Chapter 75 Proud as a Rooster

Chapter 75: Strutting Like a Rooster

The Special Operations Bureau was situated in the eastern part of Qingcheng, neither too close nor too far from the city center. It wasn't a bustling district, but it wasn't remote either. Once a government building, it occupied a vast area.

Having been constructed only a year prior, the entire edifice was still remarkably new. Yet, its pristine surface was now marred by numerous pockmarks, bullet holes, and streaks of dried blood.

Even the words "Special Operations Bureau" were crudely displayed on a banner, haphazardly strung across the main iron gate, serving as a makeshift sign for the organization's purpose.

At this moment, two young guards, clad in military green camouflage, stood at the large iron gate, their eyes wide and alert as they diligently kept watch.

Hua Diao found an empty spot in a nearby open-air parking lot and pulled in. She then walked alone towards the Special Operations Bureau's main entrance, observing the flow of people entering and exiting, as well as the two baby-faced sentries who looked more like high school students.

Her gaze then fell upon the two stone lions flanking the guards, finding them unsettlingly fierce.

Suddenly, the two young guards' eyes widened, their expressions morphing into terror. Without a moment's hesitation, they snatched the gongs from their waists and began clanging them frantically, "Clang, clang, clang, clang!"

The piercing noise was immediately followed by their hoarse shouts, "Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Monsters are coming! Quick, get help...!"

Civilians who had just emerged from the building instantly recoiled, their heads snapping back faster than a turtle retreating into its shell.

Those who, like Hua Diao, had been approaching the entrance from outside, also erupted into a panic. Their faces contorted in fear, they scattered and fled back inside. Only a handful, including Hua Diao, remained composed, drawing their pistols.

Gun in hand, Hua Diao turned and saw that the previously empty street was now swarming with monsters: goblins, three-headed dogs, and even two Elite Werewolf Bosses, wielding spiked maces, charging menacingly towards the Special Operations Bureau.

Without hesitation, she opened fire.

She had encountered numerous such sudden situations on her way here, so she acted with ruthless efficiency, her shots precise and practiced.

To her left, a man in his late thirties or early forties, with rugged features and a determined expression, also raised his gun and joined the fray, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Brothers, let's hold them off! The Special Operations Bureau's people will be out soon!"

A younger man behind him retorted, "But boss, I heard all the elite squads from the Special Operations Bureau have been deployed. The ones left at headquarters are just new recruits—they might not even be as capable as us..."

Before he could finish, he received a smack on the back of his head.

Rubbing the sore spot, he yelped, "Boss, why'd you hit me?"

The resolute older man glared at him. "Just fight. Stop spouting nonsense. You're a grown man, not some gossiping old woman. You're not even as composed and decisive as that young lady."

The younger man followed his gaze towards Hua Diao, watching her effortlessly take down goblins with each shot. His rough face flushed crimson, and without another word, he quickly refocused and plunged into the battle.

Despite his chatter, he was indeed a formidable fighter. With a machine gun, whose origin was unknown, he mowed down the first two rows of goblins. Now, he was fiercely engaging a three-headed dog.

Hua Diao, who had overheard and witnessed the entire exchange, felt a pang of guilt. It was only because she had no one to talk to; otherwise, she might have been just as chatty.

Meanwhile, inside the Special Operations Bureau's lobby, a group of people were bustling about, grabbing their gear and rushing towards the exit.

Director Zhang, despite his age, was full of vigor, leading the charge with his gun, intending to join the fight outside. However, he was swiftly intercepted by someone beside him.

"Director, Director, you are our pillar of strength! This minor skirmish isn't worth your personal involvement. Let my brother and the others have a chance to prove themselves," Zhao Xu said, blocking Director Zhang while shooting a meaningful glance at his fully armed younger brother.

Receiving his older brother's signal, Zhao Gui smirked and chimed in, "Exactly, Director! You don't need to personally handle such a small matter. Let us brothers get some practice. You personally selected us, and my brother still doubts my abilities. Today, I'll show him what I'm capable of, so he won't question your judgment."

Zhao Xu's smile froze. He glared—did this brat really just imply he doubted the director's judgment? In front of their superior, no less?

This damn brother was going to be the death of him! Clearly, this brat still needed a good dose of reality.

Watching the silent, intense exchange between the two brothers, Director Zhang found himself amused.

"Alright, alright, if I'm not going out, I'm not going out. Look at you two, panicking."

Then, he chuckled and patted Zhao Gui's shoulder. "Alright, Comrade Zhao, those monsters outside are all yours. Don't disappoint me."

Zhao Gui tossed his head, brimming with confidence. "Just you watch!"

This wasn't the same Zhao Gui from two days ago. He had been training with his brothers to toughen up. Today, he would make his doubting older brother eat his words.

With that, he donned the small yellow safety helmet he had tucked under his arm, pulled out a miniature spiked mace from his pocket, and gave it a swing. Instantly, it transformed into a full-sized weapon. Pointing it forward, he shouted with high spirits, "Brothers, follow me into battle!"

"Ooooh—!"

The group of boisterous young men, as if imbued with a sacred mission, puffed out their chests and marched out, heads held high, strutting like proud roosters.

Director Zhang watched them go, a wide smile on his face as he mused, "Ah, the youth these days—so much more spirited than you lot."

Zhao Xu looked aggrieved. "Director, I'm not that old either. I haven't even married yet."

Director Zhang raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then you'd better hurry up. A man in his thirties without a wife—I heard you're interested in that Ji family girl. How about I play matchmaker and help you two get together sooner?"

Zhao Xu's tanned face flushed crimson. He averted his gaze, stammering, "N-now's not the time to talk about that, is it? Besides, I'm only 27, Director, not yet thirty!"

Director Zhang paused, then slowly holstered his gun and clasped his hands behind his back, saying sagely, "Oh, is that so? You look quite mature, I must have misjudged. As for you two, it's precisely because we're in the apocalypse that I'm reminding you: if you've found someone you like, act on it sooner rather than later. Life these days is like licking blood from a knife, uncertain from one moment to the next. If you delay, I fear you might have regrets. You're the man; you should be the one to propose. You can't expect the young lady to speak first, can you?"

Zhao Xu was stunned, realizing the truth in his words.

However, Lin Mohan, standing beside him, her face pure and pretty, looked displeased. If the captain got married, she wouldn't be able to openly rely on him in the team anymore. Zhao Xu was the powerful figure she had her eyes on.