Chapter 9: Chapter 9: B+B+B=C [How to deal with zombies outside the door: A. Capture alive, B. Kill, C. Lure away] "What is this?" Zhang Su shook his head hard, finding the words in his mind still there, and a new line had appeared below. [Please choose before the countdown ends, it will randomly select when the countdown finishes] [00:01:29] "Alright..." Zhang Su suddenly calmed down. Since a zombie outbreak, such absurd and bizarre events have occurred, it’s reasonable to have a few helpers. This is not the time to question why these words appeared in my mind; I have to make a choice within a minute and a half! "First, rule out capturing alive..." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂 Looking at option A, Zhang Su fell silent, knowing that some films suggested capturing zombies for special uses, but that’s definitely not what he should be thinking about now. "To lure away or to kill..." Zhang Su was conflicted, knowing how to kill zombies was not an issue, based on experiences from related works, it was nothing more than a headshot, severing the connection between the brain and the body, essentially cutting off the head... "I feel luring away is more difficult." Currently, there’s almost no understanding of the outside world, and without suitable equipment, it’s impossible to risk luring away zombies. "Be it evil spirits or monsters, kill them all! Yes, killing is the safest option!" Zhang Su felt he hadn’t wasted any time, but the countdown left less than thirty seconds, and he hurriedly answered "B! I choose B, kill the zombie!" Thinking the choice ended here and there would be a reward for this task, unexpectedly, there was a second line. [Time limit to complete the challenge: A. One hour, B. One day, C. One week] [00:01:30] "Wait... a challenge, what happens if I can’t complete it?" Feeling anxious, Zhang Su asked himself, and after tens of seconds, the characters in his mind didn’t change... "I should choose first, if it’s about the time limit..." Zhang Su tightened his fist, saying, "B, one day!" An hour is too rushed, a week too dragging, many unpredictable changes may happen, better to finish within one day. After choosing, he carefully set a 24-hour countdown on his watch, but realized the time didn’t move. "Time freeze!?" This technology is amazing, often seen in Japanese movies, it’s a highly advanced technology. Amazed, Zhang Su quickly regained focus, knowing even if time is frozen, it’s only a few minutes, he still has choices to make, no way to do anything significant in this time. Moreover, he didn’t even know how he triggered this thing in his mind. Before Zhang Su could think further, the characters flashed again in his mind. [Challenge members: A. Alone, B. With others, C. Delegate to others] [00:01:30] "Damn, quite meticulous..." Zhang Su couldn’t help but remark, knowing that if a challenge member option appeared, it must have an impact, though he didn’t know what kind. "Delegate to others is out, who could I delegate to at this time..." Thinking this, Zhang Su glanced towards Zheng Xinyu’s half-opened door, feeling moved, whispered, "B, I choose B!" Zhang Su pondered, if the outside world has turned into a hellish place like Sheng Qin Home, and rescue seems unlikely, the future is bound to involve fighting zombies, and Zheng Xinyu either becomes an aid, or... Not wanting to abandon her cruelly, she might not keep up. [Challenge created, kill the zombie outside the door with someone else within one day, difficulty: C, timer starts at 23:59:59] "C..." Zhang Su silently remarked, guessing this would be tied to difficulty, didn’t expect three B choices yielding a C, but wasn’t bothered, given the lack of information, decisions must be made based on circumstances, no recklessness! "Is it that urgent?" Looking at the countdown threateningly hanging in his mind, Zhang Su felt helpless, no introduction, no explanation, no communication, the challenge begins. "Hey, do all survivors have a part in the challenge?" Zhang Su’s mind queried, without response. "Does completing the challenge offer rewards?" "Is there a penalty for failing?" "Hey? Speak! Hello, hello?" ... Repeated questioning led to no response, forcing Zhang Su to abandon this foolish questioning, focusing instead on the challenge. Dismissing his fears, Zhang Su thought he could kill the zombie at the door, including protecting himself from bites, understanding that being bitten surely leads to infection, but scratches remain uncertain! "Overcome my fear..." This is the most crucial point. Zhang Su stared hard at the door, took a deep breath, intending to check the peep-hole again. At this moment, Zheng Xinyu exited her room with a curious look at Zhang Su walking towards the door, and asked, "What are you doing?" Stopping, Zhang Su looked at Zheng Xinyu already dressed in her underwear, probing, "There’s nothing wrong, right?" Faced with Zhang Su’s sudden strange question, Zheng Xinyu shook her head in confusion, opening her palms, "Nothing’s wrong." "Oh, glad to hear..." Zhang Su confirmed Zheng Xinyu didn’t have subtitles in her mind, otherwise, her nature wouldn’t stay calm, he pointed to the door, "I’m going to observe the zombie!" After speaking, he glued himself to the peephole. "Why... why observe the zombie?" Zheng Xinyu followed behind him, murmuring, "That thing is terrifying, perhaps we shouldn’t provoke it?" "What if we have to face it?" Zhang Su asked by Zheng Xinyu’s ear. Without time to relish the tingling sensation, Zheng Xinyu felt helpless and puzzled by his question. Have to face it? Can’t avoid it? Seeing Zheng Xinyu unsure of an answer, Zhang Su said no more, continued observing Brother Li transformed into a zombie through the peephole. Previously panicked, he hadn’t observed closely, now examining more thoroughly, Zhang Su noticed additional details. The exposed skin on the forearms was dry, muscles tightened as if constantly tense, displaying strength, indicating zombies indeed possess great power, evident from their door-rapping force. Next was the mutation of the mouth! The zombie’s teeth were completely unlike humans, becoming sharp while adding a row, resembling some sharks, unique constructs increasing biting and chewing power. The nose was slightly sunken, nostrils enlarged, somewhat comically on a horrific face, the crimson eyes indistinguishable in parts, even in stillness radiated subtlely wild. No matter how often his mind replayed prior scenes, observing up close again, discomfort lingered in Zhang Su. Confronted with transformed fellow humans, a primordial dread exists deep in the soul, not entirely fear of zombie’s might, bite strength, tearing power, more fearful of becoming that monstrous self!