Level up Zombie

Opening the System interface, Zain ensured that his Horde members were safe. He observed that they were still on the map, their hunger levels were good, and it looked like there was no trouble in sight, at least at where they were.

Since they were in the city, there were plenty of apartments and rooms that one could hide in, making the area somewhat safe for them. Food was the only problem when leaving them for a few days like that. However, Zain knew that making the stay for one day wouldn’t be a problem.

And the main reason why Zain had agreed to stay with Ryan’s group for the day was that he wanted to speak to Brandon. There was a reaction he felt or sensed, it was very minute, but Zain had caught onto it when he had asked questions to Ryan.

Whether Brandon reacted like so because of the Reborn group or the military, Zain wasn’t so sure, but there was something he was hiding for sure, and it seemed like he was keeping it a secret even from Ryan. On the other hand, Ryan seemed to be telling the truth, which meant if Zain wanted his answers, he would have to take his questions to the group’s other leader.

But the problem was, there didn’t seem to be an opportunity so far. The group were relaxing in the main hall, where they had been provided with sleeping bags like the others. There were also tin cans of food distributed to them, but of course, they did not need to eat that.

Brandon was going back and forth, talking to the different guards, and even now, reports were coming in as groups joined and left. He also had to discuss other matters and plans for where people would need to go next.

It honestly made Zain wonder what Ryan did, as Brandon was the one who seemed to be most of the work. Then, as it got closer to night and the sky began to turn dark, the people returned, and the movement started to slow down.

‘Do they also know about the Demons? It was something that I didn’t ask, but it could just be the fact that it’s smarter if they don’t move at night. It’s easier to make mistakes.’

“Where is Stu?” Brandon suddenly asked, frustrated, putting his sunglasses on the top of his head again. The lights were always on in the museum, and whenever Brandon was stressed, he would rub his eyes and move his sunglasses about.

“The front team reported that he left about an hour and a half ago, but we haven’t received any report about his report.” One of the squad guards reported.

“That damn fool, when he returns, I’ll kill him myself. How could he leave at a time like this?” Brandon replied in frustration and stormed off into another separate room.

It was a room where Zain had seen a few people enter but had yet to come out.

‘The people who have gone inside, are they…’

As time passed, Zain continued to watch everything that was going on, and he was starting to think his guess was true.

“Man, there sure are a lot of people coughing,” Kun commented, snuggling into his sleeping bag. Just then, there were a few more coughs going around the room, it echoed slightly due to the large hall.

“I think you might be right…and it could be quite serious,” Zain replied.

“Wait, surely it’s just a simple cough, right?” Kun frowned. “If there is something even more severe spreading other than that zombie virus, I mean, then isn’t everyone in here in serious trouble? I mean, we are so close to each other, so we are bound to spread it to each other.”

“I don’t think we have to worry about anything.” Zain quickly corrected the other. “There were medical supplies in that crate, they should be able to use them, but depending on what’s being passed around and how bad it is, it could seriously weaken their group and soldiers.”

“Somebody help! Her body’s burning!” A familiar voice shouted, and it was coming from Pink of all people.

She had been staying with her parents since it could possibly be the last time she would see them in a while, and while talking to them, her mother suddenly collapsed on the ground. She was short of breath, and her cheeks were flushed red.

When Pink went to touch the top of her head, she was unsure if she was burning up or not because she couldn’t really feel, but her father could.

Immediately, a few guards ran over along with Brandon, and Ryan also exited his room as he came downstairs. The guards carried her mother and moved her to the other room where others were staying, and Ryan quickly went to join them.

In the other room, there were a total of six people that were in a similar condition to Pink’s mother lying on the floor and were being looked after by a single person.

“It doesn’t look like anything we are doing is helping. I have also given them anti-inflammatory painkillers, but their temperature isn’t dropping. We have isolated the worst ones inside here, but I’m afraid that others outside are also starting to show signs.” The man explained.

“Do you have any ideas?” Ryan asked with his finger on his chin, thinking about the situation. The problem was creating a lot of trouble for the group, and they wanted to resolve it as soon as possible.

“We could isolate everyone who is beginning to show symptoms and bring them away from the others. It will stop the spread of whatever this is, and then if anyone is showing similar signs, we will just place them inside here as well.” Brandon suggested.

Ryan thought about it for a while and eventually shook his head.

“Our group is still very new. Just because we’re the leaders doesn’t mean our words are a law for them. They just follow us out of respect. If we start forcing people or splitting them up, it might cause an uproar, which will only worsen the situation because the people are already on edge as it is.

“Something like this, or treating others differently, could cause a big problem. On top of that, what about the guards? If they are part of the sick ones, we might not have the manpower to defend this place if there is an attack.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Brandon asked, agreeing with Ryan, but what solution was there? How would they solve the problem?

“There is one thing we could do. The Hospital. That group has a doctor there. If we send out a small group, then we can ask them to help us in our current situation.” Ryan replied.

There was an uneasy look on Brandon’s face when he heard Ryan’s suggestion.

“But…can we trust them? If we were to do that, I would only be comfortable with sending a somewhat strong group, but if we did that, then this place won’t be well protected either.”

That’s when a smile appeared on Ryan’s face as if he knew that was the question that was going to be asked.

“There are quite a few strong people that recently joined us, are there not? If we sent you along with them, I think that your group would be a capable enough team. If the doctor is unwilling to help us or strike a deal, then there may be a chance that you might need to force them.”

It was a good choice. Honestly, it was the best choice, but Zain and the others were already reluctant to join their group, so why would they do a favour like this for them? However, Brandon looked at one person in the room, and he was looking at the one reason that group of three would help.

A few moments later, Zain, Kun, and Pink were invited into the room. The situation was explained to them, and honestly, Ryan had said the condition of the others was worse than what they really were. He had practically told them that they wouldn’t get better without seeing the doctor, even though he didn’t know if that was true or not.

In the end, Ryan requested as per the plan, and now it was time for Zain and his group to respond.

“We have to help, Zain, it’s my mother…I need to save her.” Pink asked, pleading with her voice.

Kun didn’t say anything because he was unsure Zain would accept. After all, it wasn’t his mother that was in trouble.

“We don’t know anything about this hospital,” Zain replied. “There are a lot of risks, and the reward for us is nil.”

“You damn robot, can’t you see I’m trying to help my family!!” Pink shouted. “What if this was your family?!”

When he heard those words, the ringing in the back of his head started again, and Zain rubbed it, wincing in pain.

“You won’t be the only ones taking the risk. We will send Dave and Brandon with you. It won’t just be your burden alone,” Ryan explained. “And I promise we will owe you a great favour for this.”

Zain was still rubbing the back of his head due to the excruciating pain he was feeling, and that was when the doors burst open behind them.

“Sir, it’s an emergency. There is a horde of zombies coming our way!”

*****

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