Chapter 13

The driver stood in front of the truck, looking anxious, but the massive figure in front of the vehicle was the real problem.

"I know you're in a hurry, but don't worry, the car's fine. It's him who's blocking the way."

Ethan had halted the truck with one hand, rendering any attempts to start it futile.

The others could only watch in disbelief. Was Ethan even human?

"Get out of the truck!"

Ethan commanded coldly. If he didn't need more people to deal with the zombies, he might have just killed them all.

Killing these people would only grant him a few attribute points, but slaying zombies was a much more efficient way to replenish his strength.

However, he knew humans could do more than just kill zombies—they could also rebuild civilization.

But the people in the truck were terrified. Getting out meant certain death, didn't it?

"Not coming down?"

Ethan smirked, lifting the truck with both hands and dumping them out like trash.

The people from the Central Shelter were used to seeing this, but those from the Jinhai Granary were horrified. Could a human really be this powerful?

Or was he even human?

The people from the Jinhai Shelter felt nauseous after being thrown out. It seemed like they might lose the contents of their stomachs.

"Please, sir, spare us. We were only following orders. We're willing to surrender and join the Central Shelter."

Although Zhao Kang shared the surname with Zhao Jie, they weren't related by blood.

Thus, Zhao Jie's death didn't inspire any loyalty or vengeance in Zhao Kang toward Ethan.

Others quickly followed Zhao Kang's lead, realizing their best chance for survival was to surrender. Life was better than death, especially if food was involved.

"Smart move. Now, tell me about the situation at Jinhai Shelter."

Ethan pointed at Zhao Kang.

Zhao Kang quickly responded, trying to win favor. "Sir, Jinhai Shelter was established by Zhao Jie, but it seems he was just a front. The real power lies with some mysterious individuals who control all the supplies and weapons. They're always up to something in the deeper parts of the shelter."

"We joined later. There are over 3,000 people inside."

Ethan absorbed the information. He had suspected that the zombie virus didn't spread naturally.

Even without an organization like Umbrella Corp., there would always be groups developing something like this. It wasn't something nature would just create on its own.

But what was their purpose? What was the point of unleashing a zombie virus across the globe?

Money and power required a functioning human society.

"Good. You lead the way, and the others will follow the Central Shelter's team back."

Ethan distributed the newcomers among the combat team, confiscating their weapons.

When they returned to the shelter, he would let Nathan decide on their roles.

"Sir, the shelter is heavily armed with Maxim machine guns, Barrett sniper rifles, and even RPGs. Are you sure that's not an issue?"

Zhao Kang asked, still uneasy about facing the shelter's defenses.

Especially since even the strongest zombies, like the King Tyrant, couldn't withstand a Barrett or an RPG.

"Haha, you're worried about me? Relax, my strength is far beyond what you can imagine."

Ethan laughed. He was determined to capture the Jinhai Shelter. More than 3,000 people was no small number.

"I'm not sure why you want to go there. The food supply inside has been nearly depleted over the last three months. We had to come to the granary to search for more."

Zhao Kang admitted. More than 3,000 mouths to feed every day had become a burden.

"Population is key for rebuilding civilization. You just want to survive in the shelter; I want to rebuild humanity."

Ethan explained.

"But sir, if we can't solve the zombie virus problem, how can we rebuild human civilization? All it takes is one infected individual to infiltrate the shelter."

Zhao Kang wasn't against eliminating zombies, but it seemed impossible.

"There will always be a way. Our Central Shelter has established a ten-kilometer zombie-free zone. As long as we have the numbers, human civilization can be rebuilt. As for the virus, we'll deal with that in time."

Ethan wasn't a virus expert, but for now, he relied on a protective effect from the blood bottles that shielded people from zombie bites.

The virus still needed to be transmitted through blood or other means, not through the air.

Hearing Ethan's plan, the others were motivated. Though they had committed some bad deeds, they hadn't lost their humanity.

"Sir, you're doing what we never dared to. Zhao Jie has been hiding in the shelter, living off the stockpiled resources. We're ready to work with you to eliminate the zombies!"

Zhao Kang had faith in Ethan. With such strength, there was no fear of being infected by zombies. With him, a human base could indeed be built.

And as for a vaccine, that could be researched once civilization was restored.

...

Zhao Kang drove the truck, leading Ethan and a dozen combatants toward the Jinhai Shelter.

An hour later, they arrived at the shelter just outside the city.

The Jinhai Shelter was built underground. The entrance was secured by a massive gate, weighing five or six tons. Without help from the inside, getting in would be a challenge.

Zhao Kang got out of the truck and verified his ID to gain entry.

But the guards, noticing the unfamiliar faces with Zhao Kang and the absence of Zhao Jie, grew suspicious. "Zhao Kang, where are the others? Who are these people?"

Zhao Kang hesitated, but Ethan stepped forward.

He struck the door with all his might.

A hole the size of a bowling ball appeared in the solid metal.

The guards were dumbfounded. Was this even humanly possible?

Even doors that had stumped the most relentless pursuers were no match for him!

Still, the guards dutifully raised the alarm.

"Enemy attack!"

Ethan ordered the others to step back. He would handle the rest himself.

With a series of powerful blows, the steel-alloy door was completely shattered.

Countless gun barrels were now aimed directly at Ethan.

"You think you can stop me? Surrender, and I might let you live!"

Liander, the real power behind the shelter, was shocked to see such strength in a human.

The New Church had done so much to create the perfect human—immortal and powerful.

Could this man be a perfect individual enhanced by the zombie virus, showing strength far beyond what the Elders had envisioned?

"Haha, you think your weapons scare me? That's amusing."

Ethan wasted no time, rushing toward the fully armed guards.

Liander hesitated. He didn't want to see such a perfect specimen killed.

"Use tranquilizer bullets! I want him alive!" he ordered.