The banging sound stopped slightly.
The zombie turned its head, revealing that bloody, messy face. Its pale eyes moved. With a roar, without saying a word, it charged towards Lam Pham.
Pfft!
Lam Pham swung his sword out, decapitating the zombie. With one hand, pushed the charging corpse aside due to inertia.
"Bro Hang, zombies are all very irritable, and also a bit stupid."
Co Hang grunted in agreement.
Arrived at the rice area.
They placed bag after bag of rice into the shopping carts.
Normally packaged rice has a storage time of 6-12 months. If vacuum-packed, the storage time can reach 12-18 months.
Currently, they had both normally packaged and vacuum-packed options; the selling prices differed.
Remembering the quantity of rice purchased, after filling up, transported it to the truck, then continued buying. This kind of豪 (háo - heroic/generous/unrestrained) buying behavior, for Lam Pham, was truly shocking. At least when he lived by himself, never like this.
They emptied the supermarket of all rice.
"Old man Vuong said there are many other supplies that can be stored longer. Let's look first," Lam Pham said.
Co Hang said, "I know all these: honey, canned goods, milk powder, etc. Let's find them first."
For Co Hang, wanting to survive in the apocalypse meant preparing sufficient supplies. Without ample supplies, waiting until the later stages of the apocalypse, might not even know how one died.
They selected items before the shelves.
Pasta.
Dried vegetable packets.
These were all essentials.
Looking at the chaotic shelves, clearly survivors had been here before. However, that group of survivors must have encountered pursuing zombies, leading to many things being scattered all over the floor.
Co Hang thought about how many survivors could possibly be living now.
This was truly an unknown variable.
...
Duong Quang Apartments.
A sedan drove slowly, the sound minimal, trying not to disturb surrounding zombies.
Ma Xuong and Nghiem Hoa were driving.
They looked at the surrounding buildings, searching for possible hiding places.
"Ai, these times are really terrifying. Don't know when it will end. You think, where did all the celebrities and singers go? I f***ing want to meet a celebrity," Ma Xuong drove, voicing his inner thoughts.
Nghiem Hoa said, "How about Yang Li?" (Assuming Dương lỵ -> Yang Li)
Ma Xuong said, "Don't joke. She's over fifty now, body fat like what? Saw videos before, really hard to imagine she was so beautiful when young."
Passing Duong Quang Apartments, then reversed back.
"Is this the place?" Ma Xuong asked doubtfully.
Nghiem Hoa observed, "Definitely is. Look, the iron gate is covered with steel plates, also leaving several holes. Definitely intended that if by any chance zombies come, use these holes to kill them."
"What now?"
"No zombies now. I'll get out of the car, see if anyone pays attention to me. If I can mix in, find out their numbers, also the layout, find a chance to escape, notify Big Brother, then can very easily occupy this place," Nghiem Hoa pondered, then observed the surrounding situation.
"But aren't you afraid of encountering that sword-carrying guy? He can fight zombies alone. If by any chance he discovers we have problems, afraid we won't even be able to run,"
"Afraid of what? What's there to be afraid of? Previously the car windows were tinted; people outside couldn't see our faces. Besides, we're driving a different car now, definitely won't recognize us. You keep an eye on the surroundings for me. If any zombies appear, must notify me immediately."
Ma Xuong thought about it. Not letting him make contact, also didn't require him to take risks. No problem.
"Got it."
Nghiem Hoa observed once more.
Safe.
Took a deep breath, opened the car door, walked to the iron gate.
"Excuse me, is anyone here?" He didn't appear fierce, but made his voice sound extremely helpless.
This kind of tone could gain sympathy.
No flaws.
Vuong Khai, sitting at the entrance, waited for Lam Pham and Co Hang to return to open the gate for them.
Meanwhile.
Heard voices from outside the gate. Startled, he quickly ran to the security room to check the monitor, found a man outside, also a sedan parked outside.
