Chapter 8 - I Am Normal, So the World Must Be Crazy
As soon as Meng Xu stepped outside, he saw the half-bodied zombie nearby still struggling desperately.
Without any hesitation, he raised his ‘improvised spear’ and thrust it viciously into the zombie’s back, also tossing a leaflet into the bloody mess, saying, “Sir, did you hear me? How about swimming fitness?”
After stabbing three or four times, Meng Xu noticed that the zombie was still incredibly resilient, so he ceased the pointless attack.
Any seasoned zombie hunter knows that a zombie’s weak point is the head—only a headshot can kill a zombie. Through this experiment, Meng Xu confirmed this fact.
It seems a headshot is truly the only way to kill a zombie.
In his view, he could quickly identify the status of the struggling zombie.
【Occupation: Zombie】
【Level: 0】
【Affection Level: -50】
Undoubtedly, this was that same colleague from next door.
The affection level was minus fifty, indicating that although this half-bodied zombie had some hesitation towards Meng Xu, it would still attack him if given the chance.
If it still had its full body, who knows what kind of fierce battle might ensue.
Meng Xu turned his attention to the remaining office that he had not yet entered.
Inside, there appeared to be two zombies wandering around.
One was a balding middle-aged programmer, and the other was a delivery guy in uniform, evidently meeting an unfortunate end while delivering a package, leading to their transformation.
These two were confined in the last office on the fourth floor. Unable to open the door, they could only repeatedly bang against the walls, causing some commotion.
However…
Using ‘Reading the Room,’ Meng Xu noticed something distinctive.
Unlike Chi Wei and Manager Zhang, these two did not have an affection level system—whether positive or negative, they had no indicators at all, not even a zero.
There’s no affection level displayed at all.
“What does this mean? Why don’t they have the affection level option? Could it be because they aren’t related to the system’s issued tasks?”
Meng Xu furrowed his brows, pondering.
What made it even more concerning for Meng Xu was that these zombies had a level.
If it stayed at a constant level 0, it would be one thing, but what if there are higher levels in the future?
The thought was enough to give him a headache.
“This world is just too abnormal.”
Meng Xu sighed deeply, looking over at Chi Wei and Manager Zhang, who were tied in the elevator lobby on the fourth floor, and said to them, “Don’t you agree?”
Either the world or I must be crazy.
I clock in at work on time, do some part-time leaflet distribution, enjoy chatting with Chi Wei from the neighboring office and my boss Manager Zhang, and hang out with my colleague, even using makeshift tools to give them back massages.
So, I am normal.
From this, one can deduce that it must be the world that’s abnormal!
After organizing his thoughts, Meng Xu felt reassured about his own sanity.
【1:30 p.m. Lunch break is over. The company seems a bit lax today, but as an Intern, you must not forget the tasks assigned by your boss. Proceed to the 11th floor to discuss the underground parking space with Supervisor Lin of Wanxiang International.】
【Task: Negotiate with Supervisor Lin.】
【Task Rewards: Freely Allocatable Career Experience +2, Yuan +5000, Points +3, Freely Allocatable Attribute Point +1.】
Hey, Supervisor Lin.
The sudden appearance of these instructions brought a smile to Meng Xu’s face.
It’s actually not a big deal. Supervisor Lin from Wanxiang International and his own boss had some disputes over parking spaces.
Alright, heading upstairs for negotiations then, and I guarantee it’ll be resolved satisfactorily.
Meng Xu nodded, carrying the still-bloody ‘improvised spear’ made from a mop handle, scissors, and tape. Holding two ropes, he headed upstairs with large strides!
“I’m too scared to face Supervisor Lin alone, so I’ve brought along Chi Wei from the neighboring company and my department Manager Zhang. No problem with that, right?”
Meng Xu felt that there was no issue with his plan.
Colleagues should stick together and be supportive.
With this mindset, Meng Xu brought the two zombies along.
“Drip, drip.”
The stairwell was eerily quiet.
The quieter it was, the more uneasy Meng Xu felt.
I’m not alone; I’ve got Manager Zhang and Chi Wei with me!
Thinking this, Meng Xu glanced at his two ‘companions’ and silently retracted his thoughts, the uneasiness in his heart resurfacing.
Although the two zombies became his temporary “companions” due to their -100 affection level, it was impossible not to fear them.
What if they suddenly turned against him?
Therefore, Meng Xu remained highly alert, paying attention to any slight movements around him while discreetly distributing some leaflets.
It had to be said, Meng Xu was incredibly energized right now.
The cola he drank earlier had a strong effect, making him feel sharp and energized.
Comfortable!
He went to the ninth floor, finding it empty. The office doors were locked and there was no movement inside. Meng Xu symbolically placed some leaflets on each office door and then left the ninth floor.
After taking a few steps, Meng Xu encountered a zombie wearing a security guard uniform, wandering in the stairwell between the tenth and eleventh floors. Its face was hideous, veins bulging on its forehead, and its neck bent at an impossible angle.
“Roar!”
The moment the zombie saw Meng Xu, it was instantly invigorated and charged at him.
【Zombie: Level 0】
Seeing the situation, Meng Xu was already somewhat accustomed to it. He raised his improvised weapon high, pulled the rope with his other hand, and instantly had Chi Wei and Manager Zhang block the path, preventing the security guard zombie from advancing.
Meanwhile, he stabbed the security guard zombie with the improvised spear, softly chanting, “How about swimming fitness?”
“Gentleman, interested in swimming fitness?”
He felt a bit like a lunatic.
Fortunately, the stairway wasn’t broad, giving him an opportunity.
After numerous stabs, the ground was covered in blood. Once the security guard zombie finally collapsed, Meng Xu exhaled deeply and looked over at the zombie.
At that moment, its occupation and level had both vanished.
Seeing this, Meng Xu couldn’t help but relax, loosening his tense muscles. He continued to explore and headed to the tenth floor to distribute leaflets.
This ‘Reading the Room’ skill has another benefit—confirming whether a zombie was truly dead.
Otherwise, you might think it’s dead, but in reality, it’s not, and it might suddenly attack you—now that’s life-threatening.
The safety door leading to the stairwell on the tenth floor was half open, likely where the security guard zombie emerged from. Meng Xu took a deep breath, gently pushed the door open, and immediately used ‘positioning’ to let Chi Wei and Manager Zhang lead the way.
Meng Xu, as a dedicated employee, understood the principle of letting leaders go first.
After ensuring it was safe, Meng Xu exited the stairwell. When he saw the scene at the end of the hallway, he was initially stunned, then overjoyed.
Because he saw a lock that had completely sealed off the entire company on the tenth floor, which seemed to have been hosting some party last night. Packed inside were at least thirty to forty zombies!
The area was drenched in blood, a veritable hell on earth.
Whoever escaped and locked the door afterward was really heartless.
Could it have been that bus driver earlier?
No matter, I’ve avenged you now.
Meng Xu took a deep breath, standing before the thirty to forty zombies with a professional smile, “Ladies and gentlemen, how about swimming fitness? With all thirty to forty of you together, you get an eighty-five percent discount!”
“……”
【Task completed.】
【Efficiency is the key in distributing leaflets. Unfortunately, out of the 480 leaflets you distributed, only 3 were accepted, while the remaining 477 were discarded like waste paper. This is truly a sad story. We hope you persevere and become a Legendary Leaflet Distributor.】
【Task completed. Task rating: Average.】
【You have received the Task Rewards: Career Experience +3, Yuan +1000, Points +2.】