Chapter 001: Awakening

What catches the eye is a large, soft bed, beside which is a set of high-end solid wood desk and chair. On the desk sits a computer that has not been turned off, with a dynamic screensaver continuously changing on the monitor. Scattered beside the monitor are various miscellaneous items, along with half a pack of "Huanghelou" 1916 cigarettes that has not been finished.

Looking in the direction of the sound, a gigantic creature, entirely gray and white, suddenly appeared in the darkness ahead, slowly approaching the two of them.

"Rest assured! Are you still unaware of my abilities?" Xu Peng chuckled lightly, then his expression changed, his entire body suddenly tensing up. He whispered, "As per the usual practice, I will draw its attention while you take the opportunity to strike decisively!"

Drink

Hearing Xu Peng's tone laced with a hint of sarcasm, Zhou Jie’s delicate face finally showed a change, and she said, somewhat agitated: "Xu Peng! I have been with you for ten years, sharing life and death. Is it not worth more than a mere ring? I know this ring holds great significance for you, and it is indeed a treasure in itself. But what use is it for you to keep it?"

However, contrary to his wishes, just as Xu Peng's long knife was mere inches away from the monster's head, it suddenly came to a halt. It turned out that the monster's four tentacles had tightly wrapped around Xu Peng's waist and wrists, locking him in mid-air and rendering him unable to move

A tremendous tearing force spread throughout his body, as if the four slender tentacles were about to rip Xu Peng apart. Seeing Zhou Jie still standing motionless in place, Xu Peng couldn't help but call out urgently.

Good! Xu Peng, be careful!

Seeing Zhou Jie with a cold expression, as if she had suddenly become extremely unfamiliar, she looked at him coldly, still showing no intention of taking action. Xu Peng's heart sank to the bottom in an instant. At this moment, if she still did not take action, the outcome was already very clear; the other party wanted him dead

However, Xu Peng has always refused to agree, as this ring was given to him by his parents before they passed away. They said it was a family heirloom and instructed him to keep it with him at all times, ensuring that he would never lose it. Furthermore, he discovered the secret of an independent space within the ring, which made him even more unwilling to agree. Such a treasure could undoubtedly serve unexpected purposes in the apocalypse. Therefore, in the face of Zhou Jie’s pleas, he has consistently maintained his stance.

The two figures suddenly halted, stopped in their tracks, quickly drew the long knives from their waists, gripped them tightly in their hands, and then stood back to back, their expressions vigilant as they scanned their surroundings.

Xu Peng was somewhat bewildered; he remembered that he should have been pierced through the heart by an evolved zombie. How did he suddenly appear in this place? Where is this? He seemed to have a very familiar feeling.

As long as you offer your ring to the commander of Base No. 1, you will be able to own a standalone house at the base, with hot water supply, and an abundance of food that could last for decades, including meat and fruits... These are things we usually dare not imagine. More importantly, you will no longer have to live in fear and deal with those inhuman and ghostly monsters!

Xiao Jie, why ... ... ?

A man and a woman are swiftly traversing through the abyss.

The monster's body was enormous, standing two to three meters tall, with a terrifying visage. Its eyes, resembling bronze bells, bulged outward and were dark red, fixated on the two individuals without blinking. The monster lacked arms, instead possessing four long, slender tentacles that coiled around its body, constantly writhing in a repulsive manner

When Xu Peng came to his senses and clearly saw the surrounding environment, he suddenly froze, his mouth agape, his eyes wide open, revealing an expression of disbelief. He murmured softly, "Where... where is this?"

How many times have I asked you? Since this ring can secure a stable life for us in the future, why must you keep it by your side? I admit that this ring is indeed a treasure; it has a large space that can hold quite a bit of supplies. But it requires supplies to fill it, do you have any? Where are we living now? What are we eating? What use is it to guard it empty?

It seems that the person still has some feelings for her

It seems he treats you quite well, at least he hasn't forcibly taken you... Xu Peng said weakly, his consciousness gradually fading. The apocalypse is a world where the weak are preyed upon by the strong. The person Zhou Jie mentioned probably did not reveal the secret of the ring to the highest authority in the base, otherwise... he wouldn't have had to die at the hands of the zombies

Night falls

Um!

Zhou Jie also knew that this was an excellent opportunity; if she hesitated for a few more minutes, Xu Peng might be in danger. With a somewhat complicated expression, she glanced at Xu Peng, who was being controlled by the monster in mid-air and was looking at her with a face full of anxiety. Zhou Jie steeled her heart and turned her head to the side.

Xu Peng, locked in mid-air, instantly understood her meaning. With a sorrowful smile, he self-deprecatingly remarked, "So... you are doing it for that?"

Xu Peng also discovered the remarkable use of his ring only three months ago; it contains a space the size of a football field, capable of storing items. He shared this secret with Zhou Jie, but not long after, Zhou Jie implored him to present the ring to the Commander of Survivor Base No. 1, so that they would no longer have to worry about food and books.

Xu Peng glanced back at Zhou Jie with a hint of nervousness and whispered a reminder. Faced with a B-class evolved being, Xu Peng did not feel much panic, only a slight tension. He had encountered several B-class evolved beings before; although formidable, there was only one at this moment. With the skills of both him and Zhou Jie, they should be able to eliminate this B-class evolved being within ten minutes if they worked together

Zhou Jie’s voice is very soft and pleasant, just like her appearance, making her a beautiful sight in this apocalyptic world

This, this ... ...