Didn't think much.
First thing was to notify Old man Vuong.
He wasn't a fool either.
Opening the gate without verification, wouldn't that be stupid dog behavior?
Recently, Old man Vuong often lectured them, conveying that our Duong Quang Apartments belongs to a big family, is our final safe point. Survivors outside might be very pitiful, but disguised survivors, not everyone can see through.
At the gate, Nghiem Hoa continuously observed the surroundings, cursing inwardly: Damn it, clearly heard footsteps, yet still doesn't reply. Really f*ing like two idiots.
Or maybe those people are also extremely vicious.
Have a group.
Right now just notifying the big brother of this place.
Thinking carefully, this possibility exists.
Just then.
A voice came from above.
"Who are you?" Old man Vuong, informed of the survivor outside, immediately took the shotgun, climbed onto the security room roof, looking down at the strange survivor below.
Nghiem Hoa was puzzled inside, How come it's an old guy? Thinking about it, not bad. Old people are usually easier to trust pitiful young people. As long as acting a bit more pitiful, very easy to arouse the old man's sympathy.
"Old Sir, please save me! My brother and I fled all the way, already reached dire straits! We really have no hope! Passed by here, felt there were survivors here. Hope Old Sir can take us in."
Nghiem Hoa finished speaking softly, directly kneeled on the ground, hands clasped before his chest, looking pitifully at the old man.
If not worried the voice would attract zombies.
He even wanted to kowtow three times to the old man.
Don't even have the skill to act pitiful, how else to survive outside?
As for kneeling, that's also a very normal technique.
Out surviving.
When should kneel, must kneel. Anyway, later have opportunities to get it back.
If it were other kind-hearted people, without any alertness, seeing this situation, perhaps really could be deceived. But Old man Vuong, was he that easily fooled? Age although old, but mind not stupid.
He assessed the opponent.
No matter how pitiful the opponent acted.
"Scram..." The old man picked up the shotgun placed in the corner, aimed at the opponent, "You take this old man for a fool, right? Look at your face, can't see a single trace of a refugee look. Also your clothes, shoes, all very clean, doesn't look like chased by zombies either. You mentioned that brother of yours, eyes shifty, just like a thief. Now give you one last chance, immediately scram for me! Otherwise, don't blame this gun for having no eyes!"
Nghiem Hoa, kneeling, clearly didn't expect this old man's eyes were really sharp.
Actually pointed it out clearly to him.
Also didn't expect the opponent still had a gun in hand. Thinking now is the apocalypse, perhaps really would open fire. He hurriedly stood up, smiled fawningly.
"Old Sir, don't shoot! Let's talk nicely! I'll leave right now! Don't shoot! Don't be impulsive!"
Said while retreating.
Directly entered the car, sped away.
Old man Vuong watched the direction the opponent's vehicle left.
Pondered.
Came down from the security room roof.
Vuong Khai hurriedly said, "Old Sir, how to handle this?"
Old man Vuong said, "This group isn't ordinary survivors. They came here just to probe our bottom line. You now hurry and get Tran Hac over. I'll keep watch here. Must wait until Lam Pham returns."
"Okay."
Vuong Khai hurried away.
For Old man Vuong, the brief contact with the opponent just now, just a few simple exchanges could see through. The opponent, in peaceful times, likely didn't walk the right path. Now in the apocalypse, still able to live so well, can only say this group definitely has an organization.
If this group of organized survivors does evil, that's an existence even more terrifying than zombies. Regardless of harm or human nature, already terrifying beyond imagination.
...
Inside the car.
"F***! Damn it! Didn't expect that old man's eyes were actually so sharp! From my clothes and mental state, could tell I wasn't a fleeing survivor! Damn it! These eyes are extremely sharp!" Nghiem Hoa, the more he thought, the more anxious he felt. But knowing the opponent's location was already enough. After all, already completed Big Brother's mission.
