Chapter 152: The Cargo Must Be Supplies

Chapter 152: The Cargo Must Be Supplies

Strength Enhancement Potion?

A potion Wu Heng had never seen before was presented to him.

He frowned and glanced at the potion's description.

It was developed by extracting energy from mutated creatures.

In other words, it was made using zombie cores.

"Is this from a level-one core or a level-two core?" Wu Heng asked.

In the skeleton alchemist's possession were one level-two core and three level-one cores.

They hadn't yet managed to create an antidote.

Wu Heng had assumed it was because of the workload. After all, Alchemist Number One was responsible for making common healing potions, mental restoration potions, and tending to the wounded.

But now it seemed they had been working on developing a new potion.

And it had succeeded.

Alchemy was truly a magical profession.

Wu Heng wondered if they could create a cure for the zombie virus.

The skeleton alchemist brought over a "Viscera Jar," opening the lid.

Wu Heng took a glance inside.

It contained a blood-streaked level-two core, along with two level-one cores.

So, this potion was made using a level-one core.

"Alright, close it."

Alchemist Number One sealed the jar and placed it back on the shelf.

Wu Heng picked up the potion.

After thinking for a moment, he pulled the cork and drank it in one go.

A slightly bitter taste filled his mouth, and he swallowed it down.

[Strength +1, Agility +1.]

A system notification appeared, showing that his attributes had increased.

[Name: Wu Heng]

[Class: Necromancer]

[Level: 6 (7325/23000)]

[Attributes: Strength 24, Agility 25, Constitution 25, Intelligence 26, Perception 15, Charisma 19.]

[Proficiencies: Short Spear Specialization (Basic), Swordsmanship Specialization (Beginner), Light Armor Specialization (Basic), Arcane Training.]

[Abilities: Gray Hawk Swordsmanship (Beginner), Enhanced Willpower.]

[Skills: Raise Skeleton, Raise Corpse, Dancing Lights, Acid Splash, Grease Spell, Weakness Ray, Corpse Preservation, Speak with Dead, Cursed Blast, Fireball, Vitality Spell, Disease Ray, Feather Fall, Fog Cloud, Battlefield of the Dead.]

His attributes had indeed increased.

Additionally, there were no side effects like those caused by ingesting zombie cores.

This meant the potion completely bypassed the risk of infection when consuming zombie cores.

If this information got out, it would cause a huge stir in the surviving human society.

At the very least, this was an undeniable source of wealth.

A wealth that other survivor bases, even the central station, did not possess.

If they could develop a potion using a level-two core as well.

Then unlocking more special abilities would only be a matter of time.

Wu Heng was very satisfied with this potion.

Handing the empty bottle back to Alchemist Number One, he said, "This potion is great. Continue making it, and also work on developing the level-two version."

Alchemist Number One saluted and took the bottle back into the room.

...

After drinking the potion.

Wu Heng left the neighborhood and used his walkie-talkie.

Before long, Li Yanhong pedaled over on a tricycle.

The cart was loaded with hundreds of steel rods, sharpened at one end.

"Does this work?" Li Yanhong picked one up and handed it to him.

Wu Heng took it and weighed it in his hand. It felt solid.

"This should be fine. If any issues come up, we can adjust later."

"Got it," Li Yanhong nodded and continued, "The collection of supplies and transport is already in motion. Everything's proceeding smoothly."

Wu Heng nodded, "Pile everything up at the neighborhood gate. I'll have the skeletons bring it in."

"Alright. When do we head to Changyingzi?" Li Yanhong asked.

"Tomorrow. Prepare a truck, fill it up with gas, and bring extra fuel."

"Got it!"

After finishing their conversation, they parted ways.

Li Yanhong pedaled the tricycle back.

Wu Heng returned to his residence and had the skeletons distribute the javelins.

He selected an open area to begin practicing long-distance javelin throwing.

Wu Heng watched for a while.

Then, he opened the portal and returned to his residence in Rentam City.

...

At dusk.

Wu Heng descended the stairs.

The bunny girl, Minnie, heard the footsteps and quickly rushed out.

"Master, should I prepare dinner?"

"Go ahead."

"Alright!" Minnie hopped down the stairs in large strides, three steps at a time, to prepare dinner.

The two maids Wu Heng had recently bought had very different personalities.

Minnie, 16 years old, was lively and cheerful. Even after narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Blood Cult, she could laugh about it and share the story with others.

After learning that Wu Heng had saved her, she felt their connection was destined.

She willingly accepted her role as his maid.

While Minnie prepared dinner.

Andviel, who managed the shop, soon returned.

