Chapter 009 B+B+B=C


    【How to deal with the zombie outside the door: A. Capture alive, B. Kill it, C. Lure it away】


    “What’s this?”


    Zhang Su shook his head vigorously, but the words in his mind remained, and a new line appeared below them:


    【Please choose before the countdown ends. A random choice will be made if time runs out.】


    【00:01:29】


    “Got it...” Zhang Su suddenly calmed down.


    Since something as absurd and bizarre as a zombie outbreak had occurred, having a bit of extra help seemed reasonable. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on why these words had appeared in his mind—he needed to make a decision within the next ninety seconds!


    “Eliminate capturing alive first...”


    Zhang Su was momentarily speechless as he looked at option A. He’d seen it in some movies where zombies were captured and kept alive for special purposes, but that was definitely not something he should be considering now.


    “Lure it away, or kill it…”


    Zhang Su was torn. He had no doubts about how to kill a zombie—based on his experience with similar works, it was nothing more than shooting it in the head or severing the connection between its brain and body, essentially decapitating it.


    “Luring it away seems harder.”


    Given how little he knew about the outside world and his lack of proper equipment, it would be impossible to risk his life luring the zombie away.


    “Whether ghosts or monsters, kill them all! Yes, killing it is the safest option!”


    Zhang Su felt he hadn’t wasted much time, yet the countdown had less than thirty seconds remaining. He quickly answered in his mind, “B! I choose B—kill the zombie!”


    He thought the choice would end there and reveal a reward for completing the task, but unexpectedly, another line of text appeared:


    【Time limit for completing the challenge: A. One hour, B. One day, C. One week】


    【00:01:30】


    “Wait a second... a challenge? What happens if I can’t complete it?”


    Zhang Su anxiously asked in his mind, but after ten seconds, the words in his head remained unchanged.


    “Let’s just choose first…”


    Clenching his fists, Zhang Su decided, “B, one day!”


    One hour was too rushed, and one week was too drawn-out. Countless unforeseen changes could occur, and it was better to act sooner than later. A day seemed just right.


    After making his choice, he deliberately set a twenty-four-hour countdown on his Big Mud King watch. But when he started it, he realized the time wasn’t moving.


    “Time pause!?”


    This was some advanced tech—something often seen in certain Japanese films. It was truly impressive.


    Zhang Su marveled for a moment but quickly refocused. Even if time was paused, it would only last a few minutes, and he still needed to make a decision. There was no way he could use this brief period for anything else.


    Moreover, he didn’t even know how he had triggered the words in his mind in the first place.


    Before Zhang Su could ponder further, new words flashed in his head:


    【Participants for the challenge: A. Alone, B. With others, C. Delegate to others】


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    “Damn, this is pretty thorough...”


    Zhang Su couldn’t help but mutter. Since the option for participants was included, it would definitely have some impact, though what kind he couldn’t say.


    “Delegating to others is out of the question. Who could I even delegate to right now?”


    With that thought, Zhang Su glanced at Zheng Xinyu’s half-open door. An idea formed in his mind, and he silently chose, “B. With others!”


    Zhang Su reasoned that if the outside world had turned into something resembling Shengqin Garden, and with no immediate hope for rescue, he would inevitably have to fight zombies in the future. Zheng Xinyu would either become an asset or...


    Even if he didn’t have the heart to abandon her, she wouldn’t be able to keep up otherwise.


    【Challenge generated: Kill the zombie outside the door with others within one day. Difficulty: C. Countdown begins: 23:59:59.】


    “C…”


    Zhang Su muttered. When the second choice appeared, he had suspected it would be tied to difficulty. He hadn’t expected three Bs would result in a C, but he wasn’t overly concerned. Without other information, he could only decide based on his circumstances—recklessness was not an option!


    “Is it really that urgent?”


    Looking at the unyielding countdown in his mind, Zhang Su felt helpless. No instructions, no explanation, no dialogue—just the challenge.


    “Hey, are all survivors participating in challenges?”


    Zhang Su asked in his mind but received no response.


    “Is there a reward for completing the challenge?”


    “What happens if I fail?”


    “Hello? Say something! Hi, hello?”


    …


    After a series of futile questions, Zhang Su gave up on this foolish behavior and began focusing on the challenge instead.


    Setting aside his fear, Zhang Su believed he could handle the zombie outside the door, especially if he avoided getting bitten. Based on his observations, a bite would definitely cause infection. Scratches? That was still unknown.


    “Overcome the fear…”


    That was the key.


    Fixing his gaze on the door, Zhang Su took a deep breath and stood up, intending to check the peephole.


    At that moment, Zheng Xinyu stepped out of her room, her odd gaze fixed on Zhang Su as he dazedly approached the door. “What are you doing?” she asked curiously.


    Zhang Su paused, turning to see Zheng Xinyu, now dressed in her undergarments. He cautiously asked, “Nothing wrong, right?”


    Caught off guard by the strange question, Zheng Xinyu shook her head in confusion and spread her hands. “No, nothing at all.”


    “Oh, good then...” Zhang Su confirmed that Zheng Xinyu didn’t have the same subtitles in her mind. Otherwise, with her personality, she wouldn’t be so calm. He pointed to the door. “I’m going to observe the zombie!”


    With that, he leaned against the peephole.


    “Why… why are you observing the zombie?” Zheng Xinyu followed him closely, speaking softly. “That thing is terrifying. Shouldn’t we avoid provoking it?”


    “What if we can’t avoid it?”


    Zhang Su turned to whisper in her ear.


    Zheng Xinyu, caught off guard, didn’t have time to process the tingling sensation. Zhang Su’s question left her at a loss.


    Can’t avoid it?


    Is running away really not an option?


    Seeing that Zheng Xinyu didn’t answer, Zhang Su said no more and returned to the peephole to observe the zombie that used to be Brother Li.


    Previously, he’d been too rattled to observe closely. Now, taking a closer look, Zhang Su noticed more details.


    The exposed skin on the zombie’s arm was dry, with muscles tightly contracted as if perpetually tensed, exuding a sense of strength. Its power was evident from the force it used to pound on the door.


    Then there was the mouth’s mutation!


    The zombie’s teeth had completely transformed, becoming sharper and gaining an extra row, resembling some species of sharks. This unique structure enhanced its biting and chewing abilities.


    Its nose was slightly collapsed, with enlarged nostrils, making its grotesque face look oddly comical. Its blood-red eyes were devoid of distinct pupils, and even when calm, it radiated a faint aura of madness.


    Even though Zhang Su’s mind replayed scenes he’d seen before, observing up close still stirred a visceral aversion in him.


    Facing a creature that had mutated from his own kind, there was a primal fear deep within his soul—not just fear of the zombie’s attack, biting force, or tearing strength, but fear of becoming one of them!