Chapter 26: The Ability Users

Could it be that Fang Weiwen didn't turn into a zombie because his death was so gruesome—dismembered into five pieces, as one might say—that his body was too damaged?

The large pool of blood remained in the accumulated snow. Meng Ran pulled her gaze away; now, she could begin dealing with these zombies.

She returned to her space to sow vegetable seeds and fed the pigs, cattle, sheep, and chickens on the farm. Today, the chickens provided her with a few warm eggs. Meng Ran called Niannian over to hold them.

"Take these back and put them away carefully. Don't drop them."

Niannian held the box and walked back with cautious steps.

Meng Ran set aside a few eggs for incubation, then turned to look at her own two chickens, which had grown plump and sturdy. They hadn't laid a single egg yet, while the farm's chickens had already produced several.

Downstairs in the residential compound, an uninvited guest arrived in front of the Property Management Office. Fang Weiwen, his body showing obvious signs of being stitched back together, stood before the shattered glass door, his gray, lifeless eyes glancing toward the top floor.

He had heard the cries for help from his own kind.

Shao Cheng, watching from a distance, squinted and called to Wang Ruixiang, "Brother Wang, look, is that Fang Weiwen?"

Wang Ruixiang stubbed out his last cigarette butt and walked over aggressively. "He dares to come back?"

When they saw Fang Weiwen, covered in blood and dressed in rags, Wang Ruixiang sneered, "I never expected you to fall so—"

As he got closer, Wang Ruixiang's voice cut off abruptly. What was this thing? A pale, purple-tinged face with gray, blank eyes staring straight at them.

Wang Ruixiang immediately thought of Qu Zixuan on the top floor.

Shao Cheng hid behind him as the thing on the top floor grew excited, slamming against the door. Fang Weiwen opened his mouth, dried blood flaking off, and let out a roar.

"Monster! That's a monster!"

Shao Cheng looked at the blocked door; the only chance they had to survive was to slip past Fang Weiwen.

The fire of hope that had just ignited in Wang Ruixiang was extinguished instantly. This chaotic world had birthed such monstrosities.

"If we don't run, we're dead!"

Wang Ruixiang grabbed a nearby stick, glanced at the cowardly Shao Cheng, and without another look, charged out.

Shao Cheng, pushed to the brink and surrounded, realized he had no choice but to fight.

Blood droplets floated into the air. Fang Weiwen curled his lips into a grin, his head wobbling unnaturally on his neck.

A loud bang echoed, heard by everyone in the complex.

"Sister, the people over there died so miserably. They were torn into pieces."

The teenage boy's eyes glimmered as he watched the direction of the Property Management Office.

"Something's not right!" The boy's face shifted.

The people torn into pieces—Fang Weiwen merely twitched his fingers, and they were stitched back together, turning into creatures similar to him, though lacking supernatural abilities. The commotion on the top floor grew louder as Fang Weiwen walked inside.

The boy relayed everything he saw to the person behind him.

Chang Yan stood up. "A zombie with supernatural abilities? How interesting."

Chang Xingwen rubbed his eyes, the light fading. "The situation is looking bad; these zombies are increasing in number."

They already knew of over a dozen, and there was no telling how many more were lurking in the shadows. From the moment these zombies were born, they possessed a sliver of intelligence. While inferior to theirs, they were different from what they had previously understood.

Aside from their physical appearance and a slight regression in intellect, these zombies were no different from humans. They moved freely, and some even displayed territorial instincts. Just like now, upon hearing Fang Weiwen's roar, several nearby zombies had gathered toward the Property Management Office, turning it into their territory.

"We must eliminate them early and leave this compound."

Chang Yan made a swift decision. "Didn't you see an ability user in Building 23 last time? Let's go pay her a visit and see what her thoughts are."

If their goals aligned, perhaps they could cooperate.

Chang Xingwen grunted and climbed off his chair, but noticed Chang Yan standing still. "Sister, didn't you say we were going to visit? Why aren't we moving?"

Chang Yan kicked him. "Go get the snow shovel and clear the path!"

Chang Xingwen felt aggrieved. Ever since the extreme cold arrived, his sister had been treating him like a servant. Though it had always been somewhat like this, it had never been as excessive as it was now.

Carrying the snow shovel, Chang Xingwen changed his clothes and stepped outside. He shoveled the snow while Chang Yan urged him on from behind.

"Move faster."

Since the zombies downstairs had all run to the management office, they had to go while there was still daylight. They stood little chance against a dozen zombies, especially since Chang Xingwen’s ability wasn't combat-oriented. Having one more person would increase their odds.

Chang Xingwen scanned the surroundings. The zombies that previously attacked anyone they saw were much more docile after being called away. He bent down to shovel; the snowfall had lightened, but the road was still difficult. Eventually, he simply started digging, carving a path all the way to Building 23.

"It's surprisingly far."

Chang Xingwen leaned on the shovel, gasping for air. He rarely visited others and hadn't realized Building 23 was so far away.

"Let's go."

Chang Yan dragged him up the stairs. The hallway was deathly quiet. Chang Yan frowned and told Chang Xingwen to use his ability to inspect the interior carefully.

"Don't worry, no one's dead," Chang Xingwen said, his tone light.

No one was dead, but the situation wasn't good. Food supplies were essentially exhausted, and due to previous events, distrust was rampant. The residents were living in misery, and no one was willing to meddle in others' business.

Chang Xingwen couldn't bear to look any longer and withdrew his gaze.

Arriving at Meng Ran’s floor, Chang Xingwen reached out to touch the door to her home. "They really reinforced this heavily."

Chang Yan shot him a look. "Don't be so rude."

By the time they reached the door, Meng Ran already knew they were there. Niannian had heard the noise, so Meng Ran set aside her work, put on her gloves, and went to investigate.

Through the iron gate, Chang Yan spoke first: "Hello, I have some matters regarding the zombies I'd like to discuss with you."

Meng Ran rested her hand on a cabinet. "What is it?"

Chang Yan introduced herself: "My name is Chang Yan, an ability user. I want to leave the complex to search for supplies, but the zombies downstairs make it unsafe. I thought we could work together to get rid of them."

She was straightforward. Meng Ran was silent for a moment; having someone with the same goal was a good thing.

"How many zombies are outside?" Meng Ran asked.

Hearing this, Chang Yan breathed a sigh of relief. "From what I've seen, there are about twelve or thirteen."

She leaned against the door and heard the sound of a cabinet being moved inside.

"You want to cooperate with me?" Meng Ran placed her hand on the doorknob, the walls on either side covered in vines.

"Yes."

Chang Yan instinctively sensed a hint of danger and stepped back.

Chang Xingwen’s eyes brightened slightly; it was just as he had seen before—the person inside could manipulate plants.

"I can agree to that."

The iron gate opened, and Meng Ran stepped aside.