"Fuck, fuck, fuck!"
Anirudh had just finished killing four zombies with lightning speed when Chandan, who had been prepared to close his eyes and accept his fate, finally opened his. Looking at the lifeless corpses on the ground, his face went pale as he exclaimed, "I almost pissed myself out of fear!"
"What were you thinking just now? Didn't I tell you to be careful?" Anirudh's tone was sharp, his expression darkening. He could feel his calf growing increasingly numb. "If I hadn't been quick, you'd have been lunch for those zombies!"
Although his words were filled with frustration, Anirudh wasn't truly angry at Chandan. He understood that Chandan had stayed behind to help him. Without Chandan drawing the zombies' attention, Anirudh might not have been able to handle the dozen undead that had surrounded them. Still, the anxiety of being bitten weighed heavily on him.
"I just slipped on some blood," Chandan admitted, his voice still trembling as he patted his chest. "But seriously, thanks to you, I would've been dead for sure."
His eyes then shifted to Anirudh, who was drenched in gore. Concern flickered across his face. "Boss, you just took on so many zombies at once. Are you okay?"
Anirudh's body was covered in filthy, dark blood, and his injured calf was concealed beneath it all. Still reeling from the recent ordeal, Chandan hadn't yet noticed the bite mark.
"What could possibly be wrong with me?" Anirudh replied, shaking his head. He wasn't about to reveal the truth about the bite. There was no point in burdening Chandan with guilt or self-blame. Instead, he pulled out his phone and attempted to make a call.
"Who are you calling?" Chandan asked, his curiosity piqued.
"The police," Anirudh replied matter-of-factly. "We can't just leave these corpses lying around. This isn't something we can sweep under the rug."
Anirudh's pragmatic mind knew the zombie issue was too dangerous to ignore. Whether or not these corpses remained infectious, authorities needed to step in. However, after several attempts, all he heard was the frustrating sound of a busy signal.
Chandan tried as well, but the result was the same. No one could get through.
"Brother, the police line isn't working!" Chandan exclaimed, his face growing paler by the second. "First zombies, and now this? Something's seriously wrong!"
"It's worse than we thought," Anirudh muttered grimly, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the ominous fog blanketing the distant horizon. The air felt heavy, suffused with an unnatural tension.
For the police emergency line to be perpetually busy—despite years of system optimizations—meant only one thing: the sheer volume of calls had overwhelmed the system. If so many people were calling at once, then chaos wasn't isolated to their location.
Realizing this, Anirudh opened his contacts and called the SP (Superintendent of police) of the city's criminal police brigade. As a forensic doctor, he worked closely with the brigade and had a good rapport with the SP.
The line connected almost immediately.
"Haan Chhote, what's going on? Are you all okay?" The SP's voice came through, accompanied by a cacophony of chaotic noises—shouts, screams, and even faint gunfire.
Anirudh's heart sank. "SP sir, there's a serious problem. I was handling a traffic accident on the national highway this morning when the victims turned into zombie-like creatures and attacked us."
"Damn it, I knew this was bigger than we thought!" the SP cursed. "The entire city bureau is in chaos. The dead are coming back to life everywhere! It's like the end of the world. The higher-ups have already mobilized the surrounding troops. Listen to me—go home and stay there until things stabilize."
The SP paused briefly before adding, "Those creatures are highly aggressive and contagious. If you see them, avoid direct confrontation. If you have no choice, aim for their heads. We'll deal with the aftermath. I can't stay on the line; we've got our hands full here. Take care!"
The call ended abruptly, leaving Anirudh holding the phone in stunned silence. He had heard the sharp crack of gunfire in the background just before the line went dead.
"Boss, what's happening?" Chandan's voice cut through the tense silence, his fear palpable.
Anirudh took a deep breath and tightened his grip on the bloodied crowbar in his hand. "Chandan, don't you always say you wish you could live in an apocalyptic novel, face danger, and take risks? Congratulations—your wish has come true. But this isn't a thrilling adventure. It's a nightmare."
Chandan's face went ashen. "Wait... you don't mean to say... zombies have appeared elsewhere too?"
"Exactly. The SP confirmed it. Zombies are popping up everywhere. The entire police force is mobilized, and the military is stepping in. Things are spiraling out of control." Anirudh's voice was steady, but his words carried a grim weight. "You need to go to your parents' place now. It's probably the safest spot in the city."
He explained that Chandan's parents worked at the National University of Defense Technology, which had military resources and secure fortifications. With its high walls, limited entry points, and access to helicopters, it was an ideal refuge. The military would prioritize protecting such a critical facility.
"But what about you?" Chandan asked, his voice thick with worry.
"I can't go with you," Anirudh said firmly. "I have... things to handle."
Chandan began to protest, but Anirudh's resolute gaze silenced him. "I'll be fine. You've seen my skills. I'll catch up with you once I'm done."
Reluctantly, Chandan nodded. "Alright, but you better show up. Don't try to play the hero!"
Anirudh watched as Chandan climbed onto his motorcycle and disappeared into the fog. Only then did he roll up his pant leg to inspect the bite on his calf. The wound had stopped bleeding, but the surrounding tissue was discolored, and his veins bulged like dark tendrils beneath his skin.
"Ancient Body Tempering Technique is holding it back," he muttered, his expression grim. "But this is far from over."
He resolved to push his cultivation to a higher level as quickly as possible. Only then could he purge the infection from his body. Mounting his own electric motorcycle, he sped toward the city, knowing the nightmare was just beginning.