The morning sun bathed the walls of the safe zone in a fleeting sense of calm. But this peace was shattered by the blaring of alarms. Carter's voice came through the broadcast system, low and urgent.
“Attention! A massive horde of zombies has been spotted two miles northeast of the camp! All patrol units are to mobilize immediately. Residents, proceed to designated safe zones and prepare for potential breaches!”
Jiang Ye rushed out of his quarters to find Anna, Elaine, Wang Han, and Michael already outside, their faces tense with apprehension.
“It’s happening, just as we expected,” Jiang Ye said grimly, gripping the Lingfeng Sword in his hand.
“That was fast,” Wang Han muttered, wiping sweat from his brow with a nervous chuckle. “Looks like this one’s going to be tough.”
Michael checked his rifle, his voice steady but grave. “What’s the plan?”
Jiang Ye looked at his team, his tone firm. “Gear up and head to the front lines. But remember, our priority is to protect the safe zone—not to throw our lives away.”
By the time they reached the northeastern wall, chaos was already unfolding. Soldiers, under Carter’s direction, were fortifying the barricades with sandbags, wire, and wooden boards. Civilians were being escorted to underground shelters, while those who stayed behind were arming themselves with whatever weapons were available.
The low growls of the approaching horde grew louder, and the distinct stench of decay carried on the wind, making it hard to breathe.
“There!” Elaine pointed toward the distant treeline. A mass of shadows was emerging, growing larger as it closed in.
Jiang Ye fixed his steely gaze on the approaching threat. “Prepare for battle.”
Carter hurried over, his expression severe. “You’re just in time. But remember, you’re not frontline defenders. Hold the secondary defense line and ensure the evacuation runs smoothly.”
“Understood,” Jiang Ye replied.
Michael climbed a nearby watchtower, adjusting the scope on his rifle. He took a deep breath, his finger resting on the trigger, his eyes filled with resolve.
The first wave of zombies hit the barricades with startling ferocity. Gunfire erupted, the soldiers attempting to suppress the onslaught. Yet some of the creatures managed to break through.
Jiang Ye was the first to meet them, the Lingfeng Sword slicing through the air with precision, severing the head of the nearest zombie. His movements were fluid, every strike a combination of strength and accuracy.
Wang Han swung his fire axe, landing a heavy blow on another zombie’s shoulder, but it wasn’t enough to stop it completely.
“Brother Jiang, there’s too many of them!” Wang Han shouted, panting.
Jiang Ye stepped in, his sword piercing the zombie’s chest. “Focus. Don’t lose your nerve.”
Elaine fought beside them, her metal rod a blur as she struck the creatures with lethal precision. “These things are getting faster!” she called out.
Jiang Ye nodded, his sharp gaze scanning the battlefield. “Their speed is almost on par with a human jog. Stay sharp.”
Michael, perched atop the tower, fired shot after shot, each bullet finding its mark. His hands were sweaty, but he forced himself to stay calm. “Steady... don’t waste ammo,” he muttered.
Behind the lines, Anna stood ready, her hands trembling slightly as she watched the chaos unfold. Yet she willed herself to stay composed, knowing she would be needed soon. “Stay focused, Anna. They’re counting on you,” she whispered.
As the first wave of zombies was barely pushed back, a chilling, guttural roar echoed across the battlefield. It carried an unnatural authority, as if commanding the horde.
“What was that?” Michael shouted from the watchtower.
Jiang Ye squinted toward the source of the sound. Amid the sea of undead, a towering figure stood still, observing. Its sheer size and presence sent a shiver down his spine.
“It’s a mutated zombie... possibly a commander type,” Jiang Ye said softly, his expression hardening.
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The mutated zombie wasn’t just another mindless creature. It had immense strength, speed, and intelligence, capable of directing the horde with calculated precision. Its appearance shifted the dynamics of the battle.
Under the mutated zombie’s influence, the horde began to coordinate. Groups of zombies diverted from the main barricades, targeting weak points and flanking the defenses.
“They’re adapting to our defenses!” Elaine yelled.
“Stay alert! Don’t let them break through!” Jiang Ye ordered, his voice cutting through the noise.
Carter, standing on a raised platform, surveyed the deteriorating situation, his face grim. “They’re smarter than we anticipated. This defense line won’t hold for long.”
Jiang Ye turned to his team, his tone resolute. “Prepare for a tougher fight.”
Their gazes met, unspoken trust and determination passing between them. As the shadows of the horde closed in, they readied themselves for the battle ahead.
Under the darkening sky, the stage was set for a fight that would test their limits, and the undead tide surged forward like an unstoppable force.
With the first wave of zombies barely repelled, the air was thick with the stench of blood and decay. Soldiers and survivors were covered in gore, their faces etched with exhaustion. Yet, no one dared to relax for even a moment.
