Hubert waved back while sprinting towards Canis, spotting Gideon puffing on a cigarette in the background. This man was perpetually puffing smoke; had Hubert known about this level of addiction, he would've suggested to his father not to store tobacco in the warehouse."It seems they've all relocated. Our trip here might've been in vain."Canis exhaled deeply; based on his calculations, there should have been a few lingering zombie here. The forest would have its share of zombie wildlife, and they were expected to move in groups. His assumption was based on careful consideration and not mere fancy; it was miserable if they returned empty-handed."I don't think it's all for naught."Even Hubert found his own words mystifying. He couldn't pinpoint why, but a prickling sensation enveloped him. His spine chilled to the bone as if something was approaching that filled him with such dread."What do you mean?""I don't know, but I sense something's coming our way."Hubert tried to focus, the
Lancelot, too, passed by Hubert, sneaking a glance at the boy's hair whirls. Two hair spirals, fascinating indeed? It made him want to caress them.He wanted to tease but caught Jacob's warning glance and bit his tongue. More importantly, whatever was rampaging within the forest needed his attention first.A soldier handed him a pair of binoculars, which he slowly accepted and put to his eyes. A red light beamed from the lens. These were infrared binoculars, capable of seeing through trees, costly, and limited in quantity. Hubert thought this Lancelot was showing off, so he used his penetrating gaze to look inside."Ah!"Immediately, Hubert felt his knees buckle in fear. He staggered back a few steps and bumped into Jacob. Jacob steadied him with a hand on his shoulder, concern filling his voice:"Hubert, what's wrong? What happened?"Hubert quickly shook his head. It wasn't that something had happened to him, but that everyone standing here was about to be in big trouble.Inside, two
By now, the fifth-rank zombie had come within thirty meters of Lancelot's troop. It paused, surveying them before locking eyes with the figure in the center.This extraordinary zombie, its intellect advanced beyond all norms, managed to pinpoint Lancelot's leadership position within a blink of an eye. At its disposal, the crystallized energy of the wolf, held within its hands. With a simple squeeze, the crystal disintegrated to dust, absorbed within seconds, its palm generating a sphere of lightning.Hubert had seen Enda and Rowan unleash their electrokinetic abilities, but never with such formidable intensity. The sphere, charged with ever-mounting energy, seemed capable of summoning storms.In an instant, the sky overhead was engulfed by roiling black clouds, obscuring everything. Darkness reigned, interrupted only by the eerie white-purple glow of the charged sphere. Just as the zombie prepared to launch its electric onslaught, another creature from behind snatched the globe as if
Simultaneously, on the road leading to S city, Hubert was being carried by Theodore with the other zombie trailing behind. Hubert pounded on Theodore's back."Put me down, and I can walk by myself! Are you afraid I'll run away?"Theodore still needs to answer. Instead, the zombie behind them grinned mischievously."He's not afraid you'll run away. He's just yearning to hold you!"Hubert gritted his teeth. What about being yearning to hold him? Now a zombie, he didn't know his place, yet still wanted to save him? But Theodore, despite being a zombie, didn't give off the disgusting smell of decay like the others. If so, could "that place" of his still function? Unable to suppress his curiosity, Hubert finally asked:"Big brother, is "gun" of yours broken?"Theodore's "gun" was in such good condition. It would be a shame if it were broken, wouldn't it? But he didn't answer. Instead, he smacked Hubert's butt as if to say he should keep his mouth shut. Hubert wisely fell silent. Theodore's
This was the truth from Hubert. He didn't understand why, but he wasn't scared of Theodore. Theodore, however, was acting like a scared puppy, constantly worried that Hubert would ridicule him. Could it be because he still read his past confession for Hubert? Theodore then retorted:"You're lying. I saw you deep in thought."Theodore used a face that was serious yet terrifying to act cute. This was indeed something that made Hubert ponder. Knowing that words would not suffice, Hubert took Theodore's hand. He blinked at him:"You must believe me! I'm your younger brother, after all!"Yet Theodore swiftly retracted his hand and slipped past Hubert, striding ahead."Quit your fanciful thoughts and hasten your pace.""I'm not daydreaming at all!""Stop talking nonsense.""Big brother! Wait for me!"Hubert pursued Theodore, leaping onto his back and wrapping his arms around his neck like a small child. As a youngster, he'd longed for a piggyback ride like other siblings enjoyed, but Theodo
Throughout a single night, Hubert shifted restlessly in search of a comfortable position, only to accidentally bump into Theodore lying beside him. Theodore, asleep, a slumbering zombie, a strange sight indeed. The collision roused him, his eyes heavy with sleep gazing at Hubert. "What's the matter, sleep not treating you well?" Theodore's arm encircled Hubert's waist, a comforting massage on his hip, but Hubert refused to respond. He was annoyed. This brother had dragged him to this oppressive heat for over a dozen hours and dared to ask if he slept well. Indeed, the heartless zombie. Theodore, unable Hubert's vexation, decided to Theodore change the subject. "When you wish to return to the gathering place, I'll take you there." "Return? To the gathering place?" Hubert had initially thought Theodore intended to keep him captive forever, so it was unexpected to hear him offer to let him go, even more so, to take him back personally. Noticing Hubert's hesitation, Theodore immediate
He'd repeated that statement numerous times, but Hubert remained genuinely perplexed. He pressed him for clarification. "What do you mean? What protection? What about other zombies being wary of me?" Clunky waited to respond. He glanced back at Theodore, pleading for help. Hubert pushed him gently in the chest. "Speak up. He has no right to hinder me from learning the truth about myself. If you don't tell me, I'll find out some other way." Clunky flitted his gaze between Hubert and Theodore, finally capitulating under pressure. "It's him, that bastard. He marked you with his scent. Who dares to approach the marked one of a high-tier, fifth-rank zombie? Your scent is even stronger now. I bet the zombies outside will scatter at the sight of you." As Clunky finished speaking, Theodore's voice resounded from behind. "Shut up." Clunky continued, his tone not reflecting an ounce of fear. "Uh oh, using your real voice. Aren't you scared your little lover will run away?" "Silence!"
Ring... Ring!The sudden sound of the alarm bell echoed sharply, causing Winston to mutter a curse under his breath before he rose to his feet."Damn it! He's here again!""Damn it! Here again!"Hubert was perplexed, unsure of the unfolding situation. He rushed after Winston, inquiring hastily."What's going on? Why did the alarm suddenly sound?""It's that bastard Lancelot causing a commotion again. Every encounter ends in losses on both sides, yet he refuses to back down.""Does he want to take over our gathering area?"Winston nodded, dashing out swiftly. Outside, over a dozen people had gathered; among them was Jacob, who immediately moved beside Hubert upon spotting him. As Jacob was about to engage him in conversation, Stella inserted herself between them, her voice laced with sourness."Just as the alarm went off, everyone had already gathered, yet you seem rather at ease, aren't you?"Hubert dismissed Stella, leaving her fuming, but she eventually composed herself, leaning ont