Rebirth of MC

Following the explosion, a steel grappling hook shoots towards the wall of the opposite building at high speed, penetrating deep into the surface and fastens itself there. Tugging on the steel rope to ensure it wouldn't give out halfway, Long Zhanye loops the other end around the closest shelf and knots it. Fortunately for them, the shelf is bolted to the floor so it will not slip.

"The backpack is a military-use item. Buckle it tight around your waist. There are two steel rings at the top of the shoulder straps. Fasten them together and hook it onto this rope. We'll cross to the opposite building and leave from there!" Long Zhanye instructs as he slots his own metal ring onto the steel rope.

Not needing the soldier to demonstrate, the other two quickly buckles their backpack tightly. Another violent strike on the door causes the entire frame to shake. Then the whole door topples, collapsing with a final bang. With no obstacles blocking the view of the outside, one can see countless zombies squeezed in the doorway. Fortunately, the arrays prevent them from pouring in or else the horrifying horde would have already been upon them.

Hiss -

Not giving them any time to breathe, an ear-piercing hiss rises above the din of low growls, causing the three human's head to throb painfully. Their vision spins, almost making their knees give out.

The shrill noise stops and the pain disperses. Sweeping a glace over the swarm of zombies, he immediately picks out a small figure amongst them. Antenna, insect eyes, lipless mouth with knife-like teeth, human face and red, larvae-like body. A sharp needle-like tail extends from its back. Its four small, short limbs with five fingers and toes each end in a half-inch, purplish-red claw.

Even as he watches, that small monster lifts a hand, claws reaching towards the array. With a sound akin to paper tearing, a rip appears in the barrier. An array that is able to stop numerous zombies from crossing was actually torn apart so easily with only a light tap of those claws! Just what in the world is this monster?!

"Zhanye, you go over first! You're responsible for supporting us when we're on the rope. Quickly!!" While speaking, Huo Zaiyuan takes out more talismans to reinforce the barriers.

That little monster's ability is really too strange and powerful, so this time, he has to use his highest quality talismans!

With his strongest talismans now holding up the arrays, the small creature's mouth split opens in a furious snarl. Tiny hands slap angrily on the barrier over and over again. Meanwhile, Long Zhanye has already repelled over to the opposite building, beckoning the others to come over from his position on the balcony.

"Little Yuan, let's go together. That thing cannot be left alone!" Zhou Xingfeng says as he takes out a glove from his coat pocket.

"All right. Make sure to do as I do!" Huo Zaiyuan nods, stepping pass Zhou Xingfeng and leaping out the hole. He senses the array is close to being breached. If they continue to linger, they will likely lose their lives.

Also, that small creature absolutely cannot be allowed to live as it is way too horrifying!

As the two repel down the line, Zhou Xingfeng pulls the pin on a grenade and tosses it into the room. In the span of a few seconds, their feet touch the ground on the other side just in time to see the grenade explode, collapsing the storage room.

