Chen Liu stirred. Darkness gave way to a blurry light, then a sensation. Something heavy pinned him down. It was the corpse of the seven-star zombie, still with a dagger in its skull. I’m alive. His face was a blush of relief, disbelief, and gratefulness. Grunting, he shoved the corpse off, dizziness crashing over him. The blood loss had taken most of his strength. Neck’s scabbed, but one wrong move… he thought, his jaw clenching with caution. The fight upstairs—had they won? No, or I’d be with them, he realised, his chest tightening with dread. The zombie’s presence likely kept others at bay.

He wrapped his neck in bandages, grabbed his axe, and staggered to the second floor. Corpses of humans and zombies littered the path like red droppings. Before he could recover from the shock, Chen Liu heard sounds of struggle echoing from a room on the left. Inside, Fang Ruoming grappled a zombie, while its jaws snapped desperately. A five-star corpse lay nearby. Why’s he here? Chen Liu thought, his heart sinking.

“Fang!” he shouted, his voice hoarse. Fang didn’t respond, muttering, “Grandpa, Grandpa…” his face twisted with madness. No, Chen Liu thought, his eyes widening with horror. Is this Fang’s grandfather? He rushed forward, axe cleaving the zombie’s skull. Fang clutched the body, crying, “Grandpa!” His face was contorted with grief.

“Snap out of it!” Chen Liu roared, gripping Fang’s shoulders, his face fierce with urgency. “He’s a zombie—he’s gone!” Fang blinked, awareness flickering. “Captain… you’re alive?” he rasped, coughing, his face had the pale colour of death. Chen Liu’s stomach dropped—a gaping wound split Fang’s abdomen, entrails spilling. Regeneration’s not enough, he thought, his face heavy with despair.

“I’m dying,” Fang said, a faint smile breaking through, his eyes dim. “Dying by Grandpa’s hand… I’m okay with it.” Chen Liu’s chest ached—Fang was his first ally, his friend. Not him, he lamented. H refused to accept it. “No. You’re not dying,” he growled, yanking the zombie’s crystal and pressing it into Fang’s hand. “Absorb it! You can survive!”

“Useless,” Fang whispered. “Organs are gone. Shame… never made my mark with this power.” Chen Liu’s jaw tightened—regeneration was a rare gift with vast potential. Reborn from a drop of blood, he thought, his eyes darkening with regret. “I can carry your power,” he said, voice low. “Will you let me?”

Fang’s eyes sparked faintly. “How?” Chen Liu revealed his copying ability. “Amazing,” Fang said, his smile weak but warm. “Let my power live through you, Captain. Then I didn’t die for nothing.” Chen Liu nodded and requested, “Open your consciousness.”

Fang closed his eyes, face calm. Chen Liu shut the door, sat opposite, and placed a hand on Fang’s forehead, activating his copy ability. A strand of spiritual energy slipped into Fang’s mind, wrapping his power seed. No resistance—he trusts me, Chen Liu thought. The regeneration ability’s structure unravelled, copied into his own seed-like code.

His consciousness sea churned. The loss was permanent—meditation couldn’t recover it. Copying’s costly, he realised, his brow furrowing. His seed doubled, then split—one primary, one orbiting: regeneration. Warm energy surged, healing his wounds and boosting his physique. Physical-type power, he thought, his eyes widening with awe. The process took ten minutes.

He opened his eyes. Fang’s were closed, a serene smile frozen on his face. He was finally at peace, scared no more. 

Yuyu: Author! Come let's talk. I promise I won't hit this hammer on your head. GIVE ME BACK MY FANG ROUMING!!!! 😢😢😢😢😢😢

thINKer: Fang’s only crime was that he was too good for the world.