The magical effect of changing the gauze was truly remarkable. In just eleven hours, Su Chen's waist wound had fully healed. The new flesh on the surface of the wound was clearly visible and quite elastic to the touch. However, Su Chen decided not to remove the gauze to avoid having to explain it to Xia Chuwei.
Although there was no need to explain, Su Chen chose to keep it to himself. Meanwhile, Xia Chuwei had ventured deep into the dark aisles and was unsure of what to do next. Su Chen, on the other hand, remained seated in a corner, alternating his gaze between the elongated ghost that roamed nearby and the Mark 45.
The poor ghost was completely unaware that it had become a target for Su Chen.
During the last war, Su Chen had depleted a whole magazine of bullets, adding to the previous wastage on the way. Despite carrying two pistols, he had only about thirty bullets left, and had lost some along the way. With only four energy units remaining, Su Chen decided to experiment with creating something that could be stored. He began working on a convenience bag, injecting one energy unit into it. However, the result was disappointing as the bag only transformed into a small, black, and flexible "canvas bag" of one size. Nonetheless, the canvas bag was fire-resistant.
Observing the lackluster outcome, Su Chen decided to stop and save his remaining energy. He suspected that either his energy levels were insufficient or the objects he chose to transform were not suitable. Despite this setback, Su Chen was curious about the outcome if he were to transform objects like rocks, cars, or mobile phones.
Additionally, he intended to build a bio-radar but was unsure whether a watch or a "power bank" that stores dark energy would be more suitable for the task.
Despite his curiosity, Su Chen was constrained by his successive failures and limited energy units. He couldn't afford to waste his precious energy units recklessly, as he was still not safe enough. The failed attempt at creating a magic storage bag reminded him that transforming precision items like mobile phones would require more than one or two energy units.
While he was eager to experiment with transforming other items, he knew that building armor was more crucial. He recognized that becoming stronger was his top priority, and that opportunities for experimentation would present themselves in the future. If he could transform anything, it would be worth the wait.
Xia Chuwei arrived from the other end of the supermarket carrying a pile of miscellaneous items, which she dumped on the ground. After a short while, she handed Su Chen a delicious sandwich filled with ham and fruit, along with other items like tablets and Weilong sauce that she had found in the supermarket.
Su Chen then asked, slightly taken aback, "What is all this?"
Xia Chuwei smiled and replied, "We should eat well when we have the chance. No matter how the world changes, we still need to live. And when we can live like humans, we should always strive to live as much as we can."
As she spoke, she handed Su Chen another sandwich and instructed him to give it to the monster that was lurking in the dark corners of the supermarket. Su Chen, slightly puzzled, asked her why she didn't go herself.
"I..." Xia Chuwei hesitated before admitting, "I'm afraid."
Su Chen found it amusing that Xia Chuwei, who was usually brave and analytical, was still fearful at heart.
After finishing his portion of the sandwich, Su Chen grabbed another one and walked into the darkness. Meanwhile, Lin Mo stood in the freezer area, leaning against an unpowered freezer, smoking a cigarette quietly. Su Chen's arrival and the sandwich he offered surprised Lin Mo, who asked him, "You are...?"
"This is Xia Chuwei's homemade sandwich. It's really good." Su Chen praised
Lin Mo expressed his gratitude as he accepted the sandwich. He then pondered for a moment before offering Su Chen a cigarette.
Su Chen politely declined the offer of a cigarette, shaking his head. He then took a seat and inquired, "May I ask how you obtained these abilities?" he asked
After a momentary pause, Su Chen reassured them, "Don't worry, I'm not a bad person. I won't attack you, at least not for the time being."
To Lin Mo; Su Chen and Xia Chuwei were just two ordinary people who had nowhere else to hide.
"Special mutant individual," Su Chen repeated the term, shaking his head before asking, "So, how did you end up here after the monsters appeared?"
Lin Mo hesitated before sighing and deciding to share his story. "Never mind, I'll tell you. When the disaster broke out and the monsters appeared, I was focused on saving my girlfriend. I don't know how, but things got worse. The black skin on my body that had been growing for days suddenly changed me in just one day. Hunger and a certain kind of madness took over me. At that time...
"Oh, the person I was trying to save ran away screaming and even tried to get the police to kill me.
"I became a monster.
"I personally killed her, maybe even ate one of her legs, but I can't remember. My memories from that time are chaotic. All I remember is the endless hunger and madness. Maybe I really did eat people, even those monsters... Then, I killed a few monsters on my way here, and those monsters stopped actively attacking me.
"Once my mutation worsens, I may lose my sanity.
"So, I don't know why I'll go crazy again. It's better for everyone if you don't stay here for too long and don't have too much contact with me. Stay away from me, a man-eating monster. It's good for everyone."
Lin Mo paused for a moment and stared at the half-eaten sandwich in his hand. "I don't want to kill you."
Beneath the horrific dark exterior lies a timid yet compassionate soul, Su Chen thought to himself.
Before the disaster, this individual was just an unremarkable passerby on the street. They were born into an average family, attended an average school, graduated from an average university, and eventually landed an average job. Perhaps in the future, they would marry an average woman and have an average life, never making any significant mistakes.
However, the disaster altered everything about them, transforming them into someone far from ordinary. For a kind-hearted individual like them, it may have been a calamity more dreadful than the disaster itself.
After listening to Lin Mo's story, Su Chen contemplated for a moment before speaking up, "I still believe that being a rational zombie is just a byproduct of your unique ability, and not necessarily a sign of danger. While I don't fully understand the extent of your changes, the fact that you are conscious now suggests that you have control over your abilities. Even during moments of madness, I believe you can maintain some level of control. Some people go crazy after changes, but others become mad because of them. With your strong willpower, I think you fall into the latter category and won't become a monster. I can tell from your clear eyes."
Su Chen then added, "Furthermore, I won't be leaving anytime soon. It's rare to find a safe haven like this, and I need to stay here for a while to complete what I came for. If any danger arises, I hope you can assist me. After all, Dr. Xia didn't leave this sandwich for nothing. It's for you."
Lin Mo was taken aback as he looked at Su Chen.
Su Chen nodded at him, then stopped talking and stood up to return to the supermarket checkout counter.
"Did he eat?" Xia Chuwei inquired.
Su Chen responded with a nod.
Xia Chuwei exhaled happily, although she wasn't sure why. She poked her head out to peer into the darkness, but couldn't see anything - the monster in the shadows had merged completely with the darkness.
Suddenly, Su Chen picked up his weapon again, scanning the area outside the safe supermarket.
Puzzled, Xia Chuwei asked, "What are you planning to do?"
Su Chen replied confidently, "I'm going to hunt down the elongated ghosts!"