Long Cung Base.
"Professor, this is?"
Hung Ung looked at what resembled battle armor before him, yet was full of a futuristic, modern sensibility. He showed keen interest. This battle armor didn't completely cover the body but protected the crucial parts of the human body.
It seemed entirely designed to counter zombies.
"Powered exoskeleton equipment. After integrating crystal energy, regardless of defensive or shock-absorbing properties, both have reached an extremely high level," Professor Ha explained.
Other surrounding research staff all looked on excitedly; after all, this was their painstaking creation.
When deciding the direction, everyone discussed. Some thought should develop towards firearms. But very quickly, this was overturned. What we face are zombies; often what needs to be done is to clear zombies from certain areas. Firearms are indeed good, but the sound very easily attracts all surrounding zombies.
Moreover, with their base's current arsenal, hadn't reached the level of inexhaustible use. How many zombies outside, who knows? Could it be, wait until all used up, then rely on flesh and blood to fight zombies?
Finally, the decision was made: make powered exoskeleton equipment. After all, this thing already had achievements long ago. A little improvement, combined with crystal energy, definitely could be of great use.
At this time, people from Desert Base and Ngan Ha Base were all watching via video conference.
"Try it," Professor Ha said.
Hung Ung was somewhat agitated; didn't expect he would be the first to try.
With others' help dressing, Hung Ung wore the powered exoskeleton equipment, felt very comfortable, swayed his arms, lifted his legs, without any feeling of restriction.
Professor Ha said, "This has undergone special improvement. Zombies' main attack methods are biting and tearing, then collision. If executing missions outside, the most dangerous positions are the neck, arms, calves, abdomen, back, etc. Now these are all protected. Based on previous tests, defensive capability can be raised very high. Bullets can only leave a tiny mark. Shock absorption force can be reduced by 90%. Facing ordinary zombie collision, will have no problem whatsoever. Encountering evolved-form zombie collision, at most uncomfortable, but will not lose life."
"Begin running speed test," Professor Ha said.
Hung Ung walked towards the test area. When walking out, there was a mechanical sound. Anyone seeing it would feel this had a very futuristic sense.
Surrounding measuring equipment monitored.
As Hung Ung started running, data began to appear. The final data obtained was: speed increased by 20%.
Already tested twice. Once was Hung Ung's speed without wearing the powered exoskeleton. Now was the speed after wearing it; increased by 20%.
This kind of increase was very large.
"Professor Ha, is this the reason after crystal energy enhancement?" Hung Ung asked.
Professor Ha said, "No, this is the crystallization of human wisdom. Crystal energy did not increase your speed. Now testing zombie collision feeling. First is simulation of ordinary zombie collision at full running speed. Get ready."
"Yes!"
Hung Ung always held hope for humanity's future, therefore he very much hoped the test results would be satisfactory.
Simulation began.
A collision force undetectable by the naked eye erupted. Hung Ung's footsteps retreated one step, then didn't move a step more. If not wearing the powered exoskeleton, might really have been tackled to the ground by zombies.
Looking at the testing research staff group, hope shone in their eyes.
Damn! Really can succeed!
This lets them see hope of resisting zombies!
Professor Ha calmly said, "Next, simulate Strength-type zombie collision. Hung Ung, get ready. This collision might make you extremely uncomfortable. You must treat it as truly fighting a Strength-type zombie, feel it well. Will such a collision make you lose combat ability?"
"Yes!"
Hung Ung took a deep breath, made full preparations.
"Begin!"
As Professor Ha gave the order.
Hung Ung faced it with all his might, thinking must hold on. Suddenly, as a huge impact force erupted, Hung Ung's expression suddenly changed completely, uncontrollably tumbling backward several meters, head dizzy. Struggled to stand up, shook his head.
"Professor Ha, still okay! Can maintain consciousness! Have brief discomfort, but can endure!"
Hung Ung reported his own state.
"Grandpa Ha, this is a success?" Quy Thu Nguyet's voice came.
Professor Ha smiled, "Preliminary test successful. But still have the most crucial test. Hung Ung, take that straight saber over there."
Hung Ung looked at the straight saber placed there, found this saber's color extremely extraordinary, radiating silvery-white brilliance, exuding a sharp, cold aura.
When grasping it in hand, gave Hung Ung a special feeling.
Staff moved over a steel plate.
"Hung Ung, use the straight saber in your hand, full strength swing and chop," Professor Ha said.
Research staff from Desert Base and Ngan Ha Base all watched in surprise.
Full strength swing and chop, probably no other changes.
"Yes!"
Hung Ung obeyed the order, grasped the straight saber, let out a low roar, and chopped towards the steel plate. Not the imagined scene of sparks flying everywhere, but the straight saber was like chopping tofu; the steel plate was actually split open.
This made everyone watching the experiment gasp in shock.
