As the sun's fading light cast a dim glow, Liu Bin surveyed his surroundings, pinpointing a gap in the encircling horde of zombies.
Now fully armored, each of his steps echoed clearly, stealth no longer an option.
The zombies, drawn by the sound, redirected their slow march towards Liu Bin, with some disturbingly fast ones charging at him. He had inadvertently become the center of attention.
Unable to remain hidden, Liu Bin charged forward, setting his sights on the high school building across the field.
According to the map he had studied and his own memory, Liu Bin was heading towards the auditorium to shake off the pursuing zombies.
After that, a left turn would lead him to the library where his girlfriend, Li Wei, the librarian, likely was on duty.
With the chaos outside, he doubted the library was spared, but he clung to the hope that she was safe.
"Li Wei, I'm coming for you. Even if a thousand dangers lie ahead, I will save you," Liu Bin thought to himself, his steps firm with newfound courage.
"Crap!"
Just as Liu Bin was about to reach the auditorium's entrance, a sudden force from the right slammed into him, sending him flying.
He skidded across the ground but quickly righted himself, only to see a towering student-like figure looming over him. This was no rescuer—his menacing face said it all.
No avoiding battle now. Time to test his combat skills.
After the impact, the zombie staggered to its feet, clearly more robust than Liu Bin, probably a former athlete, now enhanced by the virus with increased speed and strength.
Facing such a formidable opponent, Liu Bin knew he had to outsmart rather than overpower him.
Though the zombie was physically superior, it was clearly at the expense of intelligence.
To fight a zombie, luring it into a trap and striking a fatal blow was key. And the most vulnerable part of a human—the brainstem—was Liu Bin's target.
Now up close, Liu Bin maintained a defensive posture, shield up and body slightly leaning forward, but his baton was oddly loosely held.
The next second, as the impact turned him around, Liu Bin seized the opportunity to spin, tightening his grip on the baton and swinging it horizontally right at the base of the zombie's skull.
With a perfect strike to the brainstem, the towering zombie fell silent.
One down, but more were approaching.
The brief fight had attracted three more fast-moving zombies from different directions, forming a semi-circular ambush around him.
With his left hand numb from the backlash yet still functional, and his right hand wielding the plastic shield, Liu Bin pressed forward, marching towards the trio of zombies.
Despite the numbness, his resolve didn't falter; if anything, it was time to turn the defensive into the offensive. With shield raised and every step calculated, Liu Bin continued his desperate charge towards safety and towards those waiting for him in the high school.