Chapter 174 - 116: Resupply

Chapter 174: Chapter 116: Resupply

Finally, there was a sealed manila envelope containing a stack of the latest zombie observation logs.

There were also several printed internal newsletters. The content was mostly morale-boosting platitudes and vague notices about certain policy adjustments within the shelter. No mention was made of the specific threats to the frontline outposts.

The supplies were standard, very "official"—enough to ensure he wouldn’t have to worry about survival for some time.

But Xu Mo’s gaze looked past these routine supplies, out through the observation slit, as if trying to pierce the walls and see toward the deathly-still Zone F.

After a moment of being lost in thought, Xu Mo pulled his gaze back and began to organize the supplies. Only when everything was sorted did he finally let out a true sigh of relief.

The clamor of the zombies outside seemed to have died down a little. Perhaps they had lost a clear target again and were gradually dispersing.

Xu Mo picked up a ration biscuit and began to chew, but his gaze involuntarily drifted back to the small observation slit. The world outside was still the same gray, lifeless expanse of steel ruins.

The supplies had arrived, which meant the first phase of the mission was about to end.

’Jiang City is trying to impose order on this land of chaos, but will the source of it all—that secret lurking in the core of the Red Star Industrial Zone—really operate on humanity’s timetable?’

’There was that faint mist when I approached the core zone the other day, the level-two zombie I killed, and those two roars I only heard... The core of the industrial zone seems to be hiding a lot of secrets.’

The faint roar of a helicopter engine seemed to sound overhead again—a craft on its way to other outposts. The zombies were repeatedly being stirred up, lured away, and then recongregating as invisible pheromones filled the air.

With the supplies tallied, the outpost returned to an orderly state. Xu Mo leaned against the wall, his fingers unconsciously tapping a steady rhythm on the floor. TAP. TAP. His mind, however, was racing, connecting the information he had just received with the clues he already possessed.

"Supplies reached Zone C on the third day," Xu Mo muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over the neatly stacked supplies in the corner. "At this rate and following this sequence, they should reach Zone F by the sixth day."

The moment the thought occurred to him, Xu Mo’s eyes sharpened. Zone F. The area that hung over his thoughts like a shadow. ’The Observers in outposts F-10, F-11, and F-12 are confirmed to be compromised—A-02’s faked response is the best proof. In that case, this supply run to Zone F will be far more than a simple drop-off.’

"They’ll be delivering supplies... and probably moving in new Observers at the same time," Xu Mo murmured, his brow furrowing.

’It’s an extremely dangerous move. If contact with those three outposts was lost because of something that can breach their defenses, sending in new people would be like tossing sheep into a tiger’s den.’

’What will Jiang City do?’ Xu Mo tried to think from their perspective, predicting their strategy. ’Sending in new people directly is too risky. The safest way...’ A glint of understanding flashed in his eyes. ’...is to send another Superpower User squad before and after the supply drop to conduct a thorough sweep and reconnaissance of Zone F, especially around those three outposts.’

It was the most logical conclusion. They would use the powerful combat abilities of a Superpower User squad to clear out potential threats beforehand, ensuring the safety of the supply drop and the new personnel. After all, in a previous transmission, A-02 had mentioned that Superpower User squads periodically entered the depths of the industrial zone on clean-up missions. With such a glaring anomaly in Zone F, dispatching an elite team was to be expected.

’In a few more days, by the sixth-day supply drop at the latest, I should be able to find out what’s really going on with those three outposts,’ Xu Mo calculated.

By then, information was bound to surface—whether through new call signs appearing on the Observer network, a possible announcement from A-02, or even the commotion a Superpower User squad might kick up during their operation.

Xu Mo carefully considered the two most likely scenarios:

’First, if the outposts themselves suffered structural damage and can no longer provide effective protection, then the new Observers won’t be able to move in. Jiang City might choose to temporarily abandon them.’ This scenario would mean the attacker possessed immense destructive power, enough to threaten the integrity of the outposts themselves—undoubtedly a much worse sign.

