Street.
The Steel Behemoth led the way in front, followed by the cargo truck. Co Hang drove the cargo truck, with Lam Pham as the guarding member.
"Big Sis Leader, I still feel like I'm dreaming." Van Kiet felt that since yesterday, things had started developing in a wondrous direction. Sudden safety, compared to their previous plight, formed a very stark contrast.
Tu Trach Duong said, "If we had communicated with him at the library that day, wouldn't we have been able to live in Duong Quang Apartments much earlier, without needing to experience so many things?"
Old Mao, driving, expressed silence.
Han Suong said gravely, "Experiencing some things can help us grow. Without experiencing some things, one can never grow. When exactly the apocalypse will end, no one knows. This is a long-term struggle. Duong Quang Apartments might be a long-term shelter, or it might be a short-term one. Long-term or short-term, all require everyone to work together."
"Big Sis Leader makes a lot of sense," Tu Trach Duong strongly agreed.
Old Mao said, "The current situation is better than any time before for us. We have a place to stay, can sleep peacefully, and fully recharge our spirits."
Han Suong looked at the scene outside, thoughts myriad. Having no peaceful way out was just leading to a slow death. Their team didn't want to become a burden to Duong Quang Apartments; going out daily was a must.
Suddenly.
A violent explosion erupted. Immediately after, they saw a sedan, as if hit by some immense force, fly out from an alley ahead like a cannonball, fiercely smashing against a wall.
"Stop the car!"
Han Suong quickly spoke up.
This kind of situation, this kind of explosive force, the image that appeared in her mind – no, it was that mutated zombie that could only bring despair.
Ear-splitting roars came from the alley.
Couldn't see the figure; just the sound alone made people shiver without being cold.
The overturned sedan, gas tank ruptured, black gasoline spilled all over the ground. An arm reached out from inside the car, struggling to crawl, wanting to climb out of the overturned vehicle.
Rumble!
A huge black shadow leaped over. As it landed, the ground cracked like a spiderweb. It was a Strength-type zombie, its massive physique appearing like a small mountain in everyone's sight.
The Strength-type zombie's body was robust, its pale eyes fixedly staring at the overturned sedan, roaring angrily.
"Hey."
Lam Pham stood before the Steel Behemoth, looking at the Strength-type zombie in front.
They were following behind. When they saw the car stop, they were somewhat puzzled. Then they heard the roars. Very familiar with zombie sounds; one listen and knew what the situation was.
The Strength-type zombie heard the sound.
Looked towards Lam Pham.
"Perfectly fine, yet how did it grow like this? How are ordinary survivors supposed to survive?"
Lam Pham felt helpless towards these evolved zombies. At least until now, he hadn't seen which survivor could possess superhuman strength. Ordinary zombies already made survivors despair; for this type of zombie to appear again, it was fundamentally not intending to let survivors live.
"Ugh ugh... Roar."
The Strength-type zombie didn't expect fresh flesh and blood to appear before it again. It let out an angry roar, stomping its feet, running towards Lam Pham at high speed.
Lam Pham didn't draw his sword, but clenched his fist, punching out from a distance. A seemingly ordinary punch, yet the moment it was thrown, the air vibrated, airflow visibly moving with the naked eye.
Pfft!
Thump!
The Strength-type zombie hadn't even reached Lam Pham when it instantly exploded, flesh and blood scattering in all directions. Debris in the center of the street was swept towards both sides. That perceptible shockwave spread to the end of the intersection.
Han Suong's group inside the Steel Behemoth stared dumbfounded, utterly speechless.
Even having witnessed him sever a helicopter with a sword strike from afar, they were still shocked by Lam Pham's strength.
Absolutely not something a human can do.
A god?
"How are you?" Lam Pham walked to the sedan. The injured person was a middle-aged man, covered in blood, abdomen pierced by a sharp weapon, head continuously bleeding fresh blood, red liquid obstructing his eyes. Injuries very severe.
The middle-aged man struggled to lift his head. Lam Pham's face appeared in his blurry vision. With difficulty, he said, "Tan... Tan Phong Orphanage."
Before Lam Pham could ask, the middle-aged man's head drooped; no more movement, not even a trace of breath.
Han Suong and her group walked to Lam Pham's side, looking at the current situation, already without a ripple of emotion.
"What's his situation?" Han Suong asked.
Lam Pham said, "He said Tan Phong Orphanage."
Tu Trach Duong walked to the overturned sedan, looked at the back seat, "So many zero-calorie snacks." (Translator's note: "Số 0 ăn" likely refers to snacks, possibly "zero-calorie" or a brand name. Using a general term.)
After saying this, Tu Trach Duong's expression suddenly startled, then became somewhat grave, as if something had come to mind.
Several images appeared in his mind.
The orphanage has survivors, all children. But food is scarce, to the point this middle-aged man risked coming out to find food, finally encountered a terrifying zombie, directly thrown, died tragically.
Lam Pham said, "Let's go over there and take a look."
