Chapter 49: The Handsome One Arrives
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Dusk was settling. The undead appeared at the far end of the street, their bodies twisted and faces grotesque.
The desolate buildings and dim light around them created an oppressive atmosphere.
“Damn it, these things are getting more and more numerous!” Anxiety welled up in Bill’s heart, but he forced himself to stay calm. “Hurry up and climb up, Francis, press that button.”
Bill stood guard at the bridgehead with Zoey and Louis. Francis, hearing Bill’s command, hurried toward the stairs leading to the control room.
A voice drifted down from above—it was Li Changsheng. “It’s no use. The engine isn’t running.”
“Stop trying to scare us!”
They had just met Li Changsheng, so Bill’s group wouldn’t trust him easily.
Francis reached the control room and pressed the button, but the bridge did not respond. He shouted down in a panic, “Bill! It’s not working!”
Bill’s voice was grave. “Damn, that kid up there was right. I didn’t think of that. Guys, the situation’s changed! Francis, you and Louis stay here. Zoey, you come with me!”
Raising the bridge required power, and the engine providing it was right at the bridgehead.
Rat-tat-tat...
Bill and Zoey fired their guns, taking down the approaching undead.
As they ran, Bill spoke apologetically, “Listen... kid, I... uh... actually, I never really...”
He’d always wanted to apologize for what happened at the military research facility, but the words had never made it out. Now, at this final moment, he didn’t want to leave any regrets behind.
“It’s okay,” Zoey replied firmly. She’d been upset at the time, but looking back on all they’d been through and how Bill had cared for her, her earlier resentment had long since faded. “Right now, all that matters is the boat. If you have another plan, I’m with you, Bill.”
Bill took a deep breath, relief flickering in his eyes. He said softly, “Alright. We’ll talk about everything else once we reach the island.”
The two moved forward.
Zoey’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and a brilliant smile broke across her face. “Bill, here it is—the engine’s practically an antique!” She pointed to the engine on the left.
Bill’s face lit up and he praised her loudly. “Nicely done, Zoey.”
He rushed to the engine and pressed the start button.
The engine responded with a series of harsh clicks but refused to start immediately.
Zoey kicked the engine in frustration. “Come on! Start, you stupid thing!”
Creak... creak...
At last, the old engine rumbled to life.
“Guys, get back here—the button’s lit up! I’m pressing it now!” Francis’s shout came from the bridgehead.
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Bill and Zoey exchanged glances and hurried back to the bridgehead.
As soon as they arrived, Francis pressed the button.
A thunderous roar followed, and the bridge began to rise slowly.
At the same time, hundreds of undead, as if summoned by the dinner bell, surged toward them in a black wave.
Looking out at the horde, none of them seemed particularly worried.
Because the bridge rising meant not only that their boat could head for the sea, but also that they would be out of reach—safe from the undead’s attack.
Suddenly.
Clang—
The bridge’s ascent came to an abrupt halt.
Francis said stiffly, “Great. The bridge is stuck.”
Zoey cried out in frustration, “Ugh! I knew it! I hate that damn engine so much!”
Louis spoke cautiously, “Maybe we should keep quiet? What if they just linger for a bit and then—”
He didn’t finish. At the end of the street, four enormous figures were charging toward them...
Francis shot Louis a glare. “Oh, and now we get four Tanks for free! Thanks a lot, Louis!”
“What?! How is this my fault?”
“You were being all optimistic, and now look what happened!”
The ground began to tremble with a deep rumble. In the distance, four giant figures appeared—muscles bulging, like moving fortresses.
The four Tanks swung their massive fists, smashing through any obstacle in their path as they charged straight for the group.
Their towering forms looked especially terrifying amid the ruins, their skin like armored plates gleaming blood-red in the sunlight.
Each Tank was as large as a small truck.
The thought of being hit by four trucks at once was enough to chill the blood.
A true, bone-deep terror rose within them, despair etched on every face.
“Guys, I have a bad feeling about this...” Even the usually optimistic Louis was crestfallen.
Francis tried to reassure him, though his bravado was thin. “Louis, look, we’ve seen worse than this before. This... this is nothing, really...”
Louis shot him a look. “Francis, stop lying to yourself. Have we ever been in a situation like this before? I could kick you right now!”
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“Enough, let’s not dwell on it,” Zoey said, clenching her fists tightly. “We still have some ammo left. We just need to... we just need to... oh, f—! Damn it! We’re just one step away from victory. We can’t let it end like this.”
They all knew that facing four Tanks, even with twice as much ammunition, they had no chance.
Louis spoke in a low voice, “Guys, I love all of you. Listen, before they get me, I want you to...” He trailed off, but everyone understood what he meant.
After all, being devoured alive by the undead was a fate worse than death...
Better a bullet than that...
Bill had remained silent, and even now, staring down the four Tanks, he managed to stay calm.
He’d realized that the bridge was stuck because the engine had stopped.
He made a decision in his heart.
But just as he was about to speak, a figure leapt down from above.
“What are you all doing?” It was Li Changsheng.
He wielded a fire axe in his right hand and carried a large bag in his left.
Bill’s expression was apologetic. “Kid, I’m sorry. We dragged you into this. You shouldn’t be here—you’re still young. Go now, we’ll cover you.”
“It’s you, you bastard!” Zoey raised her fist, but then let it fall. “While we still have bullets left, we’ll draw their fire. You get out of here.”
Louis and Francis also looked apologetic. “Sorry, we messed up!”
“You’re not going to run?”
The four of them were silent, clearly resigned to a last stand.
Maybe they were just too tired of running.
Zoey glanced at Li Changsheng. “Go, you’re not like us.” Her voice was clear and resolute.
Li Changsheng looked her over.
She looked just like her counterpart in the original story—red athletic jacket, a single ponytail, her face delicate but determined despite her disheveled state.
Just an ordinary college girl...
Suddenly, Li Changsheng lifted his head and smiled brightly. “I’m actually starting to like you all. Maybe you could use my help. Besides, the other side of the bridge is my stronghold—I don’t want any special infected getting through.”
With that, he stamped his foot lightly, and his whole body shot out like a phantom.