In the following days, Gu Chengyuan's unit methodically cleared the Yezhou University Second Shelter Zone.
Along the way, they occasionally encountered zombie dogs. As living standards improved, many people chose to keep dogs as companions.
However, once these gentle pet dogs transformed into zombies, their destructive power was astonishing.
Often, when encountering a zombie dog, it was the only transformed creature in the room, having devoured all the flesh inside, including its owner, leaving nothing behind.
With the blood licked clean, it was hard to determine if the owner had turned into a zombie before being eaten, escaping the virus only to fall victim to their beloved pet.
In terms of transformation, there was a clear distinction between humans and animals.
While zombies had greatly enhanced strength, endurance, pain tolerance, and vitality, their survival instincts were dulled, making them seem weaker.
Animals, on the other hand, experienced a qualitative leap in vitality and physical strength after transformation, losing their sense of pain.
Human zombies gave Gu Chengyuan the impression of being the lowest-level consumables in the apocalypse, akin to the slimes in a beginner village in a game, the wild dogs at the village entrance, or the countless minions in a canyon.
Thus, the soldiers preferred facing twenty zombies over a single zombie dog, as the latter was too fast, too strong, and too resilient.
It was like a pre-apocalypse troll; even if you beat it to a pulp, its mouth would still be hard, capable of biting.
As the number of personnel under his command increased, the daily count of zombies cleared also rose. For safety, Gu Chengyuan set each squad's daily mission to clear one apartment building, equivalent to 40 residential units.
Yesterday, he exchanged for another regular infantry squad. With the cooperation of four infantry squads, they could clear two buildings a day, bringing in about 1,100 credits.
However, this income was only for one day. By this afternoon, the Yezhou University Second Shelter Zone would be completely liberated from zombie occupation!
Gu Chengyuan lay in the Mengshi Assault Vehicle, enjoying the air conditioning, while the walkie-talkie occasionally relayed the cleaning progress from each squad, reported by the squad leaders. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
With the expansion of the military force, it was no longer suitable to micromanage each three-man combat team, so Gu Chengyuan returned command to the squad leaders.
This approach gave the squad leaders autonomy, allowing them to adapt better to situations and reduced Gu Chengyuan's workload.
Today's clearing went smoothly, with almost no resistance. In a good mood, Gu Chengyuan petted the large dog head beside him. Xiao Hei squinted its eyes in pleasure, nudging its head into Gu Chengyuan's palm.
Due to the combat role of the military dog Xiao Hei, Gu Chengyuan didn't send it with the team to clear zombies but kept it by his side for protection, or rather, for some dog-petting comfort.
With the internet down and no entertainment options, lying around without fighting zombies was quite dull.
Moreover, Gu Chengyuan had always loved dogs since childhood, but it seemed his family was cursed; every dog he raised died within a month.
With the mindset of loving them by not harming them, Gu Chengyuan decided to spare these dogs and never kept one again, though he often indulged in online dog-petting.
He even secretly followed the trend, posting nonsensical incantations like "Fat Baby, Fat Baby, Hajime, Hajime."
He often fantasized about graduating, getting a job, renting a cozy apartment, placing a lounge chair on the balcony, and raising a dog.
Every day after work, he would lie on the chair, the dog by his side, watching the distant scenery and sipping wine until slightly tipsy.
The appearance of Xiao Hei fulfilled one of his wishes, though he lay in an armored vehicle, and instead of a wine glass, he held a 5.8mm truth.
These idle thoughts didn't last long before a report interrupted them.
Hearing the commotion, he sat up immediately. A squad had arrived to replenish ammunition, turning the area around the two armored vehicles into a temporary supply point.
Nearby was a Lynk & Co 05 SUV with its rear seats removed, filled with food, mineral water, various sports drinks, Snickers, chocolate, beef jerky, and vacuum-packed ready-to-eat meats.
This was a support vehicle arranged by Cai Anxin, specifically to provide energy supplies for the combat personnel, equipped with four volunteer passengers.
Typically, after replenishing ammunition, the soldiers would come here to refill their water bottles, pack some food in their backpacks, and take a break. The vehicle was affectionately nicknamed the "Strong Army Battlewagon" by the soldiers! Find the original chapter at novelping(.)com.
By around five in the afternoon, the squads completed their tasks and returned to the armored command vehicle.
The first to arrive was Jia Sanniu and his 1st Squad. Despite having two fewer combat personnel inside the building due to three snipers and a grenadier, they were the elite squad with excellent military skills, having followed Gu Chengyuan from the start, and their combat prowess was undoubtedly the strongest.
After returning to the supply point, Jia Sanniu first reported to Gu Chengyuan, then led his squad to the Strong Army Battlewagon for a break.
The soldiers loved coming to the Strong Army Battlewagon after completing their missions, not just for the food and drinks, but also for the young ladies who volunteered to chat with them.
Their voices were pleasant, and their conversations entertaining, making the soldiers adore this place!
By nearly six in the evening, with the return of the last squad, the entire settlement area was completely liberated.
Watching the rescued survivors board the vehicles with expressions of relief, some in tears, thanking the soldiers maintaining order profusely.
An elderly lady even knelt and kowtowed, "Thank you, I remember you, you saved this old woman and my son and daughter-in-law's lives!"
Jia Sanniu, startled, quickly knelt down as well, "No, no, no, please get up!"
Seeing Jia Sanniu's flustered expression and the heartfelt gratitude of the survivors...
He suddenly realized that clearing zombies had gained a new meaning beyond mere development.
On the way back, Gu Chengyuan sat in the passenger seat of the Mengshi 3 Armored Assault Vehicle, gazing at the setting sun in the distance, his eyes slightly squinting.
Thinking about the complete clearance of the settlement area, he suddenly felt a sense of relaxation, and the voice of Squidward echoed in his mind.
Mr. Krabs, I'm off work...