Even Hung Ung himself didn't expect the straight saber in his hand to be so sharp.
Professor Ha said, "Wanting to kill zombies, must hit the zombie's head or cut the zombie in half at the waist. But even for trained soldiers, wanting to decapitate under circumstances unable to focus strength, difficulty very high. And chopping into a zombie's head, from skull to hand, difficulty even more unimaginable."
"But a straight saber that absorbed crystal energy can easily cleave."
As Professor Ha finished speaking.
The crowd rejoiced. When they researched, always no harvest. Since Professor Ha arrived, results came out. If not for Professor Ha mentioning the crystal energy absorption situation, who would know it was like this?
"Final stage experiment begins! Hung Ung, you will face a live zombie! You must use the saber in your hand to kill the zombie! Understand?" Professor Ha said.
"Understood!" Hung Ung was already prepared, without any fear, felt like he was a God of War, could easily slay zombies.
An iron cage slowly descended, containing a zombie inside.
Soldiers held guns, stood on the second floor, aimed, to prevent accidents, could kill the zombie immediately.
"Ugh ugh..."
The zombie confined in the cage growled lowly. Seeing humans ahead, emotions agitated, ferocity erupted, continuously ramming the iron cage, just wanting to rush out, tear the humans before it to pieces.
As the iron cage opened.
The zombie, baring its sticky mouth, rushed towards Hung Ung, speed very fast. This is when at a distance, zombies start running, colliding will form an impact. Very few people can withstand; absolutely will be knocked to the ground by the impact.
Hung Ung faced it calmly, grasped the straight saber, footsteps shifted to the side, dodged the zombie, swung the saber towards its waist, pfft! The zombie was cut in two.
Looking at the zombie's flatly severed waist.
Hung Ung stared wide-eyed, extremely shocked, "Professor Ha! Swinging and chopping felt no resistance whatsoever! Just like chopping tofu!"
As the experiment ended.
Professor Ha revealed a long-lost smile.
Some research staff had tears welling in their eyes, "Ha ha ha ha... Humanity's hope! We humans finally found hope to fight zombies!"
Since the apocalypse arrived, from beginning to end hadn't found any effective method. For them, this group of living research staff, truly very desperate.
Although all still alive, but unable to see the future world, who could endure?
Some research staff hugged each other.
Celebrating the great moment.
They believed under the assistance of firearms and single-soldier exoskeletons, absolutely could inflict fatal damage on zombies.
Professor Ha said to the video conference, "Desert Base, Ngan Ha Base, now you listen to me. This set of powered exoskeleton equipment absorbed two crystals. This straight saber absorbed one crystal, only then can have the current effect. This is the lowest standard. So wanting mass production, difficulty very high. Must kill evolved-form zombies."
People from the two major bases heard these words, all showed understanding. Evolved-form zombies, although terrifying, but under firearms, not impossible to kill.
However, among evolved-form zombies, one type best not touched is the Speed-type zombie. That kind of zombie's speed is truly too fast. Often, distance very far, in an instant can appear before one's eyes.
As for other evolved-form zombies, they temporarily hadn't encountered.
Quy Thu Nguyet asked, "Grandpa Ha, if there is a continuous supply of crystals, can it be continuously enhanced?"
Professor Ha said, "Theoretically possible. But specifics how, temporarily no surplus crystals to try."
Current situation is just fumbling in the dark.
Just like "crossing the river by feeling the stones," need to take it slowly. But current harvest already enough to make people excited.
...
...
Nighttime.
Prison.
Mieu Yen ate the food Ha Minh Hien brought: bread and milk. Hiding here, Mieu Yen very much wanted to see her younger brother, but she knew this was a very dangerous matter.
"My younger brother, is he okay recently?" Mieu Yen asked.
Ha Minh Hien said, "Mm, still okay, nothing wrong."
"Thank you."
"Said no need for thanks. Just consider it me repaying your kindness," Ha Minh Hien didn't want to always hear others say these three words "Thank you" to him. Not that he had any bad opinion of these three words, just didn't want to hear.
Made him seem like some good person.
He now just thought about getting guns. But the firearms key was with Tran Chi Dung. Given his current situation, without Tran Chi Dung's permission, fundamentally impossible to get there.
Mieu Yen looked at Ha Minh Hien; she found he had changed, seemed thinner.
Suddenly.
Banging sounds came from outside.
Ha Minh Hien's expression changed, stood up, "I'll go first. You be careful yourself."
Mieu Yen nodded.
Outside.
Left the abandoned warehouse, walked towards the distance. Under the lamplight, saw Mieu Dich being slapped by someone, one slap after another.
"Sis Tao! This little brat angered you?" Ha Minh Hien's expression changed instantly, fawningly approaching Tao Diem. His appearance made Tao Diem's mood slightly better. Everyone likes to be flattered, especially her, who originally liked being flattered.
