Chapter Eleven: Kill This Zombie

Having achieved a qualitative breakthrough, Fang Xia was now brimming with confidence.

Facing these first-tier zombies, Fang Xia’s current strength, combined with his equipment, allowed him to easily take on many at once. So, instead of seeking another path, he strode back the way he came, bold and unafraid.

Though Fang Xia’s physical abilities had greatly improved, he was, in essence, still an ordinary human. To become a true Fighter, he needed to absorb ten first-tier upgrade crystals. He only had two at the moment, which was already lucky. To collect the remaining eight, he would have to kill at least sixty or seventy zombies—perhaps even a hundred if fortune did not favor him.

But none of this troubled him; it was a perfect opportunity to adapt to his new body.

Seeing Fang Xia marching confidently ahead as if ready to plunge into the heart of the zombie horde, Bai Xing hesitated. Yet, she soon firmed her resolve. In this apocalypse, having a man like him to protect her meant much greater chances of survival. If she didn’t follow, she wouldn’t last a few days alone.

Gritting her teeth, Bai Xing hurried after him.

During the day, first-tier zombies’ combat abilities plummeted—a lifeline for humanity. But in a month, second-tier zombies would appear, and those creatures wouldn’t fear sunlight. Day or night, they would pose the same deadly threat.

If Fang Xia didn’t seize this time to grow stronger, he would struggle against them, especially with a burden at his side.

Clad in battle armor, wielding his warblade, Fang Xia seemed a war god incarnate. With each swing, zombie heads flew like bouncing balls—clean, decisive, and cold. Before such a man, the zombies were like chickens awaiting slaughter.

Bai Xing followed, her eyes shining.

This time, I’ve truly bet on the right person. As long as I’m with him, I’ll definitely survive. If this really is the end of the world, perhaps I’ll live a life ordinary people can only dream of.

Hearing Bai Xing’s thoughts, Fang Xia couldn’t suppress a slight upward curl of his lips. He felt even more invigorated as he cut down the zombies.

Back at school, Bai Xing had been the campus beauty, pursued by a line of suitors stretching from the academic building to the dormitory, yet she’d never spared them a glance. Now, none of those boys could compare to the man before her.

Slaughtering his way from the gymnasium to the girls’ dormitory, Fang Xia roughly estimated he’d killed at least forty or fifty zombies, collecting six first-tier upgrade crystals. Four more, and he could become a first-tier Fighter, which would mean another qualitative leap in power.

In front of the girls’ dormitory, after dispatching the last zombie within the area, Fang Xia found a concealed spot on campus to rest for a while.

At that moment, the nearest zombie was more than twenty meters away, and none had sensed them. It was quite safe.

Seeing Fang Xia pause, Bai Xing, eager to start a conversation, plucked up her courage.

“Brother, what’s your name?”

“Fang Xia.”

“Oh, I’m Bai Xing, I’m twenty this year. Can I call you Brother?”

“Mm.”

“Where are we going?”

“The hotel…”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Fang Xia regretted it. He was indeed staying at a hotel, but saying that to a beautiful campus belle felt somehow inappropriate.

Bai Xing’s cheeks instantly flushed, clearly misunderstanding.

He’s exactly my type—handsome and exuding masculinity—but isn’t this moving a bit fast? Still, if we really go, will he become my man? He doesn’t seem like the irresponsible type. Well, even if he is, I’ll just stick to him. If he refuses to take responsibility, I’ll never leave him. Even if I give my first time to such a man, it’s worth it.

Fang Xia felt a bit dizzy. This girl’s inner monologue was really something.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I’ve just been staying at the hotel. You said you wanted to follow me, so come with me to the hotel. I’ve stockpiled plenty of food—enough for us to last a long time.”

Bai Xing’s blush deepened, embarrassed by her own misunderstanding yet feeling a strange hint of disappointment.

Still, she didn’t want to be a burden. Unsure what she could contribute, she mustered her courage, walked up, and began massaging Fang Xia’s arm. After so much swinging, he must be tired.

Fang Xia quietly watched as Bai Xing kneaded his arm, expressionless though secretly delighted. In his previous life, he had never enjoyed such treatment.

At such close range, Bai Xing’s scant clothing left little to the imagination; one glance downward, and Fang Xia could appreciate her ample curves in full.

Yes, very pleasant.

Yet the woman had no ulterior motives, only a serious desire to help him relax. That was enough.

In the apocalypse, people instinctively huddled together for warmth. Even later, in Dawn City, all the major teams flourished, with three top squads and four great powers jointly supporting the city’s development.

Fang Xia had no aspirations to become the Lord of Dawn City, but building his own force was essential.

Since Bai Xing had become one of the top ten experts in her past life, it proved her talent and ability. Even if he’d taken her greatest opportunity, she was still worth cultivating—so long as she would not betray him.

Then, a sudden change occurred.

Although the zombies nearby were still at some distance, one abruptly lunged toward them.

Fang Xia frowned. That’s odd. At this range, it shouldn’t have noticed them, unless it was an evolved zombie.

But judging by its stiff movements in the sunlight, it was no different from the others.

Yet this zombie clearly had a distinct purpose, coming straight for Fang Xia and Bai Xing.

Why her? Xiao Tian, this has nothing to do with me. It’s not that I didn’t want to save you; I just couldn’t.

Interesting.

Fang Xia realized the zombie must have been Bai Xing’s friend. Clearly, they’d once been together, but when she was attacked by zombies, Bai Xing hadn’t tried to save her and had escaped instead, leaving behind a deep grudge.

What Fang Xia didn’t know was that, in her past life, Bai Xing had witnessed Xiao Tian’s death, which became her shadow. Later, after securing an airdrop, Bai Xing was once again chased by Zombie Xiao Tian. After several pursuits, she finally snapped and killed her zombified friend, paving the way for her rise as one of Dawn City’s ten great experts.

Fang Xia had no knowledge of this, but he understood that this female zombie had become Bai Xing’s inner demon. If she didn’t overcome it, she would never become a true expert.

In the apocalypse, beauty without the ability to protect oneself invariably ended in tragedy. Fang Xia had no intention of sheltering a mere ornament, especially at this early stage.

Every day, countless people fell to the zombies. If Bai Xing couldn’t break through this psychological barrier, she was doomed.

“Bai Xing, kill that zombie.”