Shuan didn't wait for the zombies to make the first move; he took the initiative to attack. His sharp military knife stuck the nearest zombie with precision. More zombies began gathering around him, but Shuan, with his quick reflexes, dodged and used his foot to kick several zombies away. His knife continued to plunge and stab into the heads of the undead with deadly accuracy.
Sylas wasn't idle either. With a child strapped to his back, he was extra cautious. He brandished his knife and thrust it directly into a zombie's brain. Just as he was about to attack another zombie lunging at him, he sensed a movement behind him. Without hesitation, he kicked the oncoming zombie away with tremendous force and immediately raised his hand to grab the emancipated hand of a zombie reaching for the child on his back.
He twisted the zombie's arm and yanked it
toward him with force, while the knife in his other hand drove forward, piercing directly into the zombie's glabella.
Thud!
The zombie collapsed to the ground.
Sylas immediately spun around with agility, once again engaging in fierce combat against the zombies closing in on them. He noticed their numbers increasing
rapidly. Dodging a zombie's claw, Sylas, protecting the child on his back, leaped into action. He jumped up, pressed his foot against the wall, and somersaulted gracefully. As he landed behind a zombie, the knife in his hand drove straight into its head. Without wasting a moment, he lifted his leg and kicked the zombie away while
simultaneously retrieving the knife from his boot with his left hand.
Now with a knife in each hand, Sylas moved with precision and ferocity, eliminating the zombies faster than before.
Shaun, who was a few meters away from
Sylas had just taken down a zombie when
another suddenly emerged from the house
to his right and attacked him. A chill ran down his spine; he didn't have enough time to react. Just as he thought he was done for, a sharp knife whistled past his ear and pierced the zombie squarely in the middle of its forehead. The zombie staggered backward and collapsed onto the ground.
Cold sweat dripped down Shaun's temple.
He quickly kicked away another zombie in
front of him and looked toward Sylas, who
was nimbly dodging the claws of zombies while attacking them with precision. Sensing Shaun's gaze on him, Sylas gave him a quick glance and said, "Be careful."
Shaun killed the zombie next to him and, with quick movements, pulled out the knife from the head of the collapsed zombie. He threw it toward Sylas and said, "Thank you."
Sylas stabbed a zombie in the forehead with his right hand and, with deft movements, caught the knife Shaun had thrown with his left hand.
"My pleasure. The zombies are increasing.
We need to think of a way to leave this
place," Sylas said as he noticed another
wave of zombies moving toward them from the alley and the road.
Shaun saw the situation as well and replied, "Let's finish this batch quickly and hide inside one of the houses."
"Looks like that's our only option," Sylas said as his movements became even faster.
"Let's hurry," Shaun said firmly, continuing to take down the approaching zombies.
The stench of decay, mixed with other acrid odors, assaulted Sylas's nose. He frowned, his brows knitting together. "This stench is horrible, and it's getting stronger. I feel like I might pass out from the smell," Sylas said, covering his mouth and nose with the collar of his high-neck.
Shaun could also feel the overwhelming smell of decay lingering in the air.
After finally finishing off the zombies, Sylas cleaned his knives with a piece of cloth and discarded it.
"Let's go before more zombies come after us," Shaun said, quickly entering the door of one of the houses in the alley.
Sylas followed behind Shaun, and as soon as he stepped through the door, the child on his back began to fidget and stir.
"Mommy… m-mommy… wah… ah…"
The child started crying, and both Shaun and Sylas immediately froze.
If the child made too much noise, the zombies would be drawn to them no matter where they hid.
Sylas slowly patted the child on his back, trying to calm him.
"Sshh… shhh… don't cry, baby," Sylas said stiffly in a low voice and as he tried to coax the boy.
However, upon hearing a stranger's voice, the child's cries grew louder.
"Wah… ah… wah…"
Sylas and Shaun exchanged tense glances.
They both knew that it's impossible for them to hide with the child crying. But they cannot abandon the child.
Sylas clenched the knife tightly in his hand,
his knuckles turning white.
What should I do?
I can't hide with the child crying like this
If I leave him in the alley, I won't have to
worry anymore.
I could even... kill him to shut him up
completely.
Sylas's hand trembled, the knife shaking in
his grip.
No, no, no... Sylas, what are you thinking?
Are you insane?
Where is your conscience?
No, I can't abandon the child. I have to take
him with me.
"Sylas? What are you thinking?" Shuan looked at Sylas, worried. Sylas eyes were bloodshot.
Shaun's voice immediately snapped Sylas out of his thoughts.
Looking at Shaun, Sylas shook his head and replied, "Nothing."
But before they could say more, the sound of shuffling footsteps and guttural noises echoed from the alley. Sylas quickly glanced outside and saw a horde of zombies heading straight for them, drawn by the child's cries.
Sylas's heart pounded as he made a split-second decision. He took one last look at Shaun, then sprang out of the door with the child on his back and slammed it shut, locking it from the outside.
Shaun, still inside the house, was stunned by Sylas's actions. Before he could say anything, Sylas, standing just beyond the door, spoke hurriedly, his tone firm but calm.
"Shaun, don't make a sound. I'll lure the zombies away. With the child crying, both of us are in danger if we stay together. We need to split up."
Sylas took a deep breath before continuing, "After I lead the zombies away, hide for a while. Then head back and report the situation near the mansion to Major Kyle. I'm leaving now. Don't make a sound, or you'll attract them."