TVAPVM Chapter: 35 The Monster Among Humans

“If you have any questions, just ask!” The scarred man grinned. “Hey, I could tell you weren’t bad people from the start. I only blamed you because of those supernaturals. Sorry about that, haha.”

Gu Chi: “…”

The others: “…”

So that outburst just now… was venting?

“You mentioned the safe zone you were in was attacked by zombies. Was it a coordinated, conscious attack?”

“Hey!” The man looked surprised. “How’d you know that?”

“I’m not a supernatural, but I’m strong enough to defend myself. Since the outbreak, I’ve run into my fair share of zombies. But what happened a few days ago was something else entirely. It was like… they suddenly grew brains and started working together!”

So it’s just as we feared…

Gu Chi asked again, “Which safe zone did you see this happen in? Do you remember the location?”

“Yeah, but not many people made it out. The rest are pretty much…”

He trailed off, but the grim silence that followed spoke volumes.

“No one’s left there. Even if you wanted to help, it’s pointless now,” the man said with a sigh.

“They weren’t just after you,” Gu Chi said, lifting his gaze. “If we don’t investigate, more people will die.”

“Suit yourself,” the man said. “It happened in the C-level security zone on the west side of City Y.”

“C-level?” Gu Chi murmured.

No wonder there was no report from headquarters.

C-level zones were minimally equipped, often lacking communication tools due to their remote locations and small populations. The headquarters simply didn’t have enough resources to maintain contact with every scattered outpost.

They had assumed the zombie leaders would focus on densely populated zones—A and B levels—but they had overlooked the vulnerability of the C zones.

“One more thing,” Gu Chi said, pointing to the pack the man had stashed away. “Where did you get that?”

Chi Ying stiffened, a chill running down her back.

“Oh, that? Supplies from a delivery truck,” the man replied casually. “Technically, our area was under the alliance’s jurisdiction, but the supply trucks hardly ever came that far.”

He paused, eyes distant. “One day, they suddenly dropped off a few crates. I hadn’t eaten in days and was near death. Those supplies saved my life.”

Then he looked at Chi Ying and smiled gently. “Chi Ying… That’s a beautiful name.”

Chi Ying felt Gu Chi’s gaze like a weight pressing down on her. She shrank in her seat and silently lowered her head.

“Thank you,” Gu Chi said, nodding.

After parting ways with the survivors, Chi Ying returned to the vehicle, curling up in the seat like a small quail. She pursed her lips, waiting nervously for Gu Chi to bring it up.

That look in his eyes… he must’ve realized that man was talking about her.

But to her surprise, Gu Chi said nothing, even after they arrived at the devastated safe zone.

“Captain…” Lu Yunfei spoke, eyes scanning the ruins outside. The so-called safe zone was now nothing more than a graveyard.

C-level zones were constructed with thick, solid outer walls to protect against outside threats. But now, the walls were dented all over, some areas even punched through.

Abandoned, battered cars were scattered around, many with severe impact damage to their fronts.

Gu Chi narrowed his eyes.

So that’s where their vehicles came from.

Dozens of zombies must’ve pushed those cars to ram the wall, breaching it before flooding in. The survivors likely fled the moment they saw what was happening, managing to escape with one of the vehicles.

“They didn’t leave too long ago. They’re probably still nearby.”

Gu Chi considered whether to bring Bai Qing. Its ability to identify the leader could be useful.

But after a moment, he shook his head.

Killing a leader in front of Bai Qing—who still viewed zombies as its kin—would raise suspicion. Better not to risk it.

Besides, judging from the situation, the leader shouldn’t be far. Finding it wouldn’t be too difficult.

“Bai Qing, stay here. Chi Ying, you’re with me.”

“Okay.”

As before, they split into small groups. Chi Ying followed Gu Chi without hesitation.

But just as the other two groups set off, Song Shi, still standing by the vehicle, suddenly crouched and rubbed her forehead.

“Song Shi?” Lu Yunfei asked, immediately lowering his weapon.

“I… I feel a bit off,” she murmured, frowning.

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know. My head hurts, and even my power isn’t helping.”

“It might be the change of season. Your power only heals external wounds, right?” Lu Yunfei holstered his weapon. “Want to rest a bit? I can stay with you.”

“No need. I’ll just head back to the car and lie down. It’s nothing serious. I’d feel guilty if I held up the mission.”

She smiled gently. “Sorry to trouble you with doing it alone.”

“It’s no trouble.”

“You sure you can handle it?”

Song Shi nodded. “Yeah. I’ll be fine soon.”

“Alright, get some rest.”

But after Lu Yunfei left, Song Shi’s softness vanished.

Her expression turned cold as she walked—not toward the vehicle, but in the opposite direction.

She wanted to see what exactly Chi Ying was doing with Gu Chi.

__

Meanwhile, the zombie leader—once so arrogant—now cowered in a corner, trembling as he watched the young girl nearby.

She looked innocent, harmless even.

But the large pouch of crystal nuclei she carried told a different story.

The leader nearly burst into tears.

What kind of monster was she?! In less than ten minutes, she’d wiped out his entire horde.

The blood, the broken limbs, the glittering crystal remains—all of it pointed to one conclusion: utter devastation.

And worst of all, she was still looking for him.

Behind the leader, a few low-level zombies huddled silently, terrified of making a noise and drawing her attention.

Only when she finally walked off did they exhale in collective relief.

The leader scrambled to its feet and bolted in the opposite direction, forgetting all about its little followers in its panic.

“Ho ho…” one of the low-level zombies whispered.

Should we… run too?

“Ho …..ho!”

Yeah, follow the boss!

They scurried after their leader, not stopping until several blocks later.

The leader glanced around, desperate for a place to hide.

It darted into a narrow alley—small space, dense buildings, perfect.

But the moment it turned the corner, it collided—face to face—with a human woman.

Song Shi.

She flinched, startled, then calmed slightly when she saw what appeared to be another person.

But then, as her gaze shifted and thoughts settled, dread crept in.

That wasn’t a person.

She’d just run straight into the leader.

The leader’s heart nearly stopped. But then it looked closer—and relaxed.

Not that one. Just a normal human.

As it let down its guard, a terrifying thought struck it.

Wait—what if she’s with the monster?

Panic surged again.

“I’m human! A human!” it blurted out, trying to sound convincing.

But Song Shi had already seen the two low-level zombies trailing behind it.

Her legs gave out.

She had a gun, but against a zombie leader? She didn’t stand a chance.

All she had was healing powers.

“Help… Help! Brother Gu, Brother Lu!” she shouted.

The leader flinched. Not that monster again!

But then, an idea struck.

“Grab her,” it ordered coolly.

The low-level zombies obeyed, seizing Song Shi by both arms.

The leader narrowed its eyes in satisfaction.

Now it had a hostage.

Even if it ran into the monster again, it could use this human as leverage.

It still didn’t understand just how futile that hope was.