Chapter 19: Third-Tier Zombie

“Ugh…”

Su Ningxue adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses, nearly retching. The brutality of human nature in the apocalypse was laid bare before her—such a scene was utterly revolting.

Many people had degenerated into beings who cared solely for their own pleasure and desires.

Of course, there were some who still clung to their humanity—like Luffy and his group.

“Ah… Who’s there?” The two men were startled, never expecting that, in this forsaken train where no one could hear their cries, someone would actually appear. Truly, a surprise.

They were visibly agitated.

“Save us, please! We’re about to be drained dry by this female zombie. It wasn’t us who wanted to assault her—she forced us into it. Otherwise, we’d have died.”

One of the young men explained.

“That’s r—” The other was about to speak when the female zombie bit through his skull, blood spraying everywhere.

“Damn, is that even possible? This female zombie is really disgusting.”

Zeng Hongsen, wielding the Flaming Sword, charged forward and decapitated the zombie with a single strike, her black blood splattering into the distance.

The remaining man was little more than skin and bones, almost drained dry by the zombie, yet he hadn’t turned into one himself, which surprised Luffy.

“Dig out the crystal core. Let’s regroup with the others in the next carriage,” Luffy said to Zeng Hongsen, then moved ahead.

“Yes,” Zeng Hongsen nodded.

“Save me, I don’t want to die.” The emaciated young man knelt, begging Zeng Hongsen.

“Leave him. Someone spineless like that is better left to his fate. I don’t want to take in someone who’d betray us the moment he’s pressured,” Luffy said, striding on.

“Alright.” Zeng Hongsen had wanted to help the youth, but upon hearing Luffy, he changed his mind, dug out the crystal core, and kicked the skin-and-bones youth aside before following.

The next compartment was filled with zombies. Luffy charged in, unsheathing the Crimson Dragon Sword from his back. Each swing felled a zombie or two, and in short order, dozens of corpses lay at his feet.

Suddenly, Luffy sensed a wave of dread—the oppressive aura of a Tier Three zombie. He hadn’t expected to encounter such a powerful creature here, and he grew worried for Su Ningxue and the others. Gripping the Crimson Dragon Sword, he dashed forward, moving so quickly he left afterimages in his wake.

Arriving at a carriage door, he could smell blood even through the metal—a clear sign that something had happened to Su Ningxue and her companions. Luffy rushed in, finding the carriage awash with blood. Several male and female classmates lay on the ground, screaming in pain.

He immediately handed each of them a Body-Tempering Serum. “What happened?”

“There’s a monster… It was terrifying,” one of the male students said, gulping down the serum.

Luffy’s gaze turned cold, and he surged forward.

One compartment after another, dimly lit and foreboding.

The stench of blood was overwhelming, and the rumble all around made it impossible to hear what was happening further away.

Su Ningxue, Zeng Weixin, and Zeng Shuna were being forced to retreat by a Tier Three zombie—a long-haired woman with unnaturally white skin, tattered clothing, and long, jet-black nails that dripped blood onto the floor.

All of them were wounded.

“What should we do? I… I don’t want to die,” Zeng Shuna whimpered, her face pale as she cowered behind her brother.

“It’ll be… alright. I’m sure our leader will get here in time to save us,” Zeng Weixin stammered, trying to protect his sister despite his fear.

Su Ningxue, her back pressed to the iron door, knew they had no way out—only a desperate fight.

“Die!” Su Ningxue was about to charge when suddenly, the door behind her swung open. Two blond youths dragged her and Zeng Weixin’s group inside.

With a thunderous bang, the iron door slammed shut.

“Damn, that was close. If we’d been slower, we’d be dead,” one of the blond guys said, locking the door and backing away from the terrifying zombie.

“Thank you…” Su Ningxue said gratefully.

“It’s nothing, just couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Hello, I’m Ma Bi,” the blond youth smiled, reaching out to shake her hand, but upon seeing her bloodied hands, withdrew awkwardly. “This is my classmate, Meng Xiaoyao. We were both headed to Kyushu for university. Never thought most people on the train would turn into zombies. Luckily, we were quick enough to hide here.”

Ma Bi smiled.

“Oh, thank you,” Zeng Weixin said, just as five black nails pierced through the iron door with a screech of metal.

“That zombie… is terrifying. I’ve never seen something so horrible before,” Ma Bi stammered, retreating in fear.

“I told you we shouldn’t have helped them. Now you’ve led that monster right to us. We’re all going to die here,” Meng Xiaoyao snapped.

“Don’t be like that, man. You can’t just watch people die without helping. My dad always said, ‘If you see injustice, speak out. If you must act, then act,’” Ma Bi retorted, glaring at Meng Xiaoyao.

“It’s okay. Our leader will come soon. No matter how strong that zombie is, he’ll take care of it,” Su Ningxue quickly explained, seeing them start to argue.

“Your leader?” Ma Bi asked curiously.

“That’s right. Our boss is incredible. All our gear came from him. Once he makes a move, even the strongest zombies fall like ants,” Zeng Weixin said with admiration.

“It’s true. My brother never lies,” Zeng Shuna nodded.

Su Ningxue remained silent, but just then, a deafening crash came from the other end of the carriage as the lock exploded, and a young man strode in, sword on his back, face impassive, moving with an air of authority.

Su Ningxue and her companions couldn’t contain their excitement at the arrival of their savior.

“Holy—” Ma Bi’s eyes widened. Was this even human? He’d just smashed through an iron door.

“Wow… So cool,” Meng Xiaoyao gasped in awe.

“That’s our leader,” Zeng Weixin declared with pride.

“Are you all alright?” Luffy handed them three vials of Body-Tempering Serum. “Drink these. Otherwise, if you turn into zombies, I’ll have to kill you myself.”

“Yes.” Su Ningxue and the others obediently took the serum.

With a thunderous boom, the iron door at the other end shuddered—the Tier Three zombie was attacking.

“Tier Three zombie,” Luffy muttered, walking toward the door. With a single kick, he sent it flying and strode forward. There, hunched and drenched in blood, stood a long-haired zombie, arms dangling, blood-red eyes fixed on Luffy.

A translucent screen flashed before his eyes.

Zombie

Level: Tier Three

Strength: 100 times that of a human

Weapon: Nails can extend into razor-sharp blades

“Interesting. I didn’t expect to find such a powerful zombie here.” Luffy unsheathed the Crimson Dragon Sword and charged forward, moving so fast he left only afterimages.

“Whoa… He’s so fast,” Ma Bi almost couldn’t keep up with his eyes.

----------

If you enjoy the story, please share it with your friends, family, and classmates.

And don’t forget to vote, leave a review, or send a reward.