Chapter 143: The Speed Of Life And Death Part 1
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Tang Ling deemed the west as the only escape route should something go out of control because to the west of the garage was a small slope which perfectly formed an encirclement that blocked the garage.
The slope might have been a hill in the old civilization, but in time, it turned into a slope with special uses.
The slope was directly facing the west of the garage. It was not higher than 50 meters and beyond the edge was the malevolent crevice.
Therefore, no zombies would occupy the slope, at least not many of them, due to how evil the crevice was. The crevice did not only have the ability to veil its existence since one could only see its true form with the badge from the Hope Barrier, but it also emanated a strange foreboding that instinctively drove people away.
In fact, it did not just affect humans. After Tang Ling observed the crevice several times during his guard duty, he noticed that any living being with a better perception would never go close to the crevice, not even stepping close to its proximity.
Although zombies were no longer humans, their brains still originated from humans. Even if instinct was all they were left with, they were still stronger than regular wild beasts, so none of them would get close to the crevice.
Therefore, the west side…
Standing on the roof, Tang Ling got a clear look at the west, and it was exactly like what he speculated. There was not a single zombie on the slope.
Garage No. 19 was located in the north-west corner of the entire area. It was unusually near the west and that slope, so if they were to escape there…
Tang Ling had a feeling that he should just go with his instinct, but he never would have thought that carrying out the plan under such harsh circumstances would be a lot harder than expected.
Perhaps even if they took the west route, they would still face death, but as long as there was a thin thread of hope…
Tang Ling was decisive. After he made up his mind, he returned to the garage without a second thought. Nevertheless, for insurance sake, he stabbed the grade C alloy longsword deep into the roof. Using the longsword as support, he tied the climbing rope around it tightly.
******
“That’s what’s going on, so the only way out is to take the gamble.” Tang Ling spent only two minutes explaining the situation and his plan to his friends after he returned to the little office.
The choices were actually simple. They could either continue waiting for help inside the office or risk it by going west, but time was not on their side, and they had to come up with a decision soon.
“Let’s risk it! We’ll follow your plan.” Yu was the quickest with his answer. He did not know how much time they had. Why would Tang Ling say that the door at the south-east corner would not last?
However, even if Tang Ling was just frightening them and trying to raise an alarm, Yu knew that the situation would not allow them to stay in the office forever.
“Let’s take a bet.” Orston stretched his body.
Vian, Christina, and Andy were still thinking.
Amir voiced his objection to the plan. He said quickly, “Why can’t we have a better and steadier plan? Like why don’t we wait for the door at the south-east corner to fall? We can then make our way up to the roof and wait it out. Or we can simply find another opportunity once we are up on the roof to lure the zombies away from the slope and we’ll make a run for it.”
Tang Ling’s plan was never complicated to begin with. It started with them opening the doors and letting the zombies flood the garage.
As a result, the number of zombies around the garage would decrease for a short period. Tang Ling would then jump down from the roof and lure the other zombies near the slope into the garage.
The rest of the squad would have to carefully retreat back to the office and quickly make their way up the roof, jump down, and sprint towards the slope.
Finally, they would be able to reach the Hope Barrier by moving along the crevice. After that, they would be safe.
The plan might sound very dull, but the consumption of time and stamina was extremely demanding. It was also very dangerous as the slightest misstep would cause them to fall into the sea of zombies.
It was understandable that Amir would object to it. Why would they not choose a steadier way?
Amir’s suggestion made everyone ponder. If they could resolve the situation in a safer way, who would want to risk their lives before the sea of zombies?
Tang Ling took a deep breath as he tapped Amir’s shoulder and said, “Three things. First, the zombies are uncontrollable. I don’t know when they’ll flood the garage. None of us do, so the waiting time is an undetermined factor.
“Secondly, the roof isn’t safe. If all of us go up to the roof at once, we will expose ourselves. The zombies are very sensitive to smell, and without any cover, I can’t guarantee what will happen. Just think about it. If a Level 2 Crawler jumps out of nowhere, would the walls stop it?
