"Whirrr~~~"

The helicopter’s spinning blades roared deafeningly. Even from the ground, I heard them clearly!

"Damn it!!"

I slammed my fist on the handlebars. Too late. Nothing mattered now. The chopper’s "whirr! whirr! whirr!" grew louder as it flew overhead. I watched it pass my house, heading east.

Too late… The helicopter was lost. But… as I stood silent, papers fluttered down through the heavy rain.

"What’s that?!"

I gasped, staring dumbly at the sheet on the ground. It… wasn’t dissolving. Waterproof paper?

Ignoring the downpour, I jumped out of the car. I grabbed the nearest sheet and ran back.

Rain poured over me, carrying a hint of chill. I sprinted hard, but soaked through anyway.

I felt for my military knife. My Samurai Sword and Great Black Eagle were in the back seat—too bulky for driving.

Might as well just go home!

I dashed to the car, yanked the keys out, slammed the door, and hit the lock. Then I rounded the corner and sprinted upstairs.

My apartment was at the building’s eastern end. Just past the turn was my entrance.

I burst into the stairwell, breathing hard. Drenched. But… should I collect rainwater for later?

I climbed the stairs, unlocked my door, and tossed the paper on the sofa. Water droplets shook right off—latest waterproof material. No time to check. I grabbed every container from the kitchen and bathroom.

I carried them downstairs. Braving the rain, I placed them where clean rain fell, avoiding roof runoff. Then I went to Brother Liu’s place, took more containers, and set them out too.

And the two Zombies in the stairwell…

I softened. These were people I knew—Brother Liu and his sister, Liu Jia.

The helicopter was gone. No rush to the city hospital now. I took two sheets—one for Liu Jia, one for Brother Liu—and carried their bodies out.

Leaving them there meant seeing them daily. Worse, they’d attract insects. Those bugs might carry the virus. I didn’t want silent infection.

Besides, I still didn’t know how the virus spread.

Like in "Yu Deshui’s Diary"—just chaos. No details on triggers: what was touched, eaten, or drunk. Nothing recorded.

If airborne, wouldn’t the virus be everywhere now?

That didn’t make sense. Any virus dies in a day of summer sun. If insects spread it…

Very possible.

But local spread was one thing. This was global. Other nations wouldn’t ignore such a virus—they’d send troops.

They must have fallen too. That explained no foreign aid after a month.

Still, better cautious. Boil the rainwater. Avoid insects.

I dragged the bodies to the garden. Their features faint under the sheets. My heart felt heavy.

"Sorry, Brother Liu, Sister Liu Jia. This is all I can do. It’s getting dark—I won’t risk burying you tonight. Bear with it. Tomorrow, when rain stops, I’ll find a shovel and bury you."

I rambled to the corpses. Souls might not exist, but if they did, I hoped they wouldn’t blame me.

After a moment, I sighed and turned back. Already soaked—extra rain didn’t matter.

I looked up at the stormy sky. My mind calmed slightly. I’ve always loved rain. Any mood, rain brings deep peace.

Different from "sage mode." This calm felt like my whole body… relaxing.

My hat was soaked too. I could ditch this shirt, but not the hat. Not until I found a replacement.

"Guess I’ll have to wash it?"

I sighed. I’m… good at everything. Heavy work, fine tasks—washing dishes, chopping veggies—I’m smooth. Dragon Peak even said, "Your knife skills could make you a chef! Want me to introduce top chefs?"

But that’s why I wield my blades well. Without that foundation, facing Zombies with one weak spot… I’d be dead by now.

Remembering old times was fun. Boring days, but no constant alertness. No guard down. Living like this is so exhausting…

Lost in thought, I walked back to the stairwell. Before my door, I stripped right there. Bundled the wet clothes, tossed them out, and shut the security gate—safer. But the stairwell turned eerily dark.

Naked and chilly, I entered Brother Liu’s apartment. Set my gear on a cabinet. Filled a basin in the kitchen. Headed for the bathroom…

Walking, I suddenly remembered the paper in my place. What did it say?

Maybe… a pleasant surprise?

"Better wash fast and check. Worrying won’t help!"

As I entered the bathroom, a sharp pain gripped my stomach!

"Ugh!! Is this… really just a stomachache? What’s this feeling… WTF!! What the hell is this?!"