B-level Evolver! Xiao Jie, prepare for battle!

With a loud "Aowu!" the monster's tentacle lifted, piercing through Xu Peng's chest, bringing forth a mass of blurred flesh and shattered bone fragments. Xu Peng's vision darkened, and he lost consciousness. In the fleeting moment before he succumbed to darkness, he caught a final glimpse of the beautiful woman, who leaped forward, drawing a long knife in her hand, and with a single stroke, severed the head of the B-class evolved being.

The monster sensed Xu Peng's provocation and let out a furious roar, its four repulsive tentacles sweeping towards Xu Peng like long whips. Xu Peng furrowed his brow, suddenly exerting force in his hand, intending to sever the monster's head before its tentacles could reach him

Uncertain how much time had passed, Xu Peng suddenly opened his eyes wide, instinctively leaping to his feet, his expression vigilant as he scanned the surroundings. His right hand subconsciously reached for the long knife at his waist, only to find it missing.

Aww—!

Xu Peng was filled with confusion; he did not understand why, after ten years of relying on each other in this apocalyptic world, the lover with whom he had shared countless life-and-death experiences would betray him at this moment

Not bad

A good opportunity; at this moment, the monster's attention was entirely focused on Xu Peng. If Zhou Jie were to launch a surprise attack at this time, she would have a ninety percent chance of beheading the monster with a single strike. However, she did not make a move

... ...

Observing Xu Peng, whose body was subjected to intense tearing and who bore a faint, almost imperceptible smile despite enduring pain, Zhou Jie gently nodded, biting her lower lip, and softly said: "Indeed, he is a guard by the leader's side. He... likes me very much..."

Step! Step! Step ... ...

The abyss canyon under the night is shrouded in darkness, eerily silent.

Xu Peng looked at the beautiful woman before him, feeling disheartened for a moment. Yet, he still managed to voice his thoughts with difficulty, as he sought to know an answer.

A hint of struggle appeared in Zhou Jie’s eyes, as if she felt reluctant in her heart, but soon she regained her earlier indifference, quietly gazing at Xu Peng, and said: "Xu Peng, at this point, do you still not understand? ... ... Do not hate me; if you must blame someone, blame yourself for being too rigid, for being unwilling to part with your ancestral ring" Her voice was calm, revealing no trace of joy or sorrow.

As Xu Peng charged within five meters of the monster, he suddenly let out a loud shout, leaping into the air, and forcefully slashing down with the long knife towards the monster's head. Meanwhile, Zhou Jie had quietly maneuvered to the monster's back while it was distracted, gripping her long knife tightly, her gaze fixed on the monster's nape, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment

At this point, Zhou Jie gradually calmed down. She glanced at Xu Peng, whose face had turned from red to pale due to difficulty in breathing, and continued, "Since you are so stubborn, I have no choice but to use my own methods. I have had enough of this life, where I go hungry from one meal to the next, and have to run into these deep mountain valleys at midnight to complete tasks for food."

A deep roar suddenly echoed, accompanied by gusts of chilling wind

Xu Peng... I'm sorry! In order to survive better, I can only do this with the *picture* book! But don't worry... I will avenge you!" Zhou Jie murmured. As soon as her words fell, there was a "rip!" sound, and a spray of blood mist erupted as Xu Peng's arms were brutally torn off by the monster's two tentacles and violently thrown into the air

The woman nodded slightly, and the two quickly parted ways. Xu Peng's expression was cold as he charged directly at the evolved being, while Zhou Jie followed closely beside Xu Peng, maintaining a distance of about three meters.

Xu Peng's heart felt as if it had been pricked by a needle, a wave of excruciating pain coursing through him. He never expected that the lover with whom he had shared life and death multiple times, the one who had accompanied him for ten years, the only person he trusted in this bloody apocalypse, would betray him. Compared to the anguish within, what did a little physical pain matter?

The sound of powerful footsteps reached the ears of the two individuals, and the noise grew increasingly closer

Hearing Xu Peng's call, Zhou Jie turned her head back to him, noticing that Xu Peng's face was slightly flushed, likely due to the pressure of the monster's tentacle around his waist making it hard for him to breathe. His arms were pulled straight, and he could no longer hold onto the long knife in his hand, which fell to the ground with a clatter

However, upon hearing Zhou Jie’s words just now, Xu Peng realized the problem. How did she know that this ring could be exchanged for these items? Clearly, someone must have promised her this. Xu Peng had never considered this point before, but now it suddenly dawned on him, and he couldn't help but ask, "Since such an important secret has been revealed to others, that person must have a very special relationship with you, right?"

After hearing Zhou Jie’s words, Xu Peng smiled. Suddenly, he exerted force in his waist, barely managing to push apart the tentacles of the B-level evolved being, allowing his breathing to become slightly easier. Then, he forced a smile and said, "Is that so? I didn’t know this ring could be exchanged for so many things. Who did you hear that from?"

Xiao Jie! Why are you still dazed? Hurry up and take action!