Tan Hoa Bookstore.
"First-year teaching materials." (Referring to middle school first year)
Searching before the bookshelves, the variety was particularly large. Still pretending to understand very well, picked up a volume and glanced at it randomly – didn't understand. But this was the moment of selecting books, an action that must be performed.
Mathematics, physics, chemistry.
Selected three good teaching materials.
Lowered his head, looked at a teaching material below.
"Ideology and Morality"
"Such an important teaching material, how can it be placed at the very bottom?"
Lam Pham thought of the situation when he used to study. Ideology and Morality class was only one lesson per week, belonging to the utterly unimportant subjects. No one cared, no one paid attention. Some schools didn't even bother finding a teacher for this subject, directly letting other teachers substitute, casually reading the content from the textbook once.
Thinking of the current apocalypse, encountering those terrible things.
The terrifying darkness of human nature.
Selfish and malicious behaviors, emerging one after another.
Like national hero Old man Vuong, pillar Old man Chu, they selflessly took out their family's grain for the survivors on the rooftop, hoping to let them live. But these young people not only weren't grateful, but instead felt they were burdens, wanting to harm them to death.
The apocalypse arrived, disaster descended – is this a reason?
Clearly not.
He hoped the children of Duong Quang Apartments could receive a good education, not just progress in knowledge, but even more so, progress in ideology and morality.
He didn't ask those who didn't understand swimming to jump in to save people.
He only hoped that when the children grew up, seeing someone encounter trouble, needing help, they would extend a helping hand, adhering to a trace of kindness and love in the apocalypse.
Selected the first-year textbooks for Co Tu Thanh.
Then selected fourth-grade textbooks for Phi Phi.
Phi Phi, this child, is a really good child, just that in terms of studying, a bit slow on the uptake. If like Dinh Dinh, perhaps Grandma Liang would have it much easier.
Of course, people are different.
Thinking of himself, his studies were very poor. Not that he didn't want to learn, but just seeing it made him very tired. That kind of feeling is hard to describe, like his head couldn't process.
Want to say stupid?
Felt he wasn't stupid. When doing interior design drawings, colleagues all praised him for learning fast, having unrestrained creative ideas, making many clients very fond of them.
"Fourth grade, found it."
Mathematics teaching material.
Phi Phi's weakest subject.
Paid and left.
Turned his head to look at the bookstore. Since the apocalypse until now, this was one of the few shops he had smelled that smelled best, always having the fragrance of books.
Books exist, civilization exists.
Now civilization shows signs of collapse, but as long as one persists, will surely return.
This is what I, Lam Pham, say. Surely can be realized.
The street was extremely desolate. Could hear the "Ugh ugh" sounds of zombies. He didn't care about such sounds, nor did he want to actively seek trouble with zombies. Provocation wasn't his preference.
I just walk quietly on the street.
Can they still actively come to bite me?
"Ugh ugh..."
The sound grew closer and closer.
In the small alley, three zombies limped and swayed, as if hiding here wanting to do something bad. Lam Pham stopped, looked towards the small alley, met their eyes, silent for a second.
"Ugh ugh..."
The slightly sluggish zombies, as if seeing delicious flesh and blood, savagely and terrifyingly charged towards him. The initial running momentum was extremely frightening. Just three zombies, yet ran out with the momentum of a mighty army. Truly so terrifying.
"Ai."
Placed the teaching materials on the ground.
The zombie leading the charge wore a security uniform. The uniform was clearly tattered, but in Lam Pham's eyes, such a uniform always radiated a dazzling light.
This symbolized the safety of a residential area.
He didn't draw his sword, but thought of trying with his fists. From beginning to end, he always knew his fist strength was immense; killing ten oxen was absolutely a matter of course.
"I want to try, deeply understand how terrifying my fists are."
Only by knowing how terrifying it is, can one restrain one's own strength.
Clenched his fist.
As the zombie was about to reach him.
He punched out from a distance towards the zombie's head.
