"Are there still living survivors?"
The sound didn't resemble the movement of zombies; rather, it sounded like people were active. Curious about this, after stowing away the crystal, he headed in that direction.
At this moment.
In a certain street.
A few scattered zombie corpses lay about.
These zombie corpses hadn't been crushed by vehicles but had their heads chopped off. Some also had bloody holes in their foreheads, as if pierced by bullets.
There were three survivors.
Two men and one woman.
A burly middle-aged man held a shield.
A young, short-haired man held a straight saber in his hand.
The other was a young woman, holding a gun.
At this moment, they were facing a Strength-type zombie.
When the Strength-type zombie charged recklessly, the middle-aged man raised his shield, directly bracing against it, his feet planted one behind the other, not moving an inch. Immediately after, the young, short-haired man waved the straight saber in his hand, and with one slash, severed the Strength-type zombie's arm.
The young woman holding the gun, with precise accuracy, aimed at the Strength-type zombie's eye and fired in an instant. There was no sound, nor was a bullet fired. Like a water droplet falling to the ground, with a plop, an invisible mental bullet pierced the Strength-type zombie's eye.
Blood splattered.
The Strength-type zombie roared, evidently not expecting such a thing to happen.
The young, short-haired man seized the opportunity and decisively chopped off the opponent's head, precisely to avoid damaging the crystal in the zombie's head.
The man skillfully cut open the head and retrieved a white crystal.
"Wow, so formidable."
Lam Pham witnessed them hunt down an evolved zombie with his own eyes and was very shocked. At least until now, he had only seen survivors wearing battle armor who could hunt evolved zombies.
As his voice reached them.
The three survivors were slightly startled, looking at Lam Pham with vigilance. For them, they weren't afraid, just a little surprised. After all, in their view, any survivor who could appear so openly on the streets was not an ordinary person.
They looked at him, saw the Frostmourne on his back, and couldn't help but be a little surprised. Well now, he even managed to get a Frostmourne.
"Who are you?"
The short-haired man asked, the straight saber in his hand still stained with blood, as if signaling Lam Pham to watch his words carefully, not to have any ill intentions, otherwise this straight saber could not only sever a zombie's head but also his.
"My name is Lam Pham."
Lam Pham was very interested in them. They were the only Awakened ones he had encountered since the apocalypse began who could coordinate to hunt zombies. Among them, the young woman's ability was truly formidable; there were clearly no bullets in her gun, yet she could shoot transparent bullets that had unimaginable power.
More crucially, there was no sound.
This was very impressive.
The middle-aged man holding the iron shield among the three survivors said: "My name is Chung Han Quoc, he's Tran Thang, and she's Diep Thien."
Tran Thang looked at Chung Han Quoc, frowning slightly, somewhat dissatisfied. He hadn't even clearly inquired about the other party's origins, yet he directly told them their names. Not a shred of vigilance.
But even so, he couldn't say anything, as they were currently considered a team.
"I just saw your situation. You are Awakened ones, right?" Lam Pham asked.
So far, among the Awakened ones he had encountered, no bizarre characters had appeared yet. Even if some were a bit strange, it was that Nguu Chi, who could control zombies. As for Van Van, who hadn't awakened yet, she didn't count.
"Awakened ones..." Chung Han Quoc heard these three words and couldn't help but smile, "So, our abilities mean we are Awakened ones. I was wondering why it was like this. Tran Thang and I both had a surge in strength, so that means we are Strength Awakened ones. As for..."
"Brother Chung." Tran Thang spoke up, stopping him from continuing.
If he continued, it would completely expose their situation. Such actions in the apocalypse were absolutely unreliable.
Chung Han Quoc smiled with great honesty, understanding that Tran Thang didn't want him to continue. If that was the case, then it was better not to speak.
Lam Pham smiled and said: "It's alright, I know you are wary of me. It's understandable to have such thoughts in the apocalypse. But please rest assured, I, Lam Pham, am not a bad person, but a citizen determined to clean up Hoang City. I was just curious when I encountered you and found you were all Awakened ones, so I wanted to come and see if everyone could unite and jointly maintain the peace and order of Hoang City."
Tran Thang frowned.
He found that the words of this person before him made him a bit confused.
What did he say?
Clean it up?
Maintain the peace and order of Hoang City?
Damn it, who do you think you are?
