The classroom buzzed with chatter as the students relaxed, eating and drinking after their harrowing ordeal. Time slipped by quickly, and before long, more than an hour had passed.
Zhu Jiu had been growing anxious. The second wave of the apocalypse was imminent, and every passing second counted. However, seeing the students' jubilant faces, he decided to let them have their moment. They were young, and processing such an unprecedented disaster took time.
Eventually, he rose to his feet and clapped his hands for attention.
"All right, it's been an hour. I think we've all had enough of a break. Now it's time to get back to work," he said, his tone firm yet approachable.
Turning to Zhang Xinyu, he gave clear instructions:
"Xinyu, your 42 classmates are now under your leadership. Split them into four teams, ten members each, and choose a captain for each group. The team members will follow their captain's orders, and the captains will report directly to you."
There was a reason Zhu Jiu entrusted this responsibility to Zhang Xinyu. Not only had Xinyu proven himself capable and trustworthy, but Zhu Jiu simply didn't have the bandwidth to manage so many people himself. He had more pressing tasks to handle.
Zhu Jiu then pulled out four vials from his pocket and handed them to Zhang Xinyu.
"Each team captain will receive one of these evolution serums."
These serums were among the spoils Zhu Jiu had acquired from the cafeteria. After using the powerful Scout Serum on Zhang Xinyu, he still had four left: Farmer, Assassin, Warrior, and Crossbowman.
As for the initial Lycanthrope Serum, he decided to keep it. He wasn't sure if the students could handle its transformative effects without losing control.
Zhang Xinyu stared at the vials in his hands, his heart swelling with emotion. Zhu Jiu had given him authority over 42 people and trusted him with resources as valuable as these serums. To Xinyu, this was a responsibility beyond measure. If Zhu Jiu asked him to face death, he would charge forward without hesitation.
What Xinyu didn't know was that, to Zhu Jiu, these resources were just tools he'd acquired with relative ease.
"Sort out your teams, then sweep through this building. Make sure there are no lingering infected. Strengthen your defenses, and consolidate your resources," Zhu Jiu continued, giving Xinyu broad directives. He didn't micromanage, allowing the young leader room to grow through trial and error.
Before leaving, Zhu Jiu noticed that Lu Linshui had led his 100-plus students toward the cafeteria about ten minutes earlier. Zhu Jiu didn't care; the cafeteria had already been stripped of anything useful. He saw no need to waste time pursuing Lu Linshui or holding grudges.
"Let them go. We have more important things to do," he thought.
Satisfied with his arrangements, Zhu Jiu turned to Wang Huannian and Ruan Qingyan.
"Mr. Wang, Miss Ruan, let's head to the lab. Fatty's condition is worsening, and we can't delay any longer," Zhu Jiu said.
Fatty, usually the liveliest member of their group, had grown noticeably weaker. His complexion had turned faintly bluish—a clear sign that the infection was taking a toll on him.
The looming threat of the second wave, combined with Fatty's worsening condition, pressed heavily on Zhu Jiu's mind.
After giving Fatty some final instructions, Zhu Jiu led Wang Huannian and Ruan Qingyan out of the classroom, heading toward the laboratory.
Back in the classroom, Zhang Xinyu stood silently, gripping the four vials of evolution serum. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders as he surveyed his 42 classmates.
Their eager and expectant gazes bore into him.
"All right," he said after a deep breath.
"If you want to be a team captain, step forward and tell me what makes you the best choice. Explain why I should choose you."
The moment he finished speaking, more than half the students stepped forward, each determined to claim the coveted position.
Everyone understood the stakes. Becoming a captain—and by extension, an evolved human—was a ticket to a higher status in this new, brutal world.
Zhang Xinyu's heart sank. He hadn't expected so many contenders.
For the first time, he realized how daunting leadership could be. His decision would shape the futures of these people and possibly determine who lived or died.
Doubt began to creep in, but then he remembered Zhu Jiu's parting words. His mentor had trusted him with this task, and he couldn't afford to falter.
"Let's start introductions," he announced, steadying his voice. "Go row by row, from the left. Tell me why you should lead."
Meanwhile, Zhu Jiu, Wang Huannian, and Ruan Qingyan moved cautiously through the corridors toward the laboratory.
For reasons unknown, the infected had grown significantly more active in this area. Even Zhu Jiu, as strong as he was, found them troublesome. Fighting while protecting Ruan Qingyan limited his movements, forcing him to think tactically.
"If I ever get the chance, I'm going to clean this place out properly," Zhu Jiu muttered, slicing through an infected with a single stroke before pulling Ruan Qingyan into the safety of a nearby building.
With a slam, he shut the door behind them. His system interface flickered—94 points. He was close to 100 again.
"Mr. Wang, I know where the lab is. Go back and keep an eye on Xinyu and the others," Zhu Jiu instructed.
Though Zhang Xinyu had the evolution serum, he was still unfamiliar with his new powers. Fatty, on the other hand, needed to conserve his strength due to his infection. Zhu Jiu couldn't afford to leave the classroom completely undefended.
"Understood. Stay safe," Wang Huannian said, nodding before heading back.
With Wang Huannian gone, Zhu Jiu and Ruan Qingyan began climbing the stairs toward the twelfth floor, where the lab was located.
The building's power was down, leaving them no choice but to use the stairs.
"Miss Ruan, are you all right? Need to slow down?" Zhu Jiu asked, noticing her labored breathing.
Ruan Qingyan was so focused on climbing that she didn't see Zhu Jiu stop. She walked straight into his chest, bouncing off with a surprised gasp.
Flustered, she stepped back, her face reddening as she avoided his gaze. But in her haste, she misstepped, losing her balance.
"Careful!"
Zhu Jiu reacted instantly, darting behind her and catching her around the waist.
Their close proximity made his heart race. Years of martial arts training had honed his body and mind, but the presence of a beautiful woman in his arms was a challenge of a different kind.
Zhu Jiu's cheeks flushed, and he quickly steadied her, trying to maintain his composure.
The air between them grew thick with tension.
But the moment was shattered by a piercing screech echoing through the hallway.
From the shadows emerged a hulking, monstrous figure.