Chapter 45: The Energy Crystal of the Second-Tier Zombie

“There really are energy crystals!” Du Yun’s eyes widened in astonishment at the fingernail-sized stone still stained with blood.

“Here.” The leader held that energy crystal, quickly wiped it with a zombie’s clothing, and then took out another stone about the size of a pigeon egg from his small pack.

“Is that an energy crystal too?” Du Yun gazed at the crystal in the leader’s hand, faintly sensing a power pulsing within it—a sensation she couldn’t quite describe.

It felt a bit like the rush of steam upon lifting a steamer lid, or the warmth of heat radiating from a fire. As Du Yun looked at the energy crystal, a surge of longing welled up in her heart, as if she were a starving person eyeing a feast, or a traveler in the desert glimpsing an oasis.

“Wow, two energy crystals, both from second-tier zombies!” Dou Zhi clamored noisily in Du Yun’s mind. “Hurry, hurry! If you absorb this energy crystal, your spiritual power will surely soar—maybe you'll advance to the second tier right away!”

“I wish I could have one too, but do you think there’s any chance he’ll give it to me?” Listening to Dou Zhi's racket, Du Yun felt a pounding headache. She knew how valuable these energy crystals were, but seeing how the leader regarded them as precious treasures, there was no way he would let her use one. She was growing sullen at the thought.

“Oh, come on, come on—” Dou Zhi’s voice went on, pestering her to the point of irritation. She finally ignored him, focusing her gaze intently on the energy crystals in the leader’s hand.

Both crystals were small—one the size of a pigeon egg, the other only as large as a fingernail. The leader held them in his hand, their vivid red, translucent glow shimmering in the sunlight.

“I’ll let you look, but don’t touch with your hands.” Without realizing it, Du Yun had drifted to the leader’s side, so absorbed in studying the crystals that his words startled her.

“What?” She looked up at him, her mind still reeling with thoughts of the energy crystals, not immediately comprehending what he’d said.

The leader, seeing her dazed expression, allowed a faint smile to play at his lips. The energy crystal was already sealed in a small box, which he pressed into her hands.

“You’re letting me look?” Du Yun exclaimed in delight, gazing at the translucent red crystal glowing softly within its crystal case. She focused, as Dou Zhi had instructed, and began studying the energy crystal.

“Energy crystals are formed in zombies above the second tier,” Du Yun murmured as she examined the crystal, feeling the surge of spiritual power within. “They’re rich in energy, allowing zombies to accelerate, attack, and perform other feats in a short time—they’re essential for advancing to higher levels.” Her words tumbled out in a trance, as if she’d entered a mysterious, rapt state.

“So they’re like the zombies’ power source—an engine, or an energy core, perhaps?” The leader, who had been standing silently nearby, suddenly spoke.

“What?” Du Yun jumped, jolted by his sudden voice. She had been so focused on the raw power within the crystal that she’d forgotten anyone else was around—and had unwittingly repeated everything Dou Zhi had told her.

“You said zombies produce these, and they provide energy for them…” The leader spoke slowly, perhaps unaccustomed to talking much, or perhaps embarrassed at having overheard her.

“I—” A chill swept over Du Yun as she realized she’d just divulged crucial information. How would the leader react? On a planet crawling with zombies, for someone to be so intimately familiar with their vital traits—wasn’t that too suspicious?

If she were in his place, what would she do? Du Yun’s mind raced. She would definitely keep her distance—if not eliminate such a person, she would at least never meet them again. After all, no one knew how these zombies had come to be. If someone had deliberately released the virus, the likeliest suspect would be someone who understood zombies so thoroughly.

With that thought, she couldn’t help but throw the box containing the energy crystal to the ground, backing away several steps in alarm. Instinctively, she gripped her bow, drawing the string taut and fixing her gaze on the leader, her whole body trembling.

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t ask why you know—just tell me what they are.” The leader had clearly noticed her fear and vigilance. He sighed, spreading his hands in a gesture of peace, turning once in place to show he meant no harm and had no intent to attack, hoping she would be reassured.

Seeing this, Du Yun relaxed slightly. He really didn’t seem hostile—otherwise, why bother to show weakness in such a moment?

As this thought distracted her, her grip on the bow slackened a little. But in that split second, the leader, who had been five or six steps away, suddenly darted forward and was upon her in a flash.

“Ah!” She barely had time to react before her bow was wrenched from her grasp, and her body was immobilized.

A cold dread shot from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. How could she have been so foolish—as if a simple gesture of goodwill from a man was enough to make her drop her guard and put herself in danger?

Her body quaked as she bit down hard, her teeth chattering audibly. She could feel the leader’s strong hands pinning her arms and body; at any moment, those hands might snuff out her life.

“Don’t be afraid. Don’t hurt yourself by mistake.” The leader’s deep voice was gentle and patient in a way she’d never heard before. “I won’t ask about what you said. Just tell me if you know what this is and how it’s used.”

“I…” She was still trembling, staring up at the leader’s handsome face so close to hers, feeling wave after wave of grievance and fear rising inside. Was it terror? Was it sorrow?

She didn’t know anymore. The leader’s long arms encircled her with the strength of a vise, as if at any moment he might crush her to pieces.

“I know it’s formed in zombies, but not all zombies have them—only those like the little zombie, stronger and faster than the rest, zombies above the second tier,” she stammered, her heart pounding. She knew that if she didn’t share what she knew now, she might not survive—and even if she did, her fate was uncertain.

“Oh? Second-tier zombies?” The leader caught the key phrase in her explanation, regarding the pale, slender girl in his arms with deep meaning. No, she couldn’t even be called a woman yet—she was thin and frail, with the innocence and inexperience of a young girl.

“Yes, just like we have spiritual power and physical levels…” Du Yun’s voice trembled as she spoke, and after finishing, she squeezed her eyes shut, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.

“Little one, why are you crying?” she heard a gentle whisper beside her ear, followed by the sudden tightening of the arms wrapped around her.