Chapter 121 - 97: Unusual Movement

Chapter 121: Chapter 97: Unusual Movement

Xu Mo’s brow furrowed as well.

’G650... G649...’ Xu Mo quickly recalled the area distribution map he had glanced at when he accepted the mission. The zones under attack were located behind his own, G627, distributed in an arc.

’At this rate...’

’It seems my area, G627, is also about to be attacked by those so-called ’strange zombies’.’

Just then, the relatively calm voice from the command center came through again. This time, however, his speech was noticeably faster, carrying an undeniable sense of urgency:

"Attention all G-Zone mission personnel! Attention all G-Zone mission personnel! We are under attack by a small horde! The situation has changed. All personnel are to immediately abandon your current posts and retreat to the bus assembly point in groups! I repeat, retreat in groups immediately!"

’Retreat immediately? In groups?’

A question mark popped into Xu Mo’s mind.

’Why not send in the better-equipped, better-trained military squads to use their superior firepower to eliminate the zombies attacking the perimeter? Why are all the Scavengers on the outskirts being ordered to abandon their positions and retreat? It doesn’t make much sense. Unless... the ’things’ attacking are something even the military finds difficult to deal with quickly in this complex terrain. Or perhaps their nature makes the risk of holding a position and waiting for reinforcements extremely high, possibly even leading to greater chaos and casualties.’

However, there was no time for Xu Mo to dwell on the reasons. Especially in a sudden crisis like this, following orders was the first rule of survival.

’Retreat in groups...’ Xu Mo glanced at the pitch-black G628 factory complex across the street. ’I wonder if that old hand, Feng, is still there.’ He didn’t hesitate any longer. Not even bothering to grab the sleeping bag he’d left in the office building, he gripped his AK-47, chambered a round, switched on his tactical flashlight, and dashed out of the factory gate in a single bound.

Reaching the middle of the road, he immediately looked toward the entrance of the G628 factory complex. It was completely empty, with only the relentless rain falling with a SPLASH.

’A veteran’s a veteran. He sure got out of here fast!’ Xu Mo couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. That Feng’s experience and sense of danger were truly sharp. He had probably made a run for it the moment the command center issued the retreat order, or perhaps even earlier.

At this point, the panicked figures of other Scavengers could be seen running onto the road from different directions. Most were in groups of two or three, but there were lone wolves like Xu Mo as well. Everyone was sprinting with all their might toward the assembly point where the bus was parked.

No one spoke. Only the sound of heavy panting, frantic footsteps, and the falling rain mingled together, creating an atmosphere of extreme oppression.

Xu Mo didn’t dare to dawdle. He immediately joined the stream of retreating people, running while vigilantly watching the darkness on both sides of the road. Over the radio, the chaotic cries for help and screams continued, and they seemed to be getting closer. The unknown "strange zombies" were surging forward like a tide in the dark night, pouring through the gaps between the factory complexes.

Through the curtain of rain, shadowy figures flickered in and out of view in the gaps between the factory buildings and in the darkness ahead, approaching the retreating crowd at an astonishing speed. Xu Mo only needed one look to understand why everyone on the radio was terrifiedly calling them "strange zombies."

These dark figures weren’t running on all fours like beasts, as he had heard or imagined Agile Zombies would. Instead, they were fully upright, just like normal people, sprinting in an all-out dash. They were incredibly fast, even faster than an ordinary person could run, and they maintained an uncanny balance and agility on the muddy, slippery ground.

"BANG! BANG BANG BANG!"

A few Scavengers nearby with weaker nerves were clearly spooked by these strange zombies. They ran in a panic, firing wildly behind them in the general direction of the dark figures without even looking back. Of course, there was no hoping for accuracy in a situation like this. Most of the bullets flew off to who-knows-where. Only a few hit the factory walls or the ground, kicking up sparks and debris. They weren’t dealing any effective damage and, worse, nearly hit their own comrades running ahead and to the side of them.

’With nerves like that, coming out to scavenge is just asking to be killed.’ Xu Mo sneered. In a situation like this, panic and wasted ammunition were the most fatal mistakes.

"Watch what’s in front! I’ll take care of what’s behind us."

Without waiting for a response, Xu Mo spun around and began running backward, facing their pursuers. It was an extremely dangerous maneuver on the slippery road, but for someone with Xu Mo’s exceptional body control, it was nothing. Raising his AK-47, he relied on his superhuman dynamic vision and muscle control to take steady aim at the three strange, dark figures leading the charge, even amidst the jolting of running backward.

"BANG! BANG! BANG!"

Three crisp, single shots rang out, almost perfectly spaced. The muzzle flash flickered briefly in the rainy night.

In the distance, the three sprinting dark figures fell at the sound of the gunshots. Two were hit squarely in the head, instantly losing all momentum and collapsing to the ground, motionless. The third was likely hit in the shoulder or torso; it stumbled violently and fell, letting out a low, pained "whimper" that sounded neither human nor animal. It struggled on the ground, temporarily unable to continue the chase.

"Nice shot!" someone nearby couldn’t help but exclaim, having witnessed Xu Mo’s precise marksmanship.

However, the crisis was not over.