Chapter 6: Drawing Hatred

Chapter 6: Drawing Aggro

Yan Chuanbai held the communicator, his face devoid of expression: "Right within reach. Major General, I'll contact you later."

With that, the call ended.

Qi He carried the tree effortlessly.

Holding it with just his hands, the thick trunk didn't even rest on his shoulders.

He demonstrated to Yan Chuanbai, "Just a little effort."

"..."

Yan Chuanbai took a deep breath, walked over, and stopped in front of him. His gaze meticulously traced from Qi He's wrists to his shoulders, finally settling on his face. "You've awakened a superpower."

Qi He turned and set the tree down.

The heavy trunk crashed to the ground with a thud, raising a cloud of dust and rustling leaves.

He nodded, "Seems so."

Yan Chuanbai assessed him, "Strength type?"

Qi He thought for a moment, "...Not entirely."

Yan Chuanbai was silent for a moment, then said, "Let's head back."

Qi He snapped off some branches, and they returned with Yan Chuanbai. As soon as the two appeared, Meng Yan and Zhou Ziqian simultaneously turned to look at them:

"What was that commotion just now? Why are you two back together?"

Qi He dumped the branches into the fire with a rustling sound. "I've awakened a superpower."

Silence hung in the air for several seconds.

Then the two sprang to their feet, shocked: "What!?"

"You awakened a superpower?" Meng Yan exclaimed excitedly, "So, that commotion just now was you?"

"What type of superpower is it?"

Qi He answered curtly, "Strength."

Strength? Sounds like a common type.

But awakening a superpower was still far better than having none.

Zhou Ziqian was also happy, recalling, "Then your fever yesterday might have been a precursor to awakening. Your case is quite rare. Like Yan-ge and me, we both awakened naturally early in the virus outbreak. Meng Yan, what was your situation back then?"

Meng Yan said, "I was in a crisis and yelled 'F*ck!' Vines suddenly sprouted everywhere around me. I didn’t have a high fever."

She asked Qi He, "So how did yours awaken? Did you encounter danger while out searching for supplies before?"

Qi He, "There was some conflict."

Meng Yan immediately sat up straight, her eyes shining as if validating her theory, "What did you shout at the time?"

Qi He, "Yan Chuanbai."

"..."

A moment later, a gurgling sound broke the silence.

The water in the pot was boiling. Meng Yan abandoned the subject and turned to cook the instant noodles.

Two packs of instant noodles were split among the four of them.

After eating, they prepared to set out again.

Just then, another car drove up from the mountain road, turned, and screeched to a stop on the grass.

The car door opened, and two women and one man got out.

The tall woman was fully armed, carrying a rifle. Behind her, a shorter girl hopped out, her fluffy short hair bouncing. Lastly, a man with round glasses stepped out.

The short one noticed Qi He and the others: "Captain, someone has taken the spot over there."

"Jia Yan, that's not called taking."

The tall woman said, "First come, first served. There's empty space nearby too."

Qi He happened to be gathering their things.

He paused while dousing the fire. Meng Yan understood and turned to say, "We're about to leave. You can use this spot."

The tall woman glanced over, "Well, thanks then."

The three walked over.

Zhou Ziqian and Meng Yan took their things back to the car first. Qi He and Yan Chuanbai were cleaning the pot with ice.

As the three approached, they heard someone exclaim: "Huh?"

The girl named "Jia Yan" stopped by the fire. She tilted her head and then saw the words on the ground: "To Those Who Come After."

Ten seconds later.

"Holy shit! Who the hell has the audacity to do this!?"

Then, from her small frame erupted a three-minute-long stream of creative profanity: "%&^#*<@……!"

Qi He cast a quick glance over.

Her two teammates were used to it. After her outburst, Jia Yan took a breath, pointed at the words on the ground, and said, "Captain, look, especially that line: 'Come and try to kill me if you dare～' So f*cking annoying!!"

Qi He, Yan Chuanbai: "..."

Yan Chuanbai shook out the bucket without changing expression. "Let's go."

Qi He walked a couple of steps, then turned back.

Jia Yan was still glaring at the chibi avatar, vowing to firmly remember that face.

Qi He stood to the side, sympathetically. "Don't be mad. We're not the only ones who'll be annoyed."

The short one looked up at him.

Qi He said lightly, "Plenty of others will come after us and see this masterpiece."

The Little One thought for a moment, then crouched down.

With her knife, she added at the end, word by word: "Who told you all to be so bad, hehe."

The Little One: "Hehe."

Qi He departed, leaving his contributions unrecognized.

—

He returned to the car, and Yan Chuanbai looked over. "What were you doing?"

Qi He replied, "Upholding your fine tradition."

Zhou Ziqian didn't understand but was impressed. "Huh? What happened?"

Yan Chuanbai twitched his lip but didn’t answer. "Drive."

Perhaps having ruled out the possibility of infection, Qi He felt Yan Chuanbai wasn’t watching him as closely anymore. Throughout the journey, he had been looking out the window, on alert for outside threats.

As evening approached, they finally neared the border of Z City.