Diep Thien, who had been silent all along, slowly said: "Are you also an Awakened one?"
Lam Pham wanted to say he wasn't, but then thought it wouldn't be good, otherwise explaining would be relatively difficult, "Yes, I am an Awakened one."
"What is your ability?" Diep Thien asked.
Lam Pham said: "The ability to slash zombies. My strength is very great, and my speed is very fast."
Hearing Lam Pham say these words.
The three of them showed surprised expressions. To them, they already considered Lam Pham's awakened ability as all-rounded, meaning both his speed and strength had been enhanced. Such an ability made people envious.
After all, theirs were relatively singular.
They didn't doubt Lam Pham's words. A survivor who could appear perfectly fine on the streets, without a vehicle, without companions, would find it very difficult to survive.
Lam Pham smiled and looked at them, his eyes seeming to be able to see through their hearts.
In his eyes, the burly Chung Han Quoc was quite good, giving people a simple, honest, and gentle feeling.
Diep Thien was relatively rational, her expression very calm.
And from Tran Thang's eyes, he saw very strong ambition and a sense of self-interest. For such a person, the Duong Quang residential area was not very suitable. Of course, the other party hadn't done anything excessive for now. If possible, he was also willing to have some exchange with the other party's shelter. Even if it wasn't suitable for them to stay, they could cooperate to fight against the apocalypse.
Tran Thang, who looked like the leader of the team, said: "Speak, what exactly do you want from us?"
He was very wary of Lam Pham.
For some reason, he just had this feeling.
Lam Pham said: "It has been some time since the apocalypse descended. From the initial despair humans faced, falling into darkness, unable to resist zombies, to the gradual emergence of hope with the appearance of technology and Awakened ones. My original thought was to ask if you are interested in coming to our place, to work together against the apocalypse."
Only after Lam Pham said these words.
Did they understand. It turned out the other party wanted to recruit them, to join his shelter.
Tran Thang's first thought was: impossible.
"Sorry, we're not interested." Tran Thang, without thinking, refused Lam Pham's invitation.
Chung Han Quoc also had some thoughts. He had always believed that to fight against the apocalypse, humans had to unite. Otherwise, they would be like headless flies.
It was just that, thinking about the time he had known Tran Thang and Diep Thien, everyone had supported each other and helped each other to get here. To suddenly leave would definitely not be right.
He looked at Diep Thien beside him. In her emotionless eyes, a trace of contemplation flickered. Evidently, she was somewhat interested in what Lam Pham said.
"And you two?" Lam Pham looked at Chung Han Quoc and Diep Thien.
Tran Thang was already a bit unhappy. He thought this guy was deliberately trying to stir up trouble. Can't you see the three of us are a team? Do you think they would abandon me and go with you?
Chung Han Quoc said helplessly: "What you said is actually very good, but Tran Thang doesn't want to go, so I can only apologize. The three of us have always been a team."
No way around it.
Chung Han Quoc valued relationships greatly and cared about others' feelings. Whether it was Tran Thang or Diep Thien, he cared a lot. If one of them was unwilling to go, he naturally wouldn't go.
Tran Thang rarely showed a satisfied smile.
Diep Thien pondered. First, she thought about the situation at Duong Quang residential area, then observed Lam Pham before her. Her thoughts were similar to Chung Han Quoc's. If there could be a shelter, with a group of survivors, then many unnecessary troubles could be reduced.
However, Tran Thang didn't want to, Chung Han Quoc stayed, and her ability also needed others' help. Moreover, the three of them had already formed a team, experienced various difficulties, and had a relatively stable understanding. To say they would just disband like this was naturally a bit unrealistic.
"Sorry."
Diep Thien said indifferently.
Lam Pham said: "It's alright, it's the same everywhere. As long as you can eliminate zombies, it's good. If you encounter trouble in the future, you can come to Duong Quang residential area to find me. Farewell."
Being able to meet survivors was a joyous event, let alone these three survivors being Awakened ones with very strong output capabilities. If they could really come to Duong Quang residential area, the safety of that community would definitely be even higher.
As Lam Pham left.
Tran Thang watched his retreating back and said: "The current situation is too dangerous, people's hearts are treacherous, you can't casually trust others. This is a new era of human evolution, and we are the new humans. We have already found the path and direction of evolution. In the future, we will surely become gods among humans."
