Bang! Bang! Bang! The gate shuddered under the undead’s blows, each hit rattling the survivors’ nerves. It’s holding—for now, Chen Liu thought, his face taut with strain. The wooden gate, braced by two beams, stood firm. Through the slit, Chen Liu’s team stabbed, dropping three five-star zombies and one six-star zombie, easing the pressure slightly. Cannon fodder’s down, he thought.

Graaahhh—the seven-star zombie, lurking behind, roared, patience gone. It charged, trampling corpses in the trench, a hurricane of bone and claw. It’s coming. Chen Liu’s face was filled with dread. “Fall back to the corridor!” he shouted, heart pounding. He stayed by the gate, axe ready, a plan flickering in his eyes.

Boom! Crash! The seven-star smashed through, blasting a human-sized hole, debris flying. Its speed froze the hall, faces whitening with terror. “Retreat!” Li Dong yelled, snapping awake, urging the team to the corridor. Chen Liu moved first, axe swinging at the zombie’s skull. One shot to end it, he thought, his face fierce with focus. The zombie’s burst through the gate left a split-second opening—he aimed for it.

Crack! The axe grazed the skull, gouging its shoulder instead. Too strong, Chen Liu thought, disappointment flashing across his face. The zombie roared, eyes locking on him. It’s personal now. He almost laughed, but his chest tightened. “Captain, fall back!” Fang cried, his voice raw, face pale with fear.

“No retreat,” Chen Liu growled, gripping his axe, eyes blazing. “I’ll handle the seven-star. You take the rest!” The other zombies—five- and six-stars—rushed the corridor, ignoring him. It wants me alone, he thought, his blood surging with defiance. The hall became a duel.

Whoosh! The seven-star lunged, phantom-fast despite its mangled shoulder. Its presence crushed the air, but Chen Liu’s blood boiled, his face alight with thrill. Stronger it is, stronger I get, he thought. His battle instinct tracked its blur, raising his shield as claws aimed for his throat. Screeeech—claws raked alloy, sparks flying. Its hands are weapons. He had to be completely focused. One graze meant death.

The zombie’s steel-dense frame seemed impenetrable. Non-lethal wounds were useless except to the head. Walking nightmare, Chen Liu thought, his face straining as he dodged like a boat in a storm. His mental power, stretched thin, barely kept up. Li Dong or Fang would be dead, he worried.

He forgot the hall, the team, everything—eyes locked on the zombie. Each dodge defied its ferocious swipes. I’m holding, he thought, his face taut with effort. The zombie roared, attacks growing wilder. Chen Liu’s heart sank as a headache barged into his head and his instinct started fading. I’m out of time, he thought, his face twisting with desperation.

He gambled, hesitating for a second, exposing his shoulder. The zombie’s claws stabbed deep, crushing bone. “Aghhhh!” Chen Liu screamed, his face contorted with pain. Channelling the agony, he swung his axe, severing the zombie’s arm along the prior wound. Got you, he thought, his eyes fierce. But the zombie, unfazed, gripped tighter, dragging him toward its fangs.

Too strong. Chen Liu struggled, as blood gushed from his neck, dizziness clouding his mind. I’m dying. The gap was cruel—weakness meant no mercy. But his fear of death roared. Not here, not now. His eyes burned with refusal. This era of supernatural power, of breaking limits, was his dream. I’ll reach the peak, he vowed.

His strength faded, axe clattering to the floor. No! he thought as his vision blurring. A final surge of instinct and desperation flared. His right hand drew his dagger and stabbed the zombie’s skull. Die, he thought, then blacked out, defenceless.

Yuyu: Wake Up, Chen Liu!!!

thINKer: Chen Liu, this is not the best time to take a nap. Zombies, remember?!!! 😣