by Tai Baiyang
The pudgy man subconsciously loosened his grip. He stretched out his hand and grasped the backpack.
In the blink of an eye, Zhang Mu stopped his play and increased his speed to an incredible extent in an instant. His left fist punched at the pudgy man's face.
"Hey hey, kid, you want to sneak attack me! Let me show you the reason why I dare to walk around the city!"
The pudgy man felt surprised to see Zhang Mu's behavior, but he just sneered at him, then pulled Yuan Rui away and punched towards Zhang Mu's fist.
The pudgy man's speed... He was an agility-type evolver!
How could he have awoken his ability so early?!
Zhang Mu didn't have time to feel surprised. Their fists had pounded together.
Zhang Mu's face turned pale instantly.
No! The pudgy man's strength... How could it be possible?!
The pudgy man was not only an agility-type evolver. He was a strength-type evolver, too!
The pudgy man's talent and brutal character... If he could survive until ten years later, he would undoubtedly become super strong. Maybe he had been a famous big shot in Zhang Mu's past life.
However... Well, too bad for you to meet me now. You just obtained your evolved abilities. Even if you are a super genius, you couldn’t have mastered even 50% of your true power.
Besides, you're facing me, Zhang Mu!
Zhang Mu’s fist shot out again, a sharp gleam flashing between his clenched fingers.
The pudgy man opened his eyes wide, staring in surprise and fear. It was the blade Zhang Mu had hidden in his sleeve before he walked into the room.
The sharp blade easily cut open the man's throat. Blood instantly burst out.
At the same time, the pudgy man's right hand punched at Zhang Mu's right chest with his full strength.
The pudgy man covered his throat with both hands, trying to stop the blood spraying out of his wound. Several seconds later, he fell to the ground with an unreconciled and unbelievable look on his face.
Zhang Mu was blown away by the man's punch. He hadn’t strengthened his body, so he wasn't tougher than any other ordinary person. This was also the reason why he had always avoided open combat with zombies.
After the heavy blow, his fragile heart suddenly stopped. He gradually lost his consciousness.
Vaguely, he heard Yuan Rui's scream and cry. The poor girl was strenuously shaking his body.
Before Zhang Mu dropped into deep sleep, he scolded in his heart. What a fucking new era!! If one didn't have great evolving potential, one could only struggle to survive like a sick dog.
Chapter 15 Yuan Rui's Awakening
Vaguely, Zhang Mu watched his past life as if he was a stranger, quickly scanning through the recordings of his original life.
He had encountered the zombies and ran away. Then he became an era merchant due to luck, wandered around different cities and trading with various people, luckily ascending to join the high society and finally, participated in that mission and obtained "that thing".
A black, cone shaped crystal.
It was so real and so beautiful, appearing vividly in front of Zhang Mu again, as if it was close at hand.
However, as Zhang Mu was going to touched it, the crystal suddenly flashed with weird lights. It opened its bloody mouth and engulfed Zhang Mu in it.
Zhang Mu's body was falling endlessly, surrounded by endless darkness.
However, there was a faint glimmer of light in the abyss.
The faint ray was so eye-catching. Zhang Mu desperately stretched out his hand, trying to catch it.
"Oh shit! It ate me again?!"
Zhang Mu suddenly woke and sat up. He abruptly turned around, seeing Rui Yuan staring at him with tears in her eyes.
He wanted to ask her what had happened, but he saw that his right hand was grabbing the girl's arm vigorously.
He quickly loosened his grip. After seeing the bruise on Yuan Rui's arm, he apologized, "Sorry, I just had a nightmare. Did I hurt you?"
Zhang Mu didn't have too much experience in dealing with girls. He had always lived in fear in his past life and when he had finally adapted to the new world, the women in this wasteland had become sophisticated and impure. They would do anything as long as you could provide them with what they wished for. The more you gave them, the better they would serve you. They regarded themselves as bargaining chips and even if you wanted to fall in love with them, they would only laugh at you.
Looking at Zhang Mu's regretful expression, Yuan Rui couldn't help but laugh out.
