Pudong Zhengda Plaza, Magic City.
Inside the mall, four survivors—two siblings and a couple—hid, trembling with fear. Just an hour ago, they had watched a ten-person military team arrive to clear out the zombie-infested streets. For a moment, they thought they were saved. But their hope was shattered when a horde of zombies led by a fifth-order giant tore the soldiers apart. The sight was horrifying.
The sister, shaken but determined, captured the event on video and uploaded it online. It quickly went viral, racking up over 30 million views in under an hour. One of those viewers was Natto, who shared it with Yuto Saito and his team.
Upon seeing the footage, Yuto immediately prepared to help. He activated the floating island, and they headed straight for the plaza. Meanwhile, the military, alerted by the video, deployed the Fire Phoenix Squad—an elite unit armed with powerful weapons and combat experience. Led by Captain He Lu, they descended from helicopters onto the streets below, their mission clear: rescue the survivors and neutralize the threat.
Inside the mall, the survivors spotted the soldiers through a window. The boy from the couple shouted in excitement, "They've come to save us!"
Shen Lanni, the squad's lookout, confirmed through her binoculars: "Four survivors in the mall, Captain."
"Let's move! But stay alert, there are giant zombies in the area," He Lu commanded, her voice steady yet cautious.
Demolition expert Ouyang Qian had already placed explosives strategically around the area, planning to lure the giant zombie into a deadly trap. With swift precision, the Fire Phoenix Squad navigated the mall, securing the survivors. But as they prepared to evacuate, a deafening roar echoed through the building.
Charging toward the plaza was the massive, five-meter-tall zombie, leading a swarm of undead.
He Lu raised her hand, halting the team. "Hold steady. That giant zombie is our priority."
The zombies moved fast, but on the floating island above, Yuto Saito and his team had already arrived. From the lawn, Yun Yun, Ni Shuang, and the others peered down at the swarm. Ni Shuang, her eyes wide with excitement, exclaimed, "Xiao Tutu, look at all those zombies! We've hit the jackpot!"
Yuto smirked. "Get ready. I'll handle the giant one. The rest are up to you. Stay safe—there are too many to let them get too close."
Just as Yuto's team prepared for battle, Yuqi ran over, still licking her lips after a quick meal. "Captain, I'm coming too!" she shouted, her eyes fierce with determination.
Yuto studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But stay close to Yun Yun."
Yun Yun gave a quick nod, and the floating island began its descent. The elevator lowered the team to the ground, right into the heart of the battle.
Inside the mall, He Lu and her squad watched in stunned silence. "Captain," one of her soldiers whispered, "who are those people?"
"They're not military," He Lu replied, eyes narrowed. "But their tech is far beyond ours. That floating island... it's unreal."
"Should we assist them?"
"Wait and observe."
Yuto Saito wasted no time. As the massive horde of zombies charged, led by the giant, he unleashed his flying daggers. The blades sliced through the air, hitting their mark with deadly precision. One dagger plunged deep into the giant zombie's skull, but it didn't fall.
"Strange... why won't it die?" Yuto muttered, eyes narrowing. His mind raced, recalling something from an anime he'd once seen. "The neck," he realized.
He froze the giant zombie in place, dashed forward, and with one swift motion, slashed its neck with a gleaming Tang blade. The beast crumbled to the ground, dead in an instant.
[Ding! You've killed a fifth-order giant zombie. 500 experience points earned.]
[1 Red Sapphire obtained. 23 White Crystals obtained. 6 Golden Sore Medicines obtained.]
Yuto glanced at the loot with satisfaction. "Looks like this zombie had been swallowing survivors whole, crystals and all."
The Fire Phoenix Squad, still in awe, watched as Yuto's team continued to obliterate the zombie horde. Yun Yun unleashed freezing blasts and lightning strikes, decimating dozens in seconds. Ni Shuang swung her axe with brutal efficiency, while Tangerine fired arrows with deadly precision. Yuqi, wielding her fan, gracefully swept through the crowd, felling three zombies in a single motion.
He Lu was astonished. "That man... he killed the giant zombie like it was nothing."
The survivors, still shell-shocked, whispered among themselves. "Did you see that? He's so fast!"
"The military team that came before was wiped out... but he just handled it like it was nothing!"
"He's not just any fighter—he's an Awakened. His power is terrifying."
He Lu approached Yuto, admiration in her eyes. "Are you with the military?"
Yuto shook his head, a slight smile on his lips. "Nope. Not interested."
"You have incredible abilities," He Lu said, her tone almost pleading. "With your strength, you could help save so many lives. Ever consider joining us?"
Yuto waved dismissively. "Not my thing. But here's a tip—if you want to kill a giant zombie, aim for the neck."
He Lu nodded, grateful for the advice. "Thank you."
With a wave to his team, Yuto led the girls back to the floating island. They ascended, leaving the Fire Phoenix Squad to watch as the island floated back into the sky, a symbol of their freedom and power.
One of He Lu's soldiers broke the silence. "Captain, those people... they're not just Awakened. They've got tech we can't even dream of."
He Lu, still staring at the rising island, muttered, "Some people prefer freedom over orders. But they did what they came to do. That's enough."
Minutes later, helicopters arrived to evacuate the survivors, leaving He Lu and her team with mixed feelings about the mysterious fighters who had come, saved the day, and vanished without a trace.