Just as the children were rejoicing over their candy, another group of windblown survivors entered the base through the main gate.
At the head of the group was a burly man with a majestic eagle perched on his shoulder.
The moment this crew appeared, the children froze. Fear washed over their faces as they hastily hid their sweets behind their backs and scrambled back to their parents.
As the group passed Scarface Mouse, the burly leader sneered, mocking him in a condescending tone.
"Well, if it isn't Scarface Mouse! What's with the dirt all over you? Just crawl out of the ground? Did you finish the mission Boss gave you? Where's Giant Bear? How come I don't see him? Don't tell me you ran back all by yourself while they were fighting!"
"Hahaha! Sounds just like him! When everyone else is fighting, this rat hides in his hole, only crawling out after the dust settles!"
"A burrowing ability... Of all the things to awaken, I can't believe you got that. What good is a trick like that? Hahaha!"
"You're no different from those useless civilians. No wonder you get along with them so well!"
"Total rat-man!"
...
The lackeys around the burly man chimed in, tossing out insults.
Scarface Mouse was used to this. Every time he ran into these guys, he had to endure their taunts.
Usually, if he was in a decent mood, he would just laugh it off. But today, he happened to be in a terrible mood.
Besides, he was leaving this base for good. Why keep swallowing his pride and playing the coward?
"Cut the bullshit!" Scarface Mouse snapped, glaring at them. "Boss is looking for you guys, so move your asses! Stop running your mouths here. Go check in with him and you'll find out what happened!"
They were all Tier 1 ability users. Just because his power was digging holes, he had to take their crap everywhere he went?
Who the hell did they think they were?!
A bunch of dead men walking. You won't be alive for long anyway!
Black Tiger is about to lead you straight into the jaws of a killing god. Just wait until you get slaughtered!
"Oh? You dare talk to me like that?" The burly man's eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint.
"Yeah, I'm talking to you like this! What are you gonna do about it, you dumb ass?" Scarface Mouse drew his short frame up straight, a vicious look flashing in his eyes.
"You fucking..." The burly man flared with rage, but one of his subordinates quickly grabbed his arm to restrain him.
"Forget it, Brother Falcon. This guy usually cowers like a beaten dog, but today he's actually snapping back at you. Something's off here. Let's go to Boss Black Tiger first and get the story."
The burly man paused, regaining his composure.
His lackey had a point.
Scarface Mouse was acting completely out of character today.
Normally, whenever they ran into him, they could push him around as much as they pleased, and he never dared to talk back.
Now he was suddenly standing his ground and hurling insults without backing down an inch. Something was definitely wrong.
Could he have pulled off some huge contribution, earning a special reward or promise from Boss Black Tiger?
If that was the case, poking the rat right now might not be wise.
"Hmph! You just wait!" Falcon spat bitterly. "Once I get the story from Boss Black Tiger, I'll come back and settle the score with you!"
With a cold snort, Falcon led his men toward Black Tiger's quarters.
Watching their retreating figures, Scarface Mouse sneered inwardly. A pack of short-lived fools! Enjoy your remaining hours! Lord Rat isn't playing along with you anymore. I'm getting out of here right now!
Returning to his quarters, Scarface Mouse immediately began packing his things.
He had originally dug a twenty-kilometer tunnel to reach this place. To leave, all he needed to do was jump back into the existing shaft-no extra digging required. His retreat would be far faster than his arrival.
In less than an hour, he would be back at the supermarket where Giant Bear was wiped out.
...
Meanwhile.
Liu Yang was making his way across the city.
He was heading toward another supermarket located about two kilometers from the university campus.
Wielding his legendary blade, he sliced through any zombies that crossed his path, taking out infected with effortless, single-slash executions.
In under ten minutes, he arrived outside the target supermarket.
However, right outside the entrance, he spotted two survivors-a man and a woman.
They were familiar faces from his university!
Although Liu Yang hadn't been particularly social back at school, he still recognized the prominent figures on campus.
Standing before him were the Student Council President, Chen Hao, and one of the university's four renowned school belles-the "Sports Goddess," Zhou Keke!
When the two saw Liu Yang sweeping through the street like a god of slaughter, clearing every zombie in his path, they crept out from their hiding spot in a nearby building. They intended to trail behind him and scavenge whatever food they could find.
Detecting their presence, Liu Yang turned back, his expression cold as ice.
"What do you two think you're doing? Don't follow me."
"Liu... Liu Yang?" Seeing his face clearly, Chen Hao beamed with delight.
Liu Yang had been a notable figure on campus, so as the Student Council President, Chen Hao naturally recognized him.
In fact, Chen Hao used to look down on Liu Yang and had even taken the lead in making trouble for him back in the day.
But this was the apocalypse. Who cared about past rivalries?
Seeing how terrifyingly strong Liu Yang was, Chen Hao realized that sticking close to a fellow alumnus was his best ticket to survival!
"What? Are you deaf?" Liu Yang warned sternly. "I said stop following me."
He had expended effort clearing out the infected, and these two wanted to step out and reap the rewards for free? Did they take him for an idiot?
"Liu Yang, it's me, Chen Hao! The Student Council President! Don't you remember us?" Chen Hao plastered on a flattering smile. "That weapon of yours is incredible-you're dropping zombies in a single swing! Tell you what: you protect Zhou Keke and me, and once I get back home, I'll pay you handsomely. How about one million credits?"
Liu Yang looked at him like he was staring at a total moron.
Trying to use money to buy protection in the middle of an apocalypse? Was this guy's brain completely rotten?
"Get lost," Liu Yang said coldly.
"Two million! How about two million?!" Chen Hao gritted his teeth, upping the offer.
"Are you stupid? What good is money when the world's ended? You can't even buy a slice of bread with it!" Liu Yang scoffed. "Still not moving? Fine, stay right there. I'll just take Zhou Keke back to base. As the Sports Goddess, all that running and conditioning ought to make her great for bearing children."
Liu Yang rubbed his chin, a playful glint appearing in his eyes.
Zhou Keke wasn't just one of the four school belles; she was an elite athletic student.
Beyond her striking facial features, she possessed a sleek, fit body with long, beautifully toned legs that radiated explosive power.
Her sun-kissed skin, paired with a slender waist framing tight, defined abs, gave her an intensely energetic and alluring charm.
Besides, women who exercised regularly were said to bear healthier offspring.
Not to mention, an athletic goddess would definitely have top-tier stamina. Where other girls might be left completely exhausted after two hours of intense activity with him, Zhou Keke could probably keep up effortlessly!
With her, expanding the family line would be an absolute breeze.
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