A singular point of focus kept sharpening in Chen Liu’s mind. It’s not slowing—it’s me, he realized. He had found clarity. His mental power spiked, awakening a battle instinct that made the six-star zombie’s attacks seem sluggish. His body moved on pure reflex, dodging claws with lightning precision. Can’t let this fade, he thought as he searched for an opening.

He didn’t know how long this state would hold or if his team could survive. End it now! As the zombie’s claw missed, its balance faltered. Chen Liu seized the moment, slamming his shield into its shoulder with a bang, caving muscle and pitching it forward. His axe arced, slicing its skull in two. Got it! Relief flickering in his eyes. The zombie’s red eyes flashed disbelief before it collapsed.

Pain throbbed in his head, after using up so much mental energy. His face paled with dizziness. Fang’s scream cut through—his shoulder torn by a zombie’s bite. No time.  Chen Liu had to stay active. At that moment, Gao Bin’s side erupted in chaos. The two reserves, frozen by fear, faced a five-star. One’s throat was slashed, blood spraying. He was gone.

Gao Bin screamed, “Help me!” his face white with terror. He had pissed his pants. Useless, Chen Liu thought, cursing inwardly. He charged, cleaving the five-star’s skull while it fed, saving Gao Bin. Pivoting, he joined Fang. With the six-star down, the remaining zombies were manageable. We’ve got this. The confidence was back. 

Li Dong’s team was also struggling. He was fighting valiantly,  but he lacked Chen Liu’s perception. His four teammates faced two five-stars which were tough for regulars. A scream rang out. Another one had been hit. Damn it, Chen Liu watched him. The fighter stayed calm, killing the zombie with a steel rod, but his neck bled heavily until his face greyed. It’s Fate’s call now, Chen Liu thought.

The battle was brutal. Gao Bin’s team was wiped out, save himself. Chen Liu’s team lost Lin Jianchi; Fang was wounded, and the others were battered. Li Dong lost one man. Over a third of them were gone. Silence fell, dread choking the air. Zhang Chong’s face sagged with despair—six-stars were beyond him. No chance at all, he felt helpless. Liu Wei cursed, “F*** this world!!!” his usual scheming mask was gone.

“Rest. Then we clear the fifth floor,” Chen Liu said, his voice firm. No one argued because they needed some encouragement, some hope. His instant kill of the six-star had cemented his authority. His shoulders were burdened with the weight of their survival.

Back at the cafeteria, dread clung to the survivors. No laughter filled dinner. The reality check had been too hard. The apocalypse respected no human being. The evolving horde crushed hopes of safe zones. Everyday was to be a fight of survival.

At night, Chen Liu absorbed two six-star and stockpiled white crystals, breaking through to six-star Awakened. Blood-bought power, he thought, his face weary but triumphant. Li Dong had given him the second six-star crystal, a gesture of gratitude and fairness. He’s got principles. Chen Liu had respect for him. Seven-star required 4,096 strands—28 six-star crystals. Impossible for now, he admitted. His battle instinct, limited to under a minute, was a last-resort trump card.

Fang woke, his shoulder healing. Regeneration’s unreal, Chen Liu thought with awe. “Brother Chen, want to hear my story?” Fang asked, his face soft in the candlelight, stirred by the day’s fight. “Sure,” Chen Liu said, a gentle smile breaking through. He needs this, he thought, his eyes warm. Sharing pain was survival too.

thINKer: A pyrrhic victory this time…did anyone cry?