The pipe extended directly downward, becoming increasingly steep, with dirty water gradually rising to thigh level. The underground darkness was impenetrable, with only the helmet lights sweeping around.
Seven people formed a line, wading forward. The tunnel became more spacious, and the sound of splashing water echoed in the underground space.
“I mean,” Chun Cao, second in line, finally unable to bear the silence, broke the quietness: “This mission is so dangerous. At least let’s chat before we split up.”
Zombie moans sounded faintly from the distance, timely responding to her.
“But this time is especially dangerous.”
“So what shall we talk about?
Chun Cao thought for a moment and said, “Let’s talk about why we joined the 118 Unit. I joined because I thought the conscription notice was cool. What about you, Brother Rong?”
Zhou Rong cleared the path in front of her without turning back: “High salary.”
Ding Shi honestly said: “Same as Brother Rong.”
Guo Weixiang: “To prove myself!”
Yan Hao: “…Quick promotions in special forces.”
“My wife and children can follow the military,” Zhang Yingjie said somewhat embarrassedly. “In my previous special forces squad, we only got leave once a year. Brother Rong said if I transfer to 118, I could get my wife a confidential job and send my kids to the military district school…”
The Iron Door Hits the Ground, Triggering a Series of Echoes, Instantly Resounding Through the Entire Tunnel!
“Just like that,” Zhou Rong retracted his leg, politely addressing Si Nan.
Zhou Rong was the first to drill through the iron door, just stepping onto the railway track when he suddenly felt something was wrong and looked down.
The next moment, he frantically crawled back using both hands and feet, stumbling when he landed and grabbing Si Nan, roaring: “Fuck, so many cockroaches——!!”
Si Nan snatched the tactical flashlight from his hand: “What happened to gender equality?”
“
Si Nan had no psychological barriers, carrying a tactical backpack and assault rifle, climbing onto the railway track. He looked down at his feet.
The next second, he raised his head. His tactical flashlight quickly rotated left and right, and then he swiftly unloaded the assault rifle and started firing rapidly!
Bullets flew and bounced in the narrow space, shell casings scattered, and sparks flashed. After a few seconds, the rain-like gunfire finally stopped, smoke spreading, with a pungent smell that made breathing difficult, and sounds of retching around them.
Si Nan turned back, pale-faced: “The underground insects are quite large…”
Zhou Rong shouted: “Don’t say anymore!”
In the sunless underground world, the long-decayed drainage outlet, within a space filled with garbage and mud, had formed a terrifying ecological system.
Three minutes later, everyone crossed the railway track and began heading towards the central transportation hub.
“I just wasn’t mentally prepared…”
“Brother Rong, it’s really nothing.”
Zhou Rong, looking pale, led the way in front, with Chun Cao occasionally offering comfort. “
Zhang Yingjie laughed from behind: “Brother Rong has a phobia of insect clusters, a psychological shadow from previous missions. Although he can mostly overcome it, he occasionally still has some reaction, haha!”
Si Nan coldly said: “I just want to know what ‘all genders except Omega are equal’ means. I guess if an Omega were here, they wouldn’t react like Zhou Rong did. By the way, can someone give me another magazine?…”
The seven-person team successfully passed the checkpoint, walking along the light rail for half an hour, with the tunnel suddenly opening up.
Ahead was a space similar to a subway station, with the left platform emitting a pale light, faintly revealing zombie footdragging and howling; the right side was a railway track extending into deep darkness.
The railway track led to the southern C area, the armory.
And Zhou Rong’s group must board the platform here and head to the western B area to find the satellite communication center.
— They were about to part ways.
Yan Hao nodded, leading Ding Shi and Guo Weixiang across the track, using flashlights to walk deep into the tunnel.
Zhou Rong stood in place, waving for Chun Cao, Si Nan, and Zhang Yingjie to gather around, about to give instructions when suddenly Yan Hao returned, walking directly towards Si Nan.
Si Nan slightly furrowed his brow, but before he could ask, Yan Hao suddenly gave him a tight, heated embrace.
Under everyone’s gaze, this hug lasted so long that even Si Nan was stunned.
No one spoke, and no one moved. Zhou Rong silently lowered his eyes.
After more than ten seconds, Yan Hao released his hold, stepped back half a step, and smiled at Si Nan.
Then he waved, holding his tactical flashlight, and turned to walk deep into the tunnel.
“Brother Rong,” Si Nan called softly.
Four special forces soldiers walked in a line, bent over and moving quietly, along the railway track to beneath the platform. Zhou Rong, leading at the front, responded in a low voice: “What?”
“Why did Yan Hao…”
Si Nan was a bit hesitant to speak, and Zhou Rong stood on tiptoe to peek out. An elevator about forty meters away led to the upper exit, which had stopped running.
Zhou Rong quickly calculated the distance and time, adjusting the assault rifle to single-shot mode, aiming while softly saying: “You saved everyone, and you saved Yan Hao’s life on the mall’s rooftop…”
A few suppressed sounds rang out, and the zombies near the elevator were shot down, falling heavily.
“It’s right that he’s grateful to you,” Zhou Rong raised his assault rifle, waving to signal safety, and leaped onto the platform first.
Several people swept across the platform like ghosts, stepping over the re-dead zombies, and rushed up the elevator like the wind.
The uniformed ticket inspector at the exit gate had turned into a zombie, facing away from the elevator, emitting a low, hoarse sound. They looked out and saw the station hall packed with over a hundred living dead, aimlessly wandering in the dim, spacious area.
The oxygen was low, and the air was stagnant. The zombies hadn’t yet noticed the few living people here. But undoubtedly, once discovered, this place would instantly become a hellscape of zombie waves.
“I feel Yan Hao still has feelings for you, Rong-ge,” Si Nan pressed close behind Zhou Rong, speaking almost into his ear, observing the surroundings while asking: “How did you two meet?”
Zhou Rong, fully focused on the station hall, replied: “I was transferred to Unit 118, replacing their fallen captain, and got to know everyone, including Yan Hao. Damn, there are so many zombies here.”
“Transferred?”
The edited content is as follows:
“What were you doing before?”
Zhou Rong felt the warm breath on his ear and countered: “Since when did you talk so much, Comrade Si? We’re still twenty minutes from the West B District destination…”
“Just chatting,” Si Nan said.
“…I was originally a national VIP bodyguard,” Zhou Rong said. “Comrade Si, I really don’t have the courage under the close watch of hundreds of zombie friends. Maybe after we go out, we can find a place with no one around…”
The zombie ticket inspector seemed to notice something and slowly turned its highly decomposed face.
In an instant, with a crisp crack, Si Nan struck lightning-fast, twisting the zombie’s neck 180 degrees.
“Why are we staying here,” Si Nan asked, “can’t we go from above?”
Everyone looked up simultaneously. In the layers of darkness above, several thick cable and ventilation pipes were intricately intertwined…
