Dark Apocalypse

Episode 18

Flowing downstream



Adam grew up in a city that epitomizes the southern water town, characterized predominantly by its intricate network of waterways.

Though it may not be a grand metropolis, the charming scene of quaint bridges and flowing waters in his city is truly unique.

However, as time has passed and urban planning has evolved, many of the original sights have been removed or rebuilt. The only remnants of the past are the moat constructed around the ancient city walls and the various tributary rivers that remain.

Today, the moat has transformed into a picturesque feature of the city, with sightseeing boats docking at designated points, allowing tourists to enjoy the scenic vistas of the urban landscape.

"By following this river, we should reach the area where the urban center meets the outskirts; if all goes well, we might find vehicles to take us out of the city," Adam mused.

As zombies are incapable of swimming, Adam and his companions felt somewhat secure. The four of them sat quietly in the sightseeing boat, gliding forward.

To avoid attracting zombies with the sound of the motor, the man named Ling Ao shut off the engine after traveling a distance, relying instead on the current to guide their way.

This approach slowed their pace considerably, but considering the safety concerns, everyone agreed. As a newcomer among the survivors, Adam had no objections to this decision.

During their journey, Ling Ao pulled out a map intended for tourists, outlining the city's transport network. While it lacked intricate details, it clearly indicated the river systems, which were of utmost importance.

As Ling Ao explained, Adam realized that although they had moved away from the most bustling part of the city, they were still far from the exit.

"I recall that this river connects to the Grand Canal, doesn't it?" Adam scrutinized the map carefully.

Though a local, he was not intimately familiar with his hometown; yet, he was aware of the legendary canal, constructed at great cost by a lecherous emperor to link various provinces and cities in the north and south.

Currently, the small river where the four of them were situated did indeed connect to the Grand Canal. If that were the case, escaping the city would be straightforward; they would simply have to follow the river.

However, Adam had ulterior motives; he did not merely wish to leave the city but aimed to reach the location of the university he once attended, which was conveniently situated alongside the Grand Canal, less than a kilometer away in a straight line!

"Yes, it does lead to the Grand Canal, but..." Ling Ao nodded, then displayed a troubled expression. "However, it is unlikely that we will be able to reach it smoothly..."

"Hmm? Why is that?" Adam asked, perplexed. If the route was safe, why not take it? Ling Ao did not strike him as a foolish man.

"We are currently going against the current..." At this moment, a stunning woman who appeared to be at least a decade younger than her actual age interjected. Noticing Adam's puzzled expression, she immediately elaborated.

It turned out that Adam had made a fundamental mistake. While the moat's small river indeed led to the Grand Canal, the crucial issue was that they were headed in the wrong direction.

The moat, as its name implies, was designed to protect the city, forming a man-made river encircling the ancient city walls. Its shape was not like that of a natural river but rather circular.

Ling Ao marked their current course on the map, then indicated the junction connecting the Grand Canal and the moat.

"This is completely opposite..." Adam, not particularly adept at navigation, was nonetheless able to discern this clearly from the map.

They were actually not far from the entrance to the Grand Canal; if they activated the boat's motor, they could reach it in about half an hour.

However, a significant problem loomed: they were currently heading in the wrong direction. Continuing in this way was possible but would require them to navigate around the entire city.

"How long would that take?" Adam inquired, aware that he might be more skilled in combat against zombies than in other matters, having had little exposure to the complexities of the outside world.

"If we were to operate the boat at full speed..." Ling Ao contemplated, sketching on the map before looking up at Adam. "If there are no unforeseen delays, it would take at least four hours..."

Four hours was not an excessively long time. Yet, as Adam glanced at the sky, he noted that it was already afternoon; darkness would descend within a couple of hours. Although they were safe aboard the boat, the night would inevitably bring a sense of unease.

Nightfall is inherently an unknown realm for humanity. If not for the invention of electricity and lighting, darkness has long been associated with insecurity, especially in a world teeming with zombies that operate solely by instinct rather than sight.

"Why don't we turn the boat around and head back?" Adam suggested, observing the map. Wouldn't that be a quicker route?

"That's impossible!" Ling Ao shook his head again, anticipating Adam's question. He promptly explained, "Didn't you notice? Just a short distance back where we initially set off, numerous collided boats have blocked that route. Even if we could turn the boat around in that narrow river, we would still face insurmountable dangers trying to head back."

"Then..." Adam pondered and asked again.

"Why are you so annoying? Always questioning everything! We've already established it's not feasible. Ling Ao, let's stick to your plan!"

Finally, the girl who had been simmering with frustration erupted, glaring fiercely at Adam. For reasons unknown, she had harbored intense animosity toward him since he boarded the boat.

Adam couldn't ascertain the cause, though he could guess some of it. However, apart from his occasional clumsiness with one particular person, he typically maintained a detached demeanor toward others. This girl, named Shangguan Ya, he treated as if she were merely part of the scenery.

From their previous introductions, Adam had learned the names of the three others: Ling Ao, a retired soldier turned bodyguard; Shangguan Ya, the willful daughter of a wealthy family, who was quite hostile towards him; and Miao Yun Yao, the stunning woman who bore no outward signs of having a daughter of such age.

"Actually, we don't have much fuel left, so we can only navigate this far before we need to disembark and seek another means to escape the city!" Ling Ao conveyed this disheartening news...