Once they passed through Z City, they would enter the base’s patrol area.

The car exited the highway and headed toward the horizon.

The glow of the setting sun cast an orange-gold light from behind, creating shifting patterns on the road ahead, where a dark, imposing city wall could be seen faintly.

They actually built a wall in this area?

Qi He was squinting to see, when suddenly Yan Chuanbai said, "Stop the car!"

The car stopped immediately!

No one asked why, because everyone, including Qi He, saw that "city wall" slowly moving closer.

Click—a round was chambered.

Yan Chuanbai was already pushing open his door. "Get ready. We’ve encountered a zombie swarm."

…

A massive crowd of zombies had gathered on the only road into the city.

Qi He took his gun and ammo, jumping quickly out of the car.

They had previously encountered only straggling zombies—this was the first time they faced such a large horde. The density was so high that they couldn't just drive through.

—They had to clear a path first.

Yan Chuanbai took the front position.

Zhou Ziqian provided cover fire while driving. Meng Yan climbed onto the roof, using vines to secure herself, and joined the fight.

Qi He checked their positions and took position three meters behind Yan Chuanbai.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Several bullets accurately hit the zombies’ skulls.

Yan Chuanbai, up ahead and off to the side, glanced over from the corner of his eye.

This was the first time he had seen Qi He in action himself.

Cool and precise.

Qi He paid no attention to the look from ahead; his eyes were fixed only on the zombies coming at him. He wanted to test something else—

His vision sharpened, movements slowed…

His gun aimed, and he activated his power. Bang!

"Holy shit…"

Zhou Ziqian stared at Qi He in amazement.

An opening gradually appeared in the zombie horde, but more zombies kept filling the gap.

Just then, another shot rang out.

A Flying Zombie that was diving toward Meng Yan was shot out of the air.

A familiar car came speeding up from behind.

The tall team leader still had her gun resting on the window, a wisp of smoke curling from the barrel.

Jia Yan, in the back seat, was leaning halfway out the window. "Team leader, it’s a zombie horde! They’re up ahead too!"

Ye Yi said, "Then let’s fight through together."

The bespectacled driver slammed the accelerator and surged forward.

The three didn’t get out. Ye Yi’s bullets seemed charged with electricity—even if they didn’t hit the zombies’ heads, they immobilized them. She looked at the two figures ahead:

"Ice Superpower. With that level of power, it’s at least Class S."

Her gaze shifted to Qi He.

"Such precise marksmanship." She was briefly amazed, then frowned. Still… something felt off. "His reactions seem a bit slow."

A Class S Superpowered’s hearing surpassed that of ordinary people.

Yan Chuanbai tilted his head slightly upon hearing this:

Qi He’s reactions weren’t actually slow, but for someone who could catch a Flying Zombie bare-handed, he shouldn’t be moving at just this speed…

Bang! Another shot.

Qi He holstered his gun quickly, but there was a slight pause before firing. Almost imperceptibly, the zombies shifted slightly, then seemed to throw themselves onto his bullets like suicide.

…

The gap widened further.

A loud voice shouted at just the right moment, "Everyone, get in the car and close the windows!"

Qi He turned and saw it was Jia Yan.

At the same time, Zhou Ziqian accelerated and roared over. Without hesitation, Qi He and Yan Chuanbai jumped into the car from left and right.

As soon as the doors closed, a cloud of white smoke billowed from Jia Yan’s body.

It was a poison-type superpower.

The remaining one-third of the zombies around them slowed abruptly.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the two vehicles broke through the zombie horde and drove into the city.

—

The two parties went separate ways after entering the city.

Qi He and the others found a place to stay overnight. After a long day of traveling, Zhou Ziqian and Meng Yan went to rest early.

Qi He lingered to clean up.

While he was rinsing his mouth by the sink, another reflection appeared in the mirror. Yan Chuanbai leaned against the doorway.

"Why did you hesitate before firing today?"

He picked up on that?

Just as Qi He was about to explain, the system triggered an alert: "Stay in character! Acting too smart will make you seem unlike 'yourself'!"

"..."

Considering his dumb act, he said, "I couldn't decide which one to shoot first."

Yan Chuanbai: "..."

The system: "..."

Yan Chuanbai stared at him for a few seconds, then scoffed lightly. "Shoot the one cursing at you." With that, he turned and walked away.

Qi He: "System, does it seem like he's caught stupidity from this 'idiot'?"

The system, distressed: "I'm catching it too."

…

Early the next morning, they hit the road again.

They were only half a day's drive from Base I.

The closer they got to the base, the more zombies there were, and also more people heading for the base.

Along the way, they took out some zombies as they went.

Qi He collected a bag of crystal cores and shook it: originally, he had agreed to split them with Yan Chuanbai 30-70, but after falling ill once and encountering the zombie horde these past few days, he hadn't collected many.

He didn’t like owing others, so he simply gave them all to Yan Chuanbai.

In the distance, a towering gray wall came into view.

That was Base I.

From the driver's seat, Zhou Ziqian's voice rang out, "Yan-ge, you still plan to go to the headquarters base, right?"

