Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 41: Melee
Wu Sheng started the car, put it in reverse, and floored the accelerator for a rapid retreat!
“Bang, bang, bang—”
The rear of the car successively knocked back the zombies that were chasing after them!
But when it hit the fourth one, the car stopped.
Because what was pressing against the rear of the car wasn’t just one zombie, but a wave of them!
Together, they forcefully pushed against the rear of the car, successfully halting it!
As the car stopped, more zombies immediately came running over, tightly surrounding it. They were either howling or smashing the windows, and even worse, one of the zombies was trying to pull open the locked car door, which emitted a rapid clicking sound under its frequent tugging!
Zombies know how to open car doors?!
A chill went down Wu Sheng’s spine. He floored the accelerator, but it was no use against the “sea of zombies”.
The Beetle, unable to accelerate, could only roar futilely in place!
In the midst of anxiety, Wu Sheng suddenly noticed that the pupils of the zombies surrounding the car were bright red, whereas those they had encountered outside the mall were a slightly darker shade of red.
According to what the Beetle driver had said, all zombies have red pupils, and the lower the level, the darker the color, the higher the level, the lighter.
Clearly, the wave of zombies by the river, perhaps due to being closer to the north of the city, was of a higher level or more ferocious nature than those outside the mall.
No wonder they could directly ram through the crowd of zombies at the mall, but here, with the same number, they couldn’t break through at all!
As Wu Sheng was analyzing the situation, he suddenly felt something wrong with the sound of the tires rubbing against the ground.
“Wu Sheng!” Xu Wang was the first to alertly shout. “They’re flipping the car!”
All windows were densely surrounded by zombies, leaving no reference point visible, but the sense of “balance and tilting” is extremely acute in humans. Hearing Xu Wang’s shout, all the companions felt the car tilting to the left, meaning the zombies on the right were flipping the car!
“We can’t break through.” Wu Sheng immediately deemed the escape impossible. “Their strength is too great.”
Xu Wang also saw the situation and made a decisive command. “Prepare the bombs. Everyone, abandon the car!”
They could have taken the opportunity to drive out when the zombie crowd was temporarily dispersed by the bombs, but if one wave of zombies could stop them, a second and third wave would follow. If at any point the car was stopped and then actually flipped over, they would be sitting ducks* with no way out!
*Turtle in a jar/rat in a hole (瓮中之鳖) Idiom referring to something that is under control and can’t escape.
Moreover, Wu Sheng had said that the metal plank would lower again.
After abandoning the car, they and the four on the other side would be on the same starting line. When the metal plank lowered again, it was uncertain who would take the lead.
They came here to get on the ship, to hand in their papers and pass this level. Now was the time to fight!
“Xiao Kuang, three bomb balls per person!” Xu Wang quickly issued the tactics. “Throw one from each window to blast the zombies away, then everyone will have two left for self-defense after abandoning the car!”
Kuang Jinxin, following the order, distributed the bomb balls at top speed.
Ten seconds later.
The Beetle, being jostled around, suddenly lowered the windows three inches on both sides, and four colorful balls, like Easter eggs, were thrown out from the slits!
As the balls hit the ground and rolled a bit, they all exploded!
The blasts were thunderous, and the spectacle was dazzling!
The zombies surrounding the vehicle were blasted away in all directions!
And because they served as a sort of “shield,” the Beetle, though severely shaken, didn’t fly up but only had its windows cracked.
“You hide under the seat! We’ll draw the zombies’ attention. They won’t bother with an ’empty car’ anymore! When you find the chance, drive away—”
After instructing the Beetle driver, Xu Wang shouted to his teammates, “Now’s the time. Get out of the car!”
The prepared companions pushed their doors open fiercely, darting out like lightning, breaking through the smoke, and running desperately towards the ferry!
The four bomb balls had already dealt with most of the female zombies; only seven or eight were still able to move. Seeing people rushing out from the car, they immediately got up and chased!
Some of them had their arms torn off, others had their chests blown open, but even so, they continued to chase, letting the blood gush out as they ran!
Yue Shuai and his group were in the midst of battling zombies when they suddenly saw the people from the Beetle rushing out, heading their way, followed by seven or eight zombies. They tensed up, uncertain whether this was aid or an added burden!
Xu Wang and his team were only able to see the weapons of the four fellow survivors as they approached.
The buzz-cut guy was wielding a mace, which they had seen before, the fisherman’s hat guy was holding a fishing rod—definitely an apt choice—the handsome braid had a curling iron, and the student wielded a miniature handheld fan.
Xu Wang felt a pang of sadness, realizing that Qian Ai’s screwdriver and his own shaver were actually considered fortunate compared to these.
