He looked towards the desolate, quiet buildings in the distance, wanting to match them with the once bustling Hoang city in his mind, yet always unable to fully reconcile them. It was all the fault of this damn apocalypse.
"All I can do is this much. You all work hard, live well." He murmured to the distant, quiet street, then turned and left.
A while after Lam Pham left.
Survivors appeared one after another. They emerged from this area, from various nooks and crannies.
Men and women.
Walking to the place where Lam Pham had just fought, the scene before them made their mouths agape in shock, a feeling of suffocating disbelief, minds blank.
A group of survivors stood on the desolate street, the thick smell of blood wafting to their nostrils.
The scene was extremely quiet.
No one spoke.
Thump!
A survivor knelt on the ground, eyes wide, murmuring to himself, "Who on earth is he? Why did he leave? We are all here, we need help, we really can't be without him."
Speaking, speaking, tears streamed down from the corners of his eyes.
Many survivors, pushed by the apocalyptic environment, their mental state truly bad. That feeling of despair, truly very painful.
"Yeah, but who exactly is he?"
"Don't know, know nothing at all. Only know he carries a sword on his back."
"Really, really want to know where he lives. I really want to follow him."
If it were when the apocalypse just happened, some people might still joke around, saying some chuunibyou words, waiting for rescue.
But as the apocalypse progressed until now.
All survivors' moods were very heavy. They knew the rescue they hoped for wasn't coming; everything could only rely on themselves.
At this time, a survivor who was shocked, yet quickly calmed down, looked at the surrounding survivors he had never met before, kindly reminded.
"Are you guys taking this chance to collect supplies? That mysterious strong person just now might have already eliminated all surrounding zombies. Now is an empty period; we have enough time to collect supplies."
"If we wait until zombies from other places wander here, it won't be so simple."
Hearing this.
The dazed survivors reacted.
"Gathered, already gathered long ago."
"Didn't expect our area still has so many survivors. Doesn't everyone have any thoughts of uniting?"
Unite?
Hearing this.
Survivor teams that had already formed all huddled together, retreating several steps. If not for this mysterious strong person appearing, bringing them time to collect supplies, then when supplies ran out, meeting each other wouldn't be mutual support, but mutual slaughter. After all, the quantity of supplies was right there.
Everyone wants to live; no one wants to die.
A survivor team formed by three able-bodied men spoke up, "Our team takes in girls. We have ample supplies there, also weapons. Safety needless to say, absolutely extremely safe."
Speaking was a burly man wearing BOY brand clothing.
They, since the apocalypse until now, originally had seven people. Later four died, leaving them, three relatively strong ones. The only thing lacking was women.
No one spoke.
No one answered.
Some survivor teams looked at each other, quietly retreated, not wanting to participate in this matter. Taking advantage of this time, collecting more supplies was most reliable. As for forming a team with strangers, that was impossible.
Haven't interacted before, even less know the opponent's character. Rashly forming a team is just seeking death.
In their view, the only thing worth celebrating.
Was that a particularly formidable strong person existed in Hoang city, capable of resisting a large number of zombies. Although temporarily unrelated to them, but they lived in Hoang city, the opponent also lived in Hoang city. This was already enough.
...
...
Street.
"The future full of hope is becoming more and more hopeful."
Lam Pham smiled. He was glad to have met Old man Vuong and the others. As friendly survivors in Duong Quang Apartments increased, he also felt life was truly full of hope. That kind of hope was beautiful, could make him smile even in his sleep.
Passing Tan Hoa Bookstore, thought of the reward promised to Phi Phi, he went in to select. Of course, couldn't just buy for Phi Phi alone; still had to buy a share for Dinh Dinh and Co Tu Thanh.
The orphanage children were still young. Even if going to school, also just kindergarten. Just need to recognize characters is fine; no need for test paper studies yet.
Smelling the fragrance of books, paid and left.
Duong Quang Apartments.
"Little Pham, encountered many zombies again?"
Old man Vuong noticed Lam Pham's clothes stained with blood; didn't even need to think to know what happened.
Lam Pham said, "Mm. Just sent several thugs to the police station. Met a Monitoring-type zombie when coming out. I followed it, didn't expect it to lead me to an underground parking garage. Encountered a special evolved zombie, had a big battle with the zombies there. Result still good, no problem."