“Thirdly, if all of us are up on the roof, would the zombies be interested in the garage without food? My plan emphasizes control. Even if we are risking it, we must control the zombies!”
Tang Ling was utterly serious when he explained himself. He added, “Battles have always been about life and death. We can’t just think about the insurance because we will lose quicker that way. I’m done with the explanation. Everyone can choose once again.”
In terms of precise judgment of the entire battlefield and the ongoing situation, even a high ranking officer might not be as skillful as Tang Ling.
When he climbed up the roof earlier, the thoughts in his mind were already matured. The only thing that he did not expect was the Sawtooth Tank appearing in the garage.
“Let’s take the gamble.” Everyone finally got onto the same page because other than the said plan, there really was no other better way.
******
Vian and Christina were half-squatting on top of the roof, shivering. Maybe they were quivering because of the windy night breeze or the gory devouring scene that was continuing further away with the Sawtooth Tank.
The vivid scene with all the ruthless eating made them feel like they could hear the grinding of bones and flesh in their ears. The innocent and brave warriors wailed painfully until the very last second of their lives.
Further away on the Cliff of Hope, there was a bright rope hanging from the cliff that caught their eyes.
There was a shaky box traveling up and down the rope. It was none other than the elevator that they traveled in during their first day in the Hope Barrier. It was from that movement that they saw the Level 2 Sector Protection Machine.
In the south, bombardments went off. In order to allow the troops to penetrate the sea of zombies to reach the garage, the Hope Barrier activated explosives.
All 12 areas of the garage were filled with zombies. Some warriors managed to break through their respective areas and were fighting the endless waves of zombies. They were like little vortexes that spun in the vast ocean. It was difficult to imagine whether they had a chance at survival in this onslaught or not.
What’s Instructor Yang Kong doing? Is he at the command center? The people of Safety Sector No. 17 must be sleeping soundly. They’ll never know what kind of crisis is happening behind the Cliff of Hope.
Tang Ling’s thoughts were running wildly in his mind. He stood in front of the two girls on the roof and the sleeves of his battle uniform were rolled up. He gripped the Wolf Crunch in his hand tightly. All of a sudden, he thought of the warrior that prayed and kissed his own weapon before they moved out earlier.
Tang Ling’s figure looked a little forlorn, but he provided a sense of safety to Vian and Christina who were looking at his back.
Back in the dark garage, Orston kissed the military knife in his hand which was a gift from his family. He looked at Amir.
Yu then extended his right hand without saying anything and looked at Andy who was a little pale.
“Let’s go.” Orston then rolled up his sleeves, exposing his bare arm. A quick swing of his military knife later, a deep, bone-exposing wound appeared on his arm and he bled heavily.
Then, it was Amir’s turn, followed by Yu, who also cut his own arm without holding back. Andy shut his eyes and extended his arm to Yu.
All four arms bled at the same temperature, the blood flowing like a river.
Even though they were a door apart, the zombies outside the garage fell into a bloodthirsty trance. They loved humans as food and human blood was like the deadliest drug to them.
“Open the door!” Orston’s loud voice echoed in the dark garage.
Kuang! Kachang! Shaaaaaa!
The main door in the north and the smaller door in the south-east corner opened at the same time.
“Run! Follow Tang Ling’s route.” The moment the doors opened, the night breeze carried the rotten stench of the zombies into the garage followed by the undead that poured in like the rising tide.
Countless whitish-gray eyes reeked of bloodthirst as they charged towards their food in a reckless stupor.
Dripping blood would be the best control they could have over the zombies. The zombies were engrossed in chasing the four of them.
How long must they hold on? One minute? Five minutes? Or ten minutes?
Even though the slope was no further than 100 meters from garage No. 19, they would not even last a full ten minutes without a doubt.
Andy’s eyes turned teary as he listened to the ferocious growls behind him. He was hoping that they would not run into some higher level mutated zombies. Otherwise, they would not even last half a minute.
Tang Ling! Tang Ling, please hurry up!
Andy’s heart was screaming loudly, and so were Orston, Yu, and Amir’s.
Tang Ling, hurry up!