Volume One, Chapter 9: What Happened to the Blood on You?

The man’s expression flickered, but he quickly regained his composure. "Just over in the northern part of the city. There are a dozen of them, and they don't have any decent weapons..."

Gao Yang stared at him and said slowly, "You're lying."

The man’s body stiffened, and a flash of panic crossed his eyes.

"Neither of you has many injuries from zombies, yet your face is covered in blood." Gao Yang leaned in slowly, his voice as cold as a blade. "How did you get that blood on you? And why did you come straight here?"

The man was left speechless, and the woman’s crying stopped abruptly.

*Bang!*

Gao Yang slammed his baseball bat against the ground with a deafening thud.

"I’ll ask you one more time." His tone was thick with murderous intent. "Who are you people?"

The man flinched, then suddenly lunged from the ground, drawing a machete from his back to swing at Gao Yang!

"Go to hell!"

Gao Yang let out a cold snort, sidestepping the attack while swinging his baseball bat in one fluid motion.

*Crack!*

The bat, wreathed in lightning, struck the man's wrist, sending his machete flying.

The man let out a shrill scream, clutching his hand as he stumbled back, his face twisted in agony. Seeing this, the woman lunged at Lin Xue, trying to snatch her backpack.

"Don't touch me!" Lin Xue screamed, struggling hard, but she clearly lacked the strength.

*Crack!*

A bolt of lightning exploded as Gao Yang’s bat struck the woman’s shoulder, knocking her flat to the ground.

"Spare us! We were forced into this!" The man sat slumped on the floor, clutching his hand, his eyes filled with despair and terror.

Gao Yang looked down at him coldly and slowly raised his bat.

"In this apocalypse, trust is the most expensive commodity, and you two aren't worth it."

The bat fell, accompanied by the crackle of lightning, and the man’s screams were cut short.

Lin Xue leaned against the wall, her face pale, her breathing ragged.

"Is... is this your reason for not trusting anyone?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Gao Yang hoisted the bat onto his shoulder, his gaze indifferent. "These are the rules of the apocalypse. Either be strong, or die."

He turned toward the door and said without looking back, "Let’s go. It’s not safe here anymore."

Lin Xue stared blankly at the corpses on the ground, then finally gritted her teeth, hoisted her backpack, and followed him out.

***

The sun had climbed to its zenith, its scorching rays piercing through the shattered buildings, making the ruins on the streets look all the more desolate and hopeless.

Gao Yang led Lin Xue through an abandoned residential area. His gaze remained as sharp as a hawk’s, constantly scanning the surroundings. Lin Xue followed closely behind him; though her steps were weary, she did not utter a single complaint.

"How much further?" Lin Xue couldn't help asking in a low voice.

"Right ahead," Gao Yang replied, his tone as calm as ever.

Their target was an abandoned munitions warehouse. Rumor had it that the military had used it as a temporary supply depot. Though it had likely been picked clean by now, Gao Yang decided to take the gamble.

"I hope we can find something useful," Lin Xue muttered to herself, a glimmer of expectation in her eyes.

Just as they neared the warehouse, Gao Yang suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing.

"Stop," he commanded in a low voice.

Lin Xue froze instantly, looking at him nervously. "What is it?"

Gao Yang didn't answer. He quickly pressed himself against the nearby wall and gestured for Lin Xue to follow suit. Lin Xue held her breath and did as she was told. She looked where Gao Yang was pointing and saw several people in tattered clothes patrolling outside the warehouse gate.

Unlike ordinary survivors, these people radiated a dangerous aura. Their movements were agile, they carried various weapons, and some even had guns holstered at their waists.

"Are they... ability users?" Lin Xue whispered, her eyes filled with unease.

Gao Yang nodded, his gaze cold. "More than one, and they are far more dangerous than ordinary people."

Lin Xue bit her lip, her voice trembling slightly. "Do we still have to go in?"

"We have to," Gao Yang replied with unquestionable resolve.

They quietly circled to the other side of the warehouse, avoiding the main entrance. Gao Yang crouched down and gently touched a piece of metal on the ground, sparks of lightning flickering at his fingertips.

"There might be plenty of supplies inside, but these people won't let us take them easily," Gao Yang whispered.

Lin Xue asked cautiously, "Do you have a way to deal with them?"

Gao Yang didn't respond, merely saying in a low, firm voice, "Stay close to me, and don't make a sound."

The two slipped into the warehouse through a side door. The air was thick with the stench of decay and the smell of metal. The light inside was dim, but they could vaguely see that some supplies remained stacked on the shelves.

***

"The supplies are right ahead," Gao Yang whispered. "Let’s get what we can, then find a way out."

Lin Xue nodded, watching her surroundings nervously. However, just as they approached the shelves, a cold voice came from behind them.

"Looks like we’ve got some nice prey today."

Gao Yang spun around abruptly to see a tall figure slowly emerging from the shadows. It was a man with a stern face, wearing worn leather armor and holding a long blade wreathed in flames. His gaze was as sharp as a wolf’s as he surveyed Gao Yang and Lin Xue.

"An ability user," Gao Yang murmured, his brow furrowing slightly.

The man curled his lip into a cold sneer. "I didn't expect anyone to be brave enough to break in here. Seems you two have guts."

Gao Yang didn't answer. He simply shielded Lin Xue behind him, gripping his baseball bat tightly as lightning danced across his fingertips.

"Oh?" The man’s eyes fell on Gao Yang’s hands, a hint of interest flashing in them. "A lightning-type ability? Interesting."

As soon as he finished speaking, several more figures emerged from the warehouse. There were five of them in total, each exuding a formidable aura. They stood in a row, surrounding Gao Yang and Lin Xue.

"Boss, should we just finish them off?" a lean man asked, licking his lips with a bloodthirsty gleam in his eyes.

The man raised a hand, signaling the others not to act rashly. He looked at Gao Yang and said coldly, "Kid, since you’re an ability user too, I’ll give you a chance. Leave the supplies you found and the woman, and I might spare your life."

"In your dreams," Gao Yang retorted coldly, his eyes devoid of fear.

The man’s expression turned icy. "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! Get them!"

At his command, the ability users charged forward. The lean man was incredibly fast, rushing at Gao Yang like a black shadow. Cold light glinted between his hands—a pair of sharp claw-blades.

"You're courting death!" Gao Yang shouted, lightning gathering in his palm as he swung his bat with all his might.

*Boom!*

The lightning exploded. The lean man was struck by the arc of electricity, screaming as he was sent flying backward, slamming heavily into the shelves. On the other side, a burly man with fists wreathed in flames lunged toward Gao Yang.