Chapter Fifty-Two: Third-Level Zombie

He couldn’t even withstand the rain of the first trial, let alone the zombies that awaited ahead.

Climbing over the massive boulder, the landscape suddenly opened up before his eyes—zombies everywhere, as far as the eye could see.

“Stay steady, don’t stray too far from the bridge.”

The hundred young women split into two teams of fifty, taking turns advancing.

Zombies would not increase in number now; each one killed meant one less. They had to seize this opportunity to develop quickly and find a suitable place to settle, somewhere they could hold out for at least a week.

Bai Xing watched from the sidelines, eager to join in. Fang Xia smiled and waved, signaling her to just pay attention to her own safety.

First-tier zombies were no match for this force of women; as long as they had enough stamina, however many came were merely delivering themselves for slaughter.

And unlike the city, there was no one to compete for kills—every zombie here was theirs.

“Brother Fang, second-tier zombies have appeared over here.”

“Brother Fang, three second-tier zombies showed up at once over here.”

...

The first hour went smoothly, but after that, problems began to arise.

Second-tier zombies were unaffected by daylight or darkness; sunlight no longer hindered them.

On the vast plains, the commotion drew countless second-tier zombies their way.

“Where’s Bai Xing? Call her over.”

“And gather all second-tier fighters in the group.”

Zombies howled endlessly in their ears. Even these battle-hardened women began to panic until Fang Xia’s voice brought them back to calm.

Soon, Bai Xing returned, drenched in blood. Eleven women stood before Fang Xia—all second-tier fighters.

“Bai Xing, you’ll lead these eleven. Don’t let any second-tier zombie get close.”

With Bai Xing, there were twelve in total, each with a suitable weapon.

The first-tier fighters wielded a motley array of arms, enough for first-tier zombies, but if second-tier zombies broke through, they’d be finished.

After Bai Xing led her team away, Fang Xia moved to the front lines.

After an hour of slaughter, zombies in this area had dwindled by more than half, corpses strewn everywhere.

This was the first battle of its kind for the women; many were numb from killing.

“Careful!”

Bai Xing cried out in alarm.

While she was entangled with two second-tier zombies, another slipped past and lunged at her.

Bai Xing saw it, but it was too late.

Fortunately, two other second-tier women intercepted the threat, and battle commenced immediately.

But this couldn’t go on; there were simply too many second-tier zombies nearby.

Fang Xia reached into his spatial ring and drew his battle blade, deciding to take the initiative and hunt down second-tier zombies himself.

With a flash, Fang Xia left the main force, plunging alone into the zombie horde.

With his speed, these weakened first-tier zombies couldn’t even catch a glimpse of him; those who managed to touch him were sent flying by his immense force.

He wore battle armor, and unless his head was grabbed, he had nothing to fear.

He spotted a second-tier zombie.

Dashing forward, he struck once—finished.

So swift and decisive.

A third-tier fighter against second-tier zombies, and boosted by high-grade evolution elixirs, Fang Xia was utterly dominant.

His strength now surpassed that of his previous life; back then, he could easily handle second-tier zombies, let alone now.

The brief pause from killing a second-tier zombie drew the attention of surrounding first-tier zombies, who circled him.

Fang Xia gripped his blade tightly and swept it in a full circle around himself; any zombie touched died instantly, opening a wide clearing.

Without looking back, Fang Xia dashed toward other areas—he refused to believe so many second-tier zombies could emerge from such a small place.

Following the direction from which the zombies came, Fang Xia pressed deeper.

Now, as a third-tier fighter clad in battle armor, he feared no encirclement by first-tier zombies.

Moreover, he possessed the ability to teleport—a unique gift—making him fearless.

But as he ventured farther, Fang Xia sensed something was wrong; there were simply too many second-tier zombies on this path.

In just two hundred meters, he had slain six second-tier zombies.

Even if this place had never been cleared, it shouldn’t be like this.

Puzzled, Fang Xia went another fifty meters. Suddenly, a shadow appeared behind him, rapidly approaching.

Soft warmth pressed against him; Fang Xia swept his blade to clear nearby zombies, a hint of helplessness flashing across his face.

“What are you doing here?”

“You kept getting farther away, and most second-tier zombies were gone, so I followed.”

Surrounded by zombies, Bai Xing felt utterly safe in Fang Xia’s arms.

Now that she was here, Fang Xia couldn’t send her back. With her strength, not only would she not hinder him, but she could provide considerable help.

“Stay close to me. So many second-tier zombies in such a small area—something’s not right.”

Fang Xia had another thought he hadn’t voiced.

This scene felt eerily familiar, reminiscent of the zombie siege he had experienced in his past life.

Back then, after third-tier zombies appeared, Dawn City endured its first zombie siege.

During that siege, though the zombies were not highly ranked, humanity was caught unprepared and suffered a devastating blow.

That battle cost Dawn City dearly; the number of survivors was slashed in half.

Fang Xia worried this might be the prelude to another siege. If so, his territory would be the first to be hit—he had to get to the bottom of it today.

With Bai Xing’s help, Fang Xia advanced even faster.

Bai Xing moved like a phantom in the night, appearing suddenly beside a second-tier zombie and quietly slicing its head off with her dagger.

“Brother Fang, it seems there’s a second-tier zombie every so often along this route—and this is just one direction. What if there are more in other directions?”

Fang Xia’s unease deepened; he was almost certain there was at least one third-tier zombie here.

A third-tier zombie could see, possessed intelligence comparable to ordinary animals, and was instinctively aggressive, seeking to invade and claim territory.

That was one of the causes of zombie sieges.

“Be careful—there might be a third-tier zombie here.”

“What?”

Bai Xing became alert; she never doubted Fang Xia’s words.

If they only had to duel a single third-tier zombie, neither Fang Xia nor Bai Xing would be afraid.

Fang Xia in his previous life could defeat a third-tier zombie one-on-one.

But this situation was different. Zombies were everywhere, leaving little room for maneuver; if a third-tier zombie ambushed them, the consequences could be dire.

“Brother Fang, maybe we should go back.”

Hearing there might be a third-tier zombie, Bai Xing hesitated.

It wasn’t that she doubted Fang Xia’s strength—she was just afraid.

“Alright.”