"Ugh ugh..."
Officer Hoang instantly tackled the zombified Ma Xuong to the ground, hands pressing down on the opponent's head, exerting force, continuously exerting force.
Splat!
The opponent's head shattered like a watermelon in an instant, a puddle of sticky fluid splattering out.
"Such strong power."
Lam Pham exclaimed in surprised admiration. Crushing a head with bare hands required unimaginable strength.
He naturally could also achieve this state, but that was himself. At least until now, besides seeing Strength-type zombies, really hadn't encountered any other type of zombie that could do it.
Moreover, it wasn't just strength; even the speed was very fast, far exceeding other zombies.
Officer Hoang turned his head to glance at Lam Pham, mouth agape, emitting 'ugh ugh' roars, as if saying...
Police solving a case, please stay away.
"Truly formidable." Lam Pham gave Officer Hoang a thumbs up, feeling a full sense of security.
At this time.
Nghiem Hoa's body trembled violently, sticky fluid flowing from the corner of his mouth, pupils rolling upwards, turning into ash-white eyes. Standing up, he saw Lam Pham, this so-fresh flesh and blood, ferocity erupting, savagely roaring.
Lam Pham said, "Advise you to be honest. Officer Hoang is here; you'll end up like it."
"Ugh ugh..."
The zombified Nghiem Hoa ignored Officer Hoang's existence, charging towards Lam Pham. The result was as Lam Pham expected: wanting to act violently in front of Officer Hoang, the outcome would absolutely be tragic.
Splat!
Head shattered.
Lam Pham tilted his head, somewhat puzzled.
Officer Hoang seemed to particularly enjoy smashing zombie heads. Pondering, he had an epiphany: Officer Hoang must be afraid that the thugs-turned-zombies would, while he wasn't paying attention, cause harm to him, a good citizen. That's why he thought of completely stopping them, making them lose the ability to resist.
No mistake.
Absolutely just like that.
A little thought and one can understand.
There was still one more culprit about to turn into a zombie. He knew what the fate of this zombie would be. Any criminal before justice would have nowhere to hide. Sure enough, as he guessed, the opponent, like the previous two, savagely charged towards him, only to have his head crushed by Officer Hoang.
Although Officer Hoang was indeed a zombie, in his eyes, he was no longer a simple zombie.
He seemed to have clearly understood something.
Perhaps it was his conjecture.
Officer Hoang must know that criminals turned into zombies would be extremely difficult to deal with. Other human bodies would surely be unable to resist. For social harmony and stability, to protect kind and friendly common people, he willingly turned into a zombie, strengthened himself, thereby resisting this group of ferocious zombies.
Yes, it must be like this.
Otherwise, no other reason.
"Thank you, Officer Hoang. You protected me," Lam Pham said gratefully.
Officer Hoang swayed his body, his pale eyes gave Lam Pham a sidelong glance, then limped off into the distance, ignoring him.
"Truly a professional Officer Hoang. Treats the police station as his own home, returns home on time, comes out for patrol on time. The survivors in Hoang city, having Officer Hoang's protection, is truly a happy thing."
Lam Pham sighed with emotion, a sense of respect welling up.
Looking at the three headless zombie corpses before him, then at Officer Hoang's receding figure.
What he could do was throw the three corpses into the trash can, and conveniently wash the ground stains clean. This was the only thing he could do now.
Duong Quang Apartments.
Old man Vuong had been guarding the main gate of the residential area.
Lam Pham recounted everything that happened at Son Thuy Hao Vien, every scene witnessed, to Old man Vuong.
Suffering humiliation, helpless suicide.
The dark evil forces' oppression of survivors in peril, etc.
Old man Vuong listened, didn't interrupt. After Lam Pham finished saying everything necessary, he gently patted Lam Pham's shoulder, speaking earnestly:
"Little Pham, you've done very well. You are human, not a god. Some things don't happen in front of you, in places you don't know. You cannot know what happened. When what you see has already become a foregone conclusion, you can be sad, can be upset, but don't blame yourself."
"Now is the apocalypse, a chaotic era. Even in peaceful times, in dark corners, things that enrage both gods and men still occur. When you see it, you can help, can stop it. Don't blame yourself for tragedies you didn't see."
He knew Lam Pham was a kind-hearted person, also a sentimental person.
Easily moved by things happening around him.
But being around Lam Pham was fortunate, was reassuring. For survivors like Little Pham to appear in the apocalypse, for those who always harbor goodwill, is a gift from heaven. In endless suffering, there is always a good place that can give people sweetness.
