Chapter 68 — Chaos
The woman’s screams mixed with the terrified shouts of the crowd. No one spared her a glance — everyone only wanted to survive. As for others… well, as long as they weren’t the ones dying, wasn’t that what mattered? Someone else’s death might even help clear a path for escape.
After pushing the girl away, Xu Bin frantically shoved deeper into the crowd. He was tall, muscular, and strong — that was why, even without an ability, he’d been recognized as their leader. As he forced his way through, several weaker people were knocked to the ground, trampled underfoot, while Xu Bin himself managed to slip through the iron gate unharmed.
The corners of Yan Fei’s lips curved into a meaningful smile. He raised a finger and pointed toward the massive iron gate, which was rattling loudly under the desperate shoves of those fleeing for their lives.
At the same time, Xu Bin slowed his steps. Standing just inside the gate, he paused to catch his breath, then immediately began cursing at the few companions who had managed to rush in before him.
Those few, seeing that he’d made it in and that the remaining zombies weren’t following right away, stopped for a moment and didn’t continue running deeper inside. After all, if they left Xu Bin behind now, they knew the punishment awaiting them later wouldn’t just be a few harsh words.
“Screeeech—”
A piercing metallic sound made everyone’s teeth ache. The people facing Xu Bin froze in horror as they saw the huge iron gate behind him begin to tilt — slowly collapsing in their direction!
Xu Bin, having survived more than one brush with death, reacted instantly. He turned at the sound and saw what was happening, his eyes going wide with terror. He bolted toward the residential compound — but before he’d run more than a few steps, several metal bars broke free from the falling gate and came crashing straight down toward his head!
“Clang—crash—” A deafening noise split the air. The people running for their lives instinctively glanced toward the source of the sound — the once-shut gate had completely fallen, crushing several unlucky people beneath it. And right after, the zombies shambled eagerly through the opening, their steps uneven yet full of hungry excitement…
Luo Xun’s expression was calm and resolute. He didn’t spare the fallen gate or the crushed people even a second glance. Slamming the accelerator, he sped through the newly widened passage and didn’t stop until they reached the building where they lived. Pulling up in front, he parked the car neatly, and both he and Yan Fei got out cautiously.
Yan Fei carried a composite crossbow freshly taken from his backpack, while several sharp, cone-shaped steel needles floated in a protective ring around him. At his waist coiled a newly formed metal belt — all of it made from spare metal they had deliberately stored in the car’s cabin ceiling, just in case they ever needed extra material for weapons without dismantling their own vehicle.
They moved quickly toward their apartment building. Because they lived in the innermost one, there weren’t many people fleeing in the same direction. Many of the residents were still outside the compound on errands or work details, so the number of people nearby wasn’t large. Unfortunately, it was currently noon — lunch and rest time — and the base’s food stalls had just opened for business. Many of those who’d stayed behind had gone out to buy food, leaving the residential area underpopulated.
Luo Xun raised his crossbow and shot down a zombie that was stumbling excitedly toward them. He and Yan Fei advanced one after the other, guarding both front and rear as they slipped quietly up the stairs. The stairwell wasn’t chaotic yet — though a few residents were rushing home to take shelter, there weren’t enough people to cause a jam.
The two climbed carefully, pausing to listen for any noise on each floor. Hearing no sounds of zombies or screams, they finally allowed themselves a small breath of relief.
As they continued upward, footsteps suddenly echoed from below. Luo Xun, walking behind, spun around sharply — his black, cold-looking crossbow already raised and aimed down the stairs. Yan Fei slowed, splitting his focus to keep an eye on the situation behind them.
A group of people rounded the landing, running upward — only to freeze when they saw weapons aimed at them. The man in front tripped in fright, collapsing onto the person behind him. Fortunately, they were on a flat landing and not the steps themselves, or else they might have all gone tumbling down.
When the group recognized Luo Xun and Yan Fei — especially the glinting circle of steel needles hovering beside Yan Fei — their faces paled instantly. They stumbled back two steps, and one of them croaked hoarsely, “…We don’t mean any harm, we’re just trying to get home…”
Luo Xun blinked in mild surprise. Well, what a coincidence — the world was big, but fate really liked playing games. His gaze swept over them, landing on the woman at the back of the group — the same one with striking red lipstick. She was none other than the infamous female leader of the Rose Mercenary Corps and her boyfriend, both of whom he had encountered before.
