novelblue
Chapter 281 - 281 280 Its Getting Harder
Chapter 281 - 281 280 Its Getting Harder
?Chapter 281: Chapter 280: It’s Getting Harder Chapter 281: Chapter 280: It’s Getting Harder The car didn’t return to the previous stronghold; instead, it went directly to the survivor base that was being established.
The headlights in the dark night attracted zombies, and they encountered numerous zombie attacks on the road.
If they could push through, they did; if not, Liao You had no choice but to lead his people down to fight.
Luo Ning still didn’t get out of the car but this time received a sniper rifle and shot from the vehicle.
As they approached the base and encountered the last wave of zombies, suddenly a soldier screamed and was flung into the air.
Everyone immediately shone their flashlights towards him.
The sight made everyone gasp – a large roadside tree had grown to more than ten times its original size, and its trunk had sprouted a face similar to a human’s.
The soldier was trapped by the extended tree limb, which was moving him towards its mouth.
“My God, what the hell is that thing?” everyone exclaimed.
Then they raised their guns and shot at the limb, but it was futile; they couldn’t stop the tree’s movements.
Luo Ning immediately aimed her rifle at the tree’s face, at the spot between its eyes, and then fired.
After the gunshot, the bullet flew into the center of the tree’s forehead.
The soldier, who had almost been thrown into the tree’s mouth, thought he was surely going to die.
Just as he reached the mouth of the beast, he stopped.
Then the limb suddenly broke, and he fell along with it.
Fortunately, the ground was only two to three meters below, and he quickly used his regular training to protect his vital parts as he fell to the ground.
This scene caused everyone present to break out in a cold sweat.
“What’s wrong with this tree?” someone asked, swallowing hard.
Luo Ning drove towards the tree.
Liao You cautioned, “Be careful, we don’t know if it’s still alive.”
Luo Ning waved her hand, “It’s okay, it’s already dead.”
She continued forward, approaching the tree, took out disposable gloves to wear, snapped off a piece of bark to smell, and then looked at the rotting roots.
She said, “This tree has also been infected with the virus and is mutating. Once it’s fully mutated, it will become a Zombie Tree.”
The clues in the laboratory matched up, confirming that the person who created the apocalypse had spread the virus not only to humans but had not spared animals and plants either.
“What? Even trees are mutating now?” Liao You said, shocked.
Luo Ning turned to him and said, “It’s not just trees that are mutating, if nothing goes wrong, animals and plants should be infected and beginning to mutate as well.”
She added, “The environment for human survival is becoming more harsh and dangerous.”
They were actual people who had entered, and coupled with the organizer’s nature, this apocalyptic backdrop would likely not allow anyone to develop superpowers.
But whether it be zombies or mutating animals and plants, they were all growing stronger. A lot could change in a month’s time, and the challenges they would face were getting more difficult.
No wonder the competition kept stressing that this time it was Hell Level.
Liao You’s face changed, “This is troublesome.”
Zombies alone were so difficult to clear, and now that animals and plants had mutated and stood opposed to humankind, how were they to survive?
He sighed heavily, “I will report this to the higher-ups immediately.”
Luo Ning nodded, “It definitely needs to be reported and then prepare accordingly.”
Seeing Liao You’s worried face and his frown, she offered some consolation.
“In the Primitive Era, humans were so insignificant, but they ultimately survived and thrived more and more.”
“This hardship is nothing. Take it easy.”
She had survived in the Little World during the apocalypse—it was tough for humans at first.
But humans were the most adaptable beings on the planet, so they eventually overcame the apocalypse and ushered in a new era.
Hearing her words, Liao You found them reasonable; if humanity had survived the age of flint and tinder, then with all the advanced weapons available now, it seemed there truly was nothing to fear.
He clenched his fist and said, “You’re right, we will certainly get through these hard times.”
They got back into the vehicle and continued toward the survivor base, but after the experience they’d just had, no one really felt like chatting and laughing.
The mood was subdued, even amongst Yue Xiao and the others; they could feel the missions becoming increasingly difficult and wondered if they would survive to the end.
Upon arriving at the base, Liao You first arranged accommodation for Luo Ning and her group, then went to report the situation to the higher-ups.
The next morning, Liao You visited their quarters, bringing breakfast with him.
The military had dispatched numerous teams to collect resources as the apocalypse struck, so there was still an ample supply of food.
The breakfast was simple: two pieces of bread and a box of milk.
But such a breakfast was already a luxury for post-apocalyptic survivors.
“Yesterday you all provided significant help. I have already reported to the higher-ups at the base, and they will reward you.”
Liao You sat down and asked, “Is there anything in particular that you want?”
“Now we can offer supplies, currency points for the base, permanent residence, and work at the base; you can choose what you would like.”
He further explained, “The currency points of the base will be used in the same way as money, with each person given a named stored-value card. All living expenses and transactions will be conducted with currency points.”
Money had become worthless paper in the apocalypse, so the base had created currency points to replace traditional money.
Luo Ning thought for a moment and asked, “Can we select multiple rewards?”
Liao You replied, “You can choose three, the others two.”
After all, Luo Ning had contributed significantly more than the others the day before.
Luo Ning made her selection, “I will take a permanent residence, supplies, and currency points.”
Work at the base was useless to them.
“But could I ask for another favor?” she added.
Liao You inquired, “What is it? Let’s hear it.”
As long as it was not too difficult or within his capabilities, he would consider fulfilling it.
Without Luo Ning the day before, they would not have been able to rescue the scientists from the lab.
Luo Ning smiled and said, “We know some people who got scattered around, so I was hoping to use your broadcast system to release a message, is that possible?”
Liao You chuckled, “I thought it was something big, this is simple.”
“Write down the message for me, and I’ll take it over later on, making sure it’s played on the airwaves for the next few days.”
Luo Ning took out paper and pen, wrote a message, then handed it to him, “Thanks a lot.”
The message wasn’t very explicit, roughly saying they had two leads in their possession. Those interested could come to the survivor base to find them.
However, the clues were deliberately vague; she only mentioned the ‘first place’ and the ‘second place’ on the note, in place of Central Square and the lab’s clue locations, believing that any team with a bit of sense would understand.
Liao You took the paper, saw no issues, and put it in his bag, “No need to be polite.”
While drinking milk, Luo Ning asked, “Any tasks for today?”
Liao You laughed, “You really can’t sit still.”
Luo Ning shrugged, “Times are tense and dangerous; sitting idle actually makes us uneasy.”
Liao You could understand, “The higher-ups might employ you for a mission, there will be news by the afternoon, and I’ll notify you then.”
“Okay,” Luo Ning nodded.