’But what if the outposts are completely intact?’ Xu Mo’s tapping finger paused. ’Then the new people can move in. And maybe... I’ll have a chance to speak with the new Observers.’

’The sixth day.’ Xu Mo committed the date to memory. Inside his body, his qi and blood continued to circulate at a steady pace, striking against an invisible barrier.

Xu Mo pushed the thoughts aside, focused his mind, and once again immersed himself in cultivating the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training.

No matter what was hiding in Zone F, no matter what would happen in a few days, personal strength was the greatest asset for survival in this apocalyptic world. Soon, only the sound of his long, powerful breaths filled the outpost.

Xu Mo had just settled back into his cultivation when the military-grade walkie-talkie beside him suddenly erupted with a sharp CRACKLE of static. A-02’s voice followed, this time calling his designation directly.

"C-07, C-07, this is A-02. Respond if you copy."

The sudden, direct call startled Xu Mo. Being singled out like this was uncommon on the frontline outpost network.

A strange premonition flickered through Xu Mo’s mind. He immediately grabbed the walkie-talkie, keyed the mic, and responded in a steady voice, "A-02, this is C-07. I read you loud and clear."

Upon hearing Xu Mo’s reply, there was a barely perceptible half-second pause from the other end. Then, A-02’s voice came through again. Within that flat tone, Xu Mo thought he could detect a faint hint of relief. "C-07, confirming you are safe. Have you received all supply materials?"

"Supplies received and tallied. All accounted for, no damage," Xu Mo replied concisely. The strange feeling in his gut, however, only intensified. ’A-02 called me specifically just to confirm that?’

"Roger. Reporting is required upon confirmation of receipt, as per a new directive," A-02 explained. But his next words instantly made Xu Mo understand the reason behind this "new directive." "In the course of the supply drops over the last three days, we lost an Observer. He was attacked and killed by a level-one zombie lurking in the shadows of the ruins as he left his outpost to retrieve supplies. Fortunately, the supply helicopter had not yet departed the area. They witnessed the entire event and relayed an alert. As a result, Command now requires all outposts to report their status upon completing supply retrieval."

A-02’s voice remained calm, but the information it conveyed sent a slight chill down Xu Mo’s spine. An Observer had been killed by a lurking zombie during a supply run.

"I repeat: all personnel must exercise extreme caution when retrieving supplies. Confirm your surroundings are absolutely secure before taking action. Over," A-02 stressed.

The encrypted channel fell into a brief, dead silence. Then, as if snapping out of their shock, the Observers from the various outposts began to respond one by one:

"A-11, received."

"B-04, understood."

"D-08, received."

The responses echoed over the walkie-talkie, each one tinged with varying degrees of gravity and solemnity.

Xu Mo also replied in a low voice, "C-07, understood," before ending the transmission.

Setting the walkie-talkie down slowly, Xu Mo unconsciously ran his fingers over the cold metal casing. The news from A-02 was like a stone tossed into a placid lake, sending ripples through his thoughts.

"A hidden level-one zombie..." Xu Mo repeated the key phrase under his breath. ’This is nothing like the normal zombie behavior of gathering and attacking based on sound and the presence of life. This is more like... predation.’

Xu Mo’s thoughts were instantly pulled back to his time in Cyan Pine Ridge Town. Back then, after he had dealt with a Strength Type mutated zombie, he was ambushed by an Agile Zombie. If he hadn’t reacted quickly enough, he would have been a goner right then and there.

"Lurking, waiting for the right moment, a single killing blow..." Xu Mo murmured, a flash of understanding in his eyes. "Isn’t that just the predatory instinct of a wild animal?"

From this, it seemed that level-one mutated zombies weren’t simply enhanced in one physical aspect. They were likely starting to awaken a kind of primitive intelligence, one based on the instinct for survival and predation.

This intelligence was probably still crude, not on the level of human thought, but more like the cunning and patience of an apex predator. They were starting to understand how to use their environment, how to conceal themselves, and how to choose the most opportune moment to strike, no longer relying solely on numbers and mindless charges.

’If this theory holds true, then I’ll need to be even more cautious whenever I decide to go outside from now on.’