NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 20: The Burden of Power
Despite his awakened status, clearing the street of zombie corpses proved a time-consuming task for Wang Xiong and Zhang Lixin. By the time they returned to their shelter, the day had surrendered to dusk. They found Dr. Meng Jie engrossed in the examination of the giant zombie's body, the putrid stench permeating the entire house.
“Excellent research material!” Dr. Meng Jie exclaimed, her excitement palpable. “Perhaps this will unlock the secrets behind an Awakened’s evolution.”
The mention of "Awakened evolution" piqued Wang Xiong’s curiosity. He circled the monstrous corpse, seemingly unfazed by the smell, before chuckling and offering Dr. Meng Jie a word of praise for her dedication.
Dr. Meng Jie waved a dismissive hand, downplaying her efforts as just fulfilling her duty. But even with her expertise, the lack of proper lab equipment limited the scope of her research. “If only I had access to a proper lab,” she muttered, her gaze lingering on the dead giant before her.
After a brief discussion, Wang Xiong and Zhang Lixin set out to search for food and water, deciding not to disturb Lu Ming this time. The night passed without incident.
Tuesday, Day 10 – Apocalypse Calendar
Back-Training Day
Lu Ming rose from bed, completing his morning routine with mechanical precision. After preparing breakfast, he glanced through the observation window. Wang Xiong and Zhang Lixin were just leaving their house. Wang Xiong, ever observant, spotted Lu Ming and waved, his usual friendly grin plastered across his face. Lu Ming acknowledged the gesture with a curt nod, thinking, “At least he's helping me restock my ammunition.”
As soon as they disappeared from view, Lu Ming closed the window and focused on his own training. An hour and a half of intense exercise later, his progress was clear:
Strength: 13.9 → 14.7
Physique: 14.4 → 15.2
Agility: 15.5 → 16.3
[Skills]
- Fitness Level 3 (100/300)
Sweat dripped from his brow as he downed his post-workout protein shake, satisfaction swelling in his chest. His body had become a finely tuned machine, growing stronger with each passing day.
“Too bad Wang Xiong didn’t lure any monsters today,” Lu Ming thought with a tinge of disappointment. The thrill of fighting zombies provided a much more significant boost to his skill proficiency than training alone. Yesterday’s battle had proven that teaming up with Wang Xiong—while keeping a safe distance on the second floor—wasn’t as risky as he’d initially thought. If only there had been another opportunity today.
With a sigh, Lu Ming switched gears, picking up his bow and arrow instead of his usual slingshot. He meticulously lined up his shots, aiming at the target with laser focus. Progress with this weapon felt slower, but there was no substitute for practice.
Meanwhile, across the village, Wang Xiong and Zhang Lixin had perched themselves atop a low building near the village entrance, whispering in hushed tones. Zhang Lixin’s eyes scanned the scene below, a heavy sense of déjà vu washing over him. This had been the site of his unit’s devastating defeat. Even now, the remnants of that deadly encounter lingered. The horde hadn’t fully dispersed. Zombies shuffled aimlessly near an abandoned military vehicle, unwilling to stray too far.
Securing that vehicle and the weapons stored within it remained their objective, but the sea of undead posed an overwhelming challenge. Luring them away seemed like the only viable strategy, yet the risk was enormous. Even Wang Xiong, with his awakened strength, could be overrun if things went sideways.
Zhang Lixin sighed deeply, the weight of their situation heavy on his shoulders. “We’ll need to take it slow for now. Focus on finding food and water first. And… maybe survivors.”
The idea had been tugging at him for days. They needed more people. Strength lay in numbers. While the area surrounding Lu Ming’s house provided a relative haven, it would be even safer if they could gather more survivors. The presence of two awakened individuals would make protecting a group far easier than leaving them vulnerable and isolated. But was it right to impose that burden on Wang Xiong?
To his surprise, Wang Xiong clapped him on the shoulder, his face lighting up with a rare smile. “I get it, Brother Zhang. I want to help people too.”
Zhang Lixin looked at him, surprised by the words. Wang Xiong’s face softened as he added, “Superhero movies were my thing before the apocalypse. There was this line I loved: ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ I always dreamed that if I ever had the chance, I’d use my strength to protect people.”
A chuckle escaped Zhang Lixin, the tension easing slightly. “Before all this, it was the police who dealt with criminals and maintained order.”
Wang Xiong rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish grin breaking out. “Yeah, well, I was young and idealistic. But still, I believe it now more than ever. Those with power must take responsibility.”
“True,” Zhang Lixin agreed, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. Despite their differences, Wang Xiong’s sense of righteousness was undeniable.
Wang Xiong’s expression grew serious again. “That shelter you mentioned? It’s too far. And, honestly, I don’t think it can guarantee everyone’s safety. After meeting Lu Ming yesterday, I had an idea.”
Zhang Lixin raised a brow.
“Why not create a shelter right here?” Wang Xiong’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “We’ve got a good location, and Lu Ming’s street could serve as the foundation for a stronghold. I believe we could help a lot of people if we establish a safe zone here.”
A soft laugh escaped Zhang Lixin as the realization dawned. Wang Xiong, with all his strength and bravado, was still a young man—barely 23. But he had the heart of a hero. “You, my friend,” Zhang Lixin said, clapping him on the back, “are a natural-born hero.”
Wang Xiong’s modest grin returned. “No, Brother Zhang. You’re the real hero. A soldier through and through.”
Together, they formed an effective team. That afternoon, they managed to locate and rescue a family of three—a couple in their late twenties with a young child. After helping them find refuge in a nearby cleared house, Wang Xiong made his way to Lu Ming’s door.
The doorbell rang, and after a moment, Lu Ming’s voice crackled through the intercom. “What’s the matter?”
Wang Xiong smiled warmly, hoping to break through Lu Ming’s icy demeanor. “Brother Lu Ming, we’ve got some new survivors on the block. Thought it’d be nice to have dinner together, get to know each other…”
“Not interested,” came Lu Ming’s immediate, curt response. Whether or not there were new arrivals in the area didn’t concern him, so long as they stayed out of his space. He had even less interest in mingling over a meal. Before Wang Xiong could say more, Lu Ming added, “Goodbye.”
Just as Lu Ming moved to shut off the intercom, Wang Xiong spoke again. “Alright, I get it, brother. Just wanted to give you a heads-up. While the city’s a lost cause, there are still a handful of survivors here in Good Hope Village. But unfortunately, the number of zombies outnumbers us by a lot.”
As Wang Xiong continued to ramble on, Lu Ming lost interest. The conversation had long since turned to white noise as Lu Ming left the intercom and retreated to the kitchen to start cooking dinner.
By the time Wang Xiong’s voice finally faded into silence, the doorbell quiet, the self-proclaimed hero of Good Hope Village walked away, oblivious to the fact that his words had fallen on deaf ears.
End of Chapter 20