The middle-aged man kept using the principal’s phone to send messages. Many of the students hiding in the teaching buildings had chosen to rely on the principal.
As more and more people fell into the trap, their hopes shattered. Xi Zhou clenched his fist at his side, his expression turning grim.
“Staying here isn’t a long-term solution. We need to find a chance to escape as soon as possible.”
Since the four of them had come together, he also looked to Li Ge for her opinion as he spoke.
“I have no objections, but right now we don’t have the strength to confront them head-on. Do you have any ideas?”
“Do you remember the flame that suddenly appeared in my hand just now?”
“Could it be… you have superpowers?” Sun Hengrui exclaimed. “My god, that’s incredible!”
Xi Zhou didn’t dare jump to conclusions. He had tried to use that power again just now, but failed. He even wondered if it had just been an illusion.
“It’s not a superpower—it’s an ability. A fire-type ability,” Li Ge said seriously.
Before she could finish, Bai Sui cut in, “Xi Zhou, I believe you have extraordinary powers. You must learn to control them. Our future depends on you.”
She secretly made a cheering gesture, looking at him with complete trust, convinced he was special.
“If I really have the ability Li Ge mentioned, then I will definitely get us out of here.”
Time passed bit by bit. Xi Zhou remained focused on understanding the flame that had appeared in his palm. At the same time, all kinds of alarming news spread across the internet.
Zombies. Apocalypse.
People everywhere were talking about it. Horrifying scenes were transmitted through witnesses’ phones into countless homes. Phones rang nonstop as people fell into despair and helplessness.
At 2 PM, the long-silent authorities finally released a nationwide announcement. Even the most basic radio systems were activated to ensure everyone could hear.
“Everyone, it is with great regret that we inform you—after confirmation by experts worldwide, at 10 AM today, the world has officially entered the apocalypse era.”
The heavy voice echoed through the gymnasium. Even the middle-aged man couldn’t stop it. Stimulated by the noise, the zombies outside began to stir.
“Please believe that even in the apocalypse, we will not abandon anyone. Avoid being bitten or scratched by zombies at all costs. Those infected are highly likely to turn into zombies…”
The broadcast continued, but people’s hearts had already sunk to the bottom.
Experts tried to teach survival methods for the apocalypse. In the final two minutes, a steadier, more powerful voice came through:
“We have discovered that a small number of people have developed supernatural abilities, known as ‘abilities.’ Those with abilities have greatly enhanced physical strength and extraordinary power. Ability users will be the key to saving humanity.
Currently, there are five bases across the country. We will now announce their locations. Please head there as soon as possible. Rescue teams will also be dispatched to cities. Do not panic—protect yourselves and your families. We will not abandon any citizen.”
Fifteen full minutes passed. The air felt frozen.
Li Ge looked at the stunned young faces around her, but felt no emotional fluctuation. Compared to five years into the apocalypse, the first day was almost safe.
As the broadcast ended, so did all network signals. Calls couldn’t go through, messages couldn’t be sent. People who relied on their phones fell into even deeper panic. The students in the gymnasium turned pale.
The middle-aged man sneered, stood up, and scanned the room arrogantly.
“Did you hear that? It’s the apocalypse now. If you want to live, you all have to listen to me. Disobey, and this is your fate.”
He ordered the students to be grouped. Since the apocalypse had arrived, they needed to act first—securing food and medicine as soon as possible. When one girl refused out of fear, he slapped her hard without hesitation.
“Who dares scream again? Those zombies outside are stupid—just run fast and you’ll be fine. If you want to live, bring me food. If anyone comes back empty-handed, I’ll deal with you first!”
“Why should we listen to you? We have abilities—we won’t let you bully our classmates!”
Two students—a wood-type and a water-type ability user—stepped forward proudly. Their glowing powers gave them confidence. Standing on either side of the middle-aged man, they surrounded him, giving everyone else hope.
“Heh. That’s exactly why you have to obey.”
A flash of golden light appeared in the man’s hand—a knife materialized out of thin air. He was a metal-type ability user.
Li Ge glanced at them. The wood user only had a faint green glow, and the water user held a small puddle of water in his palm. The difference in strength was obvious.
The man sneered and stabbed the water-type user without hesitation. The wood-type user was easily restrained, and the blade came down mercilessly.
On the first day of the apocalypse, abilities mattered—but ruthlessness mattered more.
“If we don’t listen to him… we’ll all die…”
The two fresh corpses on the ground struck the crowd heavily. Their last bit of hope was extinguished.
Grouping continued.
Li Ge turned her head and noticed Xi Zhou staring at his palm, his expression complicated.
“You said I have a fire ability?”
Sensing her gaze, he lowered his hand and gave a faint smile—warm and clean, somehow comforting.
“Yes. A fire-type ability. One of the strongest offensive abilities. If you’re willing, I can teach you how to use it.”
She sighed inwardly. Someone as clean as him didn’t seem suited for the apocalypse. She couldn’t understand how he would eventually become the zombie king.
“If it’s really one of the strongest abilities, then I want to master it—to protect what matters most to me. Li Ge, thank you for helping me.”
Everyone had their secrets. Xi Zhou didn’t question why she knew so much. He showed goodwill while keeping a respectful distance, and Li Ge didn’t dislike that about him.
Forty people were divided into five groups. Each group was assigned to gather supplies from supermarkets, cafeterias, and the infirmary.
Li Ge and Xi Zhou were assigned to collect medicine, supervised by three of the middle-aged man’s subordinates.
There were twenty subordinates in total—remarkably, nine of them were ability users. After distributing weapons, they led their teams out.
The three leading their group were fully armed with axes and iron rods, while Li Ge’s group went out empty-handed. As soon as they reached the hall, someone hesitated, too afraid to move.
“Being scared won’t help. Just run faster,” Li Ge said casually as she blocked the way.
The girl clung to a pillar, refusing to let go. “Easy for you to say! How can I outrun those monsters? Are you trying to get me killed?”