The sun climbed higher in the sky as Jiang Ye’s team and the soldiers advanced through deserted streets toward the warehouse district. The air reeked of decay, and the occasional distant growl of zombies reminded everyone of the dangers surrounding them.
Jiang Ye walked alongside Carter, the experienced squad leader assigned to support their mission. Their steps were steady, their eyes vigilant, but their conversation was calm and focused.
“Carter,” Jiang Ye began, lowering his voice, “what’s the real situation back at the safe zone? From what I’ve seen, it’s barely holding together.”
Carter glanced at him, his expression neutral but tinged with fatigue.
“You’re not wrong. The safe zone is at best a temporary solution. Supplies are running out, and more refugees arrive every day. It’s getting harder to keep things running.”
“How many people are there now?” Jiang Ye asked.
“Over 500,” Carter replied. “That’s already far beyond the camp’s capacity. We’ve set up makeshift tents, but there’s barely enough food to go around. The leadership is trying to maintain order, but morale is starting to crack.”
Jiang Ye frowned. “What about the defenses? If the zombies breach the walls…”
“We have barricades and armed patrols,” Carter said. “But to be honest, we’re spread too thin. A large enough horde could overwhelm us, and it’s only a matter of time.”
Adjusting the strap of his backpack, Jiang Ye thought quickly.
“Who’s in charge of the safe zone now?” he asked.
“It’s complicated,” Carter admitted. “The camp is run by a council of military personnel and civilian representatives. They’re supposed to work together, but there are constant disagreements. The civilians want to focus on evacuating the city, while the military insists on fortifying the safe zone. Long-term plans are at a standstill.”
“So instead of solving problems, they’re arguing with each other,” Jiang Ye said flatly.
Carter nodded. “Exactly. Every day they waste arguing brings us closer to collapse.”
Jiang Ye tightened his grip on the Lingfeng Sword. “Then why send out teams like ours? If the camp is already stretched thin, wouldn’t it make more sense to conserve resources?”
“We don’t have a choice,” Carter said with a sigh. “Without supply runs, the camp would run out of food in a week. Every trip outside is a gamble, but it’s the only way to buy time.”
As the group rounded a corner, Carter continued, “You’ve got a good team, Jiang. I can see they trust you. That kind of trust is rare these days.”
Jiang Ye glanced back at his companions. Elaine walked with her metal rod slung over her shoulder, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. Wang Han trailed behind, quietly joking with Brooks to lighten the mood. Anna and Reynes were deep in conversation about medical techniques, while Michael stayed close to Emily, constantly reassuring his daughter.
“They’re good people,” Jiang Ye said. “But this world doesn’t leave much room for trust. We’ve survived this long by sticking together, but I know it won’t get any easier.”
Carter nodded in agreement. “You’re right. The longer this goes on, the harder it will be to maintain that trust. But if you’re thinking about building something bigger, something more stable, it starts with people like them.”
Jiang Ye didn’t respond immediately. Since the outbreak, the idea of establishing his own faction had lingered in his mind. Hearing Carter’s perspective gave the idea new weight. Could he really turn this group into the foundation of something greater?
“What about you?” Jiang Ye asked. “Do you think the safe zone can last?”
Carter hesitated. “I want to believe it can, but the truth is, I’m not sure. We’re fighting battles on too many fronts—against zombies, resource shortages, and even ourselves. Unless something changes, the safe zone will fall.”
Jiang Ye’s gaze hardened. “Then we’ll make sure it doesn’t. At least not yet.”
Their conversation ended as the warehouse district came into view. Rows of decrepit buildings loomed ahead, their windows shattered and walls covered in grime. The air grew heavier, and the faint sound of shuffling feet hinted at zombies nearby.
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Carter raised his fist, signaling the group to halt. “Stay sharp,” he said. “This is where it gets tricky.”
Jiang Ye unsheathed the Lingfeng Sword, his movements calm but purposeful. “Let’s find what we came for and get out. No unnecessary risks.”
The team nodded, weapons at the ready, as they prepared to face the challenges ahead. For now, the survival of the safe zone hinged on their success. Jiang Ye knew the supplies they gathered today might buy the camp more time, but he also understood that time was running out.
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The warehouse district loomed before them, rows of dilapidated buildings casting long shadows under the midday sun. As Jiang Ye's team approached their target, an unsettling silence filled the air. Not a single mutated rat was in sight, and the usual scratching sounds of claws against the ground were eerily absent.
