Chapter Sixty-Three: Dreamscape

Even Zhao Qiang himself was unaware of the war raging inside his own body.

The survivors’ physiological functions, altered by radiation, had long ceased to be those of ordinary humans. Unlike those who directly faced the radiation and became zombies, the survivors underwent a slow and gentle process of genetic replacement—new genes gradually supplanting the old, in a manner the body could just endure. The survivors believed that zombies attacked and bit living people solely to obtain fresh flesh and blood, sustaining the energy required for their activities. However, the saliva and skin of zombies contained a peculiar substance that accelerated human mutation to a rate far beyond what the body could withstand, so that once a survivor was scratched or bitten, they swiftly became part of the zombie horde.

When the new humans were bitten by zombies, their wounds would heal rapidly, and they would slip into a deep coma, accompanied by a high fever and icy limbs. As time passed, convulsions would begin, black blood would be spat from the mouth, followed by death. Driven by the mysterious substance, the victim would ultimately become a mindless zombie.

Zhao Qiang was different. While undergoing mutation, he had endured Wei Tao’s devilish training, his genetic modification far greater than that of ordinary people. He had personally slain many Wise Ones, which further enhanced his physical abilities beyond most new humans.

Even so, the unconscious Zhao Qiang exhibited similar symptoms—a persistent high fever, though he had not yet begun convulsing. Under Meng Longwei’s orders, Zhao Qiang was firmly secured to the bed; even if he turned into a zombie, he posed no threat.

At that moment, Zhao Qiang, in his dream, was commanding a team of survivors battling endless zombies in the jungles of South America. The zombie army surged forward, and the survivors’ ammunition was nearly exhausted.

Through his headset, a call came in English. In the dream, Zhao Qiang naturally understood: “This is Alpha Squad. The package is secured. We are withdrawing. Repeat, this is Alpha Squad. The package is secured. We are withdrawing.”

Zhao Qiang fired a burst at a Crusher emerging from the dense forest. Bullets screamed from the barrel, shattering the powerful creature. He replied, “This is Hardbone Twenty. Alpha Squad, proceed to the designated location. We will cover you. Repeat, this is Hardbone Twenty. Alpha Squad, proceed to the designated location. We will cover you.”

After ending the call, Zhao Qiang looked over the few remaining members of his team and called out, “Hardbone Twenty, target Area Zero, move out.”

…

“Baby, I’m home!” After a day’s work, Zhao Qiang was in high spirits, finally able to be with his wife. He pushed open the door and saw her busy in the kitchen.

“You’re back. Dinner’s almost ready. Hurry and wash your hands,” Peng Sha said, still bustling about, not even turning her head as her spatula danced in the air.

Zhao Qiang changed into slippers and walked into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around Peng Sha, who was intent on cooking, kissed her cheek, and asked, “Baby, what delicious food are you making?”

“Stop it, I’m busy!” Peng Sha pouted, pushing away Zhao Qiang’s wandering hand and glancing back at her mischievous husband.

Suddenly, Peng Sha screamed, shoving Zhao Qiang away. The wok on the stove was knocked over, and scalding soup splashed all over him.

“Baby, what’s wrong? It’s me,” Zhao Qiang said, surprised. His wife had never reacted like this before—what was happening today?

Peng Sha clutched the spatula to her chest, staring at Zhao Qiang in terror and crying out, “Don’t come any closer, please, don’t come closer!”

The gleaming spatula reflected Zhao Qiang’s face. Nothing seemed amiss—he was still himself: ashen skin, eyes clouded and lifeless like dead fish. Yes, there was nothing strange. But the world through Zhao Qiang’s eyes was turning blood-red. Looking at his wife, he suddenly felt ravenously hungry.

“Ugh.” Zhao Qiang opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but only a low, guttural growl emerged. His wife looked so different now—he needed to make her like him. Yes, just like this. If he bit her, she would become like him.

With that thought, Zhao Qiang raised his hands and staggered toward his terrified wife.

No, this isn’t right—how did I become like this? Peng Sha’s spatula struck Zhao Qiang’s head, the pain snapping him momentarily awake. How did I turn into a zombie? Memories flooded his mind.

How did I end up here? I hacked a zombie rat to death, dispatched a Crusher with two blows, split a Wise One’s skull with one swing—so why am I like this? Zhao Qiang felt his blood boil, and in his mind a voice kept commanding him to turn his wife into one of the zombie horde.

No! Zhao Qiang clutched his head, roaring loudly, desperately resisting the seductive voice. His veins burned, and it took all his strength to barely control his body. The scenery shifted again—he stood alone in a vast, endless plain, surrounded by zombies of every kind.

“Give up, join us,” the zombies snarled, but Zhao Qiang understood their meaning.

“No! Never!” Zhao Qiang shouted in fury, fighting against the relentless howls.

His resistance seemed to enrage the zombie army. They raised their hands, swaying as they pressed toward him, their howls constantly urging, “Join us.”

As he was about to be overwhelmed, a voice suddenly sounded in his ear, urgently calling his name, “Qiang, Qiang!” The voice was familiar—it was Zou Lin! Zhao Qiang looked around but couldn’t see her, though her voice was clear.

No, I absolutely cannot die here! Zhao Qiang summoned all his strength, reached out, and crushed the head of the closest zombie. “Anyone who blocks me dies!” Determined, he chose a direction and fought with all his might to cut a bloody path through the endless zombie horde.

…

“Zou, please, don’t—” Meng Longwei tried to comfort Zou Lin, but didn’t know what to say. Zhao Qiang had begun convulsing—this was the final stage. No one had ever survived it before. When the doctor confirmed Zhao Qiang’s condition, Meng Longwei brought Zou Lin into the ward.

Zou Lin ignored Meng Longwei’s attempts at comfort, clinging to Zhao Qiang’s bedside, calling his name again and again. That was all she could do now. She had already resolved that if Zhao Qiang turned into a zombie, she would never let Meng Longwei or anyone else harm him, not even a hair on his head.