Inside a train traversing the snowy plains of the Northern State, two groups argued fiercely.
"People injured by Mutant-Rs are like ticking bombs. They could mutate at any minute after half an hour. She can't stay on the train!"
"But she's our Vice-captain Elex. She got hurt protecting us! How can you be so heartless?"
"How am I heartless? The mutant virus spreads rapidly, and we're all in danger! Are we to disregard the lives of the other ninety-seven members on board?"
Riona, the subject of their debate, sat silently in a corner. Her long eyelashes drooped as she sliced her arm with a long knife, removing the contaminated, decaying flesh, without painkillers.
Her dark blood and flesh fell to the floor with the knife. She hissed in pain, sweat beading on her forehead and rolling down her delicate face, landing with a 'drip' on her boots.
Talya Vex couldn't bear it anymore. She took the last bandage from the medical kit, her eyes red, and said, "Captain Elex..."
Riona, pale, gave her a reassuring smile. "I... I'm okay."
After Talya bandaged Riona's wound, she asked Corin, "Captain Sylas, what do you think?"
Everyone looked towards the man standing by the window, hoping to get the finally say.
Dressed in a black uniform, he was tall and handsome, with a stern and resolute air.
His expression was grave, and he hadn't spoken yet.
Most who supported Riona's removal were worried. After all, Corin Sylas and Riona had been partners for years. His deep loyalty might compel him to speak for Riona, despite the danger to others.
The carriage fell silent.
Hearing Corin's name, Riona couldn't help looking up. Even knowing he wouldn't favor her, she couldn't help but hope.
But Corin didn't look at her. He tossed a bullet in his hand, his voice cold as he glanced at the others. "To be fair, let's vote."
The hope in Riona's eyes vanished.
In this desperate, dog-eat-dog world, everyone wanted to survive.
The vote was unsurprising, 89:7, with only seven agreeing to let her stay.
Corin walked over to Riona, extending his hand. "Riona, step out."
Riona looked into his eyes, searching for something, but his gaze was as black and emotionless as ever.
"..."
The train halted, and Corin led Riona off. The fierce wind and snow were biting cold outside.
He took her to a less windy spot behind a hill and gave her a package. "Here's fuel and food for three days."
Knowing the region's harsh conditions and the presence of zombies, Riona understood her slim chances of survival. She grabbed her one last chance and asked Corin, "And what about your vote? You didn't vote..."
As Corin shot down a few remaining zombies, his voice was cold and heavy. "Does my one vote really matter in such a count?"
Riona looked at his familiar face and lowered her head. "But Corin, it's not just Elaira who's scared. I am too..."
In public duty, he had to abandon her, but Riona knew part of this was personal.
Even a hint of reluctance or sympathy from Corin would have comforted Riona in facing death, however, there was none. He just frowned and stated, "You're already infected with the Mutant-R zombie virus. You have a one-third chance of mutating. For safety, you can't stay on the train."
"Stay here and wait for my return."
Riona stepped forward. "Sylas..."
Corin, looking at Riona's affectionate and reluctant gaze, suddenly pointed his gun at her forehead.
Suppressing his emotions, he said angrily, "This is an order."
Riona's heart grew cold, and she forced back her grievances. "When the mutant grabbed someone, you protected others first. What am I to you?"
Corin's mood was complex, but his tone icy. "In life and death, there's no time for sentimentality."
"We're all members of the base, and we aren't allowed to have personal attachments. Don't you understand? Elaira is new, and as her trainer, it's my duty to keep her safe."
"You have years of experience, and now you're jealous of a newbie?"
"Riona, I thought you were sensible."
Riona's eyelashes drooped, tears forming despite her effort to hold them back, turning to frost in the cold wind.
Seeing time was short, Corin didn't say much, just muttered, "Try to survive. You're not that easy to kill."
As Riona watched him walk away, she called out, "If you find my family, take them under your wings… please. "
But Corin, as if not hearing her, disappeared quickly into the snowy wind.
"..."
...
Three days later, in the territory of the Northern State, a modified off-road vehicle drove across the ice field.
The man in the front seat, wearing black leather, rolled down the window, looking around. "Wow! So many headless zombies here!"
The red-haired woman driving slapped him on the head, annoyed. "Shut up, Drax! Haven't you seen enough of them before?"
The man in black leather felt wronged. "I mean, who's that badass? To take down zombies with a knife, and so many of them?"
"Look, Ayla, it's clear a horde came through, and someone chopped them up with a knife. The snow just stopped, so these are fresh, not covered yet..."
At that moment, the man in white sitting in the back seat opened his smiling eyes, showing curiosity. He looked out the window, speaking in a drawly tone, "Using a knife, huh..."
Drax, energized by his boss's interest, said, "Exactly! These days everyone uses guns. Who uses a knife anymore?"
Soren Lyx still smiled. He was elegant, with pale skin and perfectly sculpted features, stunningly handsome. His laugh could charm anyone who saw him.
His voice was as pleasant as his looks, clear and melodious, "I remember someone who prefers blades."
Ayla, driving, chuckled. "I bet you're talking about Riona from the Northern State."
Drax chimed in, "Her skills with a knife are unmatched. Under her leadership, they've taken so many resources from our Eastern State in recent years..."
"Smack—"
Before he could finish, Ayla slapped him again.
Drax was even more aggrieved, rubbing his head. "What did I do now?"
Ayla, ignoring his lack of tact, kept driving. But as she turned back, she saw a black figure stumbling into view not far ahead.
The person, dragging a shining long knife, was in tattered clothes, swaying as if about to fall at any gust of wind.
Drax noticed too. "Black uniform with a white emblem, from the Northern State base? Hey, Soren, he's still alive. Should I finish him off?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he got another hard slap. Ayla slowed the vehicle, her expression serious. "Black uniform, that knife... a machete, is it Riona?!"
"..."
Soren suddenly looked up, his smile freezing on his face. His eyes narrowed, his aura becoming dangerous and solemn. "Stop the car," he ordered.