Bang!
Boom!
One punch thrown, yet there was a dull explosion. Clearly didn't hit the zombie's head, but the zombie's head instantly exploded, turning into a headless zombie that crashed to the ground.
"Such strength has already surpassed my imagination. Even if killing twenty oxen, I would believe it."
He saw his fist didn't hit the zombie's head.
But the zombie's head just exploded.
Having experienced this situation, he knew he couldn't punch people from a distance. Really could kill them. If by any chance injured an innocent person, then really bad.
The sound just now attracted some zombies from the surroundings.
Drew his sword.
One sword swing towards the zombies. Sharp sword gleam streaked across the zombies' bodies. Pfft pfft! Flesh and blood clashed. A truly simple sword strike could kill a zombie.
His expression calm, he moved his steps, like taking a leisurely stroll. Accompanied by the sound of falling to the ground, the number of zombies before him rapidly decreased.
Finally...
No zombie could stand before him.
Swung Frostmourne in his hand, flesh and blood falling off. Silvery smooth, returned to the scabbard.
Carried the well-tied bundle of books, moving slowly.
...
...
A certain supermarket.
Several survivors tiptoed, grabbing supplies. Their expressions vigilant and panicked. In the current chaotic era, finding supplies was extremely difficult; the dangers to be faced were unimaginable.
These several survivors were all male.
Youngest twenty years old, slightly older ones also just over forty.
Outside the supermarket, a car waited quietly.
They were a survivor team. Usually, the driver certainly had status within the team. And those searching for supplies were tool-people within the team, or perhaps, bait.
At this time.
Inside the supermarket, a middle-aged man panted with shallow breaths, grabbing item after item. Saw a box of biscuits – his daughter's favorite.
His name was Tao Nham. Before the apocalypse, had a happy family, a lovely, sensible daughter. At the time of the apocalypse, their family of three was eating breakfast in a small shop. Who knew, suddenly, the crowd went crazy, biting each other, pouncing on each other. He witnessed his wife turn into a zombie before his eyes.
His mind went blank, until his daughter's crying woke him up. Hugged his daughter and quickly fled.
For him, that moment was like the end of the world. Staggering, under the pursuit of zombies, he ran to a restaurant, hid in a room with his daughter, finally survived.
Now, he went out with this group of survivors to find supplies. If not contributing to the team, he couldn't stay there with his daughter. If going outside, what faced them was endless zombies; absolutely impossible to survive.
Suddenly.
Tao Nham's nerves tensed. He seemed to hear an unusual struggling sound – the "Ugh ugh" sound of zombies. Only zombies could make this kind of sound.
He looked towards everyone; everyone continued collecting supplies, seemingly not hearing.
He looked towards the source of the sound, just ahead, that ajar door. Inside was very dark, like a pitch-black world. The sound came from there.
Creak creak...
The door was blown open, the sound of a chain lock being exercised rang out. Such sound, in the quiet environment, was so jarring.
From the darkness, a person walked out. No, that wasn't a person, that was a zombie, covered in sticky blood, savage appearance, bloody mouth, all冲击 (chōngjī - impacted) his brain.
"Zom... Zombie!" Tao Nham was terrified, bolted and ran. Supplies in hand all thrown away, only holding the biscuits, fleeing. He thought of bringing back his daughter's favorite biscuits.
"Ugh ugh..."
Roars continued.
Behind that door, not just one zombie, but even more. Seeing fresh flesh and blood, the zombies' primitive ferocity completely erupted, charging towards them like mad dogs.
Instantly, the scene was chaotic.
One young man among them fled in panic. Clearly running very fast, but the zombie's speed was even faster, directly tackling him to the ground. The young man struggled, screams ringing out, accompanied by tragic cries.
The zombies' biting frenzy was unimaginable. In an instant, blood gushed like a fountain, dyeing the ground red.
Tao Nham stared, his eyeballs nearly popping out. The scene before him flashed in his mind: groans, tragic screams, also roars.
