"First, why should others believe you? At this stage, there's a good chance that the awakened individuals in the college have already secured a portion of safe zones. Currently, awakened individuals can protect themselves as long as they don't encounter large-scale zombies. Additionally, the college is located in a suburban area, where there are no powerful mutants."
"Taken together, they will probably think that this so-called apocalypse is not that serious. More of their thoughts will be focused on power struggles rather than survival."
"Second, even if they are convinced by you, perhaps even intimidated by force, how can you guarantee they won't have ulterior motives? Who will be the leader? Who will be willing to relinquish their own power and privileges?"
"Once someone obstructs us with resentment, our efficiency will be significantly reduced."
"So we must implement extreme wartime high-pressure methods, rather than making decisions based on a majority vote."
This time, Arnold was left speechless, as every word spoken by Clark effectively countered his proposed ideas.
The atmosphere in the car became quite heavy, as everyone could anticipate the potential outcome. If Clark's assessment was correct, then the moment they arrived at the school, it was likely to be a bloody massacre. Everyone's faces, except for Sandra, bore a somber expression.
Clark let out a sigh. He didn't truly desire a high body count, but after surviving the apocalypse for three years in his previous life, he had seen through the concept of "human nature." Nevertheless, he wasn't unwilling to offer some chances to other survivors who were also human.
After a moment of contemplation, Clark continued, "What I said is just the worst-case scenario. I don't necessarily have to purge the entire college."
"You can try showing your strength first, inform them that we want to unite everyone to establish a safe zone. You can even tell them about the upcoming zombie waves and the zombie uprising."
"If most of them are somewhat intelligent, perhaps they will accept our plan."
"After all, one less awakened individual means one less survivor, and I don't want to kill too many."
With Arnold and Dirk's current abilities, they might be able to directly intimidate the awakened individuals at the college.
Using force to suppress is preferred; people are accustomed to admiring the strong and looking down on the weak. Only significant power can earn the trust of others.
"If we can convince everyone to agree with our plan within a day, I might choose to slowly incorporate them into our team."
The group in the car listened intently to Clark's words, feeling relieved. Perhaps, through reasoning, showing their strength, and appealing to emotions, they could avoid shedding more survivor blood.
However, in the next moment, Clark added coldly, "But if the time exceeds one day, and there are opposing voices or dissatisfaction within the college, I will personally step in and ensure there's only one voice left!"
LJ City College, the northern gate.
Dirk gradually slowed down the off-road vehicle's speed, his expression serious. Lynn was driving a bus with Marlene and survivors from the hotel following closely behind.
Along the way, they saw many bodies with different causes of death—some from cold weapons, others charred or frozen into ice. There was no doubt that these zombies had been cleared out by the awakened individuals from the college.
Team communication:
"Clark, it looks like LJ City College is up ahead."
"Yeah, be on guard."
"Arnold, Dirk, you two should directly negotiate with their higher-ups."
There was no need for Clark to personally negotiate; when he stepped forward, it would be time for the purge.
"Lynn, your psychic abilities are good. Pay attention to sensing the actions of the awakened individuals among them, and prevent any surprises."
Clark reminded Lynn, though his Judgment Eye was sufficient to control the situation, he didn't mind giving Lynn some practice.
The team members would undoubtedly have to go out for future missions. In his absence, someone had to take on the responsibility of overseeing the overall situation.
Clark had already moved to the back seat, primarily because Arnold's massive physique made Clifford, squeezed into the corner, look pitiful. Sometimes when the vehicle encountered a zombie horde and had to force its way through, he felt that Arnold could crush the future chief designer under his weight.
After giving some brief instructions, Clark closed his eyes, concentrating his thoughts on the upcoming safe zone construction plan.
The silver off-road vehicle and the yellow bus came to a gradual stop not far from the college gate, and the crowd disembarked.
Clark walked among the people who had just exited the bus, ensuring no unexpected incidents.
Most of the individuals Arnold had rescued from the hospital were elderly, weak, or disabled. These ordinary people were defenseless against awakened individuals. Since they had decided to let this group of people with decent character join the safe zone, Clark naturally wouldn't ignore them.
A group of 21 people, with Arnold and Dirk at the forefront, surveyed the outer wall surrounding the college, which stood three meters tall.
"Did the awakened individuals make this thing?" Arnold looked at the makeshift earthen wall surrounding the entire college and marveled at it.
Lynn closed her eyes to sense the situation and nodded, her voice resonating in the team communication.
"I can detect fluctuations in earth attributes from three awakened individuals; they are continuously releasing psychic energy."
"Three individuals are directly ahead, and only one of them has a unique energy signature. The other two may be awakened individuals with enhanced physical abilities."
Dirk quickly observed and added to her assessment.
"Two hundred meters ahead, there are fifteen people guarding the city wall. At 9 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions on the left and right, there's one person each with crossbows aiming at us."
"It seems they aren't completely foolish; at least they know to establish defenses. However, their alertness is lacking, and all their positions are exposed. Dirk, a former reconnaissance soldier, habitually reported all the points of vigilance, finding vulnerabilities everywhere in what appeared to be a decent defense."
As long as he was willing, Dirk could instantly eliminate one person on the wall and then disengage from the battle.
As the three carefully observed the college, the college's defenders also watched the sudden arrival of the crowd. On the earth wall above the college gate, a tall young man with red hair patted his companion beside him.
"It looks like more survivors have come."
"Of course, I'm not blind. But they have quite a few people."
"Another bunch of starving beggars looking for a meal?"
"A bunch of trash, I wonder what they came here for."
On the earth wall, a red-haired young man sat nonchalantly, with flames occasionally igniting in his hand and then extinguishing.
"Maybe they heard our broadcast and learned that it's safe here, so they escaped from the nearby town."
A normal student with glasses, responsible for serving tea and water, explained with some trepidation.
Since six days ago, when awakened individuals had joined forces to clear the college of zombies, this group of awakened individuals had seen themselves as superior, given the immense power disparity. Many ordinary people were eager to attach themselves to them, and the college had essentially become two distinct groups with a clear class division.
The student with glasses looked at the group of people not far away and couldn't help but sigh lightly. The behavior and attitudes of the awakened individuals in the college had become increasingly radical and arrogant. If they had come a few days ago, it might have been fine, but their arrival now probably wouldn't be well received.
The red-haired young man chuckled and took a sip of the tea provided by the former top student with glasses.