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That evening, a visitor arrived at Chen Liu’s room in the sanatorium. It was Professor Li, the former colleague of the late Professor Zhang, who had tragically taken his own life. The two men once shared a room, their bond forged through years of academic camaraderie. Professor Li stood in the doorway, his expression caught between resolve and hesitation, before he spoke. “Xiao Chen, you’re heading to Liao City soon. If it’s not too much trouble, could you take me along?” His request caught Chen Liu off guard, a spark of surprise flickering in his eyes. Why would he ask this now? Chen Liu wondered, his mind racing to understand the older man’s intentions.
He responded cautiously, “May I ask why?” Professor Li’s warm smile softened the weight of his words. “About a week ago, the base at Liao City contacted me. They’ve established a research institute to study abilities and asked if I could contribute before I… well, before I fade out entirely.” Chen Liu’s gaze sharpened as he processed the revelation. The military’s foresight was no surprise; they long recognized that ability users were the future of warfare. A research center made perfect sense. But why keep it quiet until now? Chen Liu thought, his curiosity deepening. “Why didn’t you mention this earlier?” he asked. Professor Li’s calm reply carried a hint of selflessness. “I didn’t want to burden anyone else.” Silence fell over the room as Chen Liu reflected on the professor’s words. Whether it was the mutated Old Wang, the departed Professor Zhang, or the man standing before him, they all shared a quiet nobility that stirred something in Chen Liu—a mix of admiration and faint shame. “Professor Li, I promise I’ll get you to Liao City safely,” he vowed solemnly. The older man’s kind, trusting smile eased the tension. “I’m not worried. After all, you’re the one Old Zhang believed in.” The mention of Professor Zhang brought a heavy pause, their thoughts lingering on the memory of the elderly scholar. He’s gone, but his faith in me remains. The weight of that trust pressed against his resolve.
Four days later, the day of departure arrived. Chen Liu’s relentless campaign against the infected left the sanatorium free of corpses at least for the time being. Through those merciless battles, he amassed a substantial cache of crystals, which, combined with his prior stockpile, propelled him to the rank of an Eight-Star Awakened. Zhang Chong, too, advanced, reaching the level of a Six-Star Awakened. Yet Chen Liu found little cause for pride. Whispers reached him that the Flame Queen, a formidable ability user, ascended to a One-Star Evolver. Her strength had become so overwhelming that her team thrived in the city without needing a base. She’s become a legend, while I’m still clawing my way forward. Chen Liu felt a pang of inadequacy gnawing at him. Her achievements cast a long shadow over his own. Now, Chen Liu, Zhang Chong, Yu Dachao, Yu Na, and Professor Li formed a temporary five-person squad, ready to embark on their uncertain journey to the Liao City base. The remaining survivors, meanwhile, were relocating en masse to Zhaojia Village, seeking safety in numbers.
Chen Liu prepared two vehicles for the journey. His pride was a 3.6L limited-edition four-door Wrangler, a rugged off-road beast revered as the ultimate all-terrain vehicle. In the apocalypse, where roads were treacherous and death lurked at every turn, such a machine was indispensable. Its only flaw was its voracious fuel consumption, but in the early days of the collapse, gasoline could still be scavenged. The second vehicle, a two-seater pickup truck driven by Zhang Chong and Yu Dachao, was laden with supplies: rice, flour, pickled vegetables, cured meats, salted duck eggs, and other durable provisions gathered from Zhaojia Village. Pots, pans, camp tents, and fuel filled every available space, with the Wrangler’s trunk and roof rack similarly packed to capacity. Better to overprepare than be caught wanting, Chen Liu thought, recalling the adage about the hardships of travel. The sanatorium’s ample stores made such preparations possible. Though the Wrangler could seat five, the pickup served as a backup for emergencies and cargo.
Before departing, Chen Liu visited the cemetery one final time to bid farewell to those they lost. Names and faces—Old Wang, Professor Zhang, Lin Jianchi, Fang Ruoming—drifted through his mind, vivid as if they stood beside him only yesterday. His voice was barely above a whisper as he addressed Fang Ruoming’s grave. “I’ll carry on your ability. I’ll make it count.” Barring the unforeseen, he would likely never return here, making this goodbye feel final.
The air grew thick with unspoken grief. Nearby, Yu Na stood with the female fighters, some already wiping away silent tears. Their friendships, forged before the apocalypse and tempered by shared survival, made parting unbearable. Even Yu Na, ever resilient, had tears glistening in her eyes. “Well then… goodbye, everyone,” he said, his words feeling inadequate. Li Dong extended a hand, their journey from distrust to cooperation now culminating in this farewell. “Take care,” Li Dong said, his voice steady but warm. Chen Liu nodded, unable to linger in the heavy atmosphere. With a final wave, he climbed into the Wrangler and set off, the pickup following close behind. This is it. No turning back, he thought, gripping the steering wheel as the sanatorium faded in the rearview mirror.
In the pickup, Yu Dachao glanced back at the female warriors waving farewell and grinned enviously. “Dry wood and raging fire—Li Dong’s got it made in Zhaojia Village,” he said, imagining romantic entanglements in the village’s relative safety. Zhang Chong chuckled, his hands steady on the wheel. “If you’re so jealous, you could’ve stayed. I heard Tan Xiaojia’s got a thing for you. Stay, and she’s yours.” Yu Dachao’s laugh was a mix of pride and regret. “Forget it. Pretty faces are nice, but I like living more.” Zhang Chong raised an eyebrow. “What’s that mean? You think Zhaojia Village isn’t safe?” Yu Dachao shook his head. “It’s not that. It’s the people. Sticking with the Captain feels safer than following Li Dong.” Zhang Chong smirked, unable to argue. “You’re something else,” he said, then pressed the gas to keep pace with the Wrangler. He’s right, though. Chen Liu’s the one to bet on, Zhang Chong agreed. The two vehicles sped down the road, disappearing into the distance as Li Dong’s convoy set off in the opposite direction, their paths diverging forever.
……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……….
Deep in the heart of Jing Mountain, in a nameless valley, a seismic shift had occurred just as Chen Liu’s group departed. Moo!!! A towering water buffalo, nearly two meters tall, raised its head and bellowed, its voice echoing through the valley. It had evolved into a fierce beast, an altered creature equivalent to a human Evolver or a zombie Berserker. Surrounding it were over a hundred other altered beasts, their forms varied but menacing. The age of the mutated beast had begun, heralding a new chapter of danger in the fractured world.
thINKer: Danger! Danger!!!