"Thank you, Old man Vuong. I understand," Lam Pham said.
Old man Vuong smiled, "It's good that you can understand. You've done very well. For us, you are the best gift bestowed upon us by heaven, also our hope, our future."
Lam Pham, praised by Old man Vuong, grinned happily.
He dared to guarantee, if Old man Vuong was pulled into a "praise group," he would absolutely become the group leader; everyone liked to hear Old man Vuong speak.
...
Hoang city Prison.
"Bread for you."
A woman with a slightly haggard expression handed bread to the fat man in front of her. This fat man looked somewhat greasy. If before, he would be an object many women wouldn't look at.
"Thanks," Thu Dao Tram Ngu Ha Minh Hien accepted the bread. He was currently in prison. While waiting for rescue at his original place, encountered a group of survivors driving out to search for supplies.
He pitifully begged them, finally being taken away from that damned place.
The woman before him was called Mieu Yen. It was this woman who told the survivors to bring him along, which is why he was taken away.
Mieu Yen smiled, "No need to thank. Everyone is trying to survive. Facing the apocalypse, we should help each other more."
Ha Minh Hien smiled. It was just his fat, greasy face; every time he smiled, it gave people a not-so-good, very ugly feeling.
Prison. He really didn't expect there would still be such a good shelter as a prison. Truly didn't expect it before.
Learned from Mieu Yen's mouth.
The person currently managing the prison was called Tran Chi Dung. He had a group of underlings following him, had already treated the prison as a main base, even more so as a protective base under the apocalypse.
He looked at the group of people squatting in the corners around.
All ordinary people.
Eyes exuded fatigue, despair. Clearly, even in such a safe prison, this group of brought-back survivors also lived extremely desperate lives.
What made Ha Minh Hien uniquely gratified was... the men here were all normal. Not like that dog-toy Nham Nham kind of guy. Damn it, doesn't go the water route, but f*ing goes the land route. Simply worse than a beast.
"Sister."
Just then, a little boy walked over. This was Mieu Yen's younger brother, Mieu Dich. Somewhat short, somewhat thin, didn't look like a twelve-year-old child, gave the impression of only being 8 or 9 years old.
Mieu Yen's smile was very gentle, giving people a very comfortable feeling, "Brother, this is Big Brother Ha Minh Hien, a survivor who just came back with us today."
Mieu Dich looked at Ha Minh Hien, very politely said, "Brother Minh Hien."
Suddenly being called Brother Minh Hien, Ha Minh Hien was actually a bit stunned. He didn't see a trace of ridicule or discrimination in this child's eyes. This truly made him somewhat unexpected.
He hated children, because there were always children mocking him as a Big Fatty, a damn fat pig. Even if not mocking him, he could see that disdainful look in their eyes.
That feeling was very uncomfortable, made him very upset. He felt regardless of adults or children, all were targeting him.
Ha Minh Hien revealed a smile. It was just this smile, however one looked at it, was extremely wretched. But this kind of smile, without any negative emotions, was one of the few friendly smiles he had shown in decades, since he became sensible.
"Little Dich, hello," Ha Minh Hien said.
Just then.
A man walked towards this side, wearing glasses, thin and weak, looking very refined, with a somewhat refined scoundrel temperament.
"Mieu Yen, Boss Dung wants you to go over."
Hearing these words, Mieu Yen's expression changed slightly, not very natural. Nodded.
"I know."
After the man informed, he left. He was Tran Chi Dung's subordinate. Previously also locked in this prison, committed financial fraud, considered an industry elite. Just accidentally slipped up, got caught.
Mieu Yen said, "I have some matters, will be back later. Brother, be good, chat well with Brother Minh Hien, talk about the situation here."
"Mm, Sister, I know." Mieu Dich obediently nodded.
Ha Minh Hien watched Mieu Yen's departing figure, didn't ask much, didn't say anything more. He had just arrived here, hadn't yet clearly investigated the situation here.
After the matter with the perverted old Nham Nham.
He had thought things through.
The apocalypse is truly terrifying, human nature sinister. Already different from being a keyboard warrior on the internet before. Saying the wrong thing really easily loses one's little life.
Without legal constraints, life is thinner than paper. In situations like his, if saying the wrong thing, really could be killed.
Tran Chi Dung asking Mieu Yen to go over, there are some things in there, afraid a little thought can figure it out.
Ha Minh Hien looked at Mieu Dich beside him, thinking inwardly, Your sister going over now, afraid nothing good will happen.
"Only you and your sister escaped?" Ha Minh Hien asked.
