One day later.

After exiting the highway, the five combat teams finally gathered on the open ground in front of the toll station.

The situation inside N City remained unclear.

They couldn’t just charge in recklessly.

Everyone decided to rest here for the night and set out at dawn to eliminate the zombies.

They also planned to finalize the rescue route.

"I told you to listen to me! I’m the commander-in-chief for this mission!"

A gruff male voice rang out, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

It was downright rude.

"And who do you think you are? Listen to you? Blast our way in with ammunition? What if there are still survivors inside?!"

A crisp and articulate female voice immediately retorted, her words sharp and unyielding.

"How long has it been since the apocalypse started?! Mu Mei, I’m telling you! Our mission is to rescue the researchers! Every day we delay increases the risk! Can you afford to waste time? How many survivors do you think could still be in this hellhole?!"

The man’s voice grew louder and more irritable, his words escalating to insults. "Even if there are survivors, who’s more valuable—researchers or ordinary people?! Do we not have enough sickly, useless civilians already? If they die, so be it!"

The captains of the other two combat teams didn’t dare intervene. After all, one was the captain of the Golden Eagle Team, and the other was the captain of the Rose Team.

Both were ranked among the top thirty teams. Who would dare offend them?

Mu Mei was furious. "So ordinary lives don’t matter anymore? There’s clearly another way! It’s just a bit slower. We can break in from the southeast direction—it won’t take much longer! Why sacrifice ordinary people just to save a few minutes?!"

Jin Chuanqiong sneered disdainfully, adjusting his collar. "I’ve already said it—I'm the commander-in-chief this time. You all have to follow my orders!"

Mu Mei spat at him. "Who do you think you are? Captain Qin is also here, and headquarters clearly stated we should discuss and decide on the command together!"

Her words made Jin Chuanqiong’s face darken as if he had swallowed something foul.

The two were on the verge of a physical fight, and their respective teammates were also itching to get involved.

"Hey, hey, hey! What’s going on here? Haven’t even fought the zombies yet, and you’re already fighting each other?"

A casual, drawling voice suddenly cut through the tension, drawing everyone’s attention.

"Captain Qin!"

"Captain Qin!"

The voices greeting him came one after another, mostly from the other two teams.

When they saw Qin Luo approaching, their eyes lit up. The 3A Special Operations Team had been the talk of the forums lately. They had recently taken down a three-star mutant snake-man and, during a typhoon, wiped out a swarm of over 20,000 mutant bats—coming out unscathed!

These days, the 3A team was idolized by many, especially newcomers who worshiped them as heroes.

"Captain Qin! You’re so cool!"

"Yeah, when will you have time to teach our team a thing or two?"

"Exactly! I heard Captain Qin is also a top-notch fighter! Can you teach us some moves?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Captain Qin, can I add you as a friend?"

Qin Luo smiled and waved them off. "Let’s talk after the mission."

The newcomers cheered in admiration.

"As expected of Captain Qin, always prioritizing the mission!"

"Exactly!"

Jin Chuanqiong’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot when he saw Qin Luo stealing his thunder.

Mu Mei crossed her arms and let out a mocking laugh, her disdain practically dripping from her expression. "A clown will always be a clown. No matter how much you jump around, you’re still just a clown."

Jin Chuanqiong clenched his fists, activating his metal ability. A layer of metal covered his fists, and his glare looked like he wanted to kill Mu Mei on the spot.

Mu Mei responded in kind, summoning her ability. A two-meter-high mutated rose vine shot out behind her.

The fight was about to erupt.

Qin Luo stepped in and interrupted, "Enough! Save your energy for the real monsters, will you?!"

The other two teams, feeling awkward, quickly chimed in to mediate.

"Yeah, Captain Jin, Captain Mu, please don’t argue!"

"The mission is what’s important!"

"Save your abilities!"

Mu Mei snorted coldly, withdrawing her ability. She glanced at Qin Luo, her old comrade, and the two exchanged a nod as a silent greeting.

Just then, a small head peeked out from behind Qin Luo, her wide eyes darting around curiously.

"Hey, why did you follow me? Weren’t you resting in the car? Go take a nap."

Qin Luo’s tone changed completely, becoming lazy and even a bit doting.

The little zombie let out a soft "aww." She had been worried someone might bully her "big dog" and came to check on him. But it seemed like no one dared to.

Everyone noticed her presence and was immediately stunned.

What a breathtaking little beauty!

Qin Luo sighed and said, "Sorry about this. My team member is a bit clingy. What can I do? I’m just too good of a captain—too lovable."

His tone was so blatantly smug that it made everyone laugh.

The atmosphere lightened considerably.

Even Mu Mei was surprised. "So this is your new team member? She’s adorable."

She had heard about her from Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao before, but seeing her in person was something else.

Qin Luo grinned proudly.

Xu Duoduo looked up at the red-haired, stunningly beautiful woman. She estimated her height to be about 1.75 meters, with an incredible figure and short, stylish hair.

She glanced down at her own petite frame and couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

Qin Luo chuckled and introduced her generously, "Yes, this is our newest member of the 3A Special Operations Team—Xu Duoduo, a speed-type mutant."

The little zombie, realizing she was being introduced, stepped forward and gave a reserved "hmm," exuding an air of coolness that was oddly reminiscent of Qin Luo.

Everyone was nearly overwhelmed by her cuteness.

"Whoa~~"

"Hello, Comrade Xu!"

"Nice to meet you, comrade!"

Xu Duoduo felt a bit shy under their enthusiastic greetings but was also secretly delighted that no one looked at her with suspicion or hostility.

Qin Luo had deliberately introduced her openly, his tone filled with pride. In just three days of intensive training, this little zombie had not only mastered combat techniques but had also significantly improved her spatial ability.

How could he not be proud?

Jin Chuanqiong, however, sneered and said sarcastically, "Captain Qin, you really brought a mutant like her along? What was the base thinking, allowing her to come? A mere speed-type mutant—what use could she possibly be? Just a pretty decoration? Your 3A team is just using your achievements to make ridiculous demands of headquarters..."

Before Qin Luo could react, the small figure beside him suddenly darted out. He couldn’t stop her in time.

The next second, they all saw her leap into the air and deliver a spinning kick to Jin Chuanqiong’s chest, forcing him back two steps.

Realizing what had just happened, Jin Chuanqiong was furious. He cursed loudly, "Damn it!"

The little zombie was enraged. How dare he curse at her? Beat him up!

Wow!!

Everyone was stunned. No one had expected this little thing to be so fierce.

She really started a fight without a second thought.

"Whoa, her speed is insane! Those are clearly combat moves, but why does she fight so wildly?"

"Because she doesn’t follow any set patterns! Look, look!"

Jin Chuanqiong, humiliated and enraged, didn’t care that his opponent was a rookie mutant. To him, being challenged by a mutant was intolerable!

What terrified him even more was the realization that he couldn’t beat her! A rookie?!

Qin Luo watched with a satisfied smile. The three days of training had paid off. He even started analyzing her moves, thinking about what needed improvement so he could help her refine her skills later.