"Tough work for you." Old man Vuong sighed with emotion. He knew Little Pham worked extremely hard. The only one who could fight zombies face-to-face was Little Pham. But when he returned to talk about these things, always spoke very lightly, as if talking about a very ordinary matter.
If it were any other person who liked to show off.
Definitely would have boasted well.
Lam Pham smiled, "Not hard work, all very normal things. Old Sir, I'll go back and shower first. The smell on my body is quite unpleasant."
"Okay."
Returned home, changed clothes, went into the shower room to wash. He had always lived alone before; washing clothes was all done by himself. Especially this kind of clothes stained with zombie blood needed hand washing. If put in the washing machine, very easy to dirty the machine.
Men shower very quickly. Shower gel on crotch, armpits, then shampoo on hair, rub behind ears a few times, stand under the showerhead, dozens of seconds and rinsed clean.
Resolved in three minutes.
Once men get going quickly, everything must be fast.
Changed into a clean security uniform.
Checked the time.
One o'clock.
Went out in the morning, didn't expect to return so late. Touched his stomach; hadn't had lunch yet. Casually fixed something to fill his stomach.
Went out.
When Lam Pham delivered the purchased items to Phi Phi and the others, he looked at the children revealing happy smiles, also felt his mood was extremely good. Everything done was worth it.
Downstairs.
"Tieu Hieu, get me a few pieces of bread," Lam Pham said.
To Tieu Hieu said, "Okay, Bro Lam."
Paid.
Carried the bread towards the vegetable garden side. Arriving there, a group of orphanage children chased Doggi and Thuy Hoa, playing. Co Hang and Vuong Khai were repairing the fence.
The fence was repaired very sturdily, frame high, also used steel materials to make hedgehog-like steel spikes, embedded on the fence. If any zombie wanted to climb over the fence to get in, would be pierced by these steel spikes.
Lam Pham gave the bread to those children, let them share and eat. Amidst the children's chorus of thanks, the smile on his face became even brighter. This was the scene he hoped most to see.
Children being able to live carefree.
Is his motivation to strive.
"Little Pham, why back so late today?" Co Hang put down the welding work in his hand, asked curiously. Previously, when Little Pham went out to work, usually returned very quickly.
Lam Pham recounted the events encountered before simply to Co Hang.
Co Hang heard, expression somewhat grave. Clearly shocked and uncomprehending about the appearance of new-type zombies. Hearing Lam Pham describe that situation, isn't this type of zombie like a Zerg broodmother?
Zombies he currently knew.
Strength-type zombie!
Crotch-Mouth Speed-type zombie!
Screaming-type zombie!
Self-destructing Impact-type zombie!
Now again appeared something like the Screaming-type zombie, yet stronger than that type: Spiritual-type zombie, moreover still an infant. With the appearance of this statement, he also felt things had become different.
"Little Pham, have you ever thought about how zombie evolution happens?" Co Hang always didn't understand what basis zombies relied on to live, and what conditions zombies needed to satisfy to evolve into special type zombies.
"Crystals," Lam Pham said.
"Crystals?"
"Yes, no mistake, just crystals. Zombie crystals are the energy source. As time develops, the energy within the crystals will, based on the special zombie's type, evolve into various kinds of zombies. Just like us humans, some people are smart, some not. And zombies are also like this; formidable ones will evolve into very formidable zombies."
"Who did you hear that from?" Co Hang was extremely dumbfounded, stunned by Little Pham's theory.
Lam Pham said, "Thought of what netizens said. Before, I used to browse apocalypse forums, read related theories, felt it made a lot of sense."
Co Hang: ...
"With my Bro Lam here, these zombies aren't scary at all! No matter how many come, all have to be chopped to death by my Bro Lam with a few sword slashes!" Vuong Khai's worship of Lam Pham reached a very high degree. Anyway, he now wasn't scared of zombies at all.
Lam Pham said, "Mm, you're right. Zombies indeed aren't scary. But the number of zombies is truly too large. I think Hoang city's number is already massive. Wanting to chop all zombies in Hoang city dead, truly don't know how long it will take, possibly a very long time."
Vuong Khai said admiringly, "Bro Lam, don't lack confidence in yourself! I will always believe in you! As long as we work hard, we can definitely eliminate all zombies in Hoang city! Use Bro Lam's Frostmourne to destroy them!"