Yan Chuanbai hummed in agreement, "We’ll exchange for some resources first and rest for a couple of days. What are your plans?"

Meng Yan said, "I’ll just stay here."

Zhou Ziqian said, "Of course, I’m sticking with you, Yan-ge!"

Qi He didn’t need to state his stance—coming to Base I was originally for him. But as per the storyline, he and Yan Chuanbai wouldn’t separate; he just didn’t know whether Yan Chuanbai would stay or if he would be sent away.

As he mulled it over, Base I drew closer.

The full scope of the base unfolded before their eyes.

The curved outer wall was smooth and towering, like a sturdy fortress. Only two gates were open under the outer wall: Gate A for registering new arrivals, and Gate B for mission teams entering and exiting.

It was said that this place was originally a research institute. After the zombie virus outbreak, it was converted into a base and was still expanding to accommodate more people seeking refuge.

A long queue had already formed outside Gate A.

Those entering the base needed to be tested for infection, and superpowered individuals also had to undergo superpower level testing. Everyone had to receive their own ID code and be registered.

They parked the car to the side; it could only be driven in after registration was approved.

Although Yan Chuanbai already had an ID, he still had to wait for Qi He, Meng Yan, and the others.

The line slowly inched forward.

The two gates weren’t far apart.

Qi He glanced over: Teams were coming and going frequently at Gate B. They also had to undergo thorough inspections and scan their ID codes to enter.

I wonder if there’s any loophole to skip the inspection…

"Qi He, what are you looking at?" Meng Yan leaned over.

"Nothing." He withdrew his gaze.

After half an hour in line, they were finally nearing the registration gate.

Meng Yan was in the middle of speaking when she suddenly stopped dead, her eyes fixed on the other side.

Qi He leaned over. "What are you looking at?"

Meng Yan’s lips were pressed tightly together.

Following her gaze, he saw a team entering Gate B. Three men and one woman, all superpowered, with the leader sporting a bandage on his arm and a cocky, slouching demeanor.

Qi He vaguely guessed something and narrowed his eyes.

Yan Chuanbai and Zhou Ziqian also looked grim.

Perhaps their stares were too obvious, as the people on the other side glanced over.

When their eyes met, the other side was momentarily stunned.

Then the leader broke into a sarcastic smile. "Well, well. You made it to the base too. Not bad, Meng Yan."

The scenes from near-death flashed through her mind again.

Meng Yan stared at Ke Yuan, her eyes burning with intensity. "Aren’t you even a little guilty seeing me?"

The people on the other side all looked indifferent.

Qi He lowered his eyes and asked, "Is it them?"

"...Yeah."

He turned his head, looked at the identity card on the lead man’s chest, and coldly called out his name: “Squad Lead Ke.”

Meng Yan fell silent.

The group opposite them fell silent.

Ke Yuan clenched his teeth, “My name is Ke—Yuan.”

After saying this, he turned to look at Meng Yan and sneered, “This world has always been about the strong preying on the weak. You’re useless—did you expect to drag our entire team down?”

Meng Yan took a deep breath and protested, “You could have chosen not to take me along, but you shouldn’t have left me in a horde of zombies!”

As soon as she finished speaking, all eyes turned toward her. Surprise, disgust, disdain…

Ke Yuan and the others instantly looked uncomfortable.

Qi He said, “Did you hear that? Squad Lead Ke, apologize.”

“You son of a bitch—” Ke Yuan, flushed with humiliation, suspected he was doing it on purpose! His lightning superpower flared violently. Just as he was about to charge forward, the guard at the gate issued a warning:

“Superpowered combat is prohibited within the base!”

The lightning flickered reluctantly.

Qi He suddenly pointed at the high wall with a smirk, “It’s prohibited ‘inside’ the base, but aren’t we outside the base right now?”

The guard stammered for a moment.

Base I and Base II hadn’t been taken over by headquarters, and they were merely assigned to this post. If truly powerful superpowered individuals decided to fight, there was no way they could stop them.

Ke Yuan looked at Qi He as if he were an idiot, recharged his lightning, and charged straight at him:

“You’re digging your own grave, don’t blame…”

Suddenly, with a loud thud.

He tumbled backward, lightning and sparks flying, knelt in Meng Yan’s direction, and delivered a resounding kowtow!

Everyone fell silent, turning to look in unison.

Meng Yan was stunned speechless: …?

Under the blazing sun, Ke Yuan’s face was nearly pressed against the ground, scalding hot. As if suffering an unprecedented humiliation, he pushed against the ground with both hands, struggling to lift his head under an unbearable force, and glared hatefully at Qi He through gritted teeth, “What did you do to me?!”

“Oops, forgot to mention.”

Qi He explained deadpan, “My superpower is making people kneel and kowtow.”

The three beside him: “…”

The surrounding crowd: “…………”

Ke Yuan’s eyes nearly burst with rage. He grumbled inwardly, “Bullshit! How could there be such a ridiculous ability!?”

Author’s Note:

Qi He: When I’m unhappy, even zombies have to kowtow to me. ^^