"I cannot die! Cannot die! My daughter is still waiting for me!"
Thinking of his waiting daughter, he ran outside as if crazed.
...
The truck parked outside was already prepared to drive off at any time. Some survivors were waiting, waiting for those who could still run over.
"Wait for me!"
Tao Nham shouted.
Seeing the truck still there, he seemed to see hope. Scrambled at the car door, just about to get in, was stopped by someone.
"Your hand is bleeding! You've been bitten!"
Tao Nham looked at his hand; indeed, it was bleeding.
"No! Impossible! I couldn't have been bitten! Impossible!"
A survivor in the car kicked Tao Nham to the ground, urged.
"Drive! Hurry and drive! He's already been bitten, can't be saved!"
The driver stomped the accelerator.
Watching the truck drive away, Tao Nham completely despaired.
"Don't!"
Zombie roars came from inside the supermarket, also accompanied by tragic screams. Scared him into quickly getting up, running fast. He didn't want to die here; he didn't want to become a zombie.
Bang!
Bang!
Zombies jumped down from upstairs, fell to the ground. Seeing fresh flesh and blood, roared, chased after.
...
Lam Pham reached the crossroads, saw the green light, just about to cross. A truck sped like lightning, in an instant flashed before him. The distance between them wasn't far, could even be said very close.
If he had just stepped forward a bit more.
Might have been hit by the truck. The scene would absolutely be terrifying; broken arms and legs were possible.
Suddenly.
He heard a cry. Following the sound, saw a figure fall over there.
Lam Pham released the rope on the book in his hand, took a large stride. Swish! An afterimage sped away. Speed so fast, naked eye couldn't follow. The dirty road surface seemed to be swept by some strong wind, dust rising into the sky.
As the fallen book hit the ground, Lam Pham had already appeared in the distance.
A silver light appeared.
Pfft!
The zombie about to rush Tao Nham was instantly decapitated.
More zombies roared, charging towards Lam Pham. These zombies were irrational, no way around it. The only thing supporting them was biting, fiercely biting the flesh and blood before them.
"You group of irrational zombies! Why be so aggressive, forcing people to a dead end?"
Lam Pham swung his sword, cleaning up the zombies before him at extreme speed. The number of these zombies wasn't small. Wanting to escape from before them was simply unthinkable.
Pfft!
Pfft!
Corpse after corpse of zombies fell to the ground. When they bit others, they swarmed up. But facing Lam Pham, no matter how many, ultimately only one outcome: obediently lie on the ground.
Shocked!
Terrified!
Tao Nham was completely dumbfounded, couldn't believe the scene before him. The zombies he regarded as terrifying were so easily slaughtered by this mysterious person before him.
This situation fiercely impacted his brain.
Caused a huge shock to his perception.
"Are you okay?"
Lam Pham walked up to Tao Nham, asked softly.
Looked at the opponent's situation: finger had blood, a wound.
"Your finger was bitten by a zombie?"
He knew being bitten by a zombie meant turning into one. Until now, hadn't seen any exceptions. And the transformation speed into a zombie was very fast.
But the opponent hadn't turned into a zombie yet.
Just that from his neck area, dark veins had already appeared.
Tao Nham looked at the wound on his finger. Images appeared: that was when he wanted to rush out, a zombie charged over. He didn't know where the strength came from, pushed the zombie's face with his hand, pushed the zombie away. But that one moment, accidentally got scraped by the zombie's teeth.
"I... I'm going to turn into a zombie?" Tao Nham's expression dimmed, thinking of this terrifying fact.
Lam Pham nodded, "If nothing unexpected happens, you are about to turn into a zombie."
Regarding this situation, he was powerless. Letting him chop zombies, he had the skill. Curing people bitten by zombies, truly no such means.
Tao Nham fell to his knees before Lam Pham with a thud, "I beg you! Please save my daughter! I beg you!"
He clasped his hands before his chest, eyes revealing pleading.