Co Hang looked at Vuong Khai. Damn! He had discovered, now in Duong Quang Apartments, who was Little Pham's number one fan? Surely Vuong Khai. His whole temperament also changed. Before, when he heard about zombies or faced them, definitely wasn't like this.
Who knew, actually straightened up directly.
That fearless appearance, truly domineering, truly awesome.
Clang!
Lam Pham drew Frostmourne from his back. Under the sunlight's illumination, it glinted with silvery-white radiance. That silver light flashed so brightly Co Hang and Vuong Khai's eyes could barely open.
"So beautiful!" Vuong Khai spoke the truth, truly very handsome.
Co Hang said, "What material is this made of? Clearly just a realistic divine artifact replica, why does it give me a feeling of fear yet awe?"
Lam Pham smiled, "Ordinary material. Price very exorbitant. Weapon given to me by Sis Li. When I chop zombies, all rely on it."
Hand touched the blade, cool feeling very comfortable.
Co Hang stared at this Frostmourne. Runes imprinted on the sword body surface, glinting with radiance, as if containing some kind of energy. Although he didn't play DotA world, also knew what this sword was.
Frostmourne.
Fame very high.
Gave people a very demonic, extremely evil feeling. But Lam Pham holding this Frostmourne, gave him an indescribable feeling. Sword of light, justice?
"Bro Lam, can you let me hold it to play?" Vuong Khai was attracted, truly very beautiful. Why hadn't he discovered before? Thinking of this, even felt helpless about his own eyes. Truly blind! Such a handsome realistic divine artifact, yet never paid attention before.
Aiya! Truly blind!
Lam Pham smiled, "Okay, no problem. Play with it a bit."
Vuong Khai hurriedly ran before Lam Pham, rubbed his hands, eyes shining, continuously praising, So handsome! Reached out, grasped the sword hilt.
Lam Pham let go. Good things, he was very willing to share with friends, let friends also experience it.
But just then.
A startled cry.
Vuong Khai's waist suddenly bent downwards, as if Frostmourne in hand weighed a thousand jin. Lam Pham quickly reached out to grab Frostmourne, looked at Vuong Khai puzzledly.
Co Hang smiled, "Vuong Khai, what's wrong with you? Can't even hold a sword?"
"Not right! This sword is very heavy! When I grasped the hilt, also felt a mountain pressing down! If not for Bro Lam grabbing quickly, I... I feel this hand might be crippled!"
Vuong Khai was still scared. When he grasped the hilt, Bro Lam let go, and he also felt an extremely terrifying weight pressing down on him. That feeling was very wondrous, like instantly increasing.
"Very heavy?" Lam Pham was extremely puzzled by Vuong Khai's words. Casually swung Frostmourne, didn't feel any weight, just like before.
Vuong Khai said, "Bro Lam, really very heavy! What on earth is going on?"
Co Hang was somewhat disbelieving of heresies, "Let me try!"
Vuong Khai said, "Bro Lam, why not put the sword on the ground for him to pick up? I'm afraid later he'll be like me."
"Okay." Lam Pham placed Frostmourne on the ground.
Co Hang looked at Vuong Khai. Regarding Vuong Khai's performance just now, he felt somewhat unclear. Just a realistic divine artifact replica, couldn't possibly be that exaggerated.
"Watch carefully," Co Hang said.
Vuong Khai crossed his arms, "Bro Hang, you try. You were a soldier, strength stronger than mine. If you can't lift it, that means you and I are the same."
Co Hang rolled his eyes, very casually reached out, grasped the sword hilt. This kind of weight, casually just... Huh?
Grasping the hilt for a moment, thought about lifting it a bit, found actually couldn't lift it. This was extremely terrifying.
"Bro Hang, use strength! Use both hands!" Vuong Khai suppressed a laugh, just wanted to see what was wrong with Bro Hang.
Co Hang coughed, stood before the sword hilt, took a deep breath, grasped the hilt with both hands, bent his waist, stuck out his butt, Nngh! Both hands exerted force, wanting to lift Frostmourne. Only saw veins bulge on his forehead. In an instant, gritted his teeth, face flushed red, used all his strength. Saw the sword didn't move at all, still lay in place.
Lam Pham said, "Are you guys performing? Is it really that heavy? Very light. I can casually wave it until you can't see the shadow."