He was ambitious; everyone wanted to become a god-like existence.
The moment he awakened his ability, Tran Thang's desires had been soaring.
Chung Han Quoc said: "Sigh, I have no interest in new humans or not, or gods or not. My biggest hope is to end this messy apocalypse, to think of peace, to think of an ordinary life."
Tran Thang said: "When the opportunity appears before your eyes, you absolutely cannot give it up, otherwise you will definitely regret it for a lifetime."
Diep Thien looked at the two of them. In her eyes, Chung Han Quoc's thoughts were the common thoughts of many survivors, while Tran Thang's thoughts also had their own reasoning. They had indeed found the direction and path of evolution.
When the path appeared before them, they could only move forward.
Night.
A safe place.
The three survivors, Tran Thang's group, were hiding here, simply eating some food. From time to time, "ughh ughh" sounds came from outside, not affecting them in any way.
They were a small team roaming through the apocalypse.
They hadn't established any shelter, nor had they taken in any other survivors.
Tran Thang poured the crystals onto the table; there were a total of seven white crystals.
"Our luck today was pretty good. The zombies we encountered were all stragglers. Even if there were zombies following, the number was extremely small. With Diep Thien's ability, a few 'biu biu' shots from a distance can solve it."
He looked at the crystals on the table, his face showing joy, his eyes sparkling.
"Now let's divide the crystals. It's just that this extra crystal is hard to divide." Tran Thang was very helpless, "If we had known earlier, we should have hunted two more zombies on our way back, then it wouldn't be so troublesome."
Diep Thien pondered and said: "Old Chung holding the shield to block zombie attacks is more important, and he needs more strength. I think it's better to give the extra one to Old Chung. If he can stand firm, we can have space to output."
When they hunted zombies, Old Chung was always at the front blocking, thereby creating a relatively favorable output environment for them. If Old Chung's defense was breached by zombies, the situation would definitely be quite troublesome.
Tran Thang maintained a smile from beginning to end, "That's true too. If Old Chung didn't help me block, it definitely wouldn't be so simple for me to chop off a zombie's head. Crystals can enhance our strength and also strengthen the weapons in our hands. I can already imagine that when my strength reaches a certain level, I can kill a zombie with a single slash."
Chung Han Quoc waved his hand and said: "Don't give it to me. I feel I'm capable enough now. I think this crystal should be given to Little Tran. He's more important than me. After all, chopping off the zombie's head still needs Little Tran to do it."
"How can that be alright?" Tran Thang said.
In the end, the crystal distribution was completed. Tran Thang got three, while Diep Thien and Old Chung each got two.
They returned to their respective rooms.
Tran Thang looked at the crystals in his hand, the light in his eyes even brighter.
When his ability initially awakened, he relied on various schemes to successfully hunt one zombie. He knew his own ability was weak. Even if awakened, so what? He still couldn't fight those crystal-bearing zombies head-on.
Finally, he directly risked it and swallowed a crystal.
Unexpectedly, he found he could actually digest the energy within the crystal, thereby enhancing his own strength.
This allowed Tran Thang to see hope.
Swallowing crystals continuously strengthened him.
He didn't use the crystals to strengthen his straight saber; he cared more about his own strength. Tools were ultimately external forces. He greatly envied Diep Thien's awakened ability, which could treat mental energy as bullets. Clearly, they had both just awakened their abilities, yet she already had the skill to hunt crystal-bearing zombies.
He could imagine how terrifying Diep Thien would be when she reached a certain level.
In another room.
Chung Han Quoc integrated the energy of one crystal into his shield, "Hehe, only the hardest shield can protect my comrades."
As for the last crystal, he also swallowed it.
This method of enhancement was also told to him by Tran Thang.
His thought was to continuously become stronger, hunt stronger zombies, obtain better crystals, and ideally, find the root cause of the apocalypse, thereby eliminating the root cause and restoring peace to the world.
Duong Quang residential area.
Lam Pham leaned over a table, writing.
[Mature-stage Hon Hop Hinh tang thi]
Note: Evolved from larval Hon Hop Hinh tang thi, passing through growth stage to mature stage. An all-rounded zombie, whether it's strength or speed, both are at peak existence. Possesses BUG-like recovery ability; severed limbs can regrow. Has ultrasonic detection function, making it difficult for survivors to hide.
