The man in the suit walked toward the officer, spreading his arms with a big smile, saying, "I’m not late, am I?"
The smile on his face didn’t seem to soften the officer known as Ghost Head; his face was stiff, clearly in a foul mood.
They say you shouldn’t hit a smiling man, but the officer ignored such notions. When the suited man reached him, he slapped him hard. The crisp sound echoed in everyone’s ears.
"Being late will cost you your damn life!"
The slap wasn’t light. The man in the suit flipped mid-air and crashed onto the ground. When he got back up, his face had darkened, but he didn’t dare react. He wore a forced smile while facing the officer, who wasn’t done yet. With a roar, he shouted, "Do you think playing gas with all these lives is funny? Do you even realize how many people could die because of your tardiness?"
"Go f*ck yourself!"
As he spoke, the officer kicked the suited man to the ground again. This ti, the man didn’t dare rise, only lowered his head. But the officer wasn’t finished yet. His foot lifted to land another kick when a figure interrupted him.
"Bai Liang, that’s enough."
This voice ca from the driver’s seat of the leading truck in the convoy. Only then did Ghost Head realize that their officer’s na was Bai Liang.
Bai Liang raised his head at the sound, craning his neck to see the person inside the cab. But due to the glare from the windshield, he couldn’t make out the person’s face. Judging by Bai Liang’s expression, though, the voice was undoubtedly familiar to him.
"You are... the captain?"
"Forget already?"
The voice chuckled softly as the speaker stepped out of the cab. Bai Liang finally saw his face and was visibly thrilled. "It really is you, Captain! What are you doing here?"
"It’s been ages. You’re still calling Captain?"
"Habit, I guess! Hahaha."
"No problem, call whatever. It’s been a while since we last t—so much has happened. The supplies have been delivered. As for that guy," gesturing to the suited man, "he can’t afford to et his end just yet. I’ll handle him later."
"Alright then."
Hearing this, Bai Liang could only nod in agreent.
"Should I let the team start now?"
"No need. Just drive the trucks away directly; they’re yours. Additionally..."
"What is it?"
"This operation is extrely dangerous. When I heard your team was involved, I begged to have you replaced, but the higher-ups wouldn’t agree. Now there’s nothing I can do. The mission this ti is unlike anything before—infinitely more perilous."
"Ah?"
Bai Liang looked surprised, then slowly a trace of warmth flickered across his face, clearly moved by the captain’s concern. Perhaps he didn’t expect soone to go to such lengths for him.
"It’s fine. I never intended to back down—not since the beginning. Whatever happens, happens. You don’t need to worry about ..."
"Don’t underestimate this. Even I can’t fully grasp what’s happening here. It seems Marshal is keeping sothing from us that most aren’t aware of."
"Don’t worry about . If there are soldiers, there will be generals to counter them. If there’s water, there will be earth to hold it back—nothing new."
The captain frowned deeply as he spoke, but Bai Liang’s attitude remained nonchalant. His indifference only made the captain more agitated.
"You... Forget it. I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take the last truck with ; the rest are yours now."
"Must you leave so hurriedly?"
"Of course. Do you know how much effort it took for to co see you in the first place?"
"Oh..."
"That’s it then; I’m leaving now."
The captain shook his head lightly, turned, and started walking away. Bai Liang watched him go, a trace of disappointnt in his eyes. He hadn’t expected such a cold reunion after all these years of life-and-death struggles together, thinking they’d share laughter and warmth. But the reality was more silence than words. As he watched the captain leave, he thought the man wouldn’t look back.
But after just a few steps, the captain turned around and called out, "Bai Liang, be careful this ti. Keep yourself alive for ! This isn’t just about zombies from Lan Ou—our local Silver Armored Zombies are also stirring... Just be cautious, alright? I want to see you alive again!"
Hearing this, Bai Liang grinned. "After following you for so many years, what haven’t I survived? The Zombie King? I’ll make it through just fine!"
"You’d better!"
Satisfied with Bai Liang’s confident smile, the captain chuckled, then climbed into the last truck without looking back. As the truck turned to leave, Bai Liang’s smile vanished. He stood still for a long while, lost in thought, then murmured under his breath, "I sure hope so... The Zombie King... What a nightmare..."
Shaking off his thoughts, Bai Liang turned to the team and shouted, "Everyone, take a short break!"
His command brought noise and activity back to the scene. Bai Liang, anwhile, pulled out a tablet, seemingly checking sothing. However, monts after turning it on, he realized he’d forgotten sothing important. Retrieving a communicator from the truck, he called out over the mic, "Second Team, all groups, report in."
Beep... Beep...
Static buzzed briefly before voices responded.
"This is Second Team, Group One. All is clear. Report acknowledged, please confirm."
"Acknowledged. Second Team, Group Two, report in."
"This is Second Team, Group Two. The zombie horde is advancing as usual—no abnormal changes. Report acknowledged, please confirm."
"Acknowledged. Maintain precautions. Rember, if danger arises, there’s no need to respond—use two quick taps. Second Team, Group Three, report in."
"Tap, tap..."
"Understood. Maintain safety protocols. Second Team, Group Four, report in."
"This is Second Team, Group Four. We’ve identified six Dream Weavers—otherwise all is clear. Report acknowledged, please confirm."
"Acknowledged. Second Team, Group Five, report in."
"This is Second Team, Group Five. We’ve encountered a large number of ’Human Garnts’ advancing quickly!"
"Human Garnts? Second Team, Group Five, clarify!"
"Tap, tap..."
"This..." Bai Liang frowned, swiftly moving on to the next group.
"Maintain caution. Second Team, Group Six, report in."
Buzz... Buzz...
When Bai Liang contacted Group Six, all he heard was a busy tone. His brow furrowed deeply, and he growled, "Group Six, report in!"
...
There was still no response, but after around ten seconds, the line abruptly connected. Bai Liang was greeted only by a single, blood-curdling scream followed by the grotesque sounds of human flesh being torn apart—it was terrifying!
He imdiately cut the line and tried contacting Group Seven.
"Second Team, Group Seven, report in!"
His voice was frantic, his eyes filled with unease. Anxiety weighed heavily on his heart.
But when the connection with Group Seven was established, the only thing he heard was the low growling of zombies amidst a chilling silence. Instantly, a horrifying image popped into his mind—soldiers lying dead around the communicator, or zombies in military uniforms shambling nearby.
"F*ck!"
Sputtering a curse, Bai Liang switched to contact Group Eight instead. He didn’t speak right away, listening instead to the "beep, beep" of a connection attempt. His heart pounded wildly. Finally, a voice ca through, though it sounded strange.
"This... is Second Team, Group Eight. Everything... is normal."
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