How Zombies Survive in the Apocalypse

Chapter 85

Aiden’s group explored the interior of the warehouse buildings for a while.

However.

“...It’s empty.”

Having

So, to effectively destroy their brains, the only option was to stab a weapon deep through the eyes or jaw.

Given the conditions of fighting numerous zombies, this became an incredibly challenging task.

Fortunately, however.

Among Aiden’s group, there was a presence unaffected by such conventional conditions.

“Kiiii!”

Two zombies that noticed Aiden’s group screamed and rushed towards them.

Former soldiers with a robust physique resembling the military.

However, before they could even take a few steps.

Swoosh!

With a creepy sound, the machete of Jungle Doe passed through the space between the two zombies.

Neither the armored helmet nor the armored vest could protect against the onslaught of the melee weapon. The zombies’ heads were severed bone-deep, and they collapsed onto the corridor floor.

“Those two are done for.”

Arian, who had defeated the zombies, spoke.

She didn’t even spare a glance at the armored helmet the zombies were wearing.

While she might recognize it as an armored helmet, it seemed she didn’t consider its significance.

“Bullets don’t work well with these creatures.”

So Aiden explained that part to Arian.

At the mention of Aiden’s reduced firepower, Arian raised an eyebrow.

Seemingly in a tight spot, she let out a short sigh.

“So, what should we do? It’s dangerous if there are more of these. Shall we turn back now?”

“No, with you here, it should be fine.”

In response to Arian’s question, Aiden answered, shaking his head.

It wasn’t just mere optimism.

This underground space was the perfect place for Arian to fully unleash her abilities. In this confined area where walls and doors constantly obstructed the line of sight, her tracking ability would be maximized.

As much as there cannot be as much open space as on the surface, even if zombies swarm out in hordes, it will be difficult for them to surround Arian in narrow corridors.

The variables in battles brought about by numerical superiority are significantly reduced.

In contrast, Arian has 6 liters of blood.

Her combat abilities, based on simple calculations, can easily deal with three Brutals.

With such clear evidence, Aiden judged that there was no reason to retreat.

“Huh?”

On the other hand, Arian uttered a puzzled voice in response to Aiden’s words.

As if she didn’t expect him to say that.

But soon, with a smile on her lips, she confidently spoke.

“Well... Yeah, that makes sense. If there’s blood, I won’t lose to those corpses. Just trust me.”

“Got it. I trust you. I’ll stay by Sadie’s side.”

In response to Arian’s assurance, Aiden calmly agreed.

Arian’s smile deepened even more.

The group continued down the corridor.

As they went further inside, the appearance of zombies became more frequent, and their numbers increased.

Moreover, most of them were soldiers wearing armored helmets and vests.

“Kiaaaa!”

In the end, all of them were swept away in front of Arian like fallen leaves in the wind.

There was no process that could be called a battle.

Her transcendental physical abilities far surpassed the zombies’ strength, and they couldn’t even move properly before their heads fell into her hands.

However, each of those astonishing movements was clearly depleting the blood-red sphere floating next to Arian.

In just one hour, Arian had defeated about fifty zombies.

However, during that time, the size of the sphere had noticeably decreased to the point where it could be easily recognized at a glance.

While monitoring the size of the sphere, Aiden, of course, carefully examined the armored helmets and vests worn by the zombies every time they fell.

And among them, he even took off a few.

“Shall we move these over there?”

“Yes!”

He moved them to the side of the corridor through Sadie.

Finding this action unusual, Arian asked, and he casually replied:

“They’re useful items. It would be better to collect them on the way back if they’re in good condition.”

At that response, Arian’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

No matter how useful they might be, those weren’t items zombies would use.

But after briefly considering her own judgment, Arian changed her mind.

Even though she was a vampire, Arian couldn’t properly protect her comrades, including Sadie, from the hail of bullets.

While her vampire abilities could make her nearly indestructible, she couldn’t heal even a small wound on a comrade right next to her.

So, if those items could somehow block a bullet for them.

Whatever zombies used, it was right to use whatever could be utilized.

If only she could resize them, Aiden could use them, and Sadie as well.

Of course... they needed a proper cleaning before that.

“By the way, I don’t see any mutants?”

Arian, exploring the underground warehouse, expressed her doubts.

Despite having come quite deep, there was no sign of the mutants Owen had mentioned.

In response, Aiden pointed to the empty shelves, saying:

“There are traces of someone coming in here. So, there isn’t much left. If there are mutants, they might be deeper inside.”

Next to the corridor, there were shelves and drawers lined up.

It seemed to be a space used as a warehouse, and among the facilities discovered in this underground bunker, it was the place where supplies were most likely to be left.

However, those shelves and drawers were completely empty.

It meant that the gang that had raided the surface had also entered here.

“...Got it.”

Upon this, Arian nodded and continued forward.

Then, soon, a broken door and a spacious area beyond were revealed.

It was a cafeteria.

Whether it was for the soldiers who stayed here or for a scale that could accommodate over a few hundred people having a meal at the same time.

However, the tables and chairs that should have been there were not visible.

More precisely, only the debris of what should have been hit by something remained on the walls and corners.

Moreover, there were no zombies in this wide underground space.

Only remnants of arms and legs mixed in with the wreckage, like broken chairs.

“...This is it.”

Aiden looked at the restaurant scene and said.

“Clear signs of a battle, and regular zombies consumed by something. All of them indicate that from here onwards is a territory dominated by some mutant.”

“Yeah, over there,” Arian pointed to the opposite side of the restaurant.

Aiden’s light focused in that direction, reaching dozens of meters ahead.

Finally, it unearthed the monster hidden in the darkness.

A height slightly over 2 meters, with thighs like logs and muscles developed enough to tear a military uniform covering them.

Especially noticeable were the arms, unusually long.

If stretched straight down, they would almost touch the ground.

“Hmm...”

Undoubtedly the appearance of a mutant.

But it wasn’t the mutant Aiden was familiar with.

If a Wielder had mutations, only one of his arms was significantly thickened, it wasn’t as long as this.

The creature emitted a low growl, scanning Aiden’s group with its rotten pupils.

“Guuuh...”

Like the other zombies in the underground warehouse, it wore a bulletproof helmet.

The head snapped with a squelching sound.

Aiden’s group, facing it, showed no loud reaction, appearing intrigued.

After observing the creature for a moment, Aiden opened his mouth towards Arian.

“...Possible?”

The true capabilities of this mutant were still unknown.

The only thing that could be speculated was that the rifle reversed in its hand and the suppressive shield on the opposite side were both very threatening.

But Arian chuckled.

“I believe in myself. Can’t you trust me?”

“Seems possible.”

Aiden gestured to Sadie.

It was a signal to fall back, and Sadie immediately nodded.

“We’ll wait from behind.”

Arian nodded at Aiden’s words.

Right after that, the zombie screamed.

“Graaaa!”

The creature, judging that Aiden’s group was retreating, no longer hesitated and rushed straight towards them.

Its speed... surpassed that of most mutants.

If one thought speed and strength were proportional, it was almost at the level of a Brutal.

A formidable opponent.

Aiden, with just one movement, could judge the creature’s strength.

But such a formidable opponent...

Swoosh!

Existed on this side too.

Arian’s machete, emerging from the darkness, collided with the suppressed rifle of the mutated zombie, sparks flying as they clashed.

In that fleeting moment.

Arian’s gaze passed through the mutant’s chest.

There was something there – the name and rank of the enemy when this zombie was still alive.

It seemed this man was called Sergeant Smith in his past life.