Tao Diem said unhappily, "Little Ha! This kid doesn't know his place! Saw me yet didn't greet me! Even rolled his eyes! Taught him a lesson, yet he still resists! Later I'll tell Boss Dung, kill this little brat!"
Hearing this.
Ha Minh Hien's face unchanged, fiercely kicked Mieu Dich to the ground, "Damn it! So bold! Dares even to provoke Sis Tao! Do you know who Sis Tao is?"
Then, a fawning face.
"Sis Tao, no need to let Boss Dung know. This little matter, just leave it to me. Guarantee will make this kid obedient."
Tao Diem looked at him, "Mm, leave it to you also fine. Give him a good lesson for me. However, Little Ha, let me ask you something. Between you and Ton Kha, is there something... that way?"
"Hehe," Ha Minh Hien laughed, "Sis Tao, what you say, can't just casually say."
Tao Diem rolled her eyes, "Haha! You group of stinky men are really disgusting!"
"Yes, yes! Sis Tao is absolutely right!" Ha Minh Hien was obsequious, just like a slave bowing and scraping.
"Going to sleep now," Tao Diem "haha"-ed once, turned and left.
Ha Minh Hien watched Tao Diem's departing back, cursed angrily in his heart, Stinky bitch! Just you wait for Lao Tzu!
Then, he pulled Mieu Dich to a corner, whispered, "From now on, be a bit smarter for me, okay? Don't provoke this woman! Otherwise, you'll die!"
He truly didn't expect this woman Tao Diem was actually so liked by Tran Chi Dung. Truly f***ing capable. Made her like the queen of the prison.
Mieu Dich said aggrievedly, "But she talked about my sister!"
Ha Minh Hien said gravely, "Let alone talking about your sister, even if talking about your ancestors eighteen generations, you also have to endure for me! Understand?! If you're still like this, truly don't even think about meeting your sister!"
"I... I know, Bro Minh Hien," Mieu Dich, scared, nodded.
Ha Minh Hien's expression softened, "Follow me."
"Do what?"
"Beat you."
Mieu Dich: ...
Duong Quang Apartments.
Lam Pham leaned over the table writing in his notebook.
[Apocalypse Day Twenty-Nine. Cleaned three streets today. Didn't encounter evolved-form zombies. This is a good thing, indicates evolved-form zombies not so easily formed. For survivors, considered a kind of hope.]
[Cleaning zombies encountered an unexpected event. An An's matter made me very upset. Survivors in the apocalypse gradually darkening perhaps due to environmental coercion. Before, never met someone who, for their own life, used their own child as bait. But now I have. Truly terrifying, truly makes one disbelieve. If it were my child, I think hanging there would surely be me...]
Writing, writing.
Satellite phone rang.
"Miss Duong, hello."
"Bro Lam, good evening. Are you asleep yet?"
"Not yet, writing in diary."
"Di... Diary?"
"Yeah! Writing diaries is a very good thing, very interesting! Miss Duong, is something the matter?" Lam Pham felt Duong Giai Vu seemed strange about him writing diaries.
"No, just wanted to ask."
"Oh. How's your island recently?"
"Everything still good. Just that recently, floating zombies a bit numerous, but luckily no major obstacles."
Just chatted casually.
Lam Pham always kept his voice down. Manh Manh was sleeping. If woke the child, would have to coax to sleep again; this was a very troublesome matter.
Hung up the phone.
Lam Pham finished writing the diary, walked to the balcony looking at the distance, enjoyed the breeze, felt the quiet night's leisure. Life often is like this, but such life isn't what he wished to see.
Returned to the room.
Lay on the bed.
Points number not few, began to add points.
Interface.
[Name]: Lam Pham. [Strength]: 9200. (Superhuman) [Stamina]: 6800. (Superhuman) [Speed]: 6400. (Superhuman) [Points]: 4.
"Stronger again."
Felt his own changes. Strong is strong, not something worth being happy about. Just that strength increased. Later need to pay a bit more attention; casually throwing a punch definitely very terrifying.
A hundred oxen might not necessarily withstand.
Early morning.
Residential area's second meeting organized.
Recently Duong Quang Apartments added many survivors, so Old man Vuong, idle with nothing to do, again prepared to hold a meeting.
"Everyone come, come! It's been a long time since our first meeting. Little Pham said to let me give an opening speech for a few sentences. For this old man, a bit difficult. Everyone knows I'm old, brain not quite enough. Look at me, I'm now holding a water cup, very focused on health preservation..."
Old man Vuong, face smiling, babbled on.
Co Hang blinked, suddenly found Old man Vuong's topic seemed a bit problematic.
Of course.
Everyone very happily listened. Originally, just listening to everyone talk was a very happy thing.
