During this period, they had also directly faced many zombies. If not for relying on firearms, it would be very difficult to fight against zombies. Now, hearing Professor Ha reveal what happened, how could they not be horrified?
Of course.
They wouldn't doubt the authenticity of the matter.
How could Professor Ha's words be doubted?
Quy Thu Nguyet, suppressing the shock in her heart, said, "Grandpa Ha, does such a person really exist?"
Professor Ha said, "Seen with my own eyes. I know what you want to ask. You definitely have already experimented with evolved-form zombie crystals, thinking it could allow humans to possess the strength to fight zombies. But that kind of experiment, you definitely failed. Even the people participating in the experiment found it hard to escape unscathed."
Everyone was silent. It was indeed so. Originally thought there could be new progress, but the failed result made them understand, things weren't as simple as thought.
Professor Ha said, "Crystal experiments no longer need to continue. The human body cannot be compatible with crystals. And why that young man possesses such ability is temporarily an unknown. However, I already understand how to utilize crystal energy."
What?
Professor Ha actually knows how to utilize crystal energy?
Impossible.
Their equipment was sufficient, manpower ample, all also experts. Researched until now, still haven't figured it out. Conversely, Professor Ha had been outside avoiding zombies all along, yet could know crystal application. This...
Honestly, they greatly admired, respected Professor Ha.
But this kind of situation was a huge blow to them, very easily making people feel they themselves were useless.
Before, Professor Ha didn't know.
But he chatted with people from Duong Quang Apartments, learned some situations from some conversations, added some conjectures, then could confirm some things.
"Grandpa Ha, how exactly is it utilized?" Quy Thu Nguyet urgently pressed.
Professor Ha looked at the people in the image, expectant, slowly said:
"External object."
As Professor Ha spoke these two words.
Everyone was silent.
Suddenly.
Desert Base's Quy Thu Nguyet seemed to think of something, "Quick! Bring me the drill bit that broke the crystal!"
Then she said to the screen, "Grandpa Ha, some time ago we broke a crystal, wanted to see the substance contained within. But during monitoring, only for that instant was there energy fluctuation, then it vanished without a trace. If an external object can absorb crystal energy, then that crystal-breaking drill bit absolutely must have undergone changes."
Professor Ha thought of Lam Pham carrying a sword; it gave him a truly wondrous feeling. Any ordinary cold weapon wouldn't give him such a feeling.
Soon.
Everyone, through the screen, looked at the drill bit in Quy Thu Nguyet's hand. Seemingly ordinary, but as if with some kind of introverted, refined light.
"This looks somewhat different."
"It is somewhat different, but what exactly is its special characteristic?"
People in the video discussed.
Professor Ha said, "Should be as I guessed. Wanting to defeat zombies, then can only borrow the zombies' power."
Quy Thu Nguyet asked, "Grandpa Ha, then is there no other way? For example, cracking the zombie virus, thereby using medicine to eliminate zombies."
"Very difficult."
Professor Ha didn't say it was absolutely impossible, only could say very difficult, considered as letting them hold onto hope. Based on his observation, if all were ordinary zombies, perhaps really could be researched out. But when evolved-form zombies appeared, even some zombies capable of maintaining rationality, then not so simple. Any change could increase the complexity of the matter by tens of thousands of times.
Quy Thu Nguyet said firmly, "No matter how difficult, still want to try."
Professor Ha said, "Good. Both paths can be experimented on together."
"Grandpa Ha, will you be busy later?"
"Is something the matter?"
"I want to ask you again about that young man's situation." Quy Thu Nguyet was very interested in Lam Pham. Abilities surpassing ordinary people weren't accidental, very likely hiding an extremely big secret.
Professor Ha said, "Okay."
...
...
The next day.
Street.
The zombie horde before him wandered as usual. They were disaster-bringers within Hoang city, harming many survivors, destroying the beautiful Hoang city until people couldn't see any hope.
Lam Pham walked forward step by step.
Drew his sword.
