Chapter 2: Timed Mission

Jiang Yao frowned as she returned to reality. Two days had passed since the apocalypse began.

Ji Yuanyuan looked at her with wide, expectant eyes. "Do you feel any superpowers? Gold, wood, water, fire, earth? I read in novels that the lightning type seems pretty powerful!"

Jiang Yao remained silent.

She remembered now. Before falling into a coma, she had suffered a high fever. Because Zhao Xiaoting, their roommate who loved reading novels, had been talking about it constantly, Ji Yuanyuan was convinced this was a sign of awakening an ability.

"Don't worry, Yaoyao," she had said with great excitement. "I'll make sure to watch over you so you can awaken your power in peace!"

Jiang Yao’s expression was complicated. Not wanting to crush her spirit, she said calmly, "I do feel a bit stronger than before."

Ji Yuanyuan looked disappointed, but quickly comforted her, "It's okay! Compared to me, you’re already amazing!"

"Pack your things. We’re leaving." Jiang Yao turned to rummage through her locker.

Ji Yuanyuan stared at her in disbelief. "L-leave? Why? Shouldn't we wait here for rescue?"

Jiang Yao turned to look at her, her tone steady. "It’s been two days since the outbreak. If help were coming, it would be here by now. Besides, it’s likely crawling with these things out there; they can't save everyone."

This was a global catastrophe; the university would fall sooner or later.

"But, but it’s not safe out there either. It’s better to just stay in the dorm..." Ji Yuanyuan bit her lip, her eyes filled with fear.

Jiang Yao understood her perspective perfectly. She was a flower raised in a greenhouse, having never faced any real setbacks, and she had absolute faith in the nation's strength.

Jiang Yao sighed, suppressing her impatience. "Our food is running low, and the water will probably be cut off soon." She pointed toward the balcony. "And that protective mesh won't hold for long. Are you really sure you want to stay here, either starving to death or waiting for the zombies to break the door down?"

She hardened her heart. "I’ll say this upfront: if you insist on staying, I won't be staying with you."

Ji Yuanyuan’s eyes reddened. She pressed her lips together tightly, and after a long moment, she nodded. "I'll go with you!"

Just then, a cold, mechanical voice suddenly rang out:

[Limited-time mission triggered: Escape the girls' dormitory within two hours! Mission reward: Newbie Starter Pack!]

Both of them jumped in surprise.

Ji Yuanyuan widened her eyes in terror. "D-did you hear that? What was that sound?"

Jiang Yao pondered for a moment. "It might be that legendary 'system'?"

Ji Yuanyuan became visibly excited. "Isn't that a cheat code? It said there's a starter pack for finishing the mission!"

"Quick, pack your things!" She suddenly became proactive about leaving the dorm.

Jiang Yao shook her head with a smile.

The two quickly gathered their food. Both were homebodies who had a habit of hoarding snacks, so there was still quite a bit left; if they rationed it, it could last about a week. They only took two sets of clothes each, as taking more would take up too much space.

Ji Yuanyuan went to the water dispenser. They had just replaced the bottle before the apocalypse, and more than half remained. She hated to waste it, but carrying too much water would be a burden, so they decided to each carry only two water bottles.

Jiang Yao scoured the room for anything that could serve as a weapon: fruit knives, forks, scissors, eyebrow razors, alcohol, and even a wrench she found in a locker. She hefted the wrench, satisfied with its weight—it should be enough to crack a zombie's skull, right?

Ji Yuanyuan returned with the water, looking at the wrench with a hesitant expression.

Jiang Yao pulled her over, taking two books and a roll of duct tape. With deft movements, she began wrapping the books around Ji Yuanyuan’s arms.

Ji Yuanyuan understood her intent and cooperated, lifting her arms. They wrapped not only their arms but also their legs, ensuring every area prone to bites was thickly padded with books. Once finished, Ji Yuanyuan helped Jiang Yao do the same. After a while, they looked like bears, but the sense of security was immense.

Each strapped on a backpack. In addition, Ji Yuanyuan carried her violin.

Jiang Yao looked at her with a complex expression. "You're taking that while running for your life?"

Ji Yuanyuan stroked the instrument lovingly, reluctant to leave it behind. Just as Jiang Yao thought it held some sentimental value, she said with regret, "It cost over a million!"

"…Then you should definitely bring it." At the very least, it could be used to smash a zombie's head in an emergency.

She handed Ji Yuanyuan the makeshift weapon they had crafted—a mop handle with a fruit knife firmly lashed to the tip with yarn. Ji Yuanyuan gripped it nervously, feeling a bit more secure.

They crouched by the door, listening. Heavy, dragging footsteps echoed in the hallway. Peering through the peephole, they occasionally caught a glimpse of the terrifying face of the dorm supervisor.

Jiang Yao signaled to Ji Yuanyuan, and the next second, she threw the door open.

A stench of decay and rot rushed in. Jiang Yao felt a wave of nausea, but the footsteps paused, then lunged toward them.

Ji Yuanyuan’s face went pale. Jiang Yao darted out just as the supervisor lunged with a blood-thirsty maw. Her eyes sharpened, and she swung the wrench with all her might, smashing it into the supervisor's head!

"Thud."

A large part of the supervisor’s skull caved in, the wrench sinking deep and getting stuck. As the dark, clawed hands reached for Jiang Yao’s face, a fruit knife flashed from the side, pinning the hand to the wall.

Ji Yuanyuan’s legs were shaking, her lips bitten white.

However, they had underestimated the creature's strength. With a roar, the supervisor broke free. Jiang Yao stumbled back, and Ji Yuanyuan was thrown to the ground.

Seeing the supervisor lunging toward Ji Yuanyuan, Jiang Yao’s eyes darkened; she needed to draw its attention again!

Just then, the door directly opposite opened, and a cool, calm voice rang out: "Move!"

In the few seconds the supervisor was stunned, Jiang Yao pulled Ji Yuanyuan up and scrambled back a few meters.

A glass bottle flew from the door, shattering in front of the supervisor with a blinding flash and a cloud of purple-red smoke.

As the supervisor roared in fury amidst the explosion, Jiang Yao seized the moment, grabbed the wrench from the floor, and hacked at the creature's head!

Afraid it might rise again, she struck several times before stopping. Seeing it finally collapse, she slumped against the wall, her fingertips trembling.

Ji Yuanyuan hurried over. "Yaoyao, are you okay?"

Jiang Yao nodded. A melodic whistle came from across the hall. "Nice moves, classmate!"

She looked over. A girl leaned out, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

They were on the same floor, so they were somewhat familiar. Jiang Yao recognized her: Zhu Li, the chemistry major who outperformed all the boys and held the top spot in her department.

Jiang Yao blinked. "What did you just throw?"

Zhu Li laughed carelessly. "That? Nitrogen triiodide! It’s a bit temperamental—a little bump or friction and it goes boom!"

Jiang Yao was about to say something else when a chorus of roars echoed from nearby.

Their expressions changed. Oh no, the sound of the explosion must have attracted every zombie in the vicinity!