Chapter 8: No Problem
1245 Words
“Everyone, I’m sure you’ve all realized by now that something has changed in this world. This is a disaster, and at any moment, we could be killed by the monsters outside. That’s why we must unite if we want to survive. We need to organize tasks and ensure that while we protect ourselves, we also look out for each other. That’s our only chance at survival. Let me be clear—facing those creatures alone is certain death. We must stand together.”
The bald, pot-bellied teacher delivered his speech with fervor, exuding a self-sacrificing righteousness.
Ethan, listening from the sidelines, let out a quiet snort. He vividly remembered how that same teacher had scrambled out of the private room, nearly crawling on all fours in fear. If Ethan hadn’t needed to continue searching the dangerous area, the teacher might have clung to him like a lifeline.
Though the teacher’s speech was clearly driven by self-preservation, Ethan had to admit that someone with a higher education knew how to play the part. He didn’t mention his own fears but instead posed as a figure who was tirelessly working for the group’s well-being.
Ethan understood the man’s reasoning. After all, in a world almost entirely overrun by zombies, having a safe place was already a blessing. Even though a group of a dozen wasn’t much, being in a leadership position meant not only improved safety but also tangible benefits—like access to food...
As a schoolteacher, the bald middle-aged man had a keen understanding of human nature. At a time when everyone was panicked and unsure, he seized the moment, offering a few reassuring words. This gave the group a sense of stability and indirectly put them under his control. The teacher was undoubtedly a shrewd individual.
“We’re safe for now, and that’s all thanks to Ethan. His selfless courage has provided us with a relatively secure environment. He’s someone we should all learn from.” As he spoke, the teacher glanced toward Ethan, nodding with a smile, as if offering praise.
Ethan saw through the teacher’s attempt to win over the crowd. He wasn’t about to let a few compliments trick him into thinking he was some noble hero who should shield everyone from danger.
He had no such lofty sense of duty. Instead, he simply nodded with a smile, giving a perfunctory response.
“Ethan here is the bravest and strongest among us—he fought off those zombies alone. So, why don’t we have Ethan share a few words? It would help everyone gain a better understanding of these creatures so that we can handle them more effectively. Ethan, don’t hold back now,” the bald teacher said with a smile, sounding like a proud mentor inviting his star student to give a speech.
His words had the desired effect—everyone’s eyes were now fixed on Ethan.
Tossing aside the apple core, Ethan smiled and stood up. “Alright, alright. I’m sure you’ve all heard that voice in your minds, haven’t you?”
“You can think of this as a game. The monsters outside are just like in-game enemies—kill them, and you level up. It's that simple. Of course, unlike in a game, if you die here, you're dead for real. There’s no respawn.”
Ethan’s explanation was straightforward. Some people seemed deep in thought, while others' eyes lit up with realization. Yet, there were still those who voiced their doubts.
The one to speak up was the arrogant, pretty girl. “Ethan, those zombies are terrifying! How do you expect us to fight them? And as girls, shouldn’t we be under the protection of you boys? Especially you, Ethan—you’re the strongest among us. Shouldn’t our safety be your responsibility?”
“Sure, no problem,” Ethan replied as soon as the girl finished speaking, standing up without hesitation.
Everyone was stunned by his quick response but soon realized—he was brushing them off. Still, with a reply like that, no one could argue further.
Seeing the group fall silent, Ethan spoke again, “If you want to survive, relying on someone else’s protection will only get you so far. The only way to stay safe is to become strong yourselves. Zombies really aren’t that hard to deal with—they just look horrifying. Once you overcome your fear, you can easily handle them since they’re so slow.”
Hearing Ethan’s words, a few of the taller boys seemed intrigued, their expressions eager.
Ethan noticed their reactions and added, “Here’s a tip: these zombies are the weakest ones—they’re easy to defeat and provide the best opportunity to level up. You’ve probably received the system prompt by now—these zombies can evolve. If you miss this chance, whether it’s tomorrow or the next day, they’ll be much harder to deal with.”
With that, Ethan sat down, unconcerned. “Who knows how long I’ll last anyway? As for these people… beauties are just for show in this world. Giving them a heads-up is enough—the rest is up to them.”
Ethan fell silent, and the bald teacher stepped in to mediate. “Alright, thank you, Ethan, for your advice. But we also need to be practical. Take the girls, for example—they’re naturally more fragile, so we should take extra care of them. The boys, on the other hand, should show some responsibility.”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “As for the plan to deal with the zombies, we’ll discuss that later. For now, it’s getting late, and I’m sure everyone’s hungry. Since we’re already in the cafeteria, is there anyone who can cook? It would be great if someone could prepare a meal so we can all regain our strength.”
Hearing this, Ethan glanced at his phone and realized that it was already 7 PM. Though it was early autumn and the sky wasn’t dark yet, after such a long day filled with fear and anxiety, everyone’s hunger had finally caught up with them.
In response to the teacher’s suggestion, the six people Ethan had saved—including Emily Greene—stood awkwardly to the side, remaining silent. It was clear none of them knew how to cook.
The group exchanged uneasy glances until a shy, bespectacled girl stepped forward, volunteering to make a meal for everyone. She wore simple clothes, indicating she wasn’t from a wealthy family. A boy with a sunny disposition also stepped up to help.
From Ethan’s observation, the way they exchanged glances suggested they were a couple.
Once the cooking issue was settled, the next priority was safety. Under the teacher’s direction, the group divided the tasks. The girls were assigned to fetch water and clean the hall. After all, no one would feel comfortable seeing blackened bloodstains everywhere.
The pretty girls, in particular, looked irritated, dragging their feet as if they wanted nothing to do with the chore. However, under the watchful eyes of the others, they reluctantly put on an act of compliance.
The boys were tasked with cleaning as well, with two of them assigned to keep an eye on their surroundings. The rest worked together to move tables and benches to block the stairway leading downstairs—no one wanted a sudden swarm of zombies charging up from below.
Once everything was settled and they had eaten a less-than-appetizing meal, night finally fell….
- Writer