He knew Tan Phong Orphanage, had seen it in short videos before. It was a Hoang city streamer introducing Hoang city's scenery and architecture, occasionally going to Tan Phong Orphanage.
This orphanage was built with donations from many kind-hearted people.
Took in extremely many pitiful children.
...
Two vehicles parked at Tan Phong Orphanage's entrance.
The orphanage's main gate had been modified, very simply, just covered the lower half with wooden planks, probably not wanting zombies or survivors to see the situation inside the orphanage.
Looking at the surrounding environment again: chaotic, dirty, corpses everywhere, also crushed zombie corpses.
Looking at these scenes, very easy to imagine what happened here before.
"Bro Hang, do you think there are still living survivors here?" Lam Pham looked at Co Hang and asked.
Co Hang calmly analyzed, "Yes, definitely. If that person really lived at the orphanage, there are definitely other survivors."
Lam Pham got out of the car. Han Suong and her group also got out. Going to the orphanage was something they hadn't thought of. Upon getting out, immediately became vigilant of the surrounding environment, in case zombies appeared.
The city now was truly too desolate. Looking at this surrounding environment, truly displayed the apocalypse vividly. Weeds grew even in the narrow crevices of the road bricks.
There was a lock on the iron gate, just hanging there.
Zombies wouldn't use locks. It was to prevent zombies from wandering here, staggering and accidentally entering the orphanage.
Extremely quiet.
The empty orphanage was silently quiet, as if no one had stayed here for a long time.
"Anyone here?"
Lam Pham called out softly.
No reply.
Ahead was a notice board, many photos pasted on it. The first photo appearing was an old grandma, Director Tuong Cau Vong.
Tu Trach Duong's eyes were extremely sharp, pointed to a photo above, "Bro Lam, look, does the person in this photo look very similar to that person just now?"
Everyone looked towards the photo.
Chef, Dai Duong Menh Mong. (Chef, Vast Ocean - his name)
"Yes, no mistake. That person just now is the person in the photo. Didn't expect him to be the orphanage chef," Lam Pham said.
Everyone was silent.
Could all already imagine what the situation was.
Entering the three-story high building, every classroom was empty, furnishings inside extremely messy, should have been caused during the chaos.
They searched.
No harvest whatsoever.
Lam Pham sighed. The orphanage tragically harmed by zombies. How many survivors can possibly live here? Adult numbers not considered many, but child numbers are very numerous.
Co Hang said, "I think these places are unlikely to have survivors. They must all be hiding. Tan Phong Orphanage should have a basement; that place is at least relatively safe. If searching, should look for the basement's location."
Han Suong said, "I know the basement's location. Our company did a charity visit before; I led the team to Tan Phong Orphanage. The basement should be in the backyard."
Lam Pham said, "Then let's go take a look."
Bang!
Bang!
Just as they were preparing to turn and leave, a sound came from ahead.
Facing this sudden sound, Han Suong and her group were all very nervous. They were all ordinary people; when facing unknown sounds, their bodies would instinctively make them feel alert and tense.
Lam Pham fearlessly walked forward.
This was a classroom.
Standing before the window, the situation inside came into full view. The scene fiercely impacted Lam Pham's heart: the classroom was filled with zombified children.
This group of children rolled their pale eyes, sticky fluid flowing from the corners of their mouths. They wandered in the classroom. Upon Lam Pham's appearance, this group of zombie children's ferocity was thoroughly activated, scrambling towards this side of the window. However, their height wasn't enough; they could only grasp the glass with their hands, leaving streak after streak of handprints on it.
Han Suong walked over. Seeing the scene inside, her pupils suddenly constricted then dilated. She had thought about the tragic encounters of children under apocalyptic conditions, but only when seeing it with her own eyes did she know how great the impact of this scene was on her.
Old Mao and the others stood before the window, watching quietly, their hanging fingers trembling slightly.
Co Hang gritted his teeth, "Damn apocalypse!"
Lam Pham said, "Before the apocalypse, these children were abandoned at the orphanage. Even with many kind-hearted people caring, but without fatherly and motherly love, ultimately pitiful. Truly didn't expect, under the apocalypse, they turned into zombies, sealed in the classroom, turned into this state, unable to achieve liberation, even more pitiful. This apocalypse is truly very unlikable."
He liked the past world.
That was a world full of love. Perhaps a dark side existed, but when ordinary common people discovered darkness, even if unrelated to them, still would bravely stand up to fight against darkness. One person not enough, then two. Two not enough, then thousands, tens of thousands. Many hands make light work; faint light eventually becomes an unignorable scorching sun, hanging high, illuminating the world.
Han Suong looked at Lam Pham's profile, staring intently. From contact until now, she felt this person, called a guardian god by the survivors of Duong Quang Apartments, was very calm, extremely friendly. But didn't expect, he was also extremely sentimental, easily affected by the encounters of the weak, especially children.
From the age range of survivors in Duong Quang Apartments, she discovered Lam Pham's tenderness towards children was unique. Most couldn't bear to see children suffer.
