Chapter Twenty-Six: Second-Tier Zombie

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Perhaps their morning luck had already been exhausted, for by the time the afternoon wore on past three o’clock, the two had yet to encounter a single supply drop. Along the way, they had inadvertently startled some zombies and were twice pursued, but their agility and quick reflexes allowed them to narrowly escape each time.

Still, it wasn’t as though they hadn’t gained anything—thirty-two first-tier upgrade crystals, enough to make the effort worthwhile. The combined prowess of these two was, at this stage, nothing short of overwhelming; coupled with Bai Xing’s aura of luck, Fang Xia’s prospects of reaching the second tier looked promising.

“Brother Fang, look, there’s a supply drop over there!”

In the middle of the broad avenue, a box sat conspicuously, and from a distance, the two confirmed it was indeed a supply drop.

“Wait, something’s wrong.” Fang Xia pulled Bai Xing back, not only refraining from advancing but retreating even further.

“Brother Fang, what’s the matter? Aren’t we going to take the box?” Bai Xing was puzzled. Though the box was out in the open, only five or six zombies lurked nearby; with their skills, dispatching them would be trivial.

“Those zombies are newly evolved. Something’s off about this place.” Fang Xia’s expression grew grim, his gaze fixed intently on the scene, searching for clues.

Newly evolved? Under Fang Xia’s tutelage, Bai Xing had learned a thing or two about this apocalypse. Newly evolved meant these zombies had been infected while still alive.

“Did they try to approach the box and get infected?”

Fang Xia nodded. The situation was certainly more complicated than it appeared, but no matter how he wracked his brain, he could not fathom what strange force was at play at this early stage of the apocalypse.

After a period of observation, Fang Xia detected nothing else out of the ordinary, but a subtle unease lingered in his heart.

“Forget it. Let’s go—let’s avoid this place.”

Rule number one for surviving the apocalypse: caution.

Rule number two: never be curious.

Those who let curiosity get the better of them ended up as zombie fodder.

Bai Xing had no objection, though she felt it a pity to miss out on the box—the first one they’d found all afternoon. Who knew what treasures it might have contained?

The unease in Fang Xia’s heart only intensified. He no longer hesitated, pulling Bai Xing away to withdraw.

Despite her reluctance, Bai Xing followed Fang Xia, casting one last wistful glance back toward the supply drop as they left…

“Brother Fang, watch out!”

Fang Xia reacted instinctively, swinging his blade in a reverse arc. A shadow flickered past—he missed.

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“Bai Xing, are you alright?”

The shadow’s speed was terrifying; Bai Xing hadn’t even had time to react before she was knocked to the ground.

“I’m… cough, cough… I’m fine.”

A distinct claw mark marred her chest. If not for her battle armor, that blow would have killed her outright.

“Damn it, why did this cursed creature show up now?”

“Stay back—don’t come near!”

To Fang Xia’s left, a zombie watched him, the source of all his unease.

This was a second-tier zombie; its fingers had evolved into razor-sharp claws.

Second-tier zombies possessed greater strength and a rudimentary intelligence. They were unaffected by sunlight, equally dangerous day and night.

According to Fang Xia’s experience from his previous life, such creatures shouldn’t appear until a month into the apocalypse. Was this an effect of his rebirth—a butterfly effect?

But the enemy wouldn’t let him ponder the question. After a missed strike, it launched a second attack.

Second-tier zombies were even stronger than second-tier combatants. If Fang Xia hadn’t taken an advanced upgrade potion, he wouldn’t have survived the first assault.

There was no escaping; the only option was to fight desperately.

Gripping his battle blade tightly, Fang Xia took the initiative, seeking to draw the zombie’s attention so Bai Xing could reach safety.

He was a veteran, hardened by six years of struggle in the apocalypse; his blade technique was uniquely refined.

Left hand blocked, right hand attacked; two sixty-pound gleaming blades moved in his hands like a seamless storm.

“This beast is strong.”

After a round of exchanges, Fang Xia flexed his shoulder, his hands numb from the impact. At this rate, he might not be its match.

Bai Xing had reached the end of the road, hiding behind a corner and watching anxiously. Though she trusted Fang Xia’s skill, she couldn’t help but worry, her heart pounding with fear.

That previous attack had brought her face-to-face with death.

Another bout of combat, and Fang Xia seemed to be losing ground, forced to defend, unable to counter.

No, I have to help him.

Bai Xing grew increasingly anxious; she wanted to rush forward, but her instincts held her back.

Clutching her dagger tightly, as if it could grant her courage, Bai Xing crept closer to the battlefield.

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Now was the perfect moment; the zombie’s weakness was its head, no matter its tier.

Fang Xia noticed Bai Xing’s movements, but he no longer had the energy to spare for her.

Five meters!

At this distance, Bai Xing could launch herself behind the zombie in the next instant.

Still, she held back, edging closer.

Three meters!

Bai Xing’s legs tensed, releasing a sudden burst of speed that alerted the zombie.

A sidestep, and her dagger plunged into the creature’s shoulder and neck.

“Bang!”

Bai Xing was sent flying once more, but in the final moment, she twisted her body in an impossible way, dodging a fatal blow to the head and once again taking the hit on her chest.

“Die!”

Fang Xia’s battle blade cleaved mercilessly into the back of the zombie’s skull.

“Bai Xing.”

Fang Xia examined her from head to toe twice, finally relieved to find no wounds.

“I… cough… I’m fine. Just… cough… my chest is going to cave in! Will you… will you stop liking me if it gets smaller?”

Fang Xia couldn’t help but laugh. What was she worrying about? Even if it got smaller, it could always be restored.

He handed her a first-tier upgrade crystal to swallow; these were not only for leveling up, but could also heal injuries and cure ailments.

Now came the harvest.

Second-tier zombie—he was probably the first in this world to slay one. Too bad there was no achievement to commemorate it.

He let Bai Xing recover while he slaughtered the remaining zombies by the supply drop.

The corpses and the supply box were left for Bai Xing—such things needed the touch of the goddess of luck herself.

“Check the corpses first.”

Second-tier zombie—this was the world’s first, surely.

“A second-tier upgrade crystal! Damn, there really is one.”

Seeing the pale green crystal in Bai Xing’s hand, even Fang Xia, usually unflappable, couldn’t help but exclaim.