"It's okay. I just didn't expect that you were so strong."
Zhang Mu laughed from embarrassment, but suddenly remembered what had happened. He looked at himself in confusion and murmured, "Why did my injury recover so fast? The wounds on my right arm and my chest have all been restored. No, something’s wrong. My first-ranked body shouldn't have such strong regenerative capabilities."
Zhang Mu nervously analyzed. Yuan Rui didn't understand his words. She looked at him with strangely, then said, "Uncle, was it because of me?"
"You?"
Zhang Mu looked at her with an unbelievable look.
"Yes, you fainted and were seriously hurt. I hoped that you could recover as soon as possible, then suddenly, a gust of white light poured out of my hand. It touched your body and instantly disappeared. I was really scared, but your expression relaxed after that. Soon afterwards, you woke up. Uncle, that was too weird. Will I become a monster? Just like the zombies outside?"
Zhang Mu opened his eyes wide, gazing at Yuan Rui as if he was gazing at a monster, which really scared Yuan Rui.
"No, I don't want to that! The white light emerged from my hand by itself! Uncle, will I die?"
Zhang Mu swallowed, then said with a bitter smile, "Sigh. The world is so unfair."
Was he really that lucky? He had seen two evolvers within the first days of the new era! One was an dual-evolver and the other was a healing-type evolver. In his past life, a healing-type evolver would be regarded as a national treasure!
Were top-class evolvers really that common? He didn’t remember that!
Zhang Mu wanted to cry. Compared to them, why didn't fate let him obtain even the most common of evolving ability?
Yuan Rui was still crying, but Zhang Mu didn't know how to comfort her. He could face zombies with no fear, but he really didn't know how to deal with little girls.
He tried to comfort her, "You won't become a monster. You should have obtained a rare evolving ability. Look, do you know why I'm so strong? It’s because I have obtained an evolving ability, too, just like you!"
In order to comfort the little girl, Zhang Mu had to boast himself.
"Really?"
"It's true!"
Yuan Rui heard Zhang Mu's claims and remembered his previous performances, then gradually stopped crying.
Zhang Mu let out a sigh of relief.
Why was it so hard to comfort a girl? It was even harder than escape from a crowd of zombies!
"Can you concentrate your thoughts and call on the power again? I want to see it."
Zhang Mu grasped Yuan Rui's hands and asked eagerly, "Come on, try it again!"
Yuan Rui blushed and whispered, "Ok..."
After a while, a faint white light spread out from Yuan Rui's palm, but immediately disappeared. Zhang Mu's arm lightly came in contact with it before it disappeared. The cool and comfortable feeling told him that he was right.
Yuan Rui had awakened her healing-type power! She was a healing-type evolver!
He had found a real treasure!
Yuan Rui explained in an aggrieved tone, because she saw the excitement in Zhang Mu's eyes and she didn't want to disappoint him, "It was way brighter and a lot stronger before, but now, that's all I can release."
Zhang Mu felt puzzled to see Yuan Rui's nervous expression. He said, "I know. It must be because your healing energy has been depleted. How can it possible to use it all the time! You just need to rest for a period o
f time. You have done very well."
Yuan Rui smiled again after hearing Zhang Mu's words.
Were all girls so moody?
Zhang Mu shook his head. It was already been a long time since he last saw an ordinary girl like Yuan Rui.
He suddenly missed the women in his past life. After all, they only wanted his money, and would trouble him for more.
But soon, Zhang Mu's face became serious. He said to Yuan Rui, "Remember, don't let others see your ability. Healing abilities must be very rare in the world. If some bad guys see it, they will very likely imprison you and force you to serve them for a lifetime."
Zhang Mu wasn't just threatening her. In his past life, healing-type evolvers who didn't have the strength to protect themselves were imprisoned by the great powers.
Looking at Zhang Mu's serious look, Yuan Rui nodded.
She didn't know why, but she trusted this man she just met a day ago. Her subconscious told her that he would not hurt her.