Such a personality made her recall what Old man Vuong said: In Little Pham's eyes, children are hope. As long as there is hope, there is a future. Instantly enlightened, he regarded the children as future hope. He always firmly believed the apocalypse would have an end one day.
At this moment, Lam Pham, in Han Suong's mind, his image instantly became tall.
This was a trustworthy person.
Not just in terms of strength, but even more so in a kind of mindset.
Co Hang patted Lam Pham's shoulder, "No one wants the apocalypse to happen. We can only do our best."
Lam Pham said, "Bro Hang, you're right. I always hoped Hoang city could return to its former appearance. But now I feel even if Hoang city has no zombies, also hard to restore to past brilliance. A gorgeous shell is just superficial. And the prosperous Hoang city I truly look forward to, that's because it's built by you, by these children, by countless friendly people."
When the apocalypse just erupted, he always maintained past life habits: go to work, get off work, pay money, friendly greetings. But Hoang city didn't improve because of his actions.
What he changed was merely a corner, Duong Quang Apartments.
Within Hoang city, even the entire society, truly too small, too small.
Han Suong's group was silent.
Co Hang sighed.
But just then, Lam Pham opened the window. Han Suong and the others' faces startled. Before they could react, only saw Lam Pham leap in.
He didn't draw his sword, didn't throw a punch, but let this group of children charge towards him.
Most children's height only reached his thigh.
Han Suong and her group watched the current situation, hearts twisted together. What if bitten? Immediately after, what shocked them was, this group of zombie children actually couldn't bite through Lam Pham's skin, merely dirtied his clothes.
Lam Pham hugged a zombie child, patted his head, said softly, "Little darling, very soon. Uncle will be gentle. Now the apocalypse, for you all, is a disaster. Even turned into zombies, still like this. Sleep well. Perhaps the future will be different."
Finished speaking.
Crack!
Twisted the neck. Neck bone broke, nerves in the cervical spine severed.
He didn't know if this could make the zombie die. Previously always swung sword to decapitate, or one punch, one kick to death.
[Kill Zombie] [Points +1]
Death.
Crack!
Crack!
Crisp sounds echoed in the classroom. Han Suong and her group, standing outside, an unusual emotion in their eyes. They stared blankly, having all seen Lam Pham's decisiveness and ruthlessness when slaying zombies – one swing of the sword would surely shake heaven and earth, absolutely no whole corpse left.
That mutated zombie just now, one punch instantly turned into minced meat, just shows how terrifying it was.
After a moment.
The crisp sounds dissipated.
Lam Pham looked at the nap beds neatly stacked against the wall, moved them down, arranged them orderly, placed the zombified children properly, covered them with quilts.
This was the only thing he could do, also the final warmth sent to the children.
Leaving them, letting them wander everywhere, that's harmful to survivors, even more so makes the children, clearly already transformed, still suffer such pain.
This wasn't what he wanted to see.
Leaped out the window, closed it tightly, face smiling at the crowd.
"It's okay, they've all fallen asleep. Let's go to the basement."
"Oh."
When Han Suong and her group left, deliberately glanced at the situation in the classroom. Extremely quiet, not the agitation from just now. For some reason, a feeling in their hearts...
This perhaps is the best ending.
The best result.
Before an old, dilapidated wooden house.
Opened the door.
Could see inside was empty. Floor inlaid with wooden planks, a pull-ring on top. Co Hang stepped forward, opened the pull-ring. Light flashed from inside. This underground room existed when the orphanage was still active.
Seemed like during wartime, used to avoid artillery fire.
Always preserved until now.
Went down the stairs.
Lam Pham heard voices ahead; it was children's exchanging voices. Sound very small, but he heard very clearly, absolutely no mistake.
Reached the very end inside.
Five children, three boys, two girls. Among them, a girl looking about seven or eight, always telling the younger children to be quiet. Seeing Lam Pham and his group of strangers enter, all looked on with bewildered fear.
"Little friends, hello," Lam Pham greeted with a smile.
Han Suong and her group also revealed smiles.
Hoped to use smiles to make the children not so scared.
These children lacked nourishment, faces dirty. Clearly had hidden here for a long time.
For any survivor in the apocalypse, children are true burdens. Because they are still young, awareness of the outside still insufficient. Perhaps often something seemingly inconsequential to children, is actually an important factor leading to team annihilation.
Perhaps others wouldn't care about these children.
But they knew.
Lam Pham wouldn't ignore.
...
...
Duong Quang Apartments.
Clang bang...(Sound of eating utensils)
"Eat slowly, still plenty." Lam Pham looked at the children devouring food wolfishly; he also didn't know how hungry they must have been.
The crowd all gathered around watching these children.
Learning they were brought back from the orphanage, they could only say, these children were lucky. As for other children turned into zombies, they expressed helplessness. The current apocalypse is truly terrifying. Let alone children, even they, this group of adults, were tortured to the brink of madness, even their own lives not guaranteed.
If not for meeting Lam Pham, they would all be dead.