Scanning them briefly, Luo Xun confirmed that none of them appeared injured. He then gave Yan Fei a small nod, and the two continued up the stairs. The group below, however, didn’t dare follow too closely; they left nearly half a flight’s distance between them before proceeding.
When Luo Xun and Yan Fei finally reached the sixteenth floor safely, Yan Fei unlocked the heavy metal door. After checking to ensure the hallway was clear, they exhaled in relief. He replaced the main lock with a chain lock — just in case Li Tie and the others came back later and needed to get in — and finally stepped inside their apartment.
They dropped their weapons and backpacks, setting down everything they’d carried for protection.
A small creature came bounding toward them, tail flicking so fast it was almost invisible, hopping around them in excitement.
Seeing the little thing, the tension that had gripped Luo Xun’s nerves finally melted away. He crouched, gently rubbed its head, then scratched its tiny upturned belly before walking toward the large table in the living room — where the radio sat waiting.
Yan Fei took off his jacket and first went to the balcony and the living room window to check the situation outside. Although there were some zombies in the neighborhood, their number wasn’t large.
The familiar crackling sound came from the radio on the table, but there was no host’s voice this time.
Luo Xun also walked to the large living room window and observed outside. After a while, he asked in a low voice, “It seems like no one in our area has turned into a zombie yet?”
Yan Fei picked up the binoculars and looked toward the nearby apartment buildings, then shook his head. “I didn’t see anything, but even if someone did turn, it might not be visible right away.”
As for whether anyone farther away had turned into a zombie inside their home — that they had no way of knowing.
While they were still watching, a sudden “Woooo—” sounded, startling the two of them, who had just begun to calm down. Even the little dog jumped up, tensing as it barked toward the window.
“It sounds like… an air raid siren?” Luo Xun looked uncertainly at Yan Fei. Yan Fei nodded slightly. Then, at the same moment, they both heard a voice come from the radio on the table — and from the loudspeakers hanging throughout the streets outside.
“…A sudden zombie virus outbreak has occurred inside the base. All residents, please remain calm and do not panic. Take shelter in a safe location… If there are zombies in your home, isolate them in a separate room and hang a white cloth outside your window to alert military personnel. The army has begun operations — please remain calm…”
The repeated announcements from the radio and the loudspeakers filled the base with tension. People who hadn’t known about the new outbreak grew terrified upon hearing the message. Those still outside rushed frantically toward their homes — but in their panic, they ran into wandering zombies on the streets, adding to the chaos.
Some who managed to reach their homes locked their doors tight. But once zombies began roaming the stairwells, anyone who arrived later — no matter how desperately they pounded on the doors — wasn’t let in.
Because of the housing shortage, many people in the base had been sharing apartments with strangers. They weren’t necessarily close — in some cases, it was like living in a dormitory where people barely greeted one another. So now, faced with this situation, few dared to open the door — afraid that the person outside was being followed by zombies, or worse, might already be injured and infected.
Those who possessed abilities or had exceptional strength, when turned away, sometimes lost their temper and broke the doors down by force, getting into fights with the residents inside.
The entire base descended into chaos. Military trucks sped down the streets, sweeping up zombies, but since many soldiers were already deployed outside the base — working on fortifications or missions — the combat units available inside were limited. The confusion lasted until nightfall.
Luo Xun glanced at the clock on the wall and switched off the radio, which had been endlessly repeating the same broadcast. “They still haven’t come back.”
Yan Fei knew he meant Li Tie and the others. “They were at the military camp when the outbreak happened. It’s much safer there. I doubt they’ll come back until everything’s completely settled.”
Li Tie and the others were indeed safer — they’d been in the camp when the outbreak began. Unless the camp itself had been infected, they should be fine. As long as they were back at their post and not in the crowded mess hall, the situation shouldn’t be too bad.