Originally heading towards the “fellow survivors”, the thirty or so zombies were now reduced to just eleven or twelve by their efforts. Perhaps it was the remnants of zombies everywhere that instilled fear in the remaining “higher-level” ones. They stood a few meters away from the four. Some were snarling ferociously, while others were growling with insatiable hunger, yet none dared to rashly approach further.
While Xu Wang was assessing the opponents, he also had to keep an eye on his own safety and suddenly realized that he and Wu Sheng had pulled ahead, leaving Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin a distance behind. And now, the trailing Kuang Jinxin was about to be caught up by the zombies!
Throwing another bomb ball at this point would surely blast their teammate away too.
With no other choice, Xu Wang gritted his teeth and shot his water gun straight at the zombies chasing after Kuang Jinxin!
The jet of water skimmed past the ears of Wu Sheng, Qian Ai, and Kuang Jinxin, who were running in a straight line behind him, and hit the zombie right between the eyes!
The force of the water column made the zombie stagger momentarily, but that was all!
Turning back with the stream of water, Wu Sheng immediately advised, “Shoot its eyes. That’s the weakest spot; directly into the brain—”
Mao Qiping had said that the head, or rather, the brain, was the only fatal point for a zombie.
Trusting Wu Sheng seemed to be instinctual for Xu Wang. Without hesitation, he released the trigger and then pressed it down again, this time aiming the water stream directly into the zombie’s eye sockets!
Meanwhile, the effect of the previous shot sounded after a momentary delay—
“Here, the sharks don’t eat fish~~ Here, the sharks don’t breathe~~ Here, the sharks laugh and grin~~ Dala didi dada didi dada didi dada didi~~*”
*These are lyrics to Shark Shark by Wang Rong. (You should watch the MV… It’s quite… interesting).
In the soulful light and dynamic BGM, the zombie’s eyes were completely penetrated by the high-pressure water jet. Its eyeballs burst and the sharp stream pierced through the brain!
The zombie fell to the ground with a thud.
The zombies following closely behind suddenly stopped in their tracks, seemingly like those on the other side in a standoff, instinctively sensing danger unlike typical prey. Like wild animals, they paused to observe, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Finally, the music stopped.
Su Mingzhan, who had just started getting into the rhythm, quietly lowered his head, looking lost and disappointed.
Under the bright moon, by the riverbank, stood two groups of survivors and two groups of zombies.
The same standoff created a brief, eerie silence amidst the tension.
“Fair competition!” Xu Wang suddenly called out to the buzz-cut leader of the other group. His voice was firm. “You fight yours; we fight ours. Whoever gets on the ship first wins based on their abilities—”
Yue Shuai turned his head, locking eyes with Xu Wang, exchanging glances, but before they could exchange words, Wei Tianhang interjected, “What if all the zombies are defeated and the plank hasn’t been lowered yet? Just to remind you, if more than one group tries to get on the ship, it won’t leave.”
Xu Wang raised his ornate crystal gun, blew on the nozzle, and looked up slightly. “Then we wait until the plank is lowered. First come, first served. Let’s see who’s faster.”
Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin exchanged glances with mixed feelings.
Blowing on the gun nozzle is usually done when it’s hot from the bullet firing, so the idea of cooling it down makes sense, but what’s the point of blowing on a nozzle that was still dripping with water?
“Fair, just, and open.” Yue Shuai sighed leisurely, looking up at the moon wistfully. “This is the battle among men…”
These very personal, almost whispered sentiments weren’t passed on to the “fellow survivors”, but inadvertently shared with his “teammates”.
Wei Tianhang, Tao Anan, and Su Mingzhan didn’t want to speak. If this were in a WeChat group, they’d probably throw a doge emoji at their captain.
“That’s settled then, each relying on their own abilities.” Captain Yue handsomely turned his head, giving Captain Xu a formal response. By the riverside, where the aquatic grass sways, his spirit was as impressive as a rainbow.
Xu Wang: “……”
That’s settled then, but why was there such a fervent passion in his voice and twinkling stars in his eyes?!
……
Under the moonlight by the river of apocalypse, a grand battle between humans and zombies was being fervently staged amidst the soul-stirring background music.
There were eight human warriors who exchanged their names.
There were nineteen zombies—an average of less than two and half per person.
The weapons required a detailed description.
Xu Wang was holding the [Lightning Gun with Unerring Accuracy]. As long as he targeted a zombie, there was no eye socket he couldn’t penetrate. The only drawback was the time needed; it didn’t kill in one second.
Wu Sheng was swinging Death’s scythe, ideally decapitating with one swing, but in the throes of battle, accuracy to the neck wasn’t always guaranteed, often requiring a struggle.
