Lu Minfeng and Sang Chu had previously studied many things about ability users, but when it came to space ability users, their understanding was still limited to storage use only. Because of this, they couldn’t provide any helpful advice.
Mu Xue could only sigh helplessly. “Since this is a side effect caused by the space ability, then I can only endure it.”
She let out a long breath and, despite the sensation of her ears feeling like they were about to explode, stood up with Sang Chu supporting her.
Lin Muxue: “Let’s go.”
Sang Chu: “Are you sure you can keep going?”
“Yes.”
Seeing her insist, Sang Chu supported her, and they continued forward.
The deeper they went into the residential area of the town, the more bizarre everything looked.
Inside the ruined and collapsed town, massive mutated trees had grown underneath abandoned high-rise buildings. Their twisted branches split through steel and concrete, merging with the buildings as if they were one terrifying structure.
Under the eternal blood-red moon, the eerie mutated plants looked even more horrifying.
They continued walking, yet they did not encounter a single zombie, which was abnormal.
Lu Minfeng said, “A place without zombies means someone with abilities must be clearing them regularly. It’s very possible someone has taken over this place as a base. Everyone, be careful.”
“Mm.”
Suddenly, voices echoed from somewhere ahead:
“Sang Jingwen, don’t be so shameless. You’re not an ability user, yet you still bring that old fossil to eat and drink for free. Giving you food is already generous—what more do you want?!”
“Sun Hou, the base leader clearly said that whether you are an ability user or not, anyone who kills zombies should get food in exchange for their heads. But look at what kind of food you distributed! Moldy and crawling with maggots! Why should you give me such things?!”
“Hah! The rules have changed! If you don’t have an ability, then you can only eat low-grade food. Supplies are getting scarcer, and acid rain lasts longer every time. Nothing alive remains out there. You want food like before? Keep dreaming!”
“That’s right! Sang Jingwen, take it or get lost! Next!”
“M-Me! Sun-ge, if he doesn’t want it, I do! Give me his share!”
“Fine, come here, take it all!”
“Sun Hou, you’ve gone too far!”
“So what if I have? If you have the guts, leave the base. Mutated plants are everywhere now. No one knows what other terrifying things will appear next. You’re an ordinary man with no ability, and you’re dragging around an old woman. You think you can even survive out there? Don’t act so arrogant!”
“Exactly! Sang Jingwen, arrogance will only get you killed by lightning one day!”
“That’s right! A useless ordinary man actually dares talk back to Sun-ge! What a joke!”
Sang Jingwen clenched his fists tightly, his pale face full of rage. “Sun Hou, will you give me what I earned or not?!”
Sun Hou was short, dark-skinned, and looked exactly like his name—just like a monkey.
Sang Jingwen gritted his teeth, gripped the dagger in his hand, and suddenly lunged.
Unexpectedly—
A vine lashed out from behind, curled tightly around his waist, and threw him hard to the ground.
Fan Jian held the vine in his hand, a cold smile on his lips. He forced countless tiny thorns to grow and pierce into Sang Jingwen’s body.
“Sang Jingwen, maybe before the apocalypse you were somebody. But now, without an ability, you’re just garbage.”
Sang Jingwen bit his lips so hard they bled, yet he refused to make a single sound. Fan Jian withdrew the vine with no interest left and kicked him away.
“Trash.”
Sun Hou held up a loaf of bread covered in maggots and walked over, smiling cruelly. He threw it onto Sang Jingwen.
“This is Lord Sun rewarding you. Take it home and enjoy it with that old hag of yours! Hahaha!”
He burst into wild laughter. The people behind him looked disgusted, but none dared to speak, afraid they might be the next victim.
Sang Jingwen’s waist and abdomen were stained with blood. He struggled to sit up, stared at the group of vile people, and ground his teeth before picking up the bread and turning away.
Without an ability, he was nothing.
He could go without food, but Grandma Lin could not.
His eyes turned bloodshot as he staggered toward the underground shelter.
He opened the passage door and walked home.
Room 109.
Cough, cough…
A faint cough came from inside. Sang Jingwen entered and Grandma Lin immediately rushed to him.
“A-Wen, you’re hurt! Come, let Grandma see!”
She hurried to find medicine for him, but everything had long expired.
“Grandma, I’m fine. I’m sorry… I couldn’t get food.”
Looking at the bread in his hand, Grandma Lin patted his hand gently. “It’s alright. I’m the one burdening you. If not for me, you wouldn’t still be here.”
He originally planned to go to the capital to find his younger sister Sang Chu, but he met Lin Muxue’s grandmother on the way. An elderly woman had no way to survive the apocalypse alone.
Sang Jingwen couldn’t take her with him—there were too many zombies, too much chaos, killing and robbing everywhere. Traveling with an elderly woman was nearly impossible.
Grandma Lin took the bread and opened the package with a calm expression.
“This bread and its worms are high in protein. I won’t be polite then.”
Sang Jingwen’s voice trembled. “Grandma, this…”
“As long as we can stay alive, it’s enough. I still want to wait for Xiaoxue to come home.”
“Grandma…”
The door suddenly opened.
Mu Xue stood at the entrance, tears welling in her eyes. She rushed forward and threw herself into Grandma Lin’s arms.
“Grandma!”
“X-Xiaoxue? Xiaoxue!”
“My precious girl, Grandma finally gets to see you again!”
Grandma Lin thought she was dreaming, but the warmth of her granddaughter’s embrace told her the child had really returned.
Sang Jingwen stared at the doorway in disbelief.
Sang Chu had gotten thinner, darker, and carried scars on her face. Seeing her like this broke his heart.
“Little sister.”
Sang Chu smiled as she walked to him. “Brother, I’m back.”
“Little sister!”
Sang Jingwen immediately pulled her into a tight embrace. Never in his dreams did he think Sang Chu would make it back from the capital alive.
Lu Minfeng closed the door quickly. They had followed Sang Jingwen all the way, and if he hadn’t forgotten to shut the entrance, they wouldn’t have gotten in so easily.
“Ah Chu, treat your brother first. We need to leave when we get the chance.”
They had seen Sang Jingwen on the road, but since ability users were watching him, they had to wait until they left before approaching.
Sang Chu nodded. “Yes. Brother, sit down first. I’ll get the healing pod ready.”
She guided him to sit. Sang Jingwen looked at Sang Chu’s injured face, guilt surging in his chest.
“Little sister… I’m sorry. I couldn’t go find you right away.”
(End of Chapter)