She hadn't brought Sword One and Sword Two, likely leaving them to guard the shop.

Upon seeing Wu Heng in the living room, she immediately said, "Master, the shop opened this afternoon, but there weren't many customers."

It was just the first day, and they hadn't done any promotion.

Slowly attracting customers was fine; there was no rush.

"You're in charge of the shop, don't worry about any gang issues. I've already dealt with that," Wu Heng said.

"Understood, Master."

After replying, Andviel headed to the kitchen to help Minnie with dinner preparations.

Soon, dinner was served.

The three of them sat at the table and began eating.

Minnie asked about things she was curious about, while Andviel listened quietly, eating her meal.

After dinner, they each returned to their rooms to rest.

...

The next morning.

After breakfast, Wu Heng took Andviel and Minnie to the shop.

They stayed for a while, and a few customers came in to ask about prices.

Unlike what he had imagined.

Although people inquired about glassware and porcelain.

The most commonly purchased items were plastic basins, stacks of which were sold.

Everyone who came in, after asking about prices and uses, would buy a few to take home.

After sitting for a while, Wu Heng greeted the two girls and then left.

He returned to his residence.

Opened the portal and returned to the zombie world.

Today, he had planned with Li Yanhong to head to Changyingzi and capture that Big-Head zombie.

Wu Heng commanded the skeletons to divide their forces, leaving about 200 to patrol and protect the rest of the people at the auto repair shop.

The remaining skeletons, all of them, filled the entire street.

Now, the number of skeletons had reached over 13,000.

The Big-Head skeletons had the ability to issue intelligent commands from a distance, so orders had to be given in batches.

In the distance, the people from the repair shop stood watching, their eyes filled with shock.

The skeletons outnumbered most zombie hordes they had seen.

The central station had mentioned some powerful abilities.

But in the eyes of the people, no matter how strong an ability was, it couldn't compare to an army of skeletons like this.

And they were equipped with armor and weapons.

Beep beep~!

Soon, Li Yanhong arrived, driving a military truck.

The skeletons made way, and the truck slowly moved into the middle.

Wu Heng, along with Barson, Bagdong, and the Big-Head skeleton, got into the truck.

He gave the order, "Move out!"

Whoosh~!

The skeleton army began to move, escorting the truck forward.

Li Yanhong said, "Last night, I contacted the people in Changyingzi again. They said besides the Big-Head zombie, they've also spotted other types of level-two and level-one zombies, and the horde numbers between 2,000 and 3,000."

"More than one level-two zombie?"

"Yes, that's what they said. It could be dangerous," Li Yanhong said with concern.

As time passed.

Not only were the survivors gathering together, but the zombies were forming groups too.

Who would have thought?

"It's alright, nothing too serious. If things get dangerous, we can always retreat," Wu Heng reassured her.

"They plan to evacuate today, so they won't be able to provide us with much more intel."

"No worries. Once we're there, the zombies will come to us."

The truck continued to move forward at the same pace as the army.

They talked about the situation with the radio and some of the survivor bases.

As time went on.

The survivors began to gather more and more, huddling together for warmth.

But every day, there were also bases that mysteriously lost contact, most likely overrun by zombies.

The truck drove beyond the cleared area.

Zombies started emerging from both sides of the road, drawn out from neighborhoods and shops, rushing toward them in groups.

After driving through a residential area.

Zombies poured out like a river, gathering on the road.

Rushing toward them.

"Stop the truck, halt the skeletons," Wu Heng immediately ordered.

The truck slowly came to a stop.

The skeleton army also halted, entering battle mode.

From the truck, they had a good view of the distance.

Wu Heng calculated the zombies' distance and ordered, "Javelins ready!"

Whoosh~!

A large number of skeletons drew their steel javelins, preparing to throw.

"Throw!"

Whoosh~!

The sound of wind cutting through the air filled the sky as the javelins were launched.

Ding ding ding~!

The javelins rained down on the zombie horde.

Some zombies were pierced through, while others were knocked down like they had been hit by iron rods.

"Wow, it's that effective?" Li Yanhong exclaimed from the truck.

The road had a fixed width.

Hundreds of javelins dropped, cutting down the zombies like wheat.

While some zombies stood back up, the overall effect was still very clear.

Once the javelin training is refined and specialized, it'll be a great combat tool.

Seeing the zombies rising to charge again.

Wu Heng gave another order, "Spears ready!"

The skeletons lowered their bodies, spears pointing forward, and the charging zombies collided with the spear formation.

The sound of flesh being pierced echoed.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

Many zombies were impaled and collapsed to the ground.

As the number of zombies rapidly decreased.

