Wen Ya clutched the axe handle tightly, pressing the other end against Wang Jian Guo's neck.
Disgusting scum.
Unlike Zhang Youwei, who was still young and naive, she was all too familiar with the look in this greasy old man's eyes.
With a swift motion, the sharp axe blade instantly left a bloody mark on Wang Jian Guo's neck.
"Now, immediately!"
"Three seconds. If the rope isn't lowered, I'll kill you!"
Wen Ya's eyes were cold, and she was prepared to strike without hesitation if Wang Jian Guo made any sudden movements.
When she heard Zhang Tie's voice, it was already too late—Wang Jian Guo's group had taken the others hostage. Realizing the situation, she hid behind the door.
The people here were just ordinary folks, purely scared by Wang Jian Guo. If she could control him, there was still hope to make them lower the rope.
Luckily, Wang Jian Guo had dropped his guard due to his sudden lust, giving her the opportunity she needed.
Wang Jian Guo was shocked, feeling Wen Ya's murderous intent behind him.
Damn it, how could I forget that there were still people loyal to Lin An here!
He tried to maintain a calm exterior, attempting to intimidate and persuade Wen Ya.
"Little girl, don't do anything rash."
"Killing is against the law!"
"Shut up!"
Wen Ya's hand twitched, and the axe blade immediately deepened the cut on Wang Jian Guo's neck.
"Don't act rashly!"
Wang Jian Guo was flustered, not expecting the seemingly demure Wen Ya to be so decisive.
"I'll do it!"
"I'll do it!"
The sudden turn of events left Wang Jian Guo's group momentarily flustered.
"What are you waiting for? Lower the rope!"
The voice didn't come from Wang Jian Guo but from Yu Shihao, who had been watching from the crowd.
He stepped forward, looking indignant.
"Your lives were saved by Lin Ge, weren't they?"
"Lin Ge is so strong. Whether he's infected or not is still uncertain! Besides, what's the difference between people who don't understand gratitude and beasts?"
He spoke righteously and directly snatched the rope back from the group.
Despite his outward fervor, inwardly, Yu Shihao was a bit apprehensive.
Since the argument began, he had been quietly calculating in a corner.
Rescuing Zhang Tie was risky, given the possibility of infection.
But unlike the others who only saw the risk, he also saw the immense benefit under the risk!
Great fortune comes with great risk!
Over the past two days, he had thought it through. Without power, early death or late death, it was all the same.
Frequenting the rooftop for a better view, he had already noticed the city was filled with zombies, with no sign of the army.
He didn't believe a word Wang Jian Guo said.
Now that Wen Ya had taken action, rescuing the two was inevitable. He might as well curry favor by siding with Wen Ya.
If they successfully rescued Zhang Tie and Lin An, he might learn about becoming an Awakener from them.
Once he gained their kind of power, what would zombies be to him?
Moreover...
Yu Shihao's eyes gleamed with greed.
He noticed that when Zhang Tie returned, Lin An had a new glove on his hand, in addition to the mysterious ring he already wore.
Two people risked their lives to enter the hospital, one unconscious and the other severely injured, and they returned with something extra. The answer was obvious.
Willing to take such a risk for an item, it must be extraordinary.
Not knowing the secrets of Awakeners, he assumed that...
Zhang Tie's massive build and bear-like abilities made sense to him. But Lin An? Delicate and scholarly, with jade-like skin that girls would envy.
Thus, it seemed that the ring and glove were likely the sources of Lin An's power!
Wen Ya looked at him in confusion, still gripping the axe tightly.
She didn't have much impression of Yu Shihao.
The man before her was so enthusiastic and righteous, trying to persuade everyone to save Lin An and Zhang Tie, seemingly a good person.
But something felt off to her.
If he really wanted to save them, why didn't he speak up earlier?
Unlike Wen Ya's wariness, Youwei looked at Yu Shihao with gratitude, convinced he was a good person.
"Whoosh—"
The rope was thrown down, and under the appreciative gaze of Second Uncle, Yu Shihao gripped the rope tightly and shouted towards the truck where Zhang Tie was hiding:
"Brother Zhang! Come up quickly! The rope is down!"
In the truck, Zhang Tie's face lit up with joy.
Though he didn't know why it took everyone so long, they finally lowered the rope.
He looked back at the pale-faced Lin An, eyes full of determination.
Team Leader Lin, hold on!
"Bang!"
With one final push, he smashed open the truck door, creating a brief gap in the horde of zombies outside.
Charge!
With a roar, Zhang Tie carried Lin An and dashed towards the hotel.
The zombies were as dense as ants, and with his strength depleted, he realized in despair that he couldn't break through.
Unless he abandoned Lin An and the strange bandaged girl.
The spine of the zombie snake could only protect a small area around them.
"Bear Transformation!"
Zhang Tie let out a bitter laugh, knowing that his mental strength was exhausted, and vaguely realizing the severe cost of activating his skill again.
"Roar!"
The black bear reappeared, but it wasn't as huge and powerful as before.
Without the support of his mental strength, Zhang Tie felt as if he had aged ten years. The once thick and sturdy fur now looked sparse and pitiful.
"Bang!"
The giant bear broke through the encirclement, its massive body smashing the zombies along the way.
"Brother Zhang! Grab the rope! We'll pull you up!"
Yu Shihao called out with concern, signaling the others to help pull the rope.
"One, two, three!"
"Pull!"
"Roar!"
The zombies howled, and Zhang Tie struggled to hold onto the thick rope, climbing up desperately.
"Thud."
Heavy objects hit the ground.
He first exerted all his strength to throw Lin An and the bandaged girl up to the second floor, then clambered up himself with great difficulty.
Below, the zombie horde howled, countless decaying hands reaching up like chaotic seaweed towards the second floor.
The crowd, now anxious, hastily used debris to block the opening after pulling Zhang Tie up.
As if not seeing the zombies could bring them a sense of security.
"Brother!"
"Lin An!"
Wen Ya rushed over, worried, seeing Lin An unconscious, while Youwei, tearful, ran to Zhang Tie.
Before rushing to Lin An, Wen Ya cast a vicious glare at Wang Jian Guo and then kicked him hard in the stomach.
"Scum!"
The fire axe never left her hand, making the sight of this pure and lovely girl dragging a half-person-tall axe rather striking.
"Hurry… give Lin Ge water and medicine!"
"The medicine can save him…"
"He was… by zombies…"
Zhang Tie, delirious, instinctively instructed Wen Ya, then blacked out.
Hearing Zhang Tie's words, the crowd instinctively stepped back.
Though Zhang Tie hadn't finished his sentence, they guessed that Lin An was indeed infected.
Guessing and confirmation were two different things.
Everyone stared at Lin An in Wen Ya's arms with complex expressions, many too fearful to come any closer.
Yu Shihao hurriedly brought a cup of water and crouched beside Wen Ya.
"Hurry, follow Brother Zhang's instructions, give him the medicine!"
His voice was urgent, seemingly genuine.
While administering the medicine, he discreetly touched Lin An's drooping right hand with his left hand.
With no one noticing, his heart raced, eyes wide with astonishment!