Mieu Dich said, "Mm, Mom and Dad died early. It was always sister and my future brother-in-law taking care of me. My sister and brother-in-law were thinking of holding the wedding, just didn't expect such a thing to happen."
Ha Minh Hien didn't expect the opponent's parents were both gone, "Then what about your brother-in-law?"
Mieu Dich's eyes dimmed, very upset, "Died. Died saving me. My health has been poor since young, also have asthma. My brother-in-law, to get me asthma spray, was bitten to death by that group of zombies."
"Oh." Ha Minh Hien didn't know how to comfort people. He was just a super Shotgun (figurative, likely meaning blunt/abrasive), annoyed with everyone, basically no sympathy. Saved up to buy a small house, decoration company still wanted to cheat his money. Even that ignorant staff member, invited him for a foot bath, then f***ing found him an auntie. Usually also commented on his posts. Damn it, it's the apocalypse, still in the mood to post on Moments.
Thinking of this, he became extremely angry.
At this time, Mieu Dich's next words made Ha Minh Hien somewhat dumbfounded.
"Brother Minh Hien, you look especially like my brother-in-law."
Ha Minh Hien said, stunned, "Your brother-in-law looks like me?"
Mieu Dich said, "Appearance not similar, but build especially similar."
Ha Minh Hien looked at his own figure. Honestly, sometimes he also felt his previous life was a pig, a fat and plump pig. As for Mieu Dich saying that deceased brother-in-law, physique similar to his, this made him somewhat suspicious. After all, your sister isn't bad.
Therefore, he began to suspect if Mieu Yen's eyes were a bit blind.
"Your brother-in-law very rich?" Ha Minh Hien asked. If rich, he could understand. After all, money is the beginning of any love. Proverb says whiteness covers a hundred uglinesses; money covers everything.
Mieu Dich shook his head, "Seems not rich. My brother-in-law ran a breakfast shop, said it was just ordinary."
What?
Ha Minh Hien's eyes widened, again somewhat uncomprehending. Could it be fat people and fat people really are same build, different fate?
Or is it having a skill?
He until now was just an old bachelor.
"Then your brother-in-law good with words, cheered your sister up?"
"No. I heard my sister say, when looking at people, can't look at the outside, must look at the inside. It was my sister who pursued my brother-in-law, said brother-in-law was kind-hearted, careful, gentle, a particularly good person. Just like Brother Minh Hien, although fat, and not good-looking, but heart definitely very kind. I just like kind-hearted people."
Ha Minh Hien: ...
Kid, you're really blind when judging people.
Prison, important location, warden's office.
Tran Chi Dung stood before the window, looking at everything outside. He was the king of this prison, the Controller, the Leader. This feeling of being able to decide others' life and death was truly too exhilarating.
He especially thanked the person who sent him to prison.
If not sent to prison, he might not even have everything he has now.
He killed someone, sentenced to death, locked in prison. The day the apocalypse descended, the patrolling prison guard collapsed on the ground trembling, foaming at the mouth. Encountering this situation truly made him a bit dazed.
Soon, other prison guards came to check the situation. Who knew, the convulsing prison guard was just like zombies in movies, bit people on sight, the scene instantly bloody.
A zombified prison guard clawed towards him. Fortunately, blocked by the iron door, could only stick its arm in. He grabbed the arm, pulled fiercely, forcefully stabbed the zombified prison guard to death, then found the key, quietly waited.
Finally, using various methods, found firearms, killed all the swimming zombies inside the prison.
Other cells still had living people, but all were locked inside.
But he didn't release those people.
Some fierce ones, inmates who could affect his status, were shot dead by him with one shot, leaving only a group of thin, weak,不敢 (bù gǎn - dare not) to kill soft inmates.
Under the threat of force, submitted to his tyrannical power.
The prison had everything: food, weapons, surrounding high walls, main gates all sealed. Safety naturally needless to say much. As long as internal zombies cleared, external zombies wanting to come in was simply a fool's dream.
Had weapons, coupled with his fierce personality, who would dare resist his decisions? He firmly grasped the weapons in his palm. Only he had the key; no one else could even think of getting weapons.
Even food was distributed by him. Wanting this group of underlings to be obedient, food was first, force second. Other survivors brought in from outside, he only gave some sparse food; the rest they had to find themselves outside.
He had been continuously perfecting the system here. He had to use the system to firmly control this group of survivors.
What listed company CEO?
What powerful official?
Here, just bait he used to find supplies outside. Disobedience only led to a dead end.
Knock knock!
Hearing the knock on the door, Tran Chi Dung's mouth revealed a smile.