After a while, she smiled and said, "But uncle, you are with me, right? Won't you protect me?"
Zhang Mu felt that she still hadn’t realized how serious the problem was, but she was right. As long as he was with her, no one could hurt her. If someday, they had to separate, the little girl would know about the cruelty of the new world. He could remind her again at that time.
Chapter 16: Clear the Street
"Why did you open the door for the man? Hadn't I told you not to open the door for anyone except me? You see the result now? Fortunately, the man was still afraid of being punished by law. If he wasn't, don't you know what he would do to you?"
Zhang Mu's facial expression was as cold as ice. Yuan Rui answered in an injured tone, "I didn't want to do that, but that man knocked on the door and said that a monster was chasing after him. If I didn't open the door, he would be eaten! I couldn't stand his suffering so I opened the door. I didn't expect that it was a lie. Fortunately, you returned in time."
Yuan Rui acted as if she was a child who just made a mistake, sticking out her tongue towards Zhang Mu.
"I'm sorry. Don't scold me!"
So that explained it. The man took advantage of her kind heart. He must’ve been corrupted even before the catastrophe happened.
Zhang Mu didn't want to blame Yuan Rui's good heartedness. After all, the catastrophe had just happened and many people still had a kind heart in face of all the cruelty. Yuan Rui was still an inexperienced little girl. He shouldn't blame her.
Zhang Mu had to speak to her in a soft tone, "The new era just started and as time goes by, the dark side of human nature will surface more and more till nothing can hide it anymore. Perhaps they can't even be called 'human' at that time," Zhang Mu said and remembered.
Yuan Rui looked at Zhang Mu confusedly, then nodded her head.
Zhang Mu felt his heart warm as he looked at Yuan Rui eating the bread and milk.
Did he have a crush on her?
After seeing so many misfortunes, he was afraid to lose his love again?
Zhang Mu quickly shook his head, trying to forget this silly thought. His future was still undetermined. He shouldn't involve her in his troubles.
Zhang Mu felt gloomy in his heart. He thought that it was easy to find food in the city after obtaining the agility potions, but he still underestimated the debugging period. After all, he didn't experience this period in his past and only heard of its ruthlessness from others.
However, this was his only opportunity to collect as much treasure as possible!
Remembering the intoxicating crystals, Zhang Mu plucked up his courage again.
It was worth taking a risk!
Even if he would be hurt seriously, he wouldn't give up. After all, he had Yuan Rui who could heal him.
"I will go to collect more materials this afternoon. You just stay here and wait for my good news."
Zhang Mu didn't tell Yuan Rui what he was going to do. He was afraid that she would think that he was a freak.
"I also want to go! I can help you!"
Yuan Rui looked at Zhang Mu with a serious look.
Zhang Mu laughed, "Help me? Well, with your help, I'm afraid that both of us will be eaten by zombies. Don't worry, I know how to protect myself. You just rest here and try to recover your energy. Maybe I will need your help after I get back."
"...Ok. Uncle, be careful!"
...
In the daytime, zombies' strength and speed would be slightly reduced, but they were still a nightmare to ordinary people.
Zhang Mu planned to eliminate them starting from the street around the warehouse, so that he and Yuan Rui could avoid unnecessary troubles in the future.
Zhang Mu had noticed that the shops on the street were so small, no zombie stayed in them.
In that case, he could perform execute his plan.
He slowly walked on the deserted street and dragged his long sword on the ground, making ear-piercing noises.
Roar!
Three zombies staggered along the street, roaring and pouncing at Zhang Mu.
Let's start playing!
Zhang Mu laughed. He didn't restrain himself, but made even more noise, stimulating these zombies.
Tut-tut.
Too slow!
Zhang Mu estimated the range and slowly raised his sword.
Closer. Come closer!
Yes, this was the right distance!
At this moment, Zhang Mu increased his by speed four times. His clothes rustled in the wind.
Zombies didn't have brains, so they only knew to stretch out their claws, trying to tear Zhang Mu up, then put his blood and flesh into their mouths.