"Advance!"

Whoosh!

The spear-wielding skeletons stood up, forming a wall of spikes, pushing the zombie horde back.

Zombies that hadn't died crawled on the ground, trying to grab the skeletons' ankles.

Only to be crushed into mush by the skeletons behind them.

Or sliced into pieces by the sword-wielding skeletons.

In the midst of the fierce battle.

The zombie numbers quickly dwindled.

With the current level and number of skeletons.

The zombies were being completely overwhelmed.

More skeletons stood guard around the truck, with little room to maneuver.

The battle gradually came to an end.

The area returned to a calm silence.

All the skeletons stood in place, awaiting further orders.

"Clear the battlefield, move the bodies to the sides of the road," Wu Heng commanded.

The skeletons began cleaning up the battlefield.

Retrieving the javelins and moving the corpses to the sides of the road.

Clearing any abandoned vehicles blocking the way.

Once everything was settled, the army resumed its march.

...

The convoy continued advancing, killing zombies along the way.

But their progress was slower than expected.

Dealing with the constant small groups of zombies and the abandoned vehicles along the road significantly slowed them down.

By 2 p.m.

They were approaching the Changyingzi district.

In the distance, a few distinctive buildings could be seen.

"Pick up the pace…"

Wu Heng was just about to give the order.

When suddenly, a black SUV sped out from a side road, entering the main road.

It was moving fast.

But as soon as it saw the massive skeleton army approaching.

Screeeech~!

The sound of squealing brakes echoed.

The car swerved violently, crashing into a streetlight with a loud bang.

The impact shattered the glass panel on the streetlight, sending shards raining down onto the car.

The passenger in the front seat was half-hanging out of the windshield.

The driver's airbag had deployed, and they were severely injured.

Then, the passenger, now zombified, crawled back into the car and bit the driver to death.

Wu Heng and Li Yanhong widened their eyes at the scene.

It had all happened so suddenly.

Before they had time to react.

The car had crashed, and both people inside had turned into zombies.

Before they could process this.

Another van sped out from the same side road.

Screeeech~!

It too slammed on the brakes upon seeing the skeleton army, leaving behind four black tire marks.

The van swerved, trying to reverse and head in the other direction.

But from behind came the roars and howls of zombies.

A large horde appeared on the main road, following behind the van.

The van and the smoking SUV were now caught between two forces, unable to move forward or backward.

"They must be survivors," Li Yanhong said.

Wu Heng nodded, "Their driving skills aren't great, though."

The vehicles hadn't been modified, and even the van just had some newspapers taped over the windows.

Not everyone could manage modifications.

"What do we do now? Those people seem frozen, their car's just sitting there," Li Yanhong said.

Wu Heng peered out through the gaps in the truck's steel frame.

Turning to the Big-Head skeleton, he ordered, "Javelins ready."

Whoosh~!

The skeletons immediately prepared their javelins.

"Throw!"

Whoosh!

The sound of javelins cutting through the air rang out once more.

They rained down like before.

Ding ding ding!

The steel javelins landed on the asphalt road, and the zombie horde collapsed under the barrage.

"Machete skeletons, charge!"

Whoosh!

The machete-wielding skeletons rushed forward.

Colliding with the oncoming zombie horde.

...

Inside the van.

The passengers watched in terror as the battle unfolded around them.

The van shook violently, and footsteps echoed on the roof.

It seemed like a fight was happening right on top of them.

"Boss Chen, it seems like these skeletons aren't attacking us," one of them said.

The skeletons were much closer, and if they wanted to attack, they could have overwhelmed them in a single wave.

But it seemed they weren't being targeted.

"What the hell are these things?"

The man addressed as Boss Chen cursed.

"Look at that modified military truck in the middle of the skeletons. That's the one mentioned on the radio, the ability user. If he can drive that truck, he can also break through the zombie horde."

"The truck's got to be full of supplies. Damn, if we had those, we'd be set no matter which base we go to."

Boss Chen lowered his head, peering ahead at the truck.

A look of hesitation flashed in his eyes.

...

The battle quickly ended.

All the zombies were killed, and the skeletons stood still like statues.

"Go talk to those people, but be careful." After thinking for a moment, Wu Heng added, "Barson, go with her."

"Alright!" Li Yanhong tightened her protective suit and jumped off the truck.

Barson and a few other skeletons followed her toward the van.

Knock knock~!

Li Yanhong tapped on the van's door, "Open up, I'm a survivor too."

The rear door cracked open slightly.

Whoosh~!

Suddenly, a short spear with a fruit knife tied to it shot out from the crack, aiming for Li Yanhong's throat.