“Something’s not right. These zombies are acting far more organized than before,” Carter said, standing atop the high ground and observing the approaching horde through his binoculars.
Jiang Ye gripped the Lingfeng Sword tightly, his sharp eyes fixed on the shadows advancing in the distance. His inner energy flowed steadily through his body, preparing him for the fight ahead.
“There must be a commander-type zombie leading them,” Jiang Ye said gravely.
Carter nodded, his tone heavy. “I’m thinking the same. If this type of zombie has intelligence, we’ll need to adjust our strategy fast.”
The distant growls grew louder, and the sound of countless footsteps echoed like an earthquake, shaking everyone to their core.
“Look out! They’re splitting into two groups and flanking our main defenses!” shouted a soldier from the tower.
“All units, cover the flanks immediately!” Carter ordered.
Jiang Ye’s team moved swiftly, heading toward the right flank with several soldiers. Wang Han panted as he ran, his face pale.
“How are these things getting smarter? They used to just rush straight ahead!”
“They’re not the same as before,” Jiang Ye said, his tone calm but firm. “We need to adapt to their evolution, or we’re all dead.”
When they reached the right flank, several zombies had already breached the sandbag barrier, lunging at the struggling soldiers. Elaine was the first to charge in, smashing her metal rod into the skull of a zombie with precision and force.
“Quick! Seal the breach!” Jiang Ye shouted.
Michael climbed onto an abandoned truck, taking advantage of the high ground to fire at the advancing zombies. Each shot hit its mark, but the sheer number of undead caused beads of sweat to form on his forehead.
“We need to stabilize this before I run out of ammo,” Michael muttered to himself.
Wang Han swung his fire axe with all his might, knocking down a zombie trying to climb over the sandbags. He was gasping for breath, his grip shaky.
“Brother Jiang, I’m barely holding on here!” he cried out.
Jiang Ye darted to his side, his Lingfeng Sword flashing as he decapitated several zombies in quick succession. “Remember, you’re not fighting alone,” he said firmly.
Just as the line began to stabilize, a deep, guttural roar erupted from the depths of the horde. The sound was oppressive, carrying a strange power that made the surrounding zombies even more frenzied.
Everyone turned toward the source of the roar. A massive figure emerged from the horde, slowly stepping forward. It was nearly twice the size of a regular zombie, its bulging muscles covered in grotesque scars, and its glowing red eyes radiated a chilling intelligence.
“It’s a commander-type zombie!” Carter’s voice rang out across the battlefield.
The sight of the towering monster caused a wave of panic among the defenders. Some gripped their weapons tighter, while others instinctively took a step back.
“Hold your ground! It’s just another monster, not a god!” Jiang Ye shouted, his voice cutting through the fear.
The commander zombie’s crimson eyes locked onto Jiang Ye. Letting out a menacing growl, it raised its massive arm and commanded the horde to attack again.
Jiang Ye felt an unprecedented pressure weighing on him but forced himself to remain calm.
“Elaine, Wang Han, hold the flanks. Michael, keep it suppressed with your rifle.”
“What about you?” Anna asked, her voice laced with concern.
“I’ll take it head-on and buy us some time,” Jiang Ye replied. Without waiting for a response, he charged toward the commander zombie.
The Lingfeng Sword gleamed as Jiang Ye closed the distance to the commander zombie. The hulking creature snarled, swinging a massive arm toward him with terrifying force.
Jiang Ye dodged to the side, his sword slicing through the creature’s arm. The blade cut into the thick muscle but failed to deal significant damage.
“Its defense is too strong,” Jiang Ye thought, tightening his grip on the sword.
The commander zombie’s speed belied its size. It launched a flurry of powerful attacks, forcing Jiang Ye to rely on his enhanced reflexes and inner energy to narrowly evade each strike.
Meanwhile, the surrounding zombies began closing in, drawn to the commotion. Michael’s rifle cracked repeatedly, taking out the closest threats.
“Focus on your fight! I’ve got your back!” Michael shouted.
Jiang Ye took a deep breath, centering himself. He shifted his stance, his movements fluid as he countered the commander zombie’s relentless blows. The clash of his sword against the creature’s massive limbs echoed across the battlefield.
But the creature was relentless. With a thunderous roar, it swept its other arm toward Jiang Ye, catching him off guard. The impact sent him flying backward, slamming into an abandoned vehicle.
Gritting his teeth, Jiang Ye wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stood up, his resolve unshaken.
“Not enough to stop me. Come on!” he growled, stepping forward to face the towering beast once more.
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Under the darkening sky, the clash of steel and the roars of the undead filled the air. The siege had only just begun, and every soul on the battlefield would have to fight with everything they had to survive.