Life is just that simple.
...
...
Steel Beast side.
They had been searching in the city for a temporary hiding place for some time, but still hadn't found a suitable one. Some road sections had terrifyingly large numbers of zombies.
With the city center as the lead, the flow of people there was huge.
Surrounding tall buildings, shops generally were full of zombies, numbers unimaginable. Among such a huge base number of zombies, very easy to encounter those mutated zombies seen before.
"Big Sis, there's a sign over there," Tu Trach Duong pointed to a building in the distance. A banner hung down from the rooftop, with some words written on it.
[Survivor Refuge, Urgent Need for Your Joining]
They looked over there.
This was a suburban area far from the city center.
If it were the beginning, they might really join without thinking, become one of the survivors there. But after experiencing some things, encountering anything required careful thought.
Human nature is complex, human nature sinister. After the apocalypse arrived, revealed extremely vividly.
They were all ordinary people, didn't have much ability. The only thing relying on was this Steel Beast vehicle, which could bring them some comfort and safety in the apocalypse.
Big Sis looked at them, "What do you think?"
She asked the group's opinion.
Old Mao said, "There are four of us here. The danger might not necessarily be that high. If this group of survivors is truly trustworthy, then perhaps can strive to survive together in the apocalypse."
Sis Van pondered, "I don't know."
Tu Trach Duong said, "How about forget it? Feel like survivors now are all terrifying. Who knows if those people are human or ghost? If by any chance encounter a dangerous evil group, us few big guys don't matter. The only bad thing is Big Sis; she's female, very easily... Don't glare at me, I'm just saying what's on my mind."
They looked at Big Sis.
Since the apocalypse until now, Big Sis had always been the pillar in their hearts; many matters were decided by Big Sis.
"Losing this car, what else do we have?" Big Sis asked.
They heard and were slightly stunned.
"Nothing else," they shook their heads and said.
"If we lose this car, it's equivalent to losing our lives. Going to find the survivors over there, the worst result is we all die. You die easily; I die humiliated, toyed with."
They blinked; Big Sis spoke very directly.
Big Sis continued, "If we don't go, we won't have any losses, won't have any danger, still drive around looking for hiding places. Therefore, I think it's unnecessary."
They pondered.
Tu Trach Duong: "Agree."
Sis Van: "Agree."
Old Mao: "Agree."
Big Sis looked at the building in the distance. Vaguely could see a figure on the rooftop. That figure must be a survivor. In such an open place, surely also already discovered them.
Now this wasn't just a contest with apocalyptic zombies, even more so a contest with human nature.
...
...
Room 704.
In the room.
Lam Pham stood before the mirror, tidying the clothes he wore. Looked left, looked right, finally concluded.
"So handsome."
He wasn't saying he himself was handsome, but the clothes were handsome.
He always paid attention to his own attire. Could be without money, could wear cheap clothes, but he always believed, dressing neatly and cleanly, the whole person would be much more spirited.
Walked into the kitchen, carried the trash bag downstairs.
Lunch finished, nap finished. He should continue working.
Tan Phong Brokerage.
Took the promotional flyer, started a new round of running errands, looking for brokerage. He now wanted to see that cake shop survivor, didn't know if she had recovered.
Mental state aspect often most difficult to heal.
Although can use medicine for treatment.
But effect definitely not as good as coming out on one's own.
Quiet, desolate street, cool wind blowing. Occasionally zombies appeared, just adding a bit of liveliness to the street. Frostmourne swung, silver light dazzling, able to block all sources of evil.
Zombies in this area being so sparse.
Had much to do with Lam Pham.
A group of survivors fleeing in the early stage was a very unwise choice, because at that time, the number of zombies was the largest, obstacles everywhere. Good luck could escape; bad luck could only become zombie rations.
Cake shop.
A modified truck parked in front of outfitted cake shop. Two people in the driver's seat in front, five male survivors in the back.
The back of this truck was enclosed by iron bars, gaps at most arm-width. The top also sealed with iron bars, just to guard against zombies. After all, many zombies now liked to jump down from upstairs.
This kind of thing definitely had to be guarded against.
"To Tieu Hieu... To Tieu Hieu," a man in the back of the truck called out softly.
This man looked over thirty, appearance passable, attire ordinary. Just that mental state seemed somewhat agitated. This kind of agitation wasn't caused by taking medicine, more like caused by the apocalyptic environment. Constantly vigilant against zombies, therefore causing this situation very normal.
Inside the shop, To Tieu Hieu heard the voice outside, felt somewhat familiar, as if heard it somewhere before.
She thought left and right.