Dark Apocalypse

Episode 33

Negotiation

At the dawn of humanity, man's nature is inherently evil. Humans are selfish, cold-blooded, and brutal creatures...

Perhaps in civilized society, we all live behind masks, adhering to morality, ethics, and laws—performing as upright individuals, as so-called "good people."

Yet now, everything has changed. The only pursuit is survival. To remain alive, any means are not just necessary, but imperative!

And what of family, friends, lovers, children? Are they still important?

Adam has no family, and has once been thoroughly betrayed by someone. He has no friends, so he cannot understand how others think in such a world. He only knows that as long as he survives, he would abandon any other survivors around him without hesitation!

"You cold-blooded person!" Adam was slapped, the culprit being Miao Yun Yao, her fury stemming from his words earlier.

Miao Yun Yao's slap was neither forceful nor swift, and Adam could have easily stopped it, but he did not move. Ling Ao, standing nearby, wore a complex expression, perhaps contemplating the meaning of Adam's words.

"Cold-blooded? Perhaps..." Adam gently touched his slapped cheek. It didn't hurt much, at least not compared to the agony of the virus rampaging inside his body; this was nothing.

"You..." Most people would have retorted, or at least found some excuse to deny being cold-blooded, explaining it away with reasons or circumstances.

But Adam, without hesitation, admitted his cold-bloodedness, which left Miao Yun Yao stunned.

"I'm going to find my daughter!" Miao Yun Yao's action was unexpected, yet somehow understandable.

Adam would not stop her; it was her personal choice. However, he would not help her either. It was of no benefit to him.

"Madam!" But Ling Ao blocked her way at the door.

"Move!" Miao Yun Yao looked at Ling Ao with cold indifference, likely angry at him for abandoning her daughter, Shangguan Ya, and knocking her unconscious earlier.

To Adam, her actions made perfect sense. If it were him, he would have left both mother and daughter behind, fleeing on his own.

"Madam! It's dangerous outside!" Ling Ao spoke the truth. At that moment, Adam observed from the window, seeing that a large group of zombies had gathered around the building.

It was possible that the commotion caused by their actions had attracted them. The swarm of dark figures surrounding the building was visible. In contrast, the number of zombies in other parts of the town was far less.

"Even if you want to leave, you'll need the approval of the others here..."

Adam's sudden words interrupted the argument between Miao Yun Yao and Ling Ao. Both turned to look at him—Ling Ao seemed thoughtful, while Miao Yun Yao was confused and angry.

"There are other survivors here, and they've formed a small group. Do you think they will allow you to go out and bring danger upon them for your personal matters?"

Adam did not care that a woman was present. He took off his completely filthy combat suit, revealing the prison uniform underneath.

The prison uniform was unmistakable, and seeing Adam dressed in it, it was clear how Ling Ao and Miao Yun Yao's expressions changed.

"You're a prisoner?" Miao Yun Yao asked in surprise.

"Does it matter?" Adam's rhetorical question left Miao Yun Yao speechless.

Does it matter? In a world overrun by zombies, is there really a distinction between a prisoner and an ordinary person? Just as the positions of the rich and the poor have become irrelevant in this new world!

Adam didn't say more. He took off his prison uniform and found a pair of men's undergarments and a shirt from the wardrobe. Although they didn't fit perfectly, he didn't mind and put them on, before heading to the bathroom to rinse his combat suit.

He didn't clean it thoroughly, just washing off the blood and bits of flesh, then wore it again, soaking wet.

"Let's go. If you want to find your daughter, follow me."

Without waiting for Ling Ao or Miao Yun Yao to respond, Adam opened the door and walked out. Miao Yun Yao hesitated for a moment, then followed immediately. Ling Ao, after punching the wall in frustration, followed as well.

The fifth floor was small, and finding the siblings' room was easy. When Adam knocked and entered, they were greeted by an astonishing sight.

"Don't... I can't anymore..." If only the sounds were heard, one might think something inappropriate was happening, but when they saw the actual scene, even Adam was shocked into wide-eyed silence.

Inside the room, a man and a woman. The man, lying on the floor with a mixture of pain and pleasure on his face, was completely naked. The woman, dressed in leather, stood with one high-heeled foot on his back, holding what seemed to be a riding crop, whipping him...

Some people, apparently, enjoy this kind of thing, Adam had heard of it before. But...

"So, this is the kind of relationship you two have..." Adam nodded, while Miao Yun Yao and Ling Ao stood frozen in shock behind him.

Adam's voice startled the couple. Upon seeing the newcomers, they immediately appeared flustered.

"Ah... Hahaha... Well, um, actually..." The man scrambled to get up from the floor.

"Ah!!!" A woman's scream came from behind—Miao Yun Yao, presumably shocked by what she had seen. Was it normal for a woman of her age to react like that?

"Sorry!" The man quickly grabbed a piece of clothing from the sofa and put it on, while the woman ran into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

"Well, I have no interest in other people's hobbies or private lives, so you don't need to be so embarrassed." Adam looked at Li Yalin, who was standing there awkwardly.

The couple was none other than Li Yalin and Li Yolin, the siblings. Although Adam had no particular interest in their actions, seeing such things between twins inevitably left him with some thoughts.

"I... My sister and I..." Li Yalin mumbled, his eyes darting around as Li Yolin remained hidden in the bathroom.

"Are you the leader of the survivors here? I want to go out and find my daughter! Can you let me go?" At that moment, Miao Yun Yao could no longer hold back.