Dark Apocalypse

Episode 17

Escape from this City of Death



When he saw living people, to be honest, Adam was overjoyed.

No matter what kind of people they were—good or bad, warm-hearted or cold-blooded—after waking to a world that had transformed overnight, where the living had become the undead and the entire city had descended into hell, seeing other living, breathing humans brought an indescribable sense of elation.

In that moment, as he was on the verge of exhaustion, barely able to stay ahead of the ravenous horde of zombies pursuing him, spotting a group of more than ten survivors filled him with an overwhelming sense of relief and happiness.

But that joy lasted less than a second. When the group turned and, seeing the sea of zombies behind him, screamed and ran in terror, Adam was rudely reminded that this was still the apocalypse.

The so-called dawn of hope was merely a fleeting illusion.

"If there are still survivors, it means the world hasn't entirely turned into a land of death..." Perhaps the sight of the living had rekindled a spark within him, for Adam suddenly felt a surge of strength where moments ago he had been at his limit.

His faltering steps grew steady once more. Hearing the growls of the undead drawing closer, he said nothing but raced toward the fleeing group of survivors.

Was it an illusion? Adam felt as though the survivors were running at a snail's pace. Despite his own exhaustion, he was surprised to catch up with them effortlessly in less than half a minute.

Though he was of above-average fitness, having built up strength through years of working odd jobs as an orphan, it puzzled him that these people seemed so sluggish. But he quickly dismissed the thought, focusing entirely on escaping the zombie horde.

Gradually, he caught up to the survivors, ran alongside them, and eventually surpassed them. Up ahead, he noticed three figures—a man and two women—desperately fleeing in a specific direction. Trusting his instincts, Adam followed without question.

The screams from behind began, but Adam didn't turn around. He could already imagine what was happening and felt no remorse.

If anything, he was relieved. "Good. With that many people behind me, they should hold off the zombies for a while," he thought, without the slightest sense of guilt, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Just then, Adam almost caught up to the trio ahead. One of the girls, younger and clearly panicked, stumbled and fell, her face pale. In this world, a fall meant one thing: being devoured by the pursuing zombies.

Even if someone wanted to help her, it would be at the risk of being dragged down themselves. In this environment, where survival instincts overruled all else, only a fool would risk their life for another.

The older woman looked desperate, wanting to turn back, while the man hesitated, his face a mask of indecision.

Is she her sister? Adam noticed how strikingly beautiful, even sensual, the older woman was.

"Go!" Adam shouted, lifting the fallen girl in one swift motion. Without looking back, he urged the others forward.

The man nodded and pulled the elegant woman along, leaving no time for second thoughts.

Fortune favors the bold, and a river appeared before them, with a small boat, once used for scenic tours of the city, moored at the shore.

Adam half-carried the trembling girl onto the boat, following the man and the alluring woman. He understood instantly why they chose to board: zombies couldn't swim. In the water, they would have no chance.

Despite wanting to wait for the others, the man and the angry young girl eventually conceded. They untied the boat and pushed away from the shore just as zombies began to tumble into the river, sinking with no hope of resurfacing. Adam finally allowed himself to breathe, his entire body consumed by weariness as he realized he had truly reached his limit.

"We'll follow the river, circling half the city, until it branches off to a channel that leads out," said the burly, soldier-like man steering the boat. "Once we're outside, we'll be safe."

From their conversations, Adam learned the man's name was Ling Ao, while the girl he'd saved was Xiaoya—likely a nickname, not her full name. To his surprise, the elegant, mature woman was Xiaoya's mother, though at first, he had assumed they were sisters, given their resemblance.

From the dynamic between the three, Adam deduced that Ling Ao was likely their bodyguard. The girl admired him, and the woman exuded an air of authority, which even Ling Ao seemed to respect. The girl's childish adoration of the man was evident, though, which amused Adam.

Yet, as he looked at Ling Ao, Adam smirked. It was clear Ling Ao had feelings for the young girl, feelings that would be hopelessly one-sided, especially in the world that used to be.

Images flitted through Adam's mind, and his smile grew, though tinged with bitterness.

"Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" the elegant woman inquired, her gaze fixed on Adam.

"Hey, pervert! She's talking to you!" Xiaoya, clearly annoyed with Adam, demanded.

"Adam... my name is Adam. Thank you for saving me!" He offered a sincere, grateful smile, one so genuine that it fooled them completely.

And as he continued to smile, it grew wider, more joyous... and yet tinged with hidden, unspoken pain.