"This..."
Lam Pham thought of a very terrifying thing: zombies indeed couldn't swim, but when floating motionless, they actually didn't sink. Based on this situation, continuously floating, very likely could float to their island.
Thinking of this...
He dialed the number on the satellite phone.
"Giai Vu, where have you reached?"
A deep voice came from the other end of the phone.
Lam Pham said, "Hello, I am not Miss Duong. Miss Duong has already boarded the boat and left. My name is Lam Pham. The phone was given to me by Miss Duong. I am currently at the pier. I called to tell you, I discovered zombies can backstroke, very likely will float to your island. Hope you can pay attention."
He was reminding out of goodwill.
Discovering something, must tell the other party, in case a problem really occurs.
Silence on the other end of the phone.
"My daughter boarded the boat?"
"Yes, already boarded. What I just said about zombies being able to swim, you definitely should listen carefully, otherwise, danger can easily occur."
"Thanks, got it."
Finished speaking, hung up the phone.
Lam Pham satisfactorily put away the mobile phone, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. Did another extremely good deed.
Turned and left.
Duong Island, an island bought by a private individual. (Duong Island = Đường Đảo)
The island wasn't considered too large, nor too small.
On the island was a luxurious manor.
"Daughter's phone?" A lady asked.
Duong Le said, "No, it's a young man calling himself Lam Pham. He said daughter has already boarded the boat." (Duong Le = Đường Lễ, Duong Giai Vu's father)
"Then what did his call mean?"
"He said zombies can swim, told us to be careful."
Hearing this, let alone Duong Le being somewhat dazed, even the lady was extremely dazed.
The lady said, "When I was chased by zombies, I only escaped by jumping into the swimming pool. Zombies falling into the water will sink."
Duong Le waved his hand, didn't want to continue dwelling on this matter of whether zombies can swim.
"Didn't expect the apocalypse truly arrived. Truly didn't expect."
As Hoang city's richest man, he possessed wealth unimaginable to others. Who knew fortunes could change so erratically, catching people off guard? The only gratifying thing was, they were vacationing at the manor, didn't have to face so many zombies. Otherwise, if in the city, the consequences would be unthinkable.
The lady asked, "Can't suppress it anymore?"
Duong Le said, "First day I called my comrade-in-arms. He said the situation was dangerous, yes, but should be no problem. Later when I called, no one answered. I knew, something definitely happened, otherwise couldn't be like this."
Finished speaking, finished speaking.
Duong Le looked towards his wife.
"Wife, you still have ideas. Previously buying this island, you said wanted to grow your own vegetables, plant rice, eating self-grown food is healthier, greener. Now this is our source of supplies. I think if we hold on, definitely can hold until the end."
The lady asked doubtfully, "Hold until the end means someone will come save us, or does it mean zombies will be eliminated?"
Duong Le said, "We humans need to eat to replenish energy to live. Long-term not eating will lead to death. Zombies are transformed from humans, can't possibly eat nothing and still survive, right?"
The lady listened, nodded, felt it seemed to make some sense.
Everyone wished the apocalypse would end quickly.
Such life is very uncomfortable. The world turned into this state, already a chaotic mess.
...
...
Lam Pham walked on the road; the pier was some distance from Duong Quang Apartments.
Enjoying the sweeping wind.
Mood always joyful.
Hadn't gone far, yet again people drove to the pier. Not many, also three survivors, all young people, very pathetic. Seeing Lam Pham, expressions all extremely surprised. Didn't think much, ran towards the pier side.
The road surface was unimaginably dangerous.
In their view, the waterway was safest.
As long as can find a place to stay, can temporarily live on.
Lam Pham watched their departing backs, continued towards Duong Quang Apartments.
Surroundings silent, uninhabited desolation, making Hoang city look like a Ghost City.
Walking, walking.
"Ugh ugh..."
A dozen or so zombies appeared ahead.
Swaying, didn't know where they wandered from to here. This road was just passed; if there were zombies, would have long chased the bus.
Lam Pham fearlessly walked towards the zombies, while walking, folded the map in his hand until it was palm-sized, put it in his pocket.
"Hey! Hello!"
Shouted towards the zombies.
The originally swaying zombies, the moment they saw a living person, instantly became frenzied, charging towards Lam Pham.
Lam Pham's arm reached behind his back, grasped Frostmourne. As one of the zombies approached.
Silver light flashed.
Pfft!
One sword strike decapitated the zombie, fresh blood splashing in all directions.
Remaining zombies charged over.
Any ordinary person facing such a number of zombies only had a dead end.