"Hey! Hello!"
A friendly greeting. If zombies were unfriendly, then that was their mistake. Conversely, he behaved very well.
"Ugh ugh..."
Zombies roared, moving their pale eyes, savage and terrifying, rushing towards Lam Pham. The overwhelming zombie horde was extremely threatening, just like a street gutter demon king in Hoang city, unscrupulously harming others.
"Come on, you group of unfriendly fellows."
Many streets to clean.
Haven't gone to the city center until now.
Zombies there absolutely even more numerous. Cleaning requires advancing step by step, from outside in, thoroughly cleaning up, finally reaching the center, telling this group of hateful zombies: You have been surrounded by me, Lam Pham! The beautiful Hoang city is not for you to destroy!
Pfft!
Pfft!
Sound of shattering.
Sound of cleaving.
Proving an ordinary citizen of Hoang city was striving for Hoang city's future.
Perhaps meager strength hard to quickly see results.
But as long as one persists, surely can have a future.
From entrance chopped to exit, this road returned to quiet. And that figure, swinging the sword in his hand, handsomely sheathed it, gradually walked away, until far.
At this time.
Bang!
A figure descended from the second floor of a shop.
Looking closely, it was actually a child zombie, nine or ten years old.
This little zombie roared at Lam Pham, expression looking extremely savage, baring fangs and brandishing claws, as if wanting to tear Lam Pham to pieces.
Just as Lam Pham prepared one sword swing to chop.
A sound came.
"Tung Tung, don't be like that." (Tùng Tùng -> Tung Tung)
Lam Pham looked up, found a woman with a tired expression at the second-floor window. The Tung Tung she spoke of was likely this little zombie before him.
What was astonishing was...
As the woman spoke, the little zombie that was just savagely roaring at him actually shrank back, but still like a predator that had entered hunting mode, vigilantly staring at Lam Pham.
"Encountered another special type zombie."
Lam Pham muttered to himself.
Recently, seen many special type zombies. First Officer Hoang, then those in the Fire Bureau, now again this one before him. Just that this little zombie's situation, unlike the previous ones, but still possessed very strong aggressiveness.
"Ugh ugh!"
Ahead, two zombies wandered over. Seeing Lam Pham, seeing the woman at the window, these two zombies' ferocity instantly erupted, rushing towards this side like mad dogs.
Lam Pham thought of drawing his sword to kill the attacking zombies.
But didn't expect.
This little zombie similarly raged, rushing towards the attacking zombies. Clearly not as strong as those attacking zombies, yet grabbed the opponent's waist, one bite swaying, both hands tearing, was flung aside by that zombie, then rushed from behind, climbed onto the zombie's back, swayed the zombie's neck, both hands even more so tearing randomly at the zombie's body.
The zombie on the other side charged towards Lam Pham, was slain by Lam Pham with one sword strike.
He continued watching the scene before him.
"Is this the same as Officer Hoang?" Lam Pham thought.
Little zombie was again flung away by that zombie, but little zombie still rushed forward, grabbing the opponent's thigh, biting and tearing. Gradually, didn't expect this little zombie actually killed this zombie.
This little zombie, entire body covered in sticky fluid, continued to vigilantly watch Lam Pham.
Lam Pham looked up, "Hello, this is..."
He didn't know how to inquire.
The woman, bitter, upset, said, "This is my son, Tung Tung. Outside is a bit dangerous. Come up. Rest assured, Tung Tung is very obedient; he won't hurt you."
"Okay," Lam Pham said.
The shop's small door opened. Lam Pham walked inside. Tung Tung growled lowly, following behind, pale eyes staring intently at Lam Pham, still vigilant, still watching attentively.
The shop was a small supermarket, displaying various snacks.
Went up to the second floor.
This was the residence. Many award certificates pasted on the wall, also some group photos. In the photo was a family of three. In the photo, Tung Tung snuggled in the woman's embrace, a very delicate child, slightly chubby. Many photos on the wall.