Qian Ai wielded a screwdriver, stayed close to the captain, poking any approaching zombie. Killing wasn’t the goal, but rather self-preservation.
Kuang Jinxin couldn’t use his bomb balls in the crowd, so he led the zombies chasing him to a more secluded area.
Yue Shuai wielded a mace, which was somewhat similar to Wu Sheng’s scythe in usefulness, leading to occasional competitive glances between the two during breaks in battle.
Tao Anan held a fishing rod. As long as he flicked it, he would hook a zombie and throw it into the river.
Wei Tianhang had a small but powerful curling iron, searing faces and clothes. Wherever it went, a burnt smell followed—two zombies already had half their faces charred!
Su Mingzhan held a mini electric fan, sticking close to Captain Yue within the safe radius of the mace… enjoying the breeze.
If the battlefield were to freeze, that would be how clear the picture would be.
But the actual scene was chaotic—intermingled with a cacophony of distressing sounds and utter disarray.
Yue Shuai: “Xu Wang, right? Can you turn off that damn music? My mace keeps wanting to swing with the rhythm!”
Xu Wang: “Can’t. It comes with—”
Yue Shuai: “Then change the song! Now all I can think about is shark, shark, shark!”
Xu Wang: “Changing songs depends on the mood of the gun—”
Yue Shuai: “Then at least turn off that tacky light show!”
Xu Wang: “Really I can’t. These are all built-in, non-removable default programs—”
Yue Shuai: “In such a cool apocalyptic battle, can’t you wield something more serious?!”
Su Mingzhan: “Captain, stop yelling. Watch out for zombies.”
Yue Shuai: “Can’t you do it yourself?”
Su Mingzhan: “I’m holding a fan.”
Yue Shuai: “Throw it away and pick up a real weapon!”
Su Mingzhan: “Then no one will fan you.”
Yue Shuai: “…”
This isn’t the style of the hot-blooded youth comics he loves so much! TAT
The sound of a hinge sliding broke the intense equilibrium of the battle.
Su Mingzhan, Mr. Electric Fan, was the first to hear it—mainly because he was exceedingly idle and easily distracted.
Unlike his leisurely cooling off, at the slight “click” of the hinge, he sprung like a leopard, sprinting towards the slightly ajar metal plate!
Yue Shuai reacted a few steps later, swinging his mace to clear the path, and hastened to follow!
Xu Wang and the others, along with Wei Tianhang and Tao Anan, were in the same group to realize it later. By then, they couldn’t catch up to the first two!
Without half a second’s hesitation, Wu Sheng pulled out a bomb ball and hurled it with force toward the slowly descending metal plate!
Su Mingzhan, watching the bomb ball land on the metal plate just a few steps away, immediately turned and tackled Yue Shuai, who was right behind him!
The bomb ball’s landing spot was the metal plate, but due to Wu Sheng’s force, the ball bounced up quite high after landing and, on its way down, veered off the metal plate, landing directly into the river!
With the gunpowder dampened, it turned into a dud.
At this moment, Su Mingzhan realized Wu Sheng did it on purpose. He didn’t intend to bomb them; he just wanted to buy time!
However, it was too late.
A tackle, a fall, a dud bomb—all in a brief instant, but enough to turn the tides!
Qian Ai, who was running the fastest, had already reached Su Mingzhan and Yue Shuai’s side. More importantly, he was still on the move while the other two were sprawled on the ground!
“Sorry about this,” Qian Ai said with a suave smile, then executed a triple jump, soaring over Su Mingzhan and Yue Shuai, and landing firmly in the middle of the metal plate!
With his weight, the metal plate should have clanged.
But it didn’t.
Not only that, the metal plate seemed to… soften?
Just as Qian Ai realized something was wrong, a force suddenly pushed him upwards, sending him flying five meters into the air!
While still confused, he rapidly descended, his feet landing back on the metal plate before being launched again!
What the fuck is this?!
Qian Ai, unable to stop bouncing, despairingly noted that neither the zombies nor his teammates were spared from this ordeal.
Xu Wang, Wu Sheng, and Kuang Jinxin, both male and female zombies and gender-indeterminate zombies, had all unknowingly joined this bizarre domain.
Everyone bounced together like countless joyful birds.
On the ground, Su Mingzhan pulled out his [Stationery Box], appearing somewhat annoyed at this unexpected expenditure.
The four, unable to cease their bouncing, could only watch as their opponents entered the cabin and the metal plate slowly retracted. Only then did they hear the delayed reminder—
[Owl: Someone used [(Offense) Happy Trampoline] on you~~]
The author has something to say:
Captain Xu states that regarding today’s battle, they refuse to accept any interviews (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻.
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