But before Lam Pham, this group of zombies wasn't even enough to look at.
Pfft!
Pfft!
Every sword swing was neat, without any hindrance. Zombies before him were like paper.
Countless headless zombie corpses lay on the ground.
Lam Pham held his sword, walked leisurely.
Killing zombies could earn points; points meant strengthening. He wanted Hoang city to return to its former appearance. Previously didn't think too far ahead.
Now he had thought it through.
Encounter zombies, then kill them. If all zombies in Hoang city are slain, then the former Hoang city will surely return.
No mistake.
Such a thought is an extremely correct thought.
Although Hoang city's population is large, might need to chop for a long time, but he always believed this principle of perseverance. As long as one persists, surely will achieve results.
"Hey! Hello! I am Duong Quang Apartments' security guard, Lam Pham! Zombies, can you hear me?"
Lam Pham shouted as he walked.
Soon, zombies hearing the sound rushed over from afar.
Some smashed glass.
Some jumped down from upstairs.
Zombies are irrational; they become crazy as long as they hear a sound.
Facing nearly fifty zombies.
Lam Pham's expression remained extremely calm.
Frostmourne in his hand radiated brilliance.
That was holy brilliance.
Countless zombie corpses fell to the ground.
All turned into points.
In a certain building.
A group of young people lay around drowsily. Among them were several undressed women, looking very tired, as if having experienced some kind of great battle.
Suddenly.
Movement seemed to come from the street downstairs, waking them. Although pathetic, spirits tense, but fortunately all survived.
"I think I heard someone talking."
"I heard zombie sounds."
"I also heard someone talking, seemed to be saying Duong Quang Apartments..."
Before the apocalypse, they were in a pyramid scheme. The kind where once you come, don't even think of leaving. If dare to run, will be fiercely beaten, even legs broken possible.
Undressed women were essential tools they used here to lure new members.
Since the apocalypse descended.
They were trapped here. Fortunately, their den wasn't somewhere one could casually leave, thus stored quite a lot of grain.
They ran to the balcony.
Saw that person who was already just a distant back, and also saw zombies from all directions charging towards that figure, being easily slain by him.
They were shocked, watching in amazement.
As if a superman had descended.
When they reacted, that sound had already vanished without a trace.
"Holy crap... He's gone!"
"Why didn't you call him?"
Someone complained.
"Don't bother for now. Where did he say just now?"
"Seems like Duong Quang Apartments."
"That seems not too far from us, only four or five kilometers. My current supplies won't last that long. Must think of a way."
Mentioning supplies, they all fell silent.
"Ah Hai has been having a fever. How about we throw him out?" (Ah Hai - a name)
Someone knew who said it, but didn't ask, instead remained silent. Meaning very clear: No problem, we all strongly agree.
Supplies dwindling.
Since already useless, why continue wasting grain?
Not long after.
Thump!
A corpse appeared on the street ground.
...
...
Nighttime.
Lam Pham turned on the light, took a pen, circled on the map. He circled the places he often went; those places no longer had people.
Looked at an island off the mainland on the map.
All around Hoang city.
"The city is really very large."
Lam Pham looked at the map, understood the scope he needed to explore was still very large.
Put down the pen.
Tilted his head, looked at the ceiling, gradually became lost in thought.
Turned on the light, illuminating the room. Not just to see things clearly, but also hoped surrounding survivors could see this light, like in darkness, a ray of light always guiding your way forward.
Just a pity, Duong Quang Apartments' floors weren't high enough. If it were those twenty-something-story buildings, perhaps really would let many survivors see.
As for whether the lights would attract zombies.
He didn't care in the slightest.
My turning on my own lights, can it still offend anyone?
Walked to the balcony, enjoyed the breeze, looked outside.
Desolate aura assaulted his face.
Returned to the room.
Lay on the bed, tucked Manh Manh's quilt tightly.
Add points.
[Name]: Lam Pham. [Strength]: 1200. (Superhuman) [Stamina]: 900. (Superhuman) [Speed]: 800. (Superhuman) [Points]: 3.
Following point addition.
Lam Pham again clearly felt changes in himself. This kind of change was particularly mystical, as if inexhaustible power was boiling within him.
"If points all reach many hundreds of millions, what kind of situation would that be?"
He thought, felt somewhat complicated. Alright, better not think.
Placed the small teddy bear beside Manh Manh, patted gently.
"Have a sweet dream, Manh Manh."
Early morning.
Downstairs.
"Slept well last night?" Lam Pham asked with a smile.
