"Those two people..."
If it weren't for Scott Sun's profile Bio, Ethan might have actually believed it.
The Shelter's official website not only provided rescue team information but also sections for Distress Calls, Mutual Aid, and Chat Forums.
Many people inside the Shelter were posting complaints:
"I'm starving. Can anyone give me food? I'm willing to Compensate in Flesh; I'm a Professional Model..."
"Damn! I wish I could, but I don't have any either."
"I'm too hungry to stand it. I can give you some Milk to drink..."
"Hey, above me, is that legitimate Milk?"
"Heh heh, I was digging foundation yesterday, and the Shelter rewarded me with One-Quarter of a block of Instant Noodles. It's way too much; I can't possibly finish it. I drank the Noodle Broth straight without diluting it—I'm all about wasting..."
"..."
It was clear that resources within the Shelter were extremely scarce, but since population meant Labor Force, they were constantly running rescue operations for survivors.
Among the posts, someone had forwarded a research report from Tech Corp.
'Based on our company's research, High-Tier Zombies can produce Brain Pellets in their heads. Evolved Humans can absorb these to rapidly increase their strength. Our company is currently launching 'Operation: King Hunt' to capture Zombie Kings!'
This Tech Corp had previously launched the 'Zombie Clearance Project' and was now running 'Operation: King Hunt.' They had been getting very aggressive lately.
Ethan was contemplating this when he suddenly heard a coarse, wailing 'WAIL' from outside his door.
"Why is he crying now?"
Judging by the sound, it wasn't the female zombie Little Eight but the large, imposing Tank.
Ethan went to the door and opened it.
Sure enough.
A massive figure came into view. Tank's muscles were bulging, but a black, scorched mark covered part of his large face.
His body also had wounds from bullet impacts, but his robust physique meant they were already healing, posing no serious threat.
"WAIL WAIL WAIL WAIL~~~"
Due to his evolution, Tank was capable of basic emotions. He was crying miserably, sounding like a two-hundred-pound child.
His wailing conveyed only one message:
"A human was bullying me..."
"What happened?" Ethan asked.
"WAIL WAIL WAIL, WAIL WAIL, WAIL."
Tank gesticulated wildly, like a child reporting a bully to a parent, but his current intelligence couldn't articulate the story clearly.
At that moment, The Doctor (the zombie) stepped out from behind him.
"My King... It was humans. They occupied the Prison and tried to hunt us. One of them had even condensed a Crystal Core and could Control Flames."
"Oh..."
Ethan nodded, immediately understanding the situation.
An Evolved Human's Brain Pellet evolves into a Crystal Core, allowing them to awaken a special ability. Clearly, this was a Fire-Element Ability User.
"What does a Crystal Core... taste like?"
Ethan had consumed Mutated Beast Meat and Brain Pellets, both of which tasted good, but he hadn't yet sampled a Crystal Core.
He figured the Crystal Core had to be superior to a Brain Pellet.
Ethan had been Lurking at home for half a month and felt it was time to go out. He gave his Minions the signal for a 'Hunt.'
"ROAR—"
Tank instantly stopped crying and let out a fierce roar.
This roar triggered a chain reaction. Thousands of zombies near the tower became excited, their own roars echoing continuously.
Ethan walked onto the ravaged street, followed by his three Minions: Tank, Little Eight, and The Doctor.
Behind the three Minions were Thousands of ferocious zombies.
They had formed a sizable Horde. With the strength of this zombie group, they could walk unchallenged in this horrifying apocalypse.
Mutated Rats and Mutated Snakes on the streets screamed and scattered, fleeing the aggressive Horde.
"All Forces, Attack!"
"ROAR—"
Following Ethan's command, the Horde let out a deafening roar and charged forward violently, heading straight for the Prison.
Inside the Prison, over a hundred men guarded the perimeter. They were heavily armed and wore standardized combat gear—they were from 'Tech Corp.'
Utilizing the Prison's high walls and Watchtowers, ordinary zombies couldn't get in. They were quite relaxed.
In one room, a young man sat on a sofa while two curvaceous women attended to him.
The youth was the Fire-Element Ability User, named Gale Zhang.
For him, obtaining women in the apocalypse was easy; he simply had to offer them two pieces of Bread.
Before the apocalypse, Gale Zhang was a 996 Overtime Worker.
Now, as an Evolved Human, Tech Corp had hired him and provided him with food and comfort.
"So good~~" Gale Zhang couldn't help but sigh.
At this stage, few Evolved Humans could condense a Crystal Core.
Gale Zhang had killed High-Tier Zombies and absorbed Brain Pellets, making him an absolute powerhouse in the human faction.
"I need to hunt more Zombie Kings and keep evolving. In an apocalypse novel... isn't this exactly the role of the Protagonist?"
He mused to himself.
He had food and comfort in the apocalypse, and the Goddess who once wouldn't look at him now served him submissively.
It was the perfect Loser to Hero template...
Just then, a man rushed in hurriedly.
"Mr. Zhang, our Drone footage shows a Horde heading this way."
"A Horde?"
Gale Zhang's expression remained unchanged; he wasn't particularly afraid.
If it was a Horde, he reasoned, a Zombie King must be leading it. He could hunt it down and obtain its Brain Pellet.
"Let's go take a look."
Gale Zhang immediately went up to the Watchtower on the high wall. Looking into the distance, he saw a dark mass on the street. Countless zombies were charging, their roars incessant.
"They look quite aggressive... Open fire when they enter attack range."
"Yes, Sir," the man beside him responded.
As the zombie army approached, a command was given, and the firing points on the high walls opened up. Bullets rained down, forming a Metal Storm.
However, many of Ethan's Minions' subordinates had already evolved. They possessed abnormally strong physiques and healing capabilities.
Taking a few shots was no big deal. They simply got up and continued their charge.
Before long, the Horde reached the base of the high wall and began forming Human Ladders.
'HEE HEE HEE HEE~~'
Little Eight let out a spooky laugh. Her jump ability was now extremely strong. Stepping on a zombie, she launched herself into the air, leaping directly onto the high wall.
With a sweep of her claws, she disemboweled one of the Guards.
Meanwhile, Tank grabbed a massive boulder. Spinning his body like he was throwing a Discus, he hurled the stone up.
'CRASH!'
The boulder smashed the Watchtower, sending the occupants tumbling down from the wall.
"This isn't right..."
Gale Zhang felt a creeping sense of dread. These zombies were clearly not ordinary.
Then, a Crossbow Bolt shot toward him.
It pierced the head of the Guard standing right next to him.
"WHAT THE F—???"
Seeing this, Gale Zhang finally realized the true scale of the problem...