After several deep breaths to steady his nerves, Liu Bin started to scrutinize his surroundings, especially the "classmate" staggering towards him. Normally, such severe injuries would leave a person immobile and in agony, yet this figure was persistently advancing.
The dim sunlight filtering through the windows cast a chiaroscuro effect across the basketball court, drawing Liu Bin's eye to a large red bottle that seemed out of place.
"Stay back, or I'll deal with you!" he shouted, more to bolster his own courage than out of any real threat.
Despite his panic, Liu Bin spied a fire extinguisher nearby—his lifeline. He counted his steps as he moved backwards towards it, his focus fixed on the groaning figure inching closer with every labored step.
Wait, had he forgotten he was in a game scenario due to their earlier conversation?
Was this really just a computer game, or was it something more immersive? The approach of the zombie-like student snapped him back to reality.
In one swift motion, Liu Bin grabbed the fire extinguisher and swung it hard, connecting with a resounding clang against the student's head.
"Damn, that smell..." The figure collapsed, a blackish-green ooze seeping from its skull, releasing a foul stench.
Grimacing, Liu Bin tossed the extinguisher aside and scrambled to the basketball hoop, collapsing onto the smooth wooden floor. He pinched his face, it hurt—a lot.
Is this a dream? Where am I? Why does a simple game feel like a full-body experience? Am I in some kind of advanced 5D game?
This couldn't just be a game on his computer at home. Could it be some kind of ultra-realistic VR? Yet, how could his old PC possibly run such advanced software?
Sitting on the floor, Liu Bin tried to recall the mission brief he had skimmed over: an outbreak at his school resulting in mutant students, and a quest to escape with up to three classmates.
A ringtone interrupted his thoughts, the vibration against his thigh startling him. Fumbling, he pulled out a chunky old cell phone.
"Guo Wei" flashed on the screen—a name that rang a bell. His roommate?
"Guo Wei, what's up?"
"Man, you're alive! Our school's gone crazy—like a zombie outbreak or something. Everyone's biting each other. Are you okay over there?"
"A zombie, huh? That explains a lot. I just dealt with one. Where are you?"
"I'm in our dorm. Hurry back—but grab some food and drinks on your way. And don't talk to anyone on the streets, or else..."
"Wait, how do you know where I am? Don't tell me you hacked into the school's cameras again?"
"Oh, this is when you still care about these details, hurry up and come back, now there is a piece of..."
"Wait, you can see the surveillance? Why don't you tell me something happened to Vivian and Mingming? Where are they?"
"Why do you still think at this time... Come on, let me help you look, I still can't see, you don't expect too much ah!"
"Then you have a look, I hurry back."