“Help!”
…
Chi Ying, who had been searching every high-rise for the leader, suddenly paused and looked up.
She turned to Gu Chi beside her. “Someone’s calling for help. That was Song Shi’s voice!”
“Really?” Gu Chi frowned. “I didn’t hear anything.”
Chi Ying pulled him up. “You need better ears.”
Gu Chi followed silently, unable to argue.
He had gotten a perfect score in auditory response back during the commander’s evaluations.
But looking at Chi Ying’s unwavering expression, he swallowed his rebuttal.
Fine. Let her have the final say.
—
Song Shi was bound hand and foot, flanked by two low-level zombies. The zombie leader stood in front of her, dragging its face in a grotesque attempt to mimic human thought.
Because her earlier scream had been too loud, the leader had gagged her with a strip of black cloth—who knew where it had come from.
Still, Song Shi was grateful that they hadn’t killed her yet. She didn’t know what the zombies wanted, but as long as she lived, there was hope.
“Ho ….. ho…”
Boss, what if that person doesn’t come?
The leader slapped its thigh. “That’d be ideal. If we’re discovered… even with a hostage, I’m not confident I could beat that monster.”
“If that monster doesn’t show, we’ll kill this one ourselves.” It leered at Song Shi, licking its lips.
Song Shi trembled. Monster? It was the monster! Could it mean… Gu Chi?
“Ho! Ho ho ho!” one of the low-level zombies shrieked.
Boss! Someone’s coming!
The leader’s knees buckled in panic and it nearly tripped. But when it saw an unfamiliar man approaching, it relaxed slightly and sneered.
“Well, your companion’s come to save you.”
Gu Chi ignored the leader. His eyes locked on Song Shi, her face mostly hidden.
“Song Shi, are you hurt?”
“Wuuu!” She shook her head, trying to convey that she hadn’t been bitten.
She was filthy, her hair a mess and her body trembling—but seeing Gu Chi here, her heart surged with relief.
The leader interrupted. “Human, I advise you not to act rashly.”
At its signal, the two zombies pressed razor-sharp claws to Song Shi’s throat.
Song Shi froze, terrified to even breathe.
The leader grinned. “Your ability takes time to activate, doesn’t it? Do you really think you can act before I kill her?”
“I believe you,” Gu Chi said calmly.
The leader nodded in satisfaction.
“But what’s the point of this?” Gu Chi narrowed his eyes. “Why take my team member hostage?”
“I only have one demand—get that monster away from here!”
“Monster?” Gu Chi frowned.
“Yes! The human who wiped out my subordinates. As long as she leaves, I’ll let this one go.”
Gu Chi finally understood.
So that’s what this was about.
He couldn’t help but chuckle.
It was the first time he’d heard zombies refer to a human as a monster.
“I’m afraid…” Gu Chi raised his head.
A violent gust cut through the air—before anyone could react, the claws threatening Song Shi were severed, the zombies’ arms falling uselessly to the ground.
Then, in a blur of wind, the low-level zombies were shredded to pieces.
Someone grabbed Song Shi’s waist, lifting her into the air and setting her down on a nearby rooftop.
It was Chi Ying.
She released Song Shi and, without missing a beat, leapt off the ten-meter-high platform.
She landed squarely on the stunned zombie leader with a resounding crack.
The leader collapsed under the force of the blow, only to hear her laugh.
“Found you.”
“You—” The words died in its throat as a red line bloomed across its neck.
Its head fell, rolling free.
Chi Ying bent down, picked up the severed head, and gave it a light shake. A glimmering crystal nucleus clinked to the ground.
She used her water-based ability to rinse off the mucus, then turned to Gu Chi and held it out.
“Here.”
“Thanks.” Gu Chi accepted it, trying to ignore the embarrassment clawing at him.
…Not like he’d been completely useless. He did act as bait.
Chi Ying looked up and called, “Want to jump down? I’ll catch you.”
Song Shi didn’t respond.
She stood frozen, the image of Chi Ying’s fierce, radiant figure etched into her mind. Blood and filth pooled beneath her, but it couldn’t dim her brilliance.
So dazzling…
Song Shi clenched her jaw.
Chi Ying waited, then sighed and used her wind ability to launch herself back to the rooftop.
She knelt to untie Song Shi’s bindings and pulled off the black cloth.
“How about I carry you down?” she offered gently.
Silence.
Chi Ying scratched her head. Was she too scared to speak?
With a shrug, Chi Ying scooped her up again and brought her down.
Gu Chi approached. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine… Thank you, Brother Gu,” Song Shi murmured, brushing her messy hair aside.
Chi Ying’s arms immediately dropped, her mood turning cold.
Tch. Not even a thank you for me?
The system chimed in: [Exactly! Not even a word of gratitude.]
Chi Ying took a few steps forward but couldn’t let it go.
She turned around, walked up to Gu Chi, and tugged hard on his sleeve.
Then, she flashed a dazzling smile at Song Shi. “It wasn’t your Brother Gu who saved you. What’s the point of thanking him?”
Song Shi’s face twisted. “I was scared. I didn’t think.”
“And how come you never mentioned your attack abilities before?” she deflected.
Chi Ying, still annoyed, passed the blame without hesitation.
“Your Brother Gu told me to keep quiet.”
Gu Chi: “…”
The words “Your Brother Gu” stabbed him like knives. He hadn’t done anything, but somehow, he felt entirely at fault.
And… it was true he’d told her to hide her abilities.
He rubbed his temple. “…Yes, that was my call.”
Song Shi had no response. “But why keep it secret from us?”
How strong is she? Seventh-tier? Eighth-tier?
She bit her lip, replaying the earlier scene in her mind. The zombies hadn’t even touched Chi Ying.
So that’s why Gu Chi treats her differently… It has to be!
Her stomach churned with jealousy.
Why couldn’t she be the one shining like that?
Gu Chi cut in. “We can explain later. This area still has zombies. Let’s move.”
“Wait.” Chi Ying stepped closer. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Song Shi’s fists clenched. “Right… Thank you.”
She said it like it burned her tongue, then turned away quickly.
Chi Ying smirked, satisfied—mostly.
She turned to Gu Chi and gave his leg a swift kick.
Gu Chi stumbled, bewildered.
What’d I do this time?!
Author’s Note:
We’re almost there—just a few more chapters before things really begin.
This story won’t be too long, and once we wrap up the big arc, the end won’t be far off~
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152
Ahahaha brother gu is really being wronged here. 😂