Old man Vuong just wanted to tease this group of young lads, talk a bit more nonsense. Didn't expect them to listen so intently. Thought about it, still better to quickly summarize.
"Not much nonsense. From the first meeting until now, we've completed the following points.
Point one: Lake project very sharp, among the crowd's projects. Fish, shrimp, crabs all very abundant. Point two: Medicine, material accumulation, we have completed. Point three: Residential area safety can be enhanced, also received perfect improvement.
This old man hopes everyone can continue to work hard, make our Duong Quang Apartments better and better. My summary ends here. Thank you, everyone."
Old man Vuong said with a smile.
Clap clap!
Lam Pham clapped, clapped resoundingly, "Old man spoke very well! Everyone applaud!"
Following his lead.
Applause unceasing.
Old Chu watched with envy. Truly outstanding Old Vuong! Just like before when promoting member meetings, eloquent! Finished speaking, amidst applause, calmly unscrewed thermos cup, leisurely drank a mouthful of tea. Truly envious!
Just as Lam Pham prepared to speak.
Banging sounds came from outside the door.
Lam Pham stood up, "I'll be right back."
Everyone's expression calm. Vaguely, as if could hear Lam Pham's voice coming from outside, We are holding the second meeting, can you not disturb us?
Towards this situation.
They were accustomed.
All very normal techniques.
"It's okay. It was a zombie that went astray. I've already sent it away," Lam Pham said with a smile.
Everyone knew what "sent it away" meant. That is, will never see again kind of departure.
"Good! Then our second meeting officially begins! Accept the opinions of the masses! Everyone can actively speak! I will record the content, consider it our Duong Quang Apartments' recent development path," Lam Pham said.
He again served as host.
Took out notebook.
Took out pen.
Ready to record at any time.
Everyone somewhat silent, as if thinking about something.
Lam Pham smiled, "Dai Vu, you can say something."
Hearing Lam Pham.
Dai Vu stood up somewhat constrained, scratched his head. He truly didn't expect Duong Quang Apartments would actually hold a general meeting. "I... I have nothing to say. But I'm very happy to be able to live here with everyone. We two brothers absolutely regard Duong Quang Apartments as our own home, regard it as heavier than life itself. We know how to pick locks, climb. If encounter matters in this aspect, please don't be polite, feel free to find us."
"I'm done speaking."
Dai Vu smiled towards everyone, then quickly sat down, thighs trembling slightly. After all, first time speaking before so many people like this; nervousness was inevitable.
Lam Pham led the applause, "Dai Vu and Tieu Vu, two brothers, are extremely admirable. They, to take care of an unrelated grandpa, risked going out to find medicine, find food. Let's give some applause!"
Applause like thunder.
Dai Vu and Tieu Vu both lowered their heads, smiling shyly.
Old man Vuong added praise, "This is the brilliance of humanity in the apocalypse! If everyone strives towards these two outstanding and great young men, how can we not overcome the apocalypse?"
Dai Vu and Tieu Vu were stunned. This praise really embarrassing. We were thieves before! Existence everyone wanted to beat! Didn't expect Old man Vuong directly gave such high evaluation!
Brilliance of humanity?
Outstanding and great?
Aiya! So embarrassing!
Lam Pham said, "Old man Vuong is right!"
Everyone also nodded, giving Dai Vu two brothers the most sincere applause.
Lam Pham said, "Ha Vinh, you say something."
Ha Vinh stood up, "Me? I really don't know what to say. But I'm very honored to be able to join such a loving big family as Duong Quang Apartments. I am willing to work hard with everyone to create a beautiful future. Thank you."
Applause rang out.
Lam Pham said, "Ha Vinh joined our Duong Quang Apartments not long ago. He is a firefighter. I saw a certain factory on fire, went to take a look. When I got there, saw Ha Vinh, even though all alone, still drove a fire truck, wanting to extinguish the fire in the factory. Even in the apocalypse, still couldn't stop his greatness. Similarly, I am also very honored to be able to bring him to Duong Quang Apartments."
Everyone saw Ha Vinh, similarly felt respect.
Old man Vuong drank a mouthful of tea, nodded, "Mm, really good lad! Grandpa gives you a thumbs up! Your spirit is admirable! Reminds me of a former comrade-in-arms of mine. He knew he was in danger, yet still fearlessly rushed towards the enemy for righteousness!"
Ha Vinh said, "Old man, unworthy, unworthy."
Co Hang blinked, suddenly felt the opening of this second meeting seemed a bit strange, as if holding a praise meeting. This applause hadn't stopped; hands already red from clapping.
Felt if any survivor passed by outside.
Could be scared into running away with tucked tail.
"Bro Hang, do you have anything to say?" Lam Pham asked.
Co Hang said, "Little Pham, we can talk about the recent hopes and development within the residential area."
"Good! Then Bro Hang, you say something."
Co Hang: ...