Chapter 17: The Tide of Corpses
The CDC building was located in the southeast of Georgia, south of Atlanta. It was divided into three sections: the western dormitory area, the eastern research zone, and a central part that was one floor higher than the sides.
Because of the CDC’s strategic importance, the entire facility was surrounded by a two-meter-high, sloped concrete wall, with no other buildings within two kilometers. There was only a single road for vehicles to enter.
At this moment, at the perimeter of the CDC, Li Changsheng’s group stood atop a sloping embankment. The view from here was excellent; one could see the lay of the land around the CDC at a glance.
In the distance, a horde of shambling corpses wandered the road, emitting a low, ominous hum. Their twisted, deformed bodies radiated madness and savagery.
There were many of them, at least two hundred.
“Damn it, what rotten luck to run into a horde,” cursed More.
“Boss, the entrance is right behind those corpses. Driving in would draw too much attention—we’d be surrounded in no time...” Daryl frowned deeply.
Tara said, “We’re running low on bullets. If we had enough, taking out those corpses would be child’s play.” He was confident in his marksmanship.
More snorted, “You don’t have to say it. With enough ammo, I could take care of those corpses by myself.”
Amy and Andrea exchanged glances, their expressions full of disbelief, as if they were looking at fools.
After all, flawless marksmanship and headshots with every bullet only happened in movies. In real combat, that was absolutely impossible. Mindless as the corpses were, anyone would be terrified with a tide of them charging.
Li Changsheng stared intently at the horde in the distance. “Strange... Have you noticed? This group seems more coordinated, and faster, than what we’ve seen before.”
His vision was exceptional now; he could see everything clearly even hundreds of meters away.
The others looked where he indicated.
“It’s true, they’re not quite the same as before,” Daryl observed. “The ones we ran into previously moved like old men.”
More shrugged dismissively. “So what? Still one bullet, one corpse.”
“Are the corpses where you’re from really that slow?” Li Changsheng asked. “Back in Texas, they ran as fast as any adult,” Columbus interjected.
“Seriously?” The group was surprised.
Columbus raised a hand. “I swear in God’s name.”
Tara and Wichita nodded; the corpses in their regions were the same.
Li Changsheng frowned. When he’d first met Wichita's group, he’d suspected that his world might be a fusion of multiple fictional universes. Now it seemed his guess had been correct.
That was troublesome. Who knew how many worlds had been merged here? If it included over-the-top gore flicks, things could get ugly—corpses from those movies were not to be trifled with...
The more he thought about it, the more determined he became to establish a secure base.
He glanced at the horde once more and made up his mind.
“Let’s move. Andrea, you drive the RV—back it up, keep the engine running, and be ready to retreat at any time. Wichita, you drive the car—same instructions as Andrea.
“Amy, Little Stone, get on the roof of the RV. Provide us with intel on the corpses and keep an eye out for any new groups.
“Everyone else, prepare for combat.”
The group hesitated for a moment, then all responded in unison and got to work.
The rumble of engines drew the attention of the distant corpses. With chilling howls, they charged toward Li Changsheng and his team.
Their steps were noticeably faster now—about the speed of a running adult—but still wild and merciless.
“So fast?!” someone exclaimed.
“At this speed, what a waste they’re not running marathons.”
Li Changsheng cursed inwardly, but getting to the CDC was non-negotiable. He gave his orders in a low, steady voice: “Daryl, watch the left flank. More, the right. Tara and Columbus, cover the rear. Hold the line—all the corpse-killing is on me. Any that get through are yours to handle.”
He hefted his rebar short-spear and advanced.
With the power of G1 biology, the corpses might be faster, but to his eyes they moved in slow motion.
“Boss!” Amy cried.
The others grew anxious. They knew Li Changsheng was a martial artist, but no one could handle this many corpses alone.
“Don’t worry,” said More, uncharacteristically reassuring. “The boss never does anything he’s not sure of. Let’s just focus on our job.”
Li Changsheng moved among the corpses like a wraith, short spear flashing with each swing, followed by a whistling sound—one after another, corpses fell.
“Left side, careful!” Amy shouted, pointing out a corpse creeping up on his left.
He nodded at her, then without turning, switched the spear to his left hand and, in a lightning-fast motion, drove the blade into the corpse’s skull.
“Three on the right!”
He leapt, kicking away a corpse lunging at him, spun the spear midair, and with a diagonal sweep split three more skulls in two, black blood spraying as he bounded away.
In the blink of an eye, he had wiped out a third of the horde charging at the group.
So far, not a single corpse had reached the others—all eyes were on Li Changsheng.
Their faces were full of disbelief.
More recovered quickly; he was used to this. “Told you, the boss is tougher than God.”
Daryl’s mouth hung open. “Damn, More was actually telling the truth.” If he’d harbored doubts about Li Changsheng’s strength before, they were now gone.
Amy’s eyes sparkled.
Andrea glanced at Li Changsheng, then at Amy. Her own “cabbage” would be devoured by a pig sooner or later...
Wichita and Little Stone traded glances, unconsciously shrinking back. They’d been plotting to con Li Changsheng, but now all thoughts of that vanished.
Tara raised an eyebrow at Columbus. “Guess getting caught last time wasn’t because we were weak—this guy’s just a freak.”
In mere moments, Li Changsheng had cut down dozens of corpses. Some, too far away, managed to slip past and charge at the camp.
Worried, he turned to check on the others—only to have his blood pressure spike. They were all watching with great interest, even critiquing his moves—“Nice kick...”
Spectators at the edge? Out for a stroll during a team fight?
Hell!
He barked, “Stop standing around—some corpses are heading your way!”
He made a note to settle scores with them later.
More snapped to attention. “Get to work, the boss is petty...”
Daryl realized a few corpses were closing in. He raised his crossbow, took aim, and with a twang, sent arrows whistling through the air. The left-flank corpses dropped instantly.
Li Changsheng caught the display and gave him a thumbs-up. The crossbow guy could be counted on.
More, Tara, and Columbus also sprang into action, opening fire on the stragglers.
Columbus’s marksmanship left much to be desired—if he hit, it was luck. More and Tara, on the other hand, were surprisingly accurate; seven or eight out of ten shots hit the corpses’ heads. They exchanged glances, a mutual respect growing between them.
The battle ended quickly—and no one was injured.
A chime sounded.
“Time’s short. The gunfire might attract more corpses. Andrea, Wichita, drive over. Everyone else, get in the vehicles.”
Corpses in this world always moved in packs and were extremely sensitive to sound.
God only knew how many would be drawn by the gunshots.
Fortunately, they were only a step away from the CDC.
Andrea and Wichita started their vehicles, engines roaring. Working in perfect sync, they maneuvered closer to the CDC’s blast doors. A sense of relief spread through the group as they approached.
Smiles appeared on their faces.
But Amy said, “Boss—the gates to the CDC are closed...”