He was somewhat uncomprehending.
Still watched Co Hang exerting force.
Clack!
Foot slipped, directly sat on his butt on the ground, head full of sweat, panting.
"Heavy! Really very heavy!" Co Hang stared, as if seeing a ghost, then looked up, "Little Pham, this sword truly is the one Sis Li gave you? You sure haven't changed it?"
Lam Pham said, "Haven't changed it. Just that one from before."
Finished speaking.
He picked up Frostmourne, lightly, swung it a few times, extremely comfortable.
Vuong Khai patted Co Hang's shoulder, "Didn't lie to you, right? Really very heavy! I feel if this was placed on my body, absolutely could crush me to death!"
Co Hang absolutely didn't believe the sword would inexplicably change by itself, "Little Pham, you mentioned crystals before. Did you ever cut through one with the sword?"
He suspected it was because of the crystal.
"Cut through one. Just now cut through the Spiritual-type zombie's crystal," Lam Pham answered in detail.
Co Hang asked, "Then before?"
He now believed evolved zombies all had crystals.
Lam Pham said, "Didn't actively cut through before. But when chopping zombies, always one sword strike cleaving in two. Perhaps many were shattered by me, just that I myself didn't know."
Co Hang said, "Riddle solved! Zombie crystals truly are the energy source! Ordinary Frostmourne before, upon cutting crystals, absorbed the energy within, thereby becoming extraordinary! Just that I still have many doubts... Wait... Little Pham, wait for me a bit, I'll go get something."
Soon, when Co Hang returned, he held a weight scale.
"Little Pham, place it on here and see," Co Hang said.
When Frostmourne was placed on the weight scale, didn't have the situation he imagined of the scale being crushed. Instead, very normal, still showed the original supposed weight.
Co Hang looked at the weight, grasped the weight scale with both hands, wanting to lift it, but still motionless. And what was even more terrifying was, the weight scale's displayed weight still hadn't changed, still the normal weight.
"Little Pham, has it always been like this?" Co Hang asked.
Lam Pham shook his head, "No. Someone held it before."
He thought of that group of foreign hostile elements. Frostmourne was snatched back by them. When they picked it up, very light, not like them, unable to even lift.
Co Hang scratched his head, bewildered.
His perception had been fiercely impacted.
Swords can also evolve?
Can also recognize a master?
Evolution possible. Recognizing a master feels a bit mystical.
...
Outside.
The Steel Behemoth drove on the road.
Encountered a modified truck. For Han Suong and her group, a familiar vehicle.
The two vehicles stopped.
Chu Duong rolled down the car window, looked towards the Steel Behemoth group. Seeing their clean faces, spirits all very full, couldn't help but reveal a surprised expression.
"Everyone, your spirits are full. Lived very comfortably recently," Chu Duong said with a smile.
Han Suong said, "It's alright. Ah, weren't you four people? How come only three now?"
Hearing this.
Chu Duong cursed, "Damn it! Got tricked! After parting with you, we passed by a building, saw a hanging banner, so thought about going to see if there was any trade. Who knew the guys over there were all lunatics! Lunatics in the apocalypse! They eat people! My brother wasn't paying attention, got stabbed to death by a woman inside! We could only flee! Damn..."
Han Suong, hearing "banner," immediately thought of that building they also saw before, "Are you talking about that building in Quan Thanh?"
"That's right! Just that building! You've been there?" Chu Duong asked.
Han Suong said, "Seen it, but didn't dare go."
"Then you guys are lucky. If really went, might not necessarily leave alive. Ah right, tell you some intel. Yesterday we saw survivors with firearms heading towards Hoang city. Quite a number, driving military transport trucks, specially modified. If you encounter them, really must be careful, because they aren't soldiers."
Han Suong looked grave, "Thanks."
This was important intel.
Survivors with firearms, yet not necessarily good. That indeed is very dangerous. Must go back and tell the group; normally need to increase attention.
Chu Duong said, "Pay more attention. This group of toys truly lucky. If we had firearms, where would it be so difficult? Ai, all pitiful people in the apocalypse. Go, take care."
Han Suong watched their departing vehicle.
Didn't tell them about Duong Quang Apartments. Because she also didn't know Chu Duong and his group's exact situation, so didn't dare casually tell them, in case it brought trouble to Duong Quang Apartments.