Chapter 12: I'm Going to Recruit People

After a fierce battle, most of the zombies had been cleared away.

Filled with hope, everyone rushed to the library entrance—freedom was just one step away!

At that moment, Jiang Yao suddenly felt dizzy, as if the world was spinning, and instinctively crouched down to steady herself.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself back in the study room.

Everyone exchanged glances; the light in their eyes dimmed instantly. Many sat on the floor, their spirits completely crushed.

Xiang Yu sighed, “It was like this before. It feels as if we’re trapped in a loop, never able to escape this place.”

“A loop?” Jiang Yao was momentarily stunned, shaking her head. She didn’t think so, because time itself wasn’t rewinding.

It felt more like some external force was interfering, mockingly watching them struggle to break free from death, only to drag them into the abyss at the very last second.

Repeatedly grinding away their hope for survival, trapping them forever within this small space.

Jiang Yao pondered for a moment, then spent all her points to buy a compass.

Seconds later, an ancient-looking circular device appeared in her hands.

Ji Yuanyuan was drawn by the movement, glancing over incredulously, “Yao Yao, where did you find that piece of junk?”

Jiang Yao was speechless.

That “junk” had cost her 300 points.

This was why she hesitated at first—because the compass looked so old and worn, as if it might break at any moment.

She felt it wasn’t quite worth the price.

Of course, some among them recognized its value.

Dou Zimo pushed up his glasses, circled around the compass with curiosity, and said, “This is a Feng Shui compass, right? Where did you get it?”

Jiang Yao felt a bit reassured, “From the system shop, 300 points.”

Xie Huaili scoffed, “You got ripped off. This thing costs 300 points?”

Everyone else remained silent, looking at Jiang Yao as though she had been swindled.

Three hundred points weren’t trivial—it was the equivalent of killing thirty zombies!

Jiang Yao winced, feeling the sting of their judgment.

Well, it hurt even more.

But since she had bought it, she had no regrets.

Knowing the basic use of the compass, Jiang Yao held it at chest level, keeping it horizontal and facing the direction of the door.

After a short while, the needle began to spin rapidly.

Ji Yuanyuan shrank back to Xiang Yu’s side, whispering nervously, “Why is it spinning so fast? Could it really be...?”

Xiang Yu patted her hand reassuringly, still puzzled herself.

Before the apocalypse, she had been a staunch materialist.

After a moment, the needle wobbled and stopped, pointing in a certain direction.

Everyone was confused. Jiang Yao pushed open the door and stepped out. With no other choice, the others followed.

At the staircase, the needle slowly pointed towards the stairs going up.

Xie Huaili’s eyes gleamed thoughtfully, “So it wants us to go up?”

“There’s definitely something strange here,” Jiang Yao said, watching the compass’s anomaly. It indicated the presence of sinister energy.

She stepped onto the stairs; the others bit their lips and followed.

Trapped and toyed with by that thing, they were filled with rage. No matter what it was, pretending and playing tricks, they were determined to drag it out and beat it up!

On the way upstairs, they encountered many zombies again, but now the university students had enough fury to resurrect ten evil sword immortals. Killing zombies felt as easy as chopping cabbage.

More students, upon learning their plan, joined their group.

Jiang Yao stopped at the fourth-floor landing and glanced down the pitch-black hallway.

The needle still pointed firmly to the stairs above. She squinted, “The top floor is the library’s final level.”

The library had five floors; the last housed the electronic reading area and computer rooms.

Clearly, that thing was hiding on the fifth floor.

Yet, Jiang Yao harbored a suspicion. Since it avoided direct confrontation, close combat was probably not its strength.

Would it really let them find it so easily?

Many were eager to test their mettle.

“Whatever it is, let’s charge!”

“Yeah! If it dares to mess with me, we’ll beat it until it’s begging for mercy!”

The mood surged; after days trapped here, their grievances ran deep.

They stormed onto the fifth floor—but suddenly, the voices around them faded.

Jiang Yao turned cautiously. A vast space beside her had emptied; where once stood dozens, now only five remained.

She, Ji Yuanyuan, Xiang Yu, Xie Huaili, and Dou Zimo.

Ji Yuanyuan looked around anxiously, “What the hell? I blinked and they’re gone? Where did everyone go?!”

Xie Huaili sneered slowly, “Obviously, we’ve been separated.”

Dou Zimo’s expression grew serious, “They’re picking us off one by one. This thing’s got some brains.”

Jiang Yao smiled cryptically, “I think I’ve figured out its ability.”

Xie Huaili shrugged, “No wonder we couldn’t get out.”

Ji Yuanyuan was confused, glancing between them, “Wait, what did I miss? What did you figure out?”

Xiang Yu patted her shoulder affectionately, “Think about it—being able to quietly separate so many of us, instantly moving us from one place to another. What does that mean?”

Ji Yuanyuan’s eyes widened in realization, “Space? Its power involves space!”

Xiang Yu smiled as if teaching a child.

Jiang Yao curled her lips, “More precisely, spatial teleportation.”

This ability wasn’t overtly aggressive, but humans fear the unknown. Repeated failures shattered everyone’s morale, letting this thing play them like puppets.

“So that’s it! How cunning!” Ji Yuanyuan was indignant. Suddenly, she perked up, “Wait, did you hear something?”

She studied music and was especially sensitive to sounds.

Everyone was puzzled, when suddenly, heavy breathing echoed through the dark corridor.

Jiang Yao’s pupils contracted. She shone her flashlight ahead and saw a dense crowd of zombies, their eyes vacant.

Suddenly, they sensed the light source and, like rabid dogs sniffing out bone, surged forward!

Everyone gasped.

“Where did so many zombies come from?”

The immense horde was chilling—roughly twenty or so.

They were only five!

They took a deep breath. Dou Zimo hesitated unusually, “Fight or run?”

Jiang Yao shot him a sideways glance, “As if running’s an option.”

Dou Zimo looked behind him—zombies were stubbornly climbing the stairs.

Trapped between a rock and a hard place.

Good. The tension in their hearts finally snapped.

They’d already sized up each other’s abilities: only Xie Huaili and Dou Zimo had offensive skills.

Xiang Yu and Ji Yuanyuan specialized in control.

Jiang Yao’s skills leaned towards control too, but she was personally quite formidable.

Looking at it this way, the two guys bore most of the pressure.

At that moment, Jiang Yao’s tone turned serious, “Everyone, step aside. I’m going to start calling for reinforcements.”

Everyone: Huh???