Zhang Su, however, might be in more danger. He was in the hospital, after all. If someone who’d been bitten was sent there… But considering the old man’s strength, ordinary zombies probably wouldn’t be able to do anything to him even if they surrounded him.
They waited until nearly midnight, realizing that Li Tie’s group likely wouldn’t return that night. Only then did they go upstairs to rest.
As for whether to go out tomorrow — the afternoon broadcast had already announced that all work in the base was suspended until every zombie was eliminated.
The next morning, they checked around again, confirming that Li Tie’s group still hadn’t returned. Then they turned on the radio. After the usual message urging citizens to stay calm, it repeated the same instructions — workers involved in construction or other base projects should not go out today; family members of those who hadn’t returned shouldn’t worry, since most had already been evacuated to safe zones. Once the base was confirmed to be completely free of zombies, everything would return to normal.
Early in the morning, military trucks once again drove through the quiet streets, packed with soldiers. From the window, Luo Xun and Yan Fei could see the situation outside. There were no more zombies wandering the residential area — soldiers had come the previous afternoon and night to clear them all out.
This outbreak had happened suddenly. Many people caught in the busy commercial areas didn’t react in time and were bitten, turning into zombies on the spot. Fortunately, the overall number wasn’t large — the chaos was mainly because it happened during lunchtime, when many were out shopping or eating.
“The cleanup this time is moving fast. Looks like they’ll have everything cleared out by tomorrow,” Luo Xun said, leaning by the window as he watched a military truck pull into the complex. The soldiers began checking each building, knocking on doors and dealing with rooms that had white cloths hanging from the windows.
“How did the zombies appear in the first place?” Yan Fei frowned slightly. He had been wondering since yesterday — how could the virus suddenly break out in so many places at once? Even if someone accidentally brought the virus into the base, it shouldn’t have spread simultaneously like this.
Luo Xun shook his head, equally puzzled. “There must be some special cause.” They’d have to wait for the military’s investigation. As long as they found the source or at least a possible explanation, they could prevent it from happening again.
Footsteps echoed in the stairwell, getting closer. Luo Xun and Yan Fei hurried to the door — and when they saw who it was, both smiled in relief.
It was Lieutenant Ding.
Lieutenant Ding came up with two soldiers, took a quick look around, and asked, “Just the two of you here?”
“Zhang Su should still be at the hospital, and Li Tie’s team is likely still at the camp. We came back yesterday at noon and haven’t seen them since,” Luo Xun replied.
Lieutenant Ding suddenly understood. “Then they probably haven’t left yet. Not just them — everyone who was working outside yesterday didn’t come back. The base arranged temporary lodging for them. You two are alright here, right?”
There were only a few households on this floor, and with just Luo Xun and Yan Fei at home, the inspection was quick — they didn’t even need to go inside.
“We’re fine. Was everything okay at the military camp yesterday?”
Yan Fei hadn’t expected Ding to share much — he was just asking casually — but to his surprise, Lieutenant Ding shook his head. “No zombies showed up in the camp. In fact, not just the camp — the outer base, the construction sites, and the wall-building areas were all completely clear. Only the inner base’s commercial district had an outbreak.”
His tone grew more serious as he added, “Something’s strange about this. Be careful and keep an eye out. If you notice anything unusual, report it.”
Luo Xun and Yan Fei were stunned. Only the inner base’s market area had zombies? Could it have been deliberate? But if someone did that on purpose, that was far too malicious!
After confirming that the two of them were unharmed, Lieutenant Ding and his two armed soldiers turned to leave. They didn’t even bother entering through the heavy iron door — Luo Xun and Yan Fei would have to be insane to hide zombies at home. And even if they had gone mad, once Zhang Su — that terrifying old man — came back and found zombies on this floor, he’d make sure none of them survived.
“Only the commercial district had zombies?” Luo Xun frowned deeply. He couldn’t imagine anyone intentionally bringing the virus into the base… No — actually, he could imagine it. There were always those twisted by grief or despair, wanting to drag others down with them. It wouldn’t be surprising if such a person existed here too. It just felt too early for something like that to happen already.