Having prepared for this, Long Zhanye grabs the two youths, disconnects them from the steel rope and manhandles them to take cover behind a wall of the balcony. The sound of stone and plaster raining down continues for a while before silence falls once again.

~~~

The cloud of fine sand and dust gradually settles down. Crouched behind the wall of the balcony with Huo Zaiyuan and Zhou Xingfeng partially covered by his tall frame, Long Zhanye glances around to ensure there is no danger before rising slowly to his feet.

"Are you all right?" Long Zhanye inquires as he dusts off his clothes.

"I'm okay. Thanks." Zhou Xingfeng says, expressing his gratitude.

"I'm fine. You weren't injured by the debris?" Huo Zaiyuan asks in concern.

"No, just covered in dust. I'll shower once we get back. Let's move." Curling an arm around Huo Zaiyuan's waist, Long Zhanye smiles faintly.

"Un, that - watch out!"

Just as Huo Zaiyuan turns to speak to Long Zhanye, he catches something flying through the air in his peripheral vision, partially obscured by the dust cloud. A mouthful of frightening razor-sharp teeth. If it isn't that little monster, what else can it be? Expect this time, its lower half is missing courtesy of the grenade, leaving its upper body from the abdomen up.

The time it takes to reflexively push Long Zhanye away makes it too late for Huo Zaiyuan to dodge. He can only brace himself, mentally preparing for the flash of pain when those teeth sink into his shoulder.

Everything happened in a split-second. His body is roughly slammed aside, a yell of pain that isn't his own and a series of gunshots ring out.

Coming back to his senses, Huo Zaiyuan finds himself sprawled on the floor, the small monster's body lying a distance away with its head reduced to minced meat. Laying on top of him is Zhou Xingfeng, face pale and expression contorted from agony.

"Xingfeng!" Huo Zaiyuan cries out in alarm, scrambling up to his knees as Long Zhanye lowers his pistol, stepping up the two men's side.

Staring up at his friend who constantly wears a bland expression ever since they met again, Zhou Xingfeng chuckles lowly. "I was the one who proposed coming to a hospital in order to find a way to save Wen Bin. If either of you gets injured, I will carry this guilt for a lifetimethis may also be for the best. That monster should be classified as a type of zombie, right? Now that I'm bitten, I'll turn into one, sojust put a bullet in me"

"Shut up! Don't talk nonsense!" Huo Zaiyuan's temper erupts, cutting off his words. Gaze dropping to Xingfeng's body, he finally sees the badly mutilated flesh on his back.

Although he said this, he logically knows that Xingfeng was bitten and in the face of that monster, the talisman he has always taken pride in is rendered useless.

Dammit all

A blazing ache rises in his heart, his eyes reddening from a mixture of sorrow and anger. A wave of his hand causes golden flames to ignite, burning the small creature's corpse to nothingness.

"Little Yuan, calm down." Long Zhanye drags Huo Zaiyuan into a hug as the youth's control slips.

"Little Yuan, I'm deeply unsatisfied" Zhou Xingfeng exhales softly, hands clenching into fists. "We worked so hard just to get the medicine but I cannot return. I really want to see Wen Bin one last time. Watch him awaken andtell him I'm sorry"

"You want to see himthen let's go. Quickly!" Held in Long Zhanye's arms, Huo Zaiyuan swiftly calms down, reaching down to drag Zhou Xingfeng up. "We'll return. Before you see him wake personally, you are not allowed to transform!"

Huo Zaiyuan firmly pulls Zhou Xingfeng behind him and walk away. When Long Zhanye turns to follow, he suddenly catches sight of a purple, quail egg sized crystal laying where the creature's body was before.

Is that a crystal nuclei?

Hesitating for a second with doubts in his heart, Long Zhanye eventually removes a napkin and wraps that object in it, dropping it into a pocket. He'll study it more closely when they return to the school.

Arriving at where the off-road vehicle is parked, Huo Zaiyuan carefully assists Zhou Xingfeng into the backseat before climbing in. Long Zhanye gets into the driver's seat and the car peels away at high speed.

Due to the loud explosion, a large number of zombies are drawn to this block. Already, one can see plenty of undead shambling in this direction.

Engine roaring, the off-road vehicle shoots off

In the backseat of the car, Huo Zaiyuan uses a pair of scissors to cut the cloth away from the wound. Xingfeng's back is already drenched in blood, the monster's teeth having shredded the meat to pieces. Already, signs of rot appear around the edges of the bite.

All the remaining fresh water in his space have been emptied into a large barrel. In the small confines of the car, it is impossible to bring it out. Not bothering to use normal water, Huo Zaiyuan directly takes out a bamboo cup full of spring water from his Holy Nine Dragon Spring Pool and uses it to wash Xingfeng's wound.

"Ahh - Huo - little Yuan! Are you trying to murder me ah? What are you pouring on my wound? It's killing me!" The weak and sickly Zhou Xingfeng yells loudly in pain. Even in this situation, he remembers not to shout Huo Zaiyuan's full name.

The excruciating agony causes his muscles to lock, veins appearing on the surface of his skin as he tries to endure it.

"Don't move. I'm helping you clean it." Pouring another cup of spring water on it, Huo Zaiyuan eventually bandages it up.

Once the pain vanishes, Zhou Xingfeng slumps bonelessly on the seat, gasping for breath.

"Eldest brother Long, please hurry. I feel that I wouldn't be able to hold on any longer"

"I know." Stepping down on the accelerator, the off-road vehicles speed increases even further, streaking towards the school.

~~~

His body feels like an inferno is raging through it, consciousness slowly slipping from his graspis he about to turn into a zombie?

No. He cannot let it happen. He hasn't seen Wen Bin yet. Hasn't seen him awaken yetalso hasn't told the younger boy he is sorryfurthermore, he stillhe still hasn't told Wen Bin he likes him

Ever since the apocalypse began, the Junior that has always accompanied him, made him laugh, spoke words of concern to him, always staring at him with that pair of bright eyes

Not even he is aware of when his feelings for Wen Bin shifted from friendship to something more

Heheh

Wen Bin, wait for me ah

"One more street until we reach the school. How is he doing?" Long Zhanye questions, spinning the wheel in his hands. The off-road vehicle executes a perfect drift before shooting forth once more.

"He is already unconscious and not in a good condition. On top of that, he is running a high feverthat monster's infection rate is much faster than the average zombie's!" Dabbing Zhou Xingfeng's perspiration, he sticks a talisman on his friend's body, praying that the spiritual energy within will slow down the rate of transformation.

"We're here!"

Hitting the brake, the vehicle screeches to a stop outside the school. There is already someone waiting inside, pulling the gates open immediately.