"This is... strange," Elaine said, gripping her metal rod tightly. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of movement.
"Too quiet," Carter muttered, his hand resting on his holstered gun. "I've never seen it this still."
Jiang Ye's sixth sense was screaming. Years of cultivation had sharpened his instincts beyond those of ordinary people, and every fiber of his being warned him of danger.
"Wait," Jiang Ye said firmly. The team stopped immediately.
"Something's wrong. We can't rush in."
Wang Han glanced at him, then at the warehouse just a few meters away.
"Come on, Jiang. We're right here. Maybe we just got lucky this time?"
Jiang Ye shook his head. "This kind of silence isn't luck. We need to be careful."
Carter frowned but nodded. "He's right. This is unusual. Let's assess the situation before we move in."
The group huddled together, their voices low. Despite Jiang Ye's warning, the proximity of the warehouse and the promise of supplies made it hard to turn back.
"We're already here," Brooks said. "If we don't at least check, this trip will have been for nothing."
Elaine glanced at Jiang Ye. "I trust your instincts, but we can't leave empty-handed. What if we limit it to ten minutes?"
Jiang Ye's team looked to him for a decision. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded reluctantly.
"Ten minutes. No matter what we find—or don't find—we leave immediately."
"Agreed," Carter said. "Ten minutes, and we regroup outside. Everyone stays in sight. No splitting up."
The team cautiously approached the warehouse door, weapons ready. Jiang Ye led the way, using the tip of the Lingfeng Sword to push the door open. The heavy metal door creaked loudly, the sound echoing through the cavernous interior.
The warehouse was dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through cracked windows above. Rows of shelves stretched into the shadows, stacked with crates and barrels. Dust hung in the air, carrying the faint smell of mildew.
"Spread out, but stay within sight," Carter ordered. "Report anything you find."
Elaine and Wang Han moved to the left side of the warehouse, their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of dust. Michael and Emily stayed near the entrance to keep watch, while Anna and Reynes began searching the right side. Jiang Ye and Carter advanced down the central aisle.
As they ventured further inside, Jiang Ye's unease deepened. His eyes darted to every shadow, every corner, as if expecting something to leap out at any moment. But the silence remained unbroken.
"This place feels... wrong," Jiang Ye muttered.
Carter glanced at him. "Stay focused. We've got a job to do."
Minutes passed as the team searched the warehouse. They found a few cans of food, some medical supplies, and a crate of bottled water—not much, but valuable nonetheless. Yet the oppressive silence and absence of mutated rats gnawed at their nerves.
"Two minutes left," Elaine called out, checking her watch. Her voice was tense, her usual confidence replaced by unease.
"Let's wrap it up," Carter said. "Everyone back to the entrance. Now."
Just as the group began to regroup, a faint noise broke the silence—a soft, high-pitched squeaking from deeper within the warehouse.
"What was that?" Wang Han whispered, his knuckles white around the handle of his axe.
Jiang Ye's body tensed. "We need to leave. Now."
"No argument here," Brooks said, already moving toward the door.
The team hurried toward the entrance, their earlier composure unraveling as the noise grew louder and closer. Shadows flickered in the dim light, and the squeaks turned into a cacophony of shrill cries.
As they reached the door, the cries erupted into a deafening screech. From the depths of the warehouse, a swarm of mutated rats surged forward, their grotesque forms moving with unnatural speed.
"Run! Run!" Carter shouted, throwing the door open.
The team spilled out into the open air, the rats nearly on their heels. Jiang Ye and Carter stayed at the rear, cutting down the leading creatures with precise sword strikes and gunfire.
Once they were a safe distance away, the group stopped to catch their breath. The warehouse door had been slammed shut, and the sound of claws scratching against the metal echoed from within.
"That was way too close," Wang Han panted.
Elaine nodded, her face pale. "Jiang, you were right. Something was definitely wrong in there."
Jiang Ye didn't respond immediately, his eyes fixed on the warehouse. "This isn't over," he said quietly. "We need to be ready. Whatever's happening here... it's only going to get worse."
The team exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of his words sinking in. As they began their trek back to the safe zone, the warehouse loomed behind them, a stark reminder of the growing dangers in this hostile world.
Carter turned to Jiang Ye with a grateful expression. "We owe you for this one. If you hadn't spoken up, we'd all be dead."
Jiang Ye waved it off. "I was just saving myself too. Let's get moving. This place isn't safe."
The team nodded in agreement, their pace quickening as they left the warehouse far behind.