Yan Fei had the same thought. He patted Luo Xun’s shoulder and said calmly, “There are always lunatics in the world.”
Yes — there was never a shortage of them. Luo Xun had seen people driven mad after their loved ones turned into zombies. Some of them, crushed by grief, began to resent the still-living — especially old enemies. The most extreme even pushed others into zombie hordes, “helping” them become one of the monsters.
Luo Xun didn’t want to think too much about what went on in such minds — it was the kind of thinking that could drive him mad, too.
“Anyway,” he said, clapping his hands, “let’s rest at home today, listen to the radio, and once we’re sure it’s safe outside, we’ll head to the camp.” He then walked toward the nursery room — lately, quail chicks had been hatching almost every day, and it was time to move the sturdier ones into the big glass enclosure with their parents.
The little dog pressed his big black nose against the glass, fogging it up with his breath. Soon the area in front of his nose was covered in a misty patch.
His round black eyes sparkled with excitement as he watched the yellow and gray speckled quails inside. His thin tail swished eagerly, and every now and then, he’d jump and spin in circles, trying to attract the chicks’ attention.
Unfortunately, the baby quails inside were terrified of him at first, shrinking back and refusing to move. But once they got used to his antics, the adult quails didn’t even spare him a glance. Only the newly hatched chicks, curious and bold, stretched their necks toward the glass to watch the strange big creature prancing outside.
A sudden crash! startled everyone — the little dog stumbled backward in fright, and Luo Xun and Yan Fei, who had been checking the walls and discussing whether to repaint or install underfloor heating, both jumped.
They rushed to the window — and were shocked to see that a ground-floor window in the neighboring building had been smashed open. A group of people was climbing inside from the street.
“Burglars? Or people who lost their keys?” Luo Xun blurted out, then immediately smacked himself on the forehead. “Who smashes their own window?”
Yan Fei couldn’t help but chuckle, then narrowed his eyes. “Let’s close the window first. I’ll make sure the stairwell door can’t be opened.”
“Got it. I’ll grab the crossbow,” Luo Xun said, turning toward the heavy iron door.
The radio, meanwhile, was enthusiastically broadcasting that the base had once again overcome a major crisis through unity — that humanity had triumphed, proving they would ultimately defeat the zombies and embrace a bright future…
One holding a crossbow, the other heading into the stairwell, the two men secured their defenses — Yan Fei modifying the iron door once again.
Downstairs, the group’s actions had drawn the attention of other residents. People peered through peepholes, tightened their door locks, and gripped their weapons. No one dared to go out and confront the intruders — but everyone silently agreed: if those thieves tried to break into an occupied apartment, they wouldn’t leave alive.
The group broke into one apartment, quickly carried out valuables, then moved to another empty unit, doing the same. After several such raids, they left with their arms full.
People who witnessed it from their windows had a strange look in their eyes — a flicker of dark intent. And soon after those thieves were gone, others began quietly opening their own doors, sneaking toward apartments they knew were empty…
The base’s radio kept announcing that all zombies had been completely cleared out. The military had just finished checking which homes were temporarily unoccupied.
Everyone in the neighborhood had seen the thieves. If they acted fast enough — took what they wanted before the rightful owners returned — they could always blame the broken-window thieves later.
Desire and greed — emotions that forever lurk in the human heart, impossible to suppress. And now, with someone having already set an example, with such a perfect opportunity, and with food supplies running low… no one wanted to keep resisting temptation. It was a door all too easy to push open.
Maybe it was because they lived on the sixteenth floor, or maybe their reputation for danger was too well known — whatever the reason, no one dared climb up to bother Luo Xun and Yan Fei. Luo Xun’s arms ached from holding his crossbow, itching for action… well, not the best metaphor — but close enough.
It wasn’t until Luo Xun saw a private car drive into the neighborhood that the tension finally eased. No one had come up to cause trouble. The car parked under one of the buildings, and out stepped people who had been on outside missions the previous day — the ones who’d been forced to spend the night outside the base after hearing about the outbreak.
One after another, other returning workers and soldiers — those who had stayed near their work sites during the chaos — began to come back too. The neighborhood, slowly but surely, started to come alive again.
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