He knew this young person before him was very strong, very formidable. And the opponent willing to save him already indicated the opponent wasn't a bad person, had a kind heart.
If letting his daughter continue staying at Tan Phong Guesthouse, would definitely die.
Tao Nham seemed to know his time was short, took out his wallet. Inside was a photo, a family of three group photo. Handed it to Lam Pham, "I beg you! My daughter is called Tao Khanh, eight years old this year. This is her photo. I beg you, help me, help me save my daughter, okay?"
"I know such a request is very excessive, but I really have no other way. I beg you."
"She's at Tan Phong Guesthouse! Tan Phong Guesthouse... I beg you!"
Tao Nham's words were already incoherent, mostly just "I beg you." While speaking, also kowtowing.
After all, Lam Pham might really be his only last hope now.
Lam Pham looked at the girl in the photo, smiling innocently and brightly. Then looked at the man before him, so haggard, even about to turn into a zombie. Those blood vessels had already climbed onto his face, might spread to his brain in a very short time.
"Okay." Lam Pham nodded.
The man before him made him think of many things.
For parents, the child is most important.
Wanting a man to casually kneel is very difficult. But the only thing that can make them kneel without thinking, must be related to the child. This needs no more words, no more thought.
Tao Nham looked at Lam Pham gratefully, "Thank you..."
As soon as the words fell.
Tao Nham stood up, closed his eyes, rushed towards a nearby wall. Thump! Head bleeding, instantly fell to the ground.
Lam Pham watched, didn't stop. The opponent turning into a zombie was inevitable.
Now, the opponent ran into an obstacle; naturally didn't want to become a zombie and attack Lam Pham.
Lam Pham picked up the wallet from the ground, looked at the photo a few more times, placed the photo into the wallet, put the wallet away properly.
Walked to Tao Nham's side, placed him inside the supermarket. At least could have a place to shelter from wind and rain.
Returned to the end of the street, picked up the books.
Tan Phong Guesthouse.
Recalling, very familiar. Instantly thought of the hotel's location: a restaurant and hotel storefront. The journey from here wasn't far; a short walk could reach.
That departing truck should have taken them there.
Encountered zombies, decisively fled.
On the street, Lam Pham looked around. These were all familiar shops, familiar tall buildings. But since the apocalypse arrived, already completely desolate.
Occasionally zombies appeared, all easily killed by him. He currently had endless interest in zombies. He just wanted to change this Hoang city, truly wished for the dazzling prosperity like before.
Can surf the internet.
Can watch movies.
Can see strolling young ladies.
After a moment.
He looked up, saw a signboard not far away.
That was Tan Phong Guesthouse.
The entrance was piled with various things, blocking the end of the street. Should be thinking of preventing zombies from rushing in.
...
"So many people died! When we were looking for supplies, discovered by zombies! So many, really so many zombies! Too terrifying!"
Speaking was a survivor who returned alive. Besides the driver, only two people returned alive. There were eight people in the back of the truck; that means six died at the hands of zombies.
Surrounding survivors listened to his account, images already forming in their minds. Some trembled, some terrified. No one wanted to die. But here, Khau Tam was the overlord. Disobedience still led to death.
Until now, Khau Tam had already killed four people.
All thrown down by him from upstairs.
Scene very terrifying.
Khau Tam listened expressionlessly. Whether dead or not didn't matter to him. He currently lacked supplies? No, lacked nothing. But why still let this group of survivors go out searching?
Naturally, the more the better. If some survivors died, could also save expenses.
His thoughts had changed.
Good times arrived. He wanted to be king here.
Control their life and death.
"My daddy?" a little girl asked pitifully.
"Your daddy is dead. He was bitten by zombies, died at the hands of zombies."
"Won't! My daddy won't die! He promised me, said would bring me delicious food back!"
"F***..."
Khau Tam slapped the little girl to the ground with one hand.
"Don't f***ing cry before Lao Tzu!"
People around saw this scene.
Trembled all over.
So scary.