2098, September, the climate was scorching hot, burning the skin.
Five years ago, a cataclysmic disaster swept across the globe.
More than half of the world's population had, in this disaster, become emotionless, flesh-eating walking dead.
The remaining third, though they had narrowly survived.
Still, in this arduous doomsday, supplies and homes became the only desires of the survivors.
On the path of searching for supplies and a more suitable home, the strong grew stronger, and the weak grew weaker.
Outside the Northern Survivor Base, five hundred meters from the desert's edge.
A battle royale with vastly unequal strength was unfolding.
Su Ling severed the head of a charging zombie with a single saber stroke, kicked its body, and the headless corpse crashed to the ground.
The sun overhead seared her scalp, sweat already soaking her clothes.
After high-intensity combat, her stamina was severely depleted.
Su Ling was exhausted, yet dared not slacken. She relied solely on willpower to persevere.
With swift strikes ending the zombies before her, Su Ling looked at her teammates and said, "Hold on." Just five hundred meters more, and they would be safe.
Han Xu dispatched an attacking zombie with a saber, glancing up at the towering structure five hundred meters away.
The massive horde gave him little time; he quickly averted his gaze, his saber flashing, felling another zombie.
Han Xu, his back to Su Ling, frowned, "Bite down and hold on a little longer, we're getting closer."
Beside him, Yang Guang killed a zombie, retrieved its crystal core, and retreated to his side.
Exchanging a glance with Han Xu, a plan formed in their minds.
"A Ling, Han Xu and I will retreat first, you cover us."
"Okay." The words tumbled out almost without thought, Su Ling showing no suspicion.
The three of them had fought side-by-side in this doomsday for five years; their tacit understanding was deeply ingrained.
This type of withdrawal plan was not their first.
And certainly, it wouldn't be their last.
Holding her saber with both hands, Su Ling gathered the last trace of energy in her body into her palm, "I'll count to three, I'll cover, you two evacuate quickly."
Seeking life from the brink of death, this was their objective for every withdrawal.
"Okay."
"Okay."
Han Xu and Yang Guang, in unison, their coordination perfect.
"One."
A hoarse voice rang out. Han Xu and Yang Guang exchanged a look, their backs facing each other, fingers intertwined.
This scene, Su Ling did not see, and was destined not to see.
"Two."
Sweat dripped rhythmically from her gaunt chin under the intense nerve strain. Before it could reach the ground, it evaporated in the high heat.
Su Ling tightened her grip on her saber, her deep-set eyes cold and resolute. Success or failure hinged on this moment; for her sister, for Han Han, she could not afford to lose!
"Three, run."
As the cold command fell, Han Xu and Yang Guang, fingers intertwined, fled with their lives under Su Ling's cover.
Meanwhile, Su Ling fought with both hands, her saber flashing, felling a swath of zombies.
Her last bit of psychic energy was depleted, her legs trembled uncontrollably.
Her head buzzed, her stamina had reached its limit.
Now, she could only place her hope in Han Xu and Yang Guang.
Before that, there was one more fierce battle to fight.
...
Finally arriving at the survivor base, Han Xu and Yang Guang had been rescued.
Su Ling breathed a sigh of relief. After dispatching the horde before her, she grabbed the lowered rope. Starting from a flat surface, she used the wall's momentum to leap into the air.
Her movements were swift, her body agile as she climbed the rope.
On the city wall, Han Xu and Yang Guang stood side by side, looking down at Su Ling climbing up. Their expressions were indifferent, their gazes icy.
A blinding flash of light caught Su Ling's eye, momentarily dazzling her.
She looked up sharply, her movements freezing.
"Why?"