Chapter 169: Buzzing Words

Looking at the empty shelves displayed on the system screen, she suddenly realized something.

’It seems the vegetable business is going to be far more profitable than I expected.’

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Swan Base had been completely overrun by zombies.

The defensive walls that had protected its residents for the past three years had finally collapsed under the relentless attacks.

Zombies poured through the broken defenses, slaughtering everyone in their path.

Some residents were devoured alive, while others were bitten and gradually transformed into zombies themselves.

The streets were filled with screams, blood, and the cries of people desperately searching for their loved ones.

It was a devastating sight. Countless people had lost their lives, while many others had been forced to watch their families die before their eyes.

Among them was Jamie Hallmark. At that moment, she was kneeling beside her primary husband, Ling Dong, the man she loved more than anyone else.

His entire body was convulsing. Dark veins had begun spreading across his neck, while his skin gradually turned an unnatural gray.

He was turning into a zombie.

Jamie’s eyes filled with tears. "No! No! This shouldn’t have happened!"

Her voice trembled as she desperately held his hand. They had been so close to escaping.

When the zombie horde first attacked Swan Base, its defenses had managed to hold for three days.

Those three days had given many residents enough time to gather their belongings and flee.

Jamie had also prepared to leave with her husbands.

However, before they could reach the main exit, the defensive walls were breached.

Several soldiers stationed near the entrance were bitten and turned into zombies.

Soon, an overwhelming number of infected creatures rushed into the base, spreading toward the residential districts and slums.

Fearing that they would be surrounded, Jamie decided to escape through the back entrance.

She gathered her husbands and the mercenary team, then hurried toward the exit.

Unfortunately, they were ambushed by several zombies along the way.

Ling Dong immediately stepped forward to protect her. "Jamie, watch out!"

He pushed her behind him and confronted the approaching zombies.

However, before they could escape, more infected creatures appeared.

Ling Dong was bitten while trying to protect her.

If the mercenary team hadn’t arrived in time, Jamie might have died alongside him.

Now, watching her beloved husband slowly transform, she could barely accept what was happening.

Around them, frightened children were crying as their parents desperately tried to flee.

The mercenaries continued fighting off the approaching zombies. "Madam Hallmark, we have to leave!"

One of the mercenaries shouted but Jamie didn’t respond.

She continued holding Ling Dong’s hand, refusing to move.

Another mercenary yelled, "If we stay here, we’ll all die!"

One of Jamie’s other husbands hurried forward and grabbed her arm.

"Jamie! Please, we have to go!"

However, Jamie struggled against him. "No! I can’t leave Ling Dong here!"

Ling Dong’s convulsions suddenly became more violent.

His eyes gradually lost their human appearance, and a low growl escaped his throat.

Seeing that he was about to complete his transformation, one of Jamie’s husbands made a decision.

He drew his weapon and severed Ling Dong’s head before the infection could fully take control.

Blood splashed across the ground. For a moment, Jamie stared in disbelief.

Then she let out a piercing shriek. "LING DONG!"

Her anguished cry echoed through the ruined street.

Several mercenaries frowned, and among them was Hina.

She couldn’t believe Jamie was still refusing to leave when the situation had become so dangerous.

’Does she want everyone to die here with her?’

Hina understood that Jamie had just lost someone precious to her.

However, they were surrounded by zombies, and every second mattered.

Fortunately, Jamie’s remaining husbands managed to drag her away.

With the mercenaries clearing the path, they continued toward the back entrance.

Just as Hina was about to follow the others, a strange buzzing sound suddenly echoed inside her head.

Buzz! Success! Reward...

Hina stopped and looked around with a frown on her face. ’What was that?’

The voice had sounded as though someone were whispering directly into her ears.

However, there was nobody nearby who could have spoken those words.

All she could see were zombies attacking defenseless civilians.

Several ability users were desperately trying to protect the people around them.

Not far away, a psychic ability user had created a translucent mental shield around a small group of survivors.

The barrier trembled as dozens of zombies slammed against it. For a while, it managed to withstand their attacks.

However, the man’s face was growing increasingly pale.

His mental energy was nearly exhausted. Cracks gradually spread across the shield.

Suddenly, a zombie with unusually intelligent eyes rushed forward.

Its movements were much faster than those of the ordinary infected.

Judging from its speed and behavior, Hina suspected it might be a Level Nine zombie.

Before the psychic ability user could react, the creature lunged at his exposed neck.

Its teeth sank into his flesh. "AHHH!"

The man’s scream rang out. The mental shield immediately shattered.

The zombies rushed toward the survivors who had been hiding behind it.

Within moments, the entire group was overwhelmed.

Elsewhere, several guards were attempting to escape through a narrow street.

When the zombie horde approached, one of them grabbed a young boy and threw him toward the infected creatures.

The child screamed while the zombies immediately lunged toward him.

Taking advantage of the distraction, the guards fled without looking back.

Hina’s expression darkened.

The people who were supposed to protect the residents were now sacrificing innocent lives to save themselves.

Meanwhile, most of Swan Base’s highest-ranking officials had already escaped. The people left behind had been abandoned.

The pungent stench of blood and rotting flesh assaulted Hina’s nose.

She clenched her fists. However, another thought continued troubling her.

’Who was speaking just now?’

She was certain she had heard a voice. But where had it come from?

Just as she was about to investigate further, someone shouted behind her. "Hina! Run!"

It was Max. Hina immediately recovered from her thoughts.