But what made Lam Pham puzzled was... In the photo, Tung Tung smiled closely beside the woman, but when taking a photo alone with the man, always maintained a distance, face expressionless, as if extremely unwilling, extremely unhappy.
"Hello, my name is Lam Pham. Have you always lived here with your son?" Lam Pham asked.
The woman held a washbasin, took a wet towel, gently and tenderly wiped the sticky fluid from Tung Tung's face, not minding the dirt, not minding the stench.
"Yeah. My son and I have always lived here, since the apocalypse until now, always like this."
Lam Pham asked, "Then where is the child's father in the photo?"
The woman's hand trembled slightly, then said softly, "Bitten to death by Tung Tung."
For the woman, she couldn't forget the scene then. At that time, she was enduring domestic violence. Tung Tung cried out in fear, hugged his father's leg, crying, begging, Don't hit Mommy! Yet was flung into a corner by the man. Seeing the child hit, she desperately fought against the man.
But soon, she heard "ugh ugh" sounds, only saw Tung Tung pounce onto his father, crazily biting his neck, fresh blood splashing everywhere, directly biting the neck off.
She looked at Tung Tung's appearance, only felt the world spinning, didn't know what happened, why things perfectly fine suddenly turned like this.
Then heard commotion outside.
Tung Tung wanted to rush out from the second floor. She reacted, hugged Tung Tung. Tung Tung didn't bite her like he bit his father, but obediently stood in place, hugged by her.
She knew Tung Tung changed, but still was her Tung Tung.
Lam Pham glanced at Tung Tung, then said softly, "The child loves you very much. Even turned into a zombie, still stays by your side, protecting you."
The woman, having changed Tung Tung into new clothes, smiled, "Yeah! Tung Tung is really sensible, a good child. My health isn't good; the whole family relies on this small shop to live. His father loved gambling, drinking, idled around all day, never worked to subsidize the family. Tung Tung knew I worked hard. Every time after school, would bring back many drink bottles for me to sell. Speaking of, this child is really pitiful. Family runs a small snack shop, but he never ate, even if given, would put it back, saying these are all for earning money, want to save up to see a doctor for me."
Saying, saying, the woman's eye sockets reddened.
Hand touched Tung Tung's face.
Tung Tung tilted his head, rubbed against her hand, mood extremely calm.
"I am an extremely failed mother. Should be me taking care of the child, but always this child taking care of me. Gets up very early every day, makes breakfast himself, just wants me to sleep a bit longer. Even if bullied outside, never tells me, afraid I'll worry."
Lam Pham stepped forward, thought of gently patting the woman's shoulder. But just as he reached out, Tung Tung, immersed in his mother's caress, suddenly roared savagely at him, that appearance extremely fierce.
Lam Pham smiled embarrassedly, "Then these past few days, he's been protecting this place, fighting with outside zombies, right?"
"Yes. Every time zombies pass by here, Tung Tung will jump down from the second floor, desperately biting and tearing at the zombies," the woman gently stroked Tung Tung's head. "Don't just look at him being small, but truly like a little man, always protecting me. He's different from other zombies. He recognizes me, still remembers me."
Lam Pham said, "That's right. He still remembers you. The obsession to protect Mommy never wavered. Even turned into a zombie, still deeply integrated this obsession into his instinctive behavior."
Hearing Lam Pham speak, the woman lowered her head, tears dripping from her cheeks onto the ground.
Regarding this situation, Lam Pham thought of a video he saw before.
Mother and child ate something poisoned. Child saw Mommy faint, endured pain to go out calling for help. Walked, walked, fell and fainted. For over twenty seconds, then woke up, continued walking outside. When called passersby to help, he followed back, but halfway, truly couldn't hold on, fell and fainted.
Just like the current situation.
No matter what becomes, in heart always has the obsession to protect Mommy. When this kind of obsession becomes strong to a certain degree, no external factors can stop it.
He truly very much wanted to know, how exactly this kind of special-form zombie capable of having obsession formed? Why were those zombies encountered outside not like this?
