Fang Ruoming prepared meticulously for the hunt, decked out in borrowed gear, including a PC riot shield from Li Dong. The sanatorium’s arsenal, meant to impress, held PC riot batons, stab-proof vests, shields, helmets, steel forks, and cut-resistant gloves—locked away in the security room. Normally, guards wore standard uniforms, but during the apocalypse, Li Dong’s team grabbed only a few items. Most gear remained, surrounded by undead. Li Dong’s planning a full assault, Chen Liu figured. A successful raid would boost their strength significantly.

Fang’s armour was solid, but his weapon—a thick steel rod sawed from the building—was basic. Standard issue for the young guys, Chen Liu thought, noting Li Dong hadn’t offered him one, assuming his fire axe sufficed. Fair enough, he thought.

“Wait!” a voice shouted as they neared the gate. Zhang Chong, fully geared, jogged over. Fang shrank back, then stood firm behind Chen Liu, his face tense. “What is it?” Chen Liu asked, his tone even.

“Going hunting? Take me,” Zhang said, flexing briefly before dropping his arm under Chen Liu’s steady gaze. “You?” Chen Liu raised an eyebrow, surprised. What’s his angle? he thought, his face wary.

“I’m better than Scaredy-Cat. I’ll help,” Zhang said, grinning. Chen Liu’s eyes narrowed. “One good reason.” Zhang leaned in. “Outside?” The trio drew whispers at the gate. Chen Liu turned and walked out, impressed by Zhang’s tact. Not as dumb as he looks, he thought, a faint smirk crossing his face.

Away from the cafeteria, Zhang spoke. “Li Dong’s loot split is brutal. You’re strong, solo—a power combo.” Fang scoffed. “Spare the flattery.” Chen Liu smiled faintly. “Fine, you’re in.” He’s useful, whatever his game, he thought, his face calm but alert. Fang’s expression soured, but Zhang beamed.

The trio set off, soon facing two three-star zombies and trailing corpses. “I’ll take one. You two handle the other,” Chen Liu said, charging the left zombie. He cut through corpses with single axe blows, his face focused. The zombie rushed him, but Chen Liu knelt, sliced its leg, and crushed its skull before it could rise—fluid, practised moves honed in life-or-death fights. Like second nature now, he thought. He took the crystal.

Zhang and Fang struggled with the second zombie. Fang hid behind his shield, distracting it, while Zhang circled with a modified steel rod—taped for grip, sharpened at both ends. As deadly as Li Dong’s crowbar, Chen Liu noted with approval. He cleared the nearby corpses, irritated by their presence. At the same time, Zhang finally pierced the zombie’s skull, earning the crystal. They agreed that Fang would get the next shared kill. Smart enough to play fair. Chen Liu nodded slightly.

“Worth it!” Zhang grinned, holding the crystal. Hunting with Chen Liu beat Li Dong’s crowded teams, where crystals were scarce. Too many monks, not enough meat, Chen Liu thought, his expression wry. “Let’s go,” he urged, his face taut with urgency.

They handled pairs of zombies easily, but two four-star zombies and a three-star zombie tested them. Zhang, facing a four-star alone, nearly got bitten. Chen Liu, after felling the other four-star, saved him in time. Ordinary folks can’t handle four-stars, Chen Liu thought, his face tense. Fang’s shield held against three-stars but buckled under four-stars. With support, Chen Liu fought one zombie at a time, his efficiency soaring. Teamwork changes everything. He was in the mood for danger.

At noon, they rested in a villa, eating cold buns and water to save time. Chen Liu retreated to a bedroom, absorbing four four-star and three three-star crystals from the morning, surpassing his usual daily haul. Five-star Awakened now. He felt triumphant as his source energy hit 128 strands, matching Li Dong. Six-star required 512 strands—a daunting leap. Flame Queen makes it look easy, he thought, sighing with some envy. His physical boost made four-star zombies manageable, but six-star zombies felt distant.

Emerging, he was met by Zhang, who leaned in, voice low. “Brother Chen, let’s raid the security room this afternoon.” His face held a sly glint. He’s all in now, Chen Liu thought, his expression cautious. “It’s swarming with zombies. We’re not enough,” he said, frowning.

“There’s a back door,” Zhang whispered. “Sneak in, avoid the front-line zombies, grab the gear.” Chen Liu’s eyes narrowed. “Li Dong knows about it?” Zhang nodded, his face bitter. “The whole security team does. He’s using the gear as bait to make us charge the front, kill two five-star zombies, and take their crystals.”

Chen Liu’s face darkened. Cunning bastard. He had underestimated Li Dong’s scheming. “Alright,” he said, his expression hardening with resolve. We’ll beat him to it.