Chapter Fifty-Two: Leaving the Team

The convoy accelerated onto the elevated highway, racing toward Wangtian City. Perhaps thanks to the maturity of their hunting operations, this trip was much faster than their first. Had the minibus not been modified by Yang Huaiyuan, it might have embarrassingly lagged behind.

From the moment they hit the highway, Xie Han kept a close eye on the changes along the road. As it had been the previous week, within ten kilometers of the base, not a single trace of zombies could be seen. Yet, fifteen kilometers out, scattered zombies began to appear, and at twenty kilometers, their numbers grew markedly—hordes could now be seen roaming in groups. The convoy started to clear those zombies that strayed onto the highway, though Xie Han, being farther back, could only faintly hear the angry roar of machine guns ahead.

Since Xie Han’s genetic level had evolved to the second tier, his genetic strength had increased twenty-seven or twenty-eight times that of an ordinary person, resulting in a qualitative leap in awareness, sensitivity, and much more. For example, with concentration, he could hear the sound of an ant crawling a meter away; his vision allowed him to see objects clearly over a thousand meters distant. The transformation was so remarkable that he still hadn’t fully adapted, barely able to harness eighty percent of his newfound abilities.

But to clarify, a genetic strength twenty-seven or twenty-eight times greater than normal didn’t mean he could simply lift two thousand seven or eight hundred pounds if an ordinary person could lift one hundred. At first, Xie Han believed this, but his battle with r3 taught him otherwise. Genetic strength enhanced many facets—from power to agility, muscles, bones, nerves, and thought—all within its domain, not just raw strength multiplied by twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

With his elevated genetic level, Xie Han’s acuity surpassed any ordinary person. He could sense the dense, wandering zombie hordes beyond the highway, their movement slow but definite. “Things seem to be getting worse…” Xie Han murmured. He hadn’t expected the zombies’ roaming range to expand so quickly within a week, confirming his suspicion that something was driving their movement.

What troubled Xie Han further was that, even halfway to their destination, only scattered zombies appeared on the highway—nothing like the hundreds he'd seen charging the convoy last week. He couldn’t believe there were no zombies nearby; his sharp vision saw countless groups within a hundred meters on each side, numbering in the thousands.

All signs indicated the zombies were moving slowly, and, as if constrained by some force, no longer attacking the hunting convoy.

Cold sweat formed on Xie Han’s forehead. Though he suspected the zombies were headed toward the base, he could hardly believe some power was directing them. Given their terrifying numbers and destructive capability, if they could be controlled, the consequences for humanity would be catastrophic.

The sixty-odd kilometer journey took only half an hour, and soon the massive plaza outside the city came into view. The convoy, just as on the first trip, stopped there to distribute tasks. Over six hundred vehicles, and nearly a hundred heavy trucks, filled the entire plaza. Strangely, there were few zombies on the plaza, and those present were quickly cleared by the convoy's firepower.

Xu Qiang intended to park the minibus in the plaza, but Xie Han glanced at the roadway to the right and said, “Qiang, we won’t enter the plaza. Head to the right.”

“Why?” Xu Qiang was puzzled. Not entering the plaza meant leaving the convoy. In zombie-infested Wangtian City, with only the minibus’s defenses and a handful of people armed with submachine guns, it would be suicide.

Xie Han took a deep breath and explained, “This time, our hunt isn’t for food, but for vehicles. As I see it, the hunting operation always ends with task assignments on this plaza, so most zombies in the city are drawn here. That means fewer zombies elsewhere. If we take the right road along the ring avenue, we can bypass the plaza zombies and head to Yong’an Freight Yard.”

“But…” Xu Qiang felt his heart race. Xie Han’s plan was bold, even reckless. Even if fewer zombies were elsewhere, there would still be tens of thousands. With just this battered minibus? Xu Qiang had to admire Xie Han’s audacity. If they really wanted vehicles, following the convoy wouldn’t work—the noise would attract zombies like a tide, filling every street. The minibus couldn't possibly break through.

Xu Qiang exhaled heavily, called up the intelligent system, and submitted a request to leave the convoy.

The request quickly drew everyone’s attention. At task distribution, all vehicles’ systems were open and monitored, so the request was immediately seen by all. It was as if a bomb had gone off—many couldn’t believe anyone would withdraw at such a critical moment. Without the convoy’s firepower, did they think the surrounding zombies were mere decorations?

Chen Liu’s rugged face appeared on the intelligent display, angrily shouting, “Xie, are you out of your mind again?” Despite his harsh words, Xie Han sensed his genuine concern. He forced a bitter smile. “Brother Chen, how much food do you think the minibus, at E-class, will get following the convoy?”

Chen Liu was silent for a moment. Xie Han was right—a hundred pounds or so was a good haul for most, but Chen Liu knew Xie Han wasn’t ordinary. That amount meant nothing to him, especially since he dared risk his life against countless zombies. “Should I talk to Gao Tianhao and get your minibus upgraded to D-class?”

Xie Han shook his head. “No need, Brother Chen. If you do that, what about the other E-class members?” Chen Liu sighed and smiled wryly. “I knew you’d pull something astonishing again, and I was right. Though your temperament is calm and gentle, once you decide, you never turn back. I won’t try to persuade you. There are a few machine guns here—take them.”

Xie Han was moved. Encountering someone so concerned for him in this apocalypse was rare. “Keep the machine guns, Brother Chen. The hunting team may seem impressive, but it’s far more dangerous than it looks. You’ll need them more. Don’t worry, I’ve calculated everything. As long as we bypass this area, zombie numbers should be manageable, and our chances of success are high.”

Chen Liu nodded. “In that case, Xie, stay safe. If you can’t hold out, retreat. If needed, call me—I’ll fight my way through for you.”

Xie Han laughed heartily and ended the call. The request to leave the convoy was quickly approved by Gao Tianhao, who saw the minibus as an expendable asset, not worth much time.

With approval granted, Xu Qiang spun the steering wheel, slammed the accelerator, and the minibus roared with thick black smoke onto the ring avenue to the right of the plaza, speeding away under the astonished, admiring, disdainful, and bewildered gazes of the convoy.

(ps: With collections breaking two thousand, an extra chapter today. Thank you all for your support…)