Thinking of this.
Lam Pham clenched his fists, his heart truly detesting the apocalypse. He, all alone, found it hard to imagine how uncomfortable such circumstances were. For some reason, in hazy memory, seemed to also have such a scene.
"Are you willing to stay at Duong Quang Apartments? Survivors there, can live very well," Lam Pham said.
The woman smiled, "No. Thank you for your kindness. Surviving, for me, isn't that important. I just want to stay here well with my child, watch him, accompany him."
Lam Pham looked at the woman. Since the apocalypse arrived, he experienced many things, thoughts gradually changed. For some people, to survive, can resort to any means to harm others. But some people, they don't value their own lives, they just want to stay well with important people together.
Even not wanting to bring the slightest trouble to others.
Street.
Lam Pham looked up at the second floor of the shop; the woman and Tung Tung stood there.
"Go," Lam Pham waved.
The woman, face smiling.
Tung Tung, however, still vigilantly watched Lam Pham, those pale eyes like Eyes of Death.
As Lam Pham left, the woman coughed, palm full of blood. She calmly looked, shook her head, not wanting to think about those things.
Lam Pham, carrying a heavy heart, walked on the desolate street. He thought of things, thought of many, many things he would never have wanted before. The existence of family affection, he lacked.
Being alone had become a habit, but this habit wasn't unnecessary.
He envied, he yearned, he looked forward...
"Ugh ugh!"
Zombies appeared.
He didn't look, continued walking towards the distance. And this group of zombies clearly irrational, they didn't notice Lam Pham's mood was somewhat gloomy, not as lively as before, yet still actively rushed towards him.
"Ugh ugh" sounds grew closer and closer.
"Can you not bother me? I'm thinking about things," Lam Pham looked at the zombies following behind, getting closer and closer, and said.
Finally having time to think about things, always disturbed, truly not good.
Although said so.
But this group of zombies that only knew "Ugh ugh," got closer and closer, as if not understanding.
Ai!
Drew his sword, then swung it towards the zombies behind. One swing out, sheathed sword and walked away. As for the situation behind, he didn't want to see.
Pfft!
Pfft!
The dense zombies behind were torn apart by an invisible force.
Chao River Viewing Platform.
Lam Pham sat there, legs dangling, gently swaying. Eyes looked towards the distant lake surface, watching very intently, thoughts instantly drifted away.
Recalled things that happened since the apocalypse until now.
At the very beginning, he indifferently watched the changes before him. Apocalypse arrived. I, Lam Pham, just want the Hoang city of the past, diligently go to work, earn money, abide by rules of paying when shopping, crossing road wait for green light. Encounter criminals, I send them to police station.
Saw Sis Li and her daughter's encounter, heart sympathized. He helped Sis Li and daughter rent a room, arranged them in Duong Quang Apartments, because he himself knew over there was safe.
Met Old man Vuong, Grandpa Tu, Old man Chu, Grandma Liang.
He didn't want to see heroes who once contributed to the country harmed to death by people in the apocalypse. Because that wasn't their final resting place; they should have a better old age.
Being beside Old man Vuong, he often communicated with him. Old man Vuong could understand his thoughts. Even more so, he felt from Old man Vuong a righteous qi, a motivation full of hope for the future.
Gradually developing until now.
He thought of gathering hope-filled people together, thought of everyone jointly creating a beautiful Hoang city.
But also too many things, made his heart somewhat despair, somewhat helpless.
Both hands propped up, looked up at the sky.
Cool wind gently blew.
Sighed.
But just then.
Rumble!
Rumble!
Ground vibrated.
Looked again, a fat-bellied zombie appeared behind him.
This was a Self-destructing type zombie.
Just as he thought of saying something.
BOOM!
Self-destructing type zombie self-destructed.
The riverbank cracked.
Splash!
"Aiya!"
Lam Pham fell into the water, completely drenched.
Immediately after.
He heard savage roars coming from all directions.