Han Suong said, "Very well. Most real night. Thank you."
Lam Pham said, "No need for thanks, as it should be. Life should be like this. Being able to sleep a good night's sleep is truly life."
Tu Trach Duong stretched his waist, walked down from upstairs, "Wow! Such a comfortable night! This is what sleeping is! Finally no need to worry and be scared! Before, really afraid of sleeping too soundly, zombies appearing before me and not knowing."
Sis Van and Old Mao, following behind, mental states both very good.
Not as fatigued as before.
Seeing their easily satisfied appearance, Lam Pham always had a smile on his face. He was in the brokerage, even more so the residential area's security guard. Being able to satisfy the tenants was the greatest praise for him.
Co Hang walked over, "Little Pham, let's make a trip to the steel factory. I want to buy some materials back."
"Okay, no problem," Lam Pham said with a smile.
He knew Co Hang's thoughts recently were all on reinforcing the safety aspects of the residential area.
Already achieved preliminary results, namely increasing height, strengthening the perimeter wall's defensibility.
He was very willing to see this scene.
Indicated everyone was striving for the construction of the residential area.
Han Suong said, "Take our car. Can arrive earlier. Just happens to need some refueling."
Already joined Duong Quang Apartments.
Naturally have to start working.
Just like when searching for survival means outside before, striving hard every day.
As for why need to use money for purchases, Old man Vuong already explained to them yesterday, spoke about it. Initially heard, felt a bit strange, but thinking of the library situation, also returned to normal.
Very good, very good habit and persistence.
"Okay."
Lam Pham replied.
Steel factory.
Journey somewhat far.
Hoang city's steel factories were all in the suburbs. When just starting out, many zombies on the road, always chasing behind. But after speed increased, threw the zombies off without a trace.
Arriving at the steel factory, the main gate was wide open.
Bloodstains on the ground, already coagulated. Clearly, at the time of the apocalypse, this steel factory side also didn't escape misfortune. Many people turned into zombies, finally leading to conflict.
The car slowly drove into the factory.
Lam Pham got out of the car first, told them to wait in the car.
"Honk the horn."
He finished speaking.
The steel factory was somewhat large; didn't know if there were zombies around.
If he were alone, wouldn't matter.
Beep beep beep...
The horn sounded.
"Ugh ugh..."
Running sounds, zombie roars.
In an instant.
Dozens of zombies wearing factory uniforms appeared from all directions.
Their running speed was very fast, truly faster than previous zombies. This was Lam Pham's feeling; perhaps other survivors hadn't discovered yet.
After all, not like Lam Pham, always fighting zombies.
Old Mao and the others, hiding in the car, saw such a number of zombies, hearts still somewhat nervous. Knew very well Lam Pham was formidable, but their own hearts nervous. Zombies, this species, truly terrifying. Faces hateful, sticky and bloody, visual impact very large.
As if feeling the people in the car were somewhat nervous.
Lam Pham smiled.
"Don't be nervous, just zombies. I deal with them very easily. Don't be scared."
Old Mao and the others blinked.
These words, perhaps really only he could say to offer some comfort.
If others said it, that would be slapping face until swollen to pretend to be fat, then bitten by zombies, wailing. (Idiom: Swelling one's face by slapping it to look imposing/fat - i.e., bluffing or putting on a brave front.)
Pfft!
The zombie leading the charge had its head chopped off by his one sword strike.
Another kick sent another one tens of meters away, body directly exploding.
Old Mao stared, "Such inhuman strength! Is this really something a human can do?"
"So cool!" Tu Trach Duong exclaimed.
Sis Van watched, somewhat wet. (Translator's Note: "ẩm ướt" (wet) here is likely an idiom implying awe or being deeply moved/impressed, rather than literal wetness.)
Han Suong clenched her fists; this situation was hard to imagine.
Co Hang, having seen much, wasn't surprised, accustomed to it. Just that sometimes, still would feel a small shock.
After a moment.
Zombie corpses littered the ground.
"Okay."
Everyone got out of the car.
Entered the warehouse; this stored the steel factory's items.
Around were transport trucks.
"How much to buy?" Lam Pham asked.
Co Hang really wanted to say the more the better, but based on Lam Pham's habit of paying, still better to be stable.
"Fill one truck is enough."
A full truck should be enough.
The weakest areas of the residential area were those few. The rest, properly doing the main gate, absolutely enough.
While transporting.
They stood aside silently watching Lam Pham transport.
The feeling he gave them was as if these materials were very light.
As if anyone coming could easily move them up.