The main entrance’s shattered glass sliding door was barricaded with office desks. Gao Bin’s squad stood guard, jabbing steel rods at any zombie that neared. “Easy, but no crystals,” Gao Bin muttered, his face sour with envy, eyeing Yu Dachao and Lin Jianchi on Chen Liu’s team. 

Disaster struck without warning. A six-star zombie, a whirlwind of raw power, smashed through the desks like paper. Gao Bin’s squad froze, faces paling with terror. One man’s neck snapped before he could react—dead. Gao Bin bolted upstairs. His eyes widened with panic and fear. The Fire exit is a death trap. The zombie paused to feed, giving him and two others a chance to escape. It’s too damn strong, Gao Bin thought as they fled. 

On the fourth floor, Chen Liu’s team fought hard. Zhang Chong, with Yu Dachao’s support, pierced a four-star’s skull, his grin fierce with triumph. One four-star remained—manageable. Yu and Lin relaxed slightly, their faces easing.

Then Gao Bin burst in. “Six-star downstairs!” he shouted. A zombie charged up, killing Gao Bin’s last teammate within a heartbeat. “Move your ass! Lure that five-star away!” Chen Liu barked at Gao Bin, who cowered behind them. I can’t fight two. Chen Liu started was strategising. Gao Bin snapped to, his face regaining color, and with the other survivor, distracted the wounded five-star.

The six-star, done feeding, rushed Chen Liu. Thud—it slammed his round shield, forcing him back, not without blood spraying from his mouth. It is a damn beast. His face twisted with strain. He dodged claw swipes, each screeching against his shield, his survival instincts creaming, one hit, and I’m done.

Li Dong’s squad handled two five-stars and a four-star, their faces grim but steady. Some smirked at Chen Liu’s struggle—until footsteps echoed from the fifth floor. Another five-star charged, followed by a second six-star. We’re dead, Chen Liu thought, his face paling. “Li Dong, up here!” he roared, but a claw raked his arm, flesh tearing, pain searing his expression.

Li Dong intercepted the new six-star. The others took the two five-stars. There was no room for grudges now. One mistake meant annihilation. Chen Liu focused solely on his six-star, dodging with every ounce of perception. A scream pierced the air. It was Lin Jianchi. Alone against a four-star, he clutched a slashed throat. The zombie pounced, draining him. No saving him, Chen Liu thought, his chest tightening with horror. Four of fifteen dead.

The four-star, a minor threat normally, could tip the scales. Fang Ruoming stepped up, face pale but set, aiming for two zombies alone. Fang’s gear and inexperience spelled doom. If he fell, they were done. He shut out everything, senses sharpening to a razor’s edge. Silver threads in his ability seed surged, seeking an opening. He needed just one shot. 

thINKer: “Four of fifteen dead.” It’s looking real sticky.