A solitary figure moved through the sanatorium grounds alone. He seemed to draw zombies to himself like a magnet. It was Chen Liu. Wherever he went, hordes of the undead converged, their guttural moans and shuffling steps heralding their approach. They come to me. No need to hunt, he thought, his senses attuned to their presence. Far from intimidated, he faced them with unwavering resolve. Even when encircled by five or six zombies, he manoeuvred with fluid grace, his agility and refined movement techniques allowing him to weave through their ranks. His short axe danced in his hands, no longer a mere tool for chopping but a versatile weapon capable of hooking, intercepting, and sweeping. The axe is alive now, he realised, its techniques—unlocked by the Three Forms of the Axe Manual—unleashing a power that astonished him. No longer reacting defensively, Chen Liu became a storm on the battlefield, charging from all angles, dictating the flow of combat. Where no weakness existed in the enemy’s formation, he created one, with precise and unpredictable strikes. Six-Star zombies, once formidable,  seemed almost trivial in the face of his newfound mastery.

All afternoon, Chen Liu immersed himself in the thrill of perfecting his techniques. His combat instincts, bolstered by his enhanced physicality and regenerative abilities,  made him a force born for chaos. Yet, he knew that physical enhancements alone were not enough. An Awakened’s body might transform in an instant, but mastering its new limits—speed, reflexes, power—required deliberate effort. Most Awakened, bound by the body’s cautious instincts, utilised only seventy to eighty percent of their potential, leaving vast room for growth. Strength and speed are nothing without courage, Chen Liu thought, understanding that true combat power hinged on the resolve to act decisively. To master Cleave the Mountain, the first form of the Axe Manual, he needed to embody unyielding ferocity—standing firm, charging forward, and striking without hesitation, even at the risk of injury. It’s about resolve, about destroying the enemy no matter the cost, he reflected, pushing himself to shed his cautious nature. By deliberately stepping into danger, relying less on his instincts and more on raw will, he began to grasp the essence of unyielding strength.

The cost was steep. By sunset, Chen Liu bore thirteen deep wounds—gashes across his face, hands, shoulders, and legs, some reaching bone. His clothes were soaked with blood, and it created a trail behind him. Yet, the circle of zombie corpses at his feet has been proof of his triumph, with over a hundred Six-Star zombies felled by his hand alone. The most perilous moment came when six Six-Star zombies surrounded him, nearly costing him his left calf. Only his bloodline inheritance—the Three Forms of the Axe Manual etched directly into his mind— saved him. This is what it means to fight, he thought, exhilarated despite the pain. The blood, sweat, and intensity consumed him, leaving only the enemy and the next move. This is what a man is born for. In that moment, he shed his earlier, cautious self, embracing the heart of a warrior with a clarity that felt almost primal.

When Chen Liu returned to the cafeteria, bloodied from head to toe, his appearance sparked an uproar. “Captain really goes all out,” Zhang Chong said, his eyes gleaming with admiration. A female fighter seized the moment to ask, “What’s the Captain’s power, anyway? No one ever says.” Zhang Chong offered a wry smile. “None of us know, but it’s strong.” He’s a mystery, even to us, the recruit thought with awe. No one dared press Chen Liu, respecting his silence. Zhang Chong turned to the female fighters, his voice firm. “You saw the Captain—a Seven-Star Awakened, still fighting like his life depends on it. What’s your excuse?” He’s right. If he can push that hard, so can we, the women thought, inspired by Chen Liu’s example. Yu Na was the first to speak. “Team Leader, I want to increase my training intensity tomorrow.” Others chimed in, their resolve bolstered. Zhang Chong nodded, his expression neutral but his thoughts approving. They’re starting to get it, he thought, dismissing them with a curt “Good” before turning away.

Over dinner, Chen Liu met with Li Dong and Zhang Chong. “How did training go this afternoon? Any improvement?” Zhang Chong replied, “Better than it did in the morning. No screams this time, but one woman got scratched by a zombie.” Li Dong  added, “Someone from Team Two was injured too.” Chen Liu nodded in satisfaction. “Anyone quitting?” “Not yet,” Zhang Chong said. “Then keep pushing. Keep the pressure on. We don’t have time to waste,” Chen Liu instructed. The sanatorium’s too small for me now. His ambitions stretched toward Liao City, a hub welcoming Awakened with missions and rewards. With his Seven-Star strength, he could thrive there, but he needed a capable team first. Without strength, we’d be crushed, he reasoned, recalling the fate of unprepared survivor groups. The urgency of building a competent squad fuelled his resolve.

Five days passed swiftly. Two more Seven-Star zombies emerged within the sanatorium, but Chen Liu led his team to crush them before they could threaten the cafeteria. Through relentless combat drills, his fighting skills soared. His basic axe techniques were now finely honed, though Cleave the Mountain remained elusive. I’m getting closer. He encouraged himself. He had destroyed over a hundred Six-Star zombies alone. Of the eight female trainees, one dropped out due to a severe injury, and another was cut for failing to match the battle’s tempo. The remaining six showed marked progress, capable of handling ordinary zombies and performing tasks like perimeter sweeps or guarding the cafeteria. Yu Na emerged as a true reserve fighter, her growth earning Chen Liu’s respect. He was impressed by her tenacity. Yet, bad news loomed: after twenty days, the sanatorium’s supplies dwindled dangerously, with vegetables entirely depleted, thrusting the survivors into a genuine food crisis.

thINKer: Chen Liu has really matured into a true warrior. Remember how he was in the first chapter?

Yuyu: It's a kill or be killed situation. He has to mature whether he likes it or not.