Dark Apocalypse

Episode 24

Encountering a Zombie Horde Again

The terror of zombies lies in their most defining characteristic: they are effectively immortal. This does not mean they are truly unkillable; however, as long as their heads remain intact, zombies retain their aggressive nature, even if their bodies are severely mutilated.

Next is the infectious nature of zombies. Any living person who suffers a bite or scratch is quickly infected by the virus, leading to death and subsequent reanimation as a zombie. In simple terms, this equates to rapid contagion! Every part of a zombie harbors a lethal virus.

These are the two most critical traits, though others exist, such as their senselessness, fearlessness, unyielding energy, lack of fatigue, and extraordinary strength.

For humanity, aside from these horrors, there exists a particularly despairing fact that renders even the police and military powerless to prevent the cataclysm of the apocalypse!

"It seems the numbers are fewer than anticipated..." Adam had been vigilantly observing the area since entering this perilous zone.

He constantly monitored the fluctuations in the zombie population outside the car window. Although somewhat unreliable, he believed he could predict the number of zombies concentrated in the town center by the observable pattern of their increasing presence as they drew closer to the heart of the town.

"Well, it appears that fate is still smiling upon us. It seems our chances of success are quite promising!"

Ling Ao, who had also been watching the surroundings, let out a sigh of relief, his expression noticeably more relaxed. They had indeed already entered the town's perimeter; while there were plenty of zombies outside, they did not yet pose a significant threat.

The undead wandered in scattered clusters, numbering over a hundred at a glance, yet they showed no signs of grouping together. Thanks to the off-road vehicle's speed, they easily left the sluggish zombies in their dust, and even if the nearby zombies were alerted by the noise, they could only choke on the dust kicked up by the vehicle.

Bang! Another zombie was sent flying into the road, its body ripped apart, splattering blood, entrails, and flesh everywhere.

The once pristine off-road vehicle had been stained a deep crimson from the countless such incidents along the way.

"I hope the road ahead remains clear, allowing us to charge through without hindrance." He activated the windshield wipers to push the gruesome remnants aside, making a desperate effort to see the path ahead.

He had lost count of how many zombies he had struck, yet a thick layer of repulsive liquid had already accumulated on the windshield. How much longer could this go on?

Numbers! The most disheartening aspect for humanity is the sheer volume of zombies! The consequences of humanity's own actions—overpopulation and unchecked reproduction—had led to a global population increase in the last century that eclipsed what had taken a millennium to achieve.

These conditions have provided the ideal breeding ground for the spread and proliferation of the zombie virus. Once the number of zombies reaches an overwhelming tide, not even armed police or military forces can halt their advance, rendering any attempt to evacuate the city a futile gesture...

Since earlier, Shangguan Ya, the capricious girl in the back seat, had fallen silent. Why was that? Adam glanced at the trembling girl hiding in her mother's embrace, a cold smile creeping onto his face.

The outside world echoed with the growls of zombies, and with the blood and shattered flesh on the glass, it was clear the girl was finally feeling fear. After all, this was no longer the world where she, as a privileged young lady, could act with impunity!

Would zombies show mercy based on wealth or beauty?

Money? Mere scraps! Beauty? To zombies, all are just food, indifferent to looks, whether fair or foul!

Power is now the most vital assurance! Adam looked down at the steel rod in his hand; it was his only means of survival in this world!

Their plan was to head for the rapid outer ring road encircling the city, but there was only one access point to this route, situated beyond the town.

This town had developed significantly over the past decade due to the influx of factories and enterprises, housing a substantial population.

However, almost all of the original residents had been transformed into zombies. Observing the variously attired zombies outside the glass, Ling Ao sighed deeply...

"What have we wrought? How did humanity fall to such depths?"

Adam refrained from commenting, believing that humanity's plight was entirely self-inflicted—a result of environmental degradation and self-destruction. Humans, by nature, are a highly aggressive species, often turning on their own kind.

"Perhaps it is divine retribution..."

The speaker was not Adam, despite sharing that sentiment. He cast a surprised glance at Miao Yun Yao in the back seat.

This woman, whose youthful appearance belied her true age, seemed remarkably composed in the face of the chaos outside.

In Adam's eyes, even seasoned veterans like Ling Ao could not escape feelings of fear, panic, or uncertainty. Yet, under Adam's scrutiny, this woman appeared to possess a psychological fortitude that even surpassed Ling Ao's.

Of course, Adam did not compare himself; his mindset had long since been shattered for various reasons...

"Perhaps it truly is retribution," came a sudden interjection from Xu Cai, who had been quiet until now.

"Retribution?" Adam echoed softly.

Perhaps it truly was so; yet, it mattered little to him. This world, whether before or after the upheaval, remained fundamentally the same.

In fact, he found himself grateful for the apocalypse's arrival; otherwise, he would still be languishing in prison rather than living freely beneath this sky. He was even preparing to settle an old score...

"If a survivor base is established at the university, then the students there should be safe, right?" Adam turned to Ling Ao to inquire.

"If they weren't infected during the initial outbreak, the majority should receive rescue. The military district is likely to respond immediately, as the area was originally designed to convert into a fortress in the event of a crisis."

Ling Ao's response prompted a nod of approval from Adam. If that were the case, it would be ideal; losing lives would be far too tragic...

"Adam, you were a student there, weren't you?" Miao Yun Yao suddenly asked.

"Yes... once upon a time..."

"Be careful!" Adam suddenly spotted a troubling sight ahead and shouted to Ling Ao, who was gripping the steering wheel.

Ling Ao also immediately sensed something was wrong and slammed on the brakes, sharply turning the steering wheel. Just ahead, several trucks had collided, completely blocking the road. Driving into that would spell disaster!