Ma Xuong thought for a bit, "Actually, all these can be explained. Just say we have supplies in the car, haven't gotten out, wouldn't that work?"
"Are you f***ing trying to get me killed?! Didn't you see that old guy had a gun in his hand?! Now is a chaotic era! No law, no morality! If I continued talking nonsense, he shoots me once, you f***er would definitely stomp the gas and run!" Nghiem Hoa didn't give him a good face, always felt Ma Xuong's brain had problems.
Ma Xuong said very shocked, "We are brothers! How could that be?"
"Haha."
"Brother, don't haha! I hate these two words!"
"Drive your car!"
Nghiem Hoa was extremely depressed. He understood why Big Brother always wanted to get guns. Truly too intimidating. When he saw the old man holding a gun, was truly scared stiff, entire spirit tense.
He knew Big Brother was ambitious.
Finding survivor bases, wanting to eliminate them all.
Thinking of the other group of survivors' steel beast car, able to rampage through the apocalypse. But... thinking carefully, these aren't easy matters to resolve.
...
Son Thuy Hao Vien.
"Duong Quang Apartments?"
Vuong Dai Phu, upon learning the survivor gathering point was at Duong Quang Apartments, truly felt somewhat incredulous. As far as he knew, that community was an old residential area, facilities fundamentally inadequate. What kind of guy, head problematic, would actually choose to live there?
Nghiem Hoa said, "Big Brother, that old man has a gun in hand. Feels like he used to be in the military, observation ability very strong. I wanted to trick my way in, see their internal situation, but was seen through by the opponent at a glance."
Vuong Dai Phu assessed Nghiem Hoa, "A fierce face. If it were me, I'd also suspect you have problems. The only tricky part is this old guy having a gun, also that sword-carrying fool who can fight zombies. Personal strength absolutely cannot be underestimated. Without firearms, very difficult."
Ma Xuong said, "Big Brother, how about we get guns first?"
"You go get them?" Vuong Dai Phu asked.
Ma Xuong glanced at Nghiem Hoa, then didn't speak. Regarding Big Brother saying get guns, felt better not to bother.
Nghiem Hoa noticed Ma Xuong's gaze. Big Brother was present, didn't dare speak out, but inwardly already cursed Ma Xuong's ancestors eighteen generations. You damn pervert, so many people, who else not to look at, must look at me.
...
Duong Quang Apartments.
Everyone was carrying goods.
"Just now someone pretended to be a survivor, probing our community situation?" Lam Pham heard the old man mention this matter, couldn't help but feel puzzled. Felt very strange.
Everyone is living in the apocalypse. Now different from before, easy. All surviving amidst danger. More people don't even have the chance to survive.
He found it very difficult to understand this group's thoughts.
But he knew, many people now have turned very bad, bad even beyond imagination.
Old man Vuong said, "Little Pham, our community is being targeted by a mysterious team, always dangerous. Absolutely cannot be negligent."
"Mm, I understand." Lam Pham thought about finding that group of survivors, having a good talk with them. Regarding this kind of behavior, truly extremely vile.
Co Hang said, "Tonight I'll stand guard."
He wanted to contribute to Duong Quang Apartments.
Old man Vuong said, "We don't know who they are now, nor where they are. Can only wait. They might appear tonight, might also not appear for several consecutive days. One person standing guard all night, definitely cannot endure. How about making a schedule, take turns? What do you think?"
Co Hang thought for a bit, old man makes a lot of sense, "I have no problem."
Lam Pham thought about saying I can stand guard 365 days a year. Sleeping now for me is like a human habit. Even if not sleeping, I also don't feel tired.
But still didn't say it.
He could see, everyone wanted to contribute to Duong Quang Apartments, didn't want to be useless burdens.
Understandable.
"I also have no problem."
Nighttime.
Extremely cool, extremely quiet, extremely comfortable.
He liked the night.
