Chapter Forty-Six: The Black Scorpion

Online, opinions varied wildly.

At this moment, inside Tech Corporation, the person in charge, Ye Jian, was seething with anger and cursing inwardly.

“Those people under Lu Hao are utterly useless! They actually got wiped out by the zombies. Even if one or two had survived, it would have been better…”

Still, he understood that near the building, there was a powerful Zombie King. Even the company’s strongest Awakened might not be its match.

It seemed… the zombies were still the stronger force. To kill a Specter, it would require an even greater Zombie King.

“The zombie cultivation plan must continue. Best if we can produce a controllable Specter…”

Ye Jian pondered deeply. He was well aware that feeding zombies was akin to ‘playing with fire,’ but for the sake of such overwhelming power, he was willing to take the risk.

“Or perhaps… if the chance arises, we could cooperate with the Zombie King. As long as we provide them with flesh and blood, it should be enough. I’ll have to notify the rescue team to speed up the search for survivors…”

……

Lin Dong remained at home, completely unaware of Tech Corporation’s schemes.

Of course, he didn’t care.

By now, everyone knew that there was a powerful Zombie King in the building district—a place of extreme danger, now considered a forbidden zone.

So lately, no one dared disturb Lin Dong. In the past, the occasional helicopter would fly overhead, but now, not even that. This area had become a sanctuary for the undead.

Lin Dong lived in perfect comfort, with ample food and drink, absorbing energy each day, continually evolving. When bored, he watched TV or played video games.

In this terrifying apocalypse, his days were like a vacation, free from any real worries.

‘Shelter Headlines: Our researchers have improved “Guanyin Soil.” Consuming a small amount will not cause fatal bloating and it can be used as an emergency food source.’

‘The water purification system is now fully repaired. Everyone may drink with confidence; there will no longer be large-scale outbreaks of parasites or viral infections.’

‘Tragic news: Our supply team, sent out to gather resources, was robbed by an unknown group. If anyone has information, please report to us immediately…’

“……”

The television broadcast messages from the official shelter.

It was clear that they were desperately short on supplies.

They had resorted to eating dirt. The water situation was dire as well.

And worst of all, after finally securing some supplies, they were robbed by an unknown force…

It was truly miserable…

Lin Dong spared them a moment’s pity before turning away to play his game.

……

Meanwhile, on the edge of Lin Dong’s territory, a group of people was hiding inside a building.

This used to be a karaoke bar—a three-story building. Now, the doors and windows were barricaded, leaving only a few gaps to observe the outside.

“Hush… zombies are coming. Don’t make a sound.”

A man lay by the window, peering out through the cracks.

Two people behind him barely dared to breathe.

On the street outside, a hulking figure swayed with every step, followed by a pack of zombies. It was the patrolling Tank.

Fortunately, the Tank’s senses were dull; it hadn’t detected the humans in the building.

With its minions, it slowly moved away.

“Whew—”

The people inside let out a long sigh of relief, finally feeling a bit safer.

“Thankfully, these brute-type zombies are pretty dumb…”

Inside one of the private rooms, several others lounged on sofas. The KTV’s soundproofing meant they didn’t worry about alarming the zombies outside.

“Hiding here, there’s no way the official shelter people will find us,” said a burly, bald man.

“Yeah, Boss, you’re wise. Even if they knew we were here, they wouldn’t dare come—this is the territory of a powerful Zombie King!” another chimed in.

This group was the force that had robbed the official shelter of its supplies: the “Black Scorpion.”

Before the apocalypse, the Black Scorpion organization already existed, active on the dark web, operating like a cult. They worshipped absolute freedom, rejecting all constraints, doing whatever they pleased.

But back then, social order kept them in check, never allowing them to cause much trouble.

Then the apocalypse struck.

Their wish was finally granted.

Those among them who had awakened gathered together, looting supplies wherever they went, murdering and pillaging—committing every imaginable evil.

“Heh, the apocalypse is our era!” The bald man’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

In the center of the KTV lounge, three people knelt on the floor, hands and feet bound, mouths stuffed with rags so they could only let out muffled sounds.

These three were Awakened from the shelter, tasked with transporting supplies—robbed by Black Scorpion along the way.

“Boss, what should we do with them?” a skinny man asked.

The bald man considered.

“Keep them alive for now… as long as they’re breathing, they’re our hostages. If they die, we can harvest their brain cores and eat their flesh…”

……

Meanwhile, on the other side of Lin Dong’s territory, another group had appeared. At their head was a young woman—large eyes, straight black hair with blunt bangs, strikingly beautiful, though her delicate face always seemed tinged with world-weariness.

She was the official shelter’s Number 001 Awakened: Cheng Luo Yi.

……

Cheng Luo Yi truly hated this world. She grew up in an orphanage, was later confined to a psychiatric hospital, and after finally getting out… discovered the world had ended.

With a life like that, it would be strange if she liked the world at all.

Her only fond memories were of the few warm moments in the orphanage.

Beside Cheng Luo Yi was her partner, Sun Xiaoqiang, whose eyes held a certain wisdom.

Gurgle—

Sun Xiaoqiang clutched his stomach, the gnawing hunger nearly unbearable. If not for his Awakened physique, he would have fainted from starvation long ago.

“When are we going to find supplies? I haven’t eaten in ten days since we left.”

“Uh… Xiaoqiang, we’ve only been out for three days.”

Behind them were four other Awakened at the Brain Core stage, primarily there to assist and carry supplies.

Scratching his head, Sun Xiaoqiang’s lazy eye rolled.

“Only three days? I must be so hungry I’ve lost track of time…”

“As if you ever knew how to count…” Cheng Luo Yi retorted without turning her head.

The street ahead was desolate—abandoned vehicles piled up, rusting, some covered in moss.

Surrounding buildings were equally dilapidated; through broken windows came the faint howls of zombies.

One of the Brain Core Awakened cautioned, “Up ahead is where the Tech Corporation’s team was wiped out. They say there’s a powerful and bizarre Zombie King here!”

“Oh, Brother Chen, is that where the ones who robbed us are hiding?” Sun Xiaoqiang asked.

Chen Ming nodded. “Based on the direction they retreated, there’s a good chance they’re up ahead.”

“Then let’s go find them.” Sun Xiaoqiang, simple-minded and fearless, didn’t hesitate.

Chen Ming nodded and reminded everyone, “Remember, our main objective is to find supplies. Do not, under any circumstances, provoke the zombies here…”

……