They increased their speed at the same time. Zhang Mu wasn’t going to stop and the zombies didn’t have the brains to think about “stopping”.
In the blink of an eye, they collided with each other. Three claws scratched Zhang Mu's neck at once, but his smile didn’t falter. He just held the sword in his both hands and kept dashing.
Before they past each other, Zhang Mu had quietly raised his sword in front of him. At this speed, the zombies didn't have time to react.
Shuffle! Shuffle!
Two zombies' head flew to the sky and the sword's long blade had protected Zhang Mu from the zombies’ attacks.
It was all thanks to the sword's long blade! The additional 20 cm really helped Zhang Mu a lot.
Zhang Mu sighed in his heart and stopped moving. He turned back, looking at the last zombie.
The thin zombie was still running after its goal left its sight.
What a waste of time!
Zhang Mu spat and chased after the zombie. The zombie heard the noise and suddenly twisted its neck to look back, which looked really creepy.
However, it found nothing behind it. The zombie looked confused, but instantly, Zhang Mu appeared and jumped out from its side.
"What are you looking at? Fool!"
Before the zombie opened its bloody mouth, he had chopped its head off.
"Three crystals? That's not enough."
As if the world heard Zhang Mu's whisper, six zombies appeared from both sides of the street and surrounded Zhang Mu.
"Yes, this is what I want! Only this kind of challenge is worthy after my rebirth!"
Chapter 17: Mutated Beetle
Which side was easier to deal with?
It was hard to make a decision. If he attacked one side, then his speed would slow down. If he was surrounded by them, he didn't have the confidence to escape from them easily.
While he was thinking, the six zombies rushed towards him.
Zhang Mu shrugged. He raised his eyebrows, acting as if he was in an action movie.
He stomped his foot, jumping up into the air. It was too late for the zombie to stop. They collided with each other forcefully and toppled back.
Even though the zombie's claws came close to Zhang Mu's face, he was unfazed. He shook his wrist, whirling his sword in a circle.
Before the zombie could get back up and launc
h new attacks, their heads had been chopped down, harvested like wheat.
This was the reason why Zhang Mu chose the agility potion, but not the strength potion. To Zhang Mu, who was rich in experience, high speed was the sharpest knife in his hand.
Now, these zombies were just some sparkling crystals in Zhang Mu's eyes. His calm state had let him dig out of 80% of his potential. Even in the future, ordinary people could only release 50% of their potential, which was far inferior to him.
A zombie that had escaped from his blade lunged at him.
However, its luck has ended. Before the zombie did something, Zhang Mu had jumped on it and forced it to kiss the ground again.
Zhang Mu was too excited. He wasn't even going to use his sword and held the zombie's head in his hands, then twisted its neck. Crack! The zombie stopped struggling.
With this zombie's crystal, he had had nine crystals now.
However, Zhang Mu was still dissatisfied with this killing speed.
Should he use that "skill"? However, he wasn't sure if it was useful during the debugging period.
As Zhang Mu was hesitating, he suddenly felt danger. He systematically rolled forward on the ground, pushing the zombie backward as a shield.
Zhang Mu heard a creepy noise. He carefully turned around, then froze.
Was... it a first-ranked Obsidian Beetle?
It was a black beetle as tall as an adult human with a pair of small wings on its back. Its shell was engraved with complicated patterns. It opened its mouth wide, showing its hundreds of small, sharp teeth.
It was eating the zombie Zhang Mu pushed towards it.
The scene looked comical, but Zhang Mu didn't dare to laugh. In fact, he didn't dare to make any noise.
How could it be possible? It was a first-ranked Zerg! They should appear in the world in another six months, absolutely not now!
As Zhang Mu looked at the Obsidian Beetle in shock and disbelief. The zombie had almost been completely eaten, only a skeleton was left on the ground. This scene looked so creepy even in the daytime.
Zhang Mu had given up on getting the zombie's crystal. He liked crystals, but he was more appreciative of his life. A single Obsidian Beetle couldn't make him feel worried, but they were social beings! There must be more of them nearby!