Liked it before, because he could stand on the balcony, watching the bustling streets downstairs with people coming and going, watching everyone with smiles on their faces continuously striving to make life better.
But now...
Smiles gone, bustling gone, beauty only prolonged by a few.
Tonight was his turn for night watch. He thought about experiencing the feeling of not sleeping.
Manh Manh handed over to Sis Ly.
He didn't stay in the security room, but carried a chair to sit on the security room roof.
"Ugh ugh... Roar."
A zombie, under the moonlight's shroud, limped over, like an old man nearing death, walking very slowly, very tiredly, without any destination, just moving by feeling.
Suddenly.
This zombie seemed to perceive something, turned its head, saw Lam Pham sitting on the security room roof. Instantly became excited, roared, ran, fiercely crashed against the wall, stretched out both hands wanting to pull Lam Pham down.
Lam Pham didn't kill it.
But stood at the edge, squatted down, looking with a smile on his face.
"Hello, middle of the night, why not sleeping? Still wandering out alone?"
Murmuring conversation.
He knew zombies couldn't talk.
But didn't affect his thought of conversing with zombies.
"Where are your companions? Why are you all alone? Don't you know night is very dangerous? Careful being beaten up by bad people."
"Ai, look at the sticky blood at the corner of your mouth, must have harmed many people. You have a counterpart, he wears a uniform, always protecting society. But comparing you with him, truly incomparable. Just like living people, some strive to live without harming others, while some think about harming others, yet want to live. Just like you, want to bite people, yet want to live."
Talking, talking, also felt like playing lute to a cow.
"Ugh ugh..."
The zombie still roared.
Lam Pham looked at the late hour; they should all be asleep. Didn't want to disturb their rest. Directly jumped down from the roof. The zombie chased. And he arrived at the trash can, one sword strike pierced the opponent's head, directly carried it into the trash can.
Garbage should return to the trash can.
Returned to the roof, sat on the chair, arms crossed, waiting for dawn.
Early morning.
Sky slightly brightening.
Perhaps only five o'clock.
A sedan drove on the road.
"You really went? Really too much! Matters unrelated to us, yet you insist on doing?" Nghiem Hoa looked at Ma Xuong. If not for the apocalypse, really wanted to pull him out of the car and beat him fiercely.
Ma Xuong said, "Brother, I really just wanted what's best for us. Big Brother said use the car to smash Duong Quang Apartments' iron gate, damage their gate. This kind of easy job, extremely simple. Otherwise, we'll have to search the whole city for another group of survivors, somewhat dangerous."
Nghiem Hoa was silent.
Seemed to make a bit of sense.
Changed car again.
Was a decent off-road vehicle, horsepower somewhat sufficient. Smashing the iron gate definitely wasn't difficult.
"Alright, lazy to talk to you."
Just as about to reach Duong Quang Apartments.
Ma Xuong rubbed his eyes, "Damn! There's someone on that roof! Looks like the sword-carrying fool! What to do?"
Thinking of that guy's combat power, still felt some lingering fear.
Nghiem Hoa squinted, "Ram! Must ram! Ram then run! I don't believe a broken sword can stop us!"
"Hehe, that's what I thought too," Ma Xuong laughed, couldn't help but increase speed.
Heard the car sound.
Lam Pham looked towards the direction the car was coming from.
Another strange survivor?
However, he found the car's driving path seemed problematic.
Seemed to be heading towards the residential area.
He prepared to greet the opponent. If it was a survivor who could pass his test, he was willing to rent Duong Quang Apartments' housing to them. After all, hadn't had business for a while, income sharply decreased.
But not right... This car wasn't slowing down, instead accelerating. Is it trying to smash Duong Quang Apartments' main gate?
Ma Xuong and Nghiem Hoa inside the car roared.
"Smash it! Useless iron gate!"
Shouting.
Momentum very strong.
But...
"Holy crap!"
"Damn it!"