Dark Apocalypse

Episode 42

Even with zombies, we must push through.



"Auntie, tempting me won't work—I have no interest in older women."

Ignoring Miao Yun Yao, who was nearly fuming from his words, Adam pushed aside her offered baseball bat and opened his right hand. Like a magic trick, he drew out a gleaming katana from his palm.

Muramasa Demon Sword (Replica), 100 points consumed, no time limit...

Adam, now flush with wealth points, found the once-pricey items within reach. Having realized that points could be obtained through quicker and more efficient means than just killing zombies, he didn't hesitate to indulge in his most desired weapon—a katana, perfected by the Japanese from the Tang sword, a weapon reputed to cut through opponents with ease.

Initially, he'd wanted a genuine Muramasa Demon Sword, only to be blocked by a message saying he lacked the necessary clearance to redeem it. Despite the rapid rise in his points, his access level remained at one star.

How to increase his exchange level? Since he'd recklessly converted real-world items into points, the virtual assistant had been strangely silent. Were it not for the system still functioning, he'd have thought he broke it.

"Even as a replica, forged from high-carbon steel, it's worth every one of those 100 points." Adam admired the katana's curve, its razor-sharp edge. It was just the thing for taking down zombies.

"This is...?" But he'd forgotten there was another person present.

Miao Yun Yao, stunned by his magic-like performance, stared at him in disbelief. She knew a katana when she saw one, yet she had no idea how he'd pulled it from thin air.

"It's my new weapon. Why do you think I handed you the old one?" he replied, sneering. Of course, he wouldn't explain; Miao Yun Yao wasn't important to him.

Nor would he share his secrets with even those closest to him, were they present.

Taking a detour? Going back? Not a chance. From here, he could vaguely see the distant pileup of trucks—right where they'd crashed their SUV before.

"Stay close to me. If a zombie comes at you, don't hesitate; swing that thing and aim for its head."

That was all Adam instructed Miao Yun Yao. Whether she could keep up with him, however, was none of his concern.

"Wait!" Seeing him about to charge forward, Miao Yun Yao grabbed his arm.

"If you're scared, don't follow..." Adam shot back coldly, only to see her remove her heels and snap the seven or eight centimeters off each heel.

"Ready!" she said, slipping the now-flat shoes back on, a determined look in her eyes.

Adam glanced at her, then at her shoes, then at the distance they had to cover. He suddenly looked around at the surrounding shops.

"What's your size?" he asked.

"Huh?" She blinked in surprise.

Frowning, he scooped her up, threw her over his shoulder like cargo, and strode into a clothing store.

"What are you—" She gasped.

"Quiet!"

Judging by the sign outside, the store was a Nike outlet. It was full of clothes and sports equipment. Inside, chaos reigned, remnants of a frantic scene from the outbreak's early days, with blood and bodies strewn everywhere.

The corpses littering the floor were mangled, their innards spilled out, a nauseating sight. Adam paid no attention, striding toward a section of athletic apparel and rows of sneakers.

"Find yourself a pair," he ordered, setting Miao Yun Yao down and beheading a half-crawling zombie that had been disturbed by their arrival.

"Not bad..." He admired his blade. The 100-point investment had been worth it.

Understanding his intention, Miao Yun Yao quickly found and put on a pair of sneakers, grateful not to need her old heels.

"Thank..." she began, but stopped when she saw the gleam of his blade flashing toward her. Her face turned pale, entirely bewildered by his sudden aggression.

"i***t! Don't you realize where we are? If you keep letting your guard down, you might as well die," Adam said icily, retrieving the katana he'd thrown to slice through a zombie's head that had crept up behind her.

Slightly dazed, she looked at the undead woman—a*****e employee—with a gaping hole in her forehead, realizing just how close she'd come to death.

"Sorry..." she muttered, lowering her gaze, as if lost in thought.

"Don't apologize," he cut her off. "And don't thank me. That throw could have killed you just as easily. I wasn't trying to save you."

Only someone like Adam would think of charging straight through a street crowded with zombies. Leading the way, he dodged or struck down anything in his path, knocking zombies aside rather than slowing to kill them, maintaining his speed and agility.

Following closely, Miao Yun Yao gritted her teeth, staying within two meters of him. There was no room for hesitation in this desperate race for survival.