes sense*, I thought. *Rich people don’t hole up like I did*.

I dropped three meters, landing soundlessly on the soft turf. My hand instinctively gripped the Samurai Sword at my waist.

Tall weeds brushed my calves on both sides—unmowed for a month. I crouched low, scanning. Peaceful. Only grasshoppers rustled in the foliage.

*Insects… immune to the virus?*

My mind raced. *Never been in this villa zone before. Need a working vehicle. Those Zombies near the park… means no mutated creatures here. Good sign.*

I edged toward the community gate. *Gotta map this place. Find cars. Keys. Anything.* The guardhouse beside the entrance might hold answers.

I avoided the main road. Too exposed. Didn’t know Zombie eyesight—but better safe. Sticking to the wall’s shadow, I crept through the grass. The gate faced south. *Huaguo’s rich always follow feng shui*, I recalled. I’d passed this gate often, glimpsing only gardens beyond.

Two guards usually manned it—one standing watch, one resting. Unless bad weather drove them inside.

I pushed aside the third ornamental shrub’s branches—

A rotting face lunged at me!

“Ghh—!”

*Buzzzzzz—*

I clamped a hand over my mouth, stumbling back. Flies swarmed like a living curtain. My combat knife flashed out—

*Wait.*

It was just a corpse.

No pounce. No snarl. Relief turned to nausea as I took in the bloated, maggot-riddled face. A bloodstained pink dress. Her skirt was hiked up, lower body exposed.

*Human work?*

Gagging, I forced myself closer. Beneath decay, her frame had been striking. Rich folks here obsessed over looks—whitening treatments, plastic surgery. Commonplace.

A small purse lay spilled nearby. An ID card half-buried in the grass caught my eye.

I sidestepped the corpse, picked it up.

*Wang Lin.*

The photo showed a beautiful woman. Natural beauty meant even better made-up.

I pocketed a keychain from the grass. Then noticed what others wouldn’t: a deep gash circling her neck.

*Knife wound.*

*But… in the old world, a body here would’ve been found instantly. So—*

Murdered during the outbreak. Raped first—her underwear discarded nearby, legs splayed. Left to rot. Rain stains darkened her dress.

*If I’m right… the killer’s still inside this district.*

A chill shot through me.

*I’m far prettier than she was. Not disrespect—just truth. If he killed her in the chaos… he’ll want me too.*