Thud! Just as the metallic web crafted by Lancelot had been completed, both Hubert and Stella had fallen unconscious onto the mesh, soon followed by Lucia. The flame of the Level 4 zombie had been completely extinguished, but the count of the injured and those at death's doorstep to reach this result was too staggering to measure. Hubert and Canis, in particular, were severely affected due to their superpowers overreaching their limits. Emerging from a foggy stupor a few minutes later, Stella glanced over at Hubert, sprawled beside her. Hubert's entire body was covered in blood that had oozed from countless wounds. Even the pores of his skin wept with specks of blood dotting his flesh. Stella was genuinely terrified this time. She had always coveted everything that belonged to Hubert, even wished for his demise. However, ever since he had risked his life to save her, she wished she had never entertained such thoughts. "Hubert! Hubert!" Half of the resentment she held within hersel
Winston's eyes widened as if he were acquiring new knowledge. Theodore, even though a zombie, was no different from an average human except that his body had turned black. But his cognition remained remarkably regular. It seemed like what Hubert had said was right. This apocalypse was utterly different from the one-two millennia ago. Developing a vaccine was no easy task. Winston said, "Give me a piece of your flesh. I need it for research." Theodore didn't respond immediately, not showing any surprise, as though he had anticipated this request: "You indeed have an incurable habit, even wanting to dissect your friend's flesh for research." "For the survival of humankind, I can only try my best." "Do you think I'm going to give you some? Remember, I'm a zombie now. We aren't close enough to casually ask for flesh." Theodore stated firmly. Winston chuckled: "Well if you're not giving, you're not giving. And we're not close anymore? Just because you've become a zombie, we're no long
Hubert reiterated: "Speak up, and I don't want to sever ties with you."Hitting Winston's weak spot, Winston sat up straight. Now it was impossible to hide anymore. Theodore shouldn't have tasked him with this covert operation, especially when it had many loose ends. Winston began hesitantly:"When I tell you, you mustn't venture into dangerous territories.""Which dangerous territories?""Just dangerous ones.""Speak up."Hubert retorted coldly. Winston, realizing the bleakness of the situation, hurriedly confessed:"Theodore has arrived. He was the one who healed you and Canis.""My elder brother is here?""Our elder brother was here?"Both Canis and Hubert simultaneously asked, not giving Winston a chance to answer as the barrage of questions continued:"How did he know we were in danger and come to our rescue? Does he possess a healing Superpower?""Can zombies even have healing Superpowers?"Canis' statement was not unfounded; zombies were devoid of healing Superpowers. They coul
This time, Canis understood that Theodore had risked himself to save Hubert and not himself - he was a beneficial afterthought. The life-saving debt he owed Theodore was undeniable, and he had long recognized Theodore's sibling love for Hubert that transcended ordinary bonds. Hence, to repay Theodore, Canis vowed to take good care of Hubert, believing Theodore's deepest desire was for his young brother to survive safely in this apocalypse riddled with death."Now, we shall rest for half a day before we proceed." he declared."Let me give them some food, and it'll help to restore their energy faster."Hubert then retrieved water, bread, and live instant noodles from his space and distributed them equally. Superhumans of level 4 and above could last up to fifteen days without food, but their cravings remained. Hence he made sure everyone had enough. After distributing the food, he began sorting out the cores they had collected.Theodore had given nearly a hundred of various types of co
Immersed in thought, Hubert grew increasingly bewildered. The more he ruminated, the more he felt as if Theodore deliberately left his scent behind as a form of protection. The first time Theodore had left his scent on him was to deter the zombies near the meteorite. Subsequently, sensing Hubert in mortal peril, he had come to his rescue. Now, his scent spread across a wide radius seemed to grant Hubert peace of mind for rest, a fact disclosed too late by Baron. Theodore was too good to him, triggering Hubert's memory of a phrase Theodore uttered the first time they shared a bed: "A soldier only loves one person in his lifetime..."They were not blood brothers, so Theodore's "love" could likely be no jest. Could it mean Theodore truly loved him? Hubert found himself swirling in a chaotic mess of thoughts. After a moment, he decided not to think further, as it only gave him a headache."Ah! We should get moving!""Early to start, early to finish."Canis agreed with Hubert, commencing
And so, Lancelot returned to the base of the Anthony family while the Wang family's team returned to their assembly area. The groups of Phelan and Nathan also decided to join the Wang family and travel together. After approximately seventeen to eighteen days, the nearly hundred-strong team finally saw the Wang family's assembly area ahead. At that moment, another day-night transition occurred. Just as Gideon had warned, the Superhumans who lagged in their training would soon be devoured by the rapidly evolving zombies.Hubert returned to his room after arranging accommodation for Phelan and Nathan's team. Winston, who had just finished bathing, once again picked up a vintage book on vaccine research. Seeing Hubert return, he went to his storage and took a set of clothes and a bath towel."Go take a bath, and hand me Theodore's space box.""Do you want to study the living soil?""You could say that. With each day passing like this, we'll soon run out of food."Hubert nodded silently,
Under the guidance of Hubert and Canis, Lancelot was led into Winston's sanctuary of study. Here, Winston had ensconced himself for five long days, with every meal brought to him by devoted servants. Upon Hubert's entrance, a visible delight illuminated Winston’s countenance. But, it faded quickly when Lancelot came into view, replaced by a shadow of displeasure. He inquired: "Why has he come here?" "He possesses uncontaminated seeds. I wish to collaborate on experiments on fertile soil and planting these seeds." Winston's furrowed brows followed Lancelot as he wandered the laboratory without another word but a mere nod of acknowledgment. Although they had worked together for three years, no moment of camaraderie had been shared. Fortunately, Winston’s regular duties kept him from too many encounters with Lancelot. Otherwise, they might have come to blows countless times. Only Theodore and Canis faced Lancelot daily, enduring his endless antics."This research chamber is truly magn
As the narrative continued, Lancelot resumed: "Master Tremblay began to display this dual persona about a month before the apocalypse. He once claimed the ability to prophesize, but now, hearing your tales, I surmise he was but a charlatan.""Is he not your master, Lancelot? To share so much, isn't that loyalty?" Canis quipped, sarcasm dripping from his words.But Lancelot's response was grave and unexpected: "I, too, wish for a world restored. I am compelled to act as zombies grow stronger, and Superhumans' progress stagnates. Had I known Master Tremblay to be the harbinger of the apocalypse, I would've resisted him. In truth, before arriving here, I already had my suspicions.""Was it about the seeds?""Yes, I found them in Master Tremblay's old residence. It's unlikely he'd know which crops would remain uncontaminated. And implanting an energy stone in me further aroused my suspicions.""Implanting an energy stone?" Hubert, well-versed in ancient Superpower scriptures, was confiden