Chapter Thirteen: Let You Go? Do You Take Me for a Fool?

"I am the Chosen One! Now get on your knees—since you brought these three girls along, I’ll let you die a little less painfully!"

In the apocalyptic world, zombies could mutate, gaining new skills—and so could humans. But compared to the sheer number of zombies, human mutation was much rarer. Typically, only one in a thousand would mutate, and even then, advancement was not guaranteed. That was why Green-hair was so arrogant: he was one in a thousand, a Bronze-tier Chosen. With this rare power, he led survivors to establish a safe zone in the SPC Factory. He wore a look of smug confidence, certain that Gu Lang was completely at his mercy.

Yet Gu Lang only sneered, as if watching a clown perform. "Bronze? Just you? The rest are all ordinary people?"

Green-hair hesitated, but then replied instinctively, "That's right! I'm the only one—Chosen Ones aren't as common as cabbages!"

One of his lackeys, unable to contain himself, shouted, "Boss, quit wasting time! Kill him, and those three girls are ours!"

But before he could finish his sentence—

With a sharp whoosh, an ice spike shot out, piercing through the lackey’s skull and blowing his head apart on the spot!

Li Muwan, now freed from her chains by Gu Lang, stared icily at the crowd.

"What the hell?!" Green-hair gasped. What had moved so fast? A sniper? No— That was a zombie! A zombie with skills!

Li Muwan showed no signs of affection; her appearance was identical to a zombie’s, and she terrified everyone present.

Green-hair instinctively stepped back, but a scream rang out behind him.

"Boss! We’re surrounded by zombies!"

"Damn! There are more on the side!"

Turning around, they saw ten zombies closing in, encircling them from both sides.

"Don’t panic, brothers! Zombies don’t always attack just us!" Green-hair gritted his teeth, refusing to believe the zombies would ignore Gu Lang. They had more than a dozen people and weren’t afraid of a fight. Gu Lang only had three companions; if anyone was going to die first, it would be him.

The group quickly closed ranks, preparing for battle. Of them all, only Green-hair was a Chosen One, but the rest were strong men wielding machetes and clubs—sufficient to handle normal zombies.

But Li Muwan did not attack Gu Lang. Instead, she kept launching ice spikes—her target: Green-hair!

One after another, the ice spikes flew, taking down several survivors.

Gu Lang burst into hearty laughter, completely unsurprised. "Just as I thought! Li Muwan bears no hatred toward us—otherwise, how could we fight side by side?"

He had suspected the damned system might try to sabotage him. But thinking back, hadn’t it been the same when winning over previous girlfriends? After completing a mission, even if there was no increase in affection, at least the hostility vanished. Gu Lang had seized upon this logic.

Without wasting any more words, Gu Lang leapt into the fray, fighting shoulder to shoulder with Li Muwan.

Boom!

Gu Lang’s fist crashed into Green-hair’s chest, caving it in. Green-hair grunted, badly wounded but not dead—Bronze-tier resilience was formidable. What would have been fatal to an ordinary person left him merely gravely injured. But death was not far.

"What the hell, you’re a Chosen One too? And a Silver-tier at that!" The last glimmer of hope in Green-hair’s eyes faded, replaced by total despair. He’d kicked the hornet’s nest.

"Please, don’t kill me! I can be useful to you—I can work for you!" Watching his comrades fall one after another, Green-hair quickly begged for mercy.

But Gu Lang’s eyes were cold as ice. He sneered, "Fine. Tell me where the SPC Factory is, and I’ll let you live."

The SPC was a pharmaceutical plant—vital resources that Gu Lang had to secure first. He wasn’t stupid; Chosen Ones would only become more common as time went on. Fighting humans was much harder than fighting zombies. With a pharmaceutical plant, he’d be invincible—and perhaps even make it his home.

"South—fifteen kilometers from here!" Green-hair was overjoyed, but inside, he sneered, convinced Gu Lang was a gullible fool.

But in the next instant, another punch smashed down, this time blowing Green-hair’s head apart. He died instantly.

What a joke! Did he think Gu Lang was an idiot? If he spared him, it would only be an invitation for betrayal.

With a cold laugh, Gu Lang plunged back into battle.

The remaining survivors were already numb with terror. Their strongest leader was dead; they had no hope left. In the end, not a single one survived the combined assault of Gu Lang and Li Muwan.

Yu Qiuchi hurried over to check Gu Lang’s wounds, sneaking a glance at the little girl. The little girl, frustrated at missing her chance to shine, stamped her foot in anger—she could only go command zombies to clean up the battlefield.

This time, the spoils were plentiful: a large cache of supplies and weapons—daggers, machetes, clubs, and, most importantly, an electric baton with impressive power, which Gu Lang decided to carry with him at all times. The rest of the miscellaneous items were thrown into his storage pouch—a miraculous item that could preserve supplies and keep them fresh, a true survival essential.

In addition, a green glowing mote floated above Green-hair’s corpse, like a firefly flickering in the dark. Upon his death, it drifted toward Gu Lang.

[Ding! Reminder: Each time the host kills a Chosen One, you may randomly obtain one of their skills or attribute points. This time, you have received 5 free attribute points!]

Gu Lang hadn’t expected such a windfall. He stored the attribute points away, saving them for a critical moment.

Then the mission rewards arrived.

[Congratulations, host, on completing the mission: fighting side by side with your little girlfriend and entrusting your back to each other—truly the height of romance! The battle was beautifully executed, with neither of you wounded. Mission completed perfectly!]

[Mission reward: 10 free attribute points, one mystery gift pack!]

[Mystery gift pack: Base!]

[Tip: The base allows you to select a room for use. Once activated, the room is automatically furnished with a refrigerator, air conditioner, and other furniture, and comes with a year's worth of electricity!]

Gu Lang's eyes widened. Did this mean he could use electricity in the apocalypse? Incredible! While everyone else suffered just to survive, he’d be lounging in air conditioning, watching TV—living the good life!

And it didn’t stop there. More notifications appeared in quick succession.

[Host and Li Muwan’s affection has increased: you are now a couple!]

[Host automatically shares skill: Ice Spike Technique!]

[Ice Spike Technique: Fires an 18-centimeter-long ice spike within a 100-meter radius, dealing 200% physical damage! (Each use consumes 10% of current stamina!)]

Shared skills—he’d almost forgotten about that! Gu Lang was thrilled. The Ice Spike Technique was powerful; in Li Muwan’s hands, it could pierce a concrete pillar. With his greater strength, wouldn’t it be as destructive as an armor-piercing shell?

Yet, there was a downside: it consumed stamina. Gu Lang had already adapted to the apocalypse, knowing this world had no magic points—stamina was the cost for using skills. One spike cost 10%; at best, he could fire eight or nine times before collapsing from exhaustion. If he spent it all, he’d be helpless on the battlefield—a potential death sentence.

He was a little disappointed, but wise enough to be content with what he had. This skill would make the perfect trump card.

"Gu Lang? Could you help save my sister?"

Suddenly, Li Muwan spoke.