Danger Level: Unbeatable. Among human survivors, only Lam Pham can hunt it.
Killing Method: Just chop off its head.
Reward: Golden crystal in its head.
He wrote the specific information in detail, precisely hoping that future lucky survivors who see it would thereby not take risks and die in vain.
As long as he could provide a detailed piece of information to living survivors, even if it saved just one person, it wouldn't be a waste of his efforts.
"Oh, right, there's also a Ke San Moi zombie. That fellow is also very terrifying, like a Speed-type zombie. Tomorrow I'll go to the trash can to find its corpse and take some good photos."
After finishing writing the information for the mature-stage Hon Hop Hinh tang thi.
He thought of the Ke San Moi, which had similar strength to the Hon Hop Hinh tang thi. That thing was equally dangerous.
Sorted everything out.
Went to sleep.
Early morning.
"Meeting, meeting! Everyone, please put down what you're doing and gather in the residential area plaza!"
Vuong Khai notified the crowd.
The Third General Assembly was very important, and it was also a place for survivors to voice their opinions.
Previously, the number of people was small, and everyone could sit casually.
But now, with the increase in numbers, everyone had to bring their own stools and line up neatly in an orderly fashion to sit down. Even the youngest, You You, was held by Duong Tue, staring with wide round eyes.
As if wanting to say, I'm still young, I'm a little one, I want to go back to sleep, can you let me go home?
At this moment.
Pairs of crafty eyes looked at the stage where someone was about to speak.
The survivors living in the shops were very satisfied with life here. They had work to do every day. When idle, they would chat, play chess, look at the blue sky, think about future life, what to eat tomorrow, and so on.
Similarly, some survivors were very puzzled. What kind of meeting was this? What were they going to do? Whatever Lam Pham decided was fine; they would support it unconditionally.
But Vuong Khai and A Hai told them.
Our Duong Quang residential area is not a place where one person's word is law. Everyone can speak their minds freely, express their thoughts, state their needs. No matter what it is, it can be resolved.
Hearing this situation.
The crowd was stunned.
To be provided with such a living environment, they were already satisfied enough. And there could still be this kind of situation? Honestly, they felt this wasn't like surviving in the apocalypse, but enjoying life.
At this moment.
Lam Pham, feigning composure, walked over and went to the speaking platform. Under everyone's gaze, he was a little nervous.
As he walked over.
Applause was continuous.
It never stopped.
From such applause, one could feel everyone's affection and respect for Lam Pham.
Old Man Vuong and the others watched with smiles on their faces. It had finally developed to this stage; the place of human hope had risen high like a brand new sun.
This place gathered the light of hope.
"Hello everyone, I am Lam Pham. The Third General Assembly of Duong Quang residential area will be presided over by me. Thank you all for your support and affection."
Lam Pham said with a slight smile.
Clap, clap, clap!
Applause rang out again.
Lam Pham's position in everyone's heart was absolutely the highest.
Perhaps to put it simply, it was because Lam Pham had rescued them, given them the hope to live, which was why everyone respected him. In fact, it should be said more that he provided everyone with a safe shelter, gave them the hope to live, yet never relied on his own strength and actions to demand everyone do anything excessive, nor did he treat everyone like beasts of burden.
Nhan Ny Ny looked ahead, her small hands clapping until they were red, her eyes sparkling with bright light. Excellent Brother Lam, just so handsome; she was like a little fangirl.
The group of survivors rescued earliest by Lam Pham were all rejoicing that heaven had blessed them to meet Lam Pham; this was heaven's kindness to them.
"It has been some time since the second general assembly. The matters mentioned in the second general assembly have all been perfectly completed. Thus, the third general assembly will talk about the goals and direction we need to work towards together in the coming period.
Han Suong told me that as the number of survivors in the shelter increases, the existing space appears small. Therefore, our next step is to push the iron railings outwards and clear out more shops."
Lam Pham finished speaking about the first matter.
All participating members applauded, nodding with great satisfaction.
There were members of the shelter's ideology propaganda team here. The main leaders of this propaganda team were Old Man Vuong and the others. Just like old grandpas with nothing to do, they wandered around, chatting with people they met, telling them about some of the shelter's ideologies.
These ideologies were all very easy to understand in the past, but hearing them now, they felt like strange ideologies.
However, during in-depth conversations, they profