Zombie King System

Half a Year After the T-Virus Outbreak It's been six months since the T-virus outbreak. Lin Hao gazed out the window at the roaming monstrosities, a shiver running down his spine. Lin Hao hadn’t eaten for three days. If it weren't for the few large bottles of purified water they had stored, he doubted they would have survived this long. “Lin Hao, we have to go out and find some food,” said a foul-smelling girl who approached him. The girl was Lin Hao’s classmate; they were both students at University A. After the zombie virus outbreak, these young people quickly formed a survival team with astonishing intuition and judgment, taking refuge on the top floor of their school building. The girl's outfit had once been stylish, but it was now filthy from lack of washing and the constant crawling and fighting for survival. As for bathing, Lin Hao sniffed himself and shook his head with a wry smile. “There’s nothing left to eat in this building. We need to risk going downstairs. The school’s small supermarket should still have some food,” a burly young man rumbled from across the room. Lin Hao, feeling weak, said, “But we haven’t eaten in three days. Where will we find the strength to go downstairs?” Lin Hao’s point was valid. Since establishing their base on the top floor of the teaching building, they had scoured the entire place, collecting every edible and drinkable item. However, the resources within the building were limited. Moreover, the virus had broken out in broad daylight. Each classroom was packed with people, and the virus had decimated everyone inside. When Lin Hao’s small group arrived, they discovered a horrifying reality: descending the building was nearly impossible as zombies filled every floor below the top. Each food search mission had been perilous, whittling their group from over twenty down to three survivors. Now, only three remained: a girl named Wei Xuehan, the brawny Wang Wei, and Lin Hao, who was often teased for being as thin as a rake. Lin Hao had always been skinny, bordering on malnutrition, and since the outbreak, he hadn’t had a single filling meal—just having something to eat was a blessing. “We have two choices: starve to death or take a gamble and go downstairs,” Wang Wei said firmly. Wei Xuehan said nothing, but her silence was an agreement. Without food, hunger would drive them to madness. Whenever Wei Xuehan caught Wang Wei’s sinister glances, she felt a chill run through her. Being a girl, Wei Xuehan couldn’t overpower the two boys. If they didn’t find food soon, she feared becoming their next meal. Wang Wei picked up a golf club he had found in a teacher's office and taped a magazine to each of his arms for protection. “What about us? What do we use for gear?” Lin Hao asked, reasonably. Wang Wei looked at Lin Hao coldly, “With the way you are, would a club do you any good?” Lin Hao bit back his anger, recognizing the truth in Wang Wei's words. Wei Xuehan silently moved a few steps closer to Wang Wei, making her allegiance clear. Their base was a chemistry lab, chosen because it allowed them to filter clean water. No one knew if the water supply was contaminated with the virus, and no one wanted to take that risk. Pure water was essential. The teaching building was fifteen stories high. It had taken great effort to clear most of the zombies on their way to the top, but a few remained. With only three of them left, eliminating those remaining zombies seemed unnecessary, as they would have to leave eventually. Wang Wei cautiously opened the lab door, which was wooden and fragile. Thankfully, the zombies were brainless, so if they hid quietly in the room for a while, the zombies would eventually disperse. Although the hallway seemed quiet, Wang Wei remained vigilant. Some zombies could stand perfectly still, but would rush toward any noise with terrifying speed. As Wang Wei nervously pushed open the creaky door, Lin Hao impatiently shoved it wide open, causing a loud bang. Wang Wei angrily grabbed Lin Hao by the throat, “Are you trying to get us killed?” Even his reprimand was whispered, afraid of making too much noise. Lin Hao, unfazed, whispered back, “There’s a window right there. I checked; the hallway is clear.” Wang Wei glanced at the open window, then back at Lin Hao, blushing with embarrassment but still glaring, “When you’re with me, follow my lead, or else.” Lin Hao raised his hands in mock surrender, and Wang Wei released his grip. Lin Hao followed Wang Wei, mentally cursing him, “If you get bitten, I’ll make sure to smash your head.” The three of them cautiously reached the stairwell. “Lin Hao, you go first,” Wang Wei ordered, with Wei Xuehan watching him closely. Lin Hao couldn’t argue and reluctantly led the way down, checking each floor. “Clear,” he whispered, and they cautiously descended. “You’re the one with the gear. Why do I have to take point?” Lin Hao complained. “Shut up. I’m here to protect you two. You can’t both hide behind me,” Wang Wei retorted. Lin Hao remembered previous food searches where he always led, while Wang Wei stayed at the back, ready to flee at the first sign of trouble, yet always eager to eat first. Once, a classmate beside Wang Wei had been grabbed by a zombie. The classmate wore long sleeves and wasn't injured. If Wang Wei had helped, the classmate might have survived longer. Instead, Wang Wei had run away, leaving the classmate to his fate. Lin Hao focused on the task at hand, vowing never to stay with Wang Wei after they left the building. Descending fifteen flights of stairs was exhausting for the three starved survivors. Lin Hao, leading the way, suddenly stopped. The others froze, knowing he had spotted something. As they began to retreat quietly, Wei Xuehan stumbled, her weak legs giving out, and let out an involuntary yelp. The sound made Lin Hao’s heart race with fear. He and Wang Wei had no time to scold her; they bolted for a nearby door. They didn’t have the strength to climb back up, and running upstairs would only get them caught. Wang Wei opened the door to find a zombie, and with a swing of his club, he staggered it enough for them to run past. Lin Hao looked back to see a dozen zombies closing in, despair gripping him until he spotted a wooden ladder leading up to a ventilation shaft, likely left by a maintenance worker. Lin Hao, with Wei Xuehan beside him and Wang Wei behind, turned to help her up, “Climb!” Wei Xuehan glanced back gratefully before kicking Lin Hao in the knee, sending him sprawling. Wang Wei didn’t hesitate, stepping on Lin Hao’s back to climb up. Lin Hao, on the floor, watched as Wei Xuehan and Wang Wei escaped through the vent. Wang Wei kicked the ladder down once they were safe. “Sorry, but this is our only chance,” Wei Xuehan said apologetically. Lin Hao felt a surge of betrayal. They all could have escaped, but now he was left behind. With zombies closing in, Lin Hao’s survival instinct kicked in. He managed to stand and dive into a nearby maintenance room, locking the door behind him. The zombies pounded on the door, but he was safe for now. Outside, Wei Xuehan and Wang Wei watched from above. “Why did you do that?” Wang Wei asked. “If we didn’t distract the zombies, none of us would survive. Lin Hao was the weakest, so he had to be the bait,” Wei Xuehan said coldly. “And you think you’re not weak?” Wang Wei retorted. “I’m smarter and more valuable than him,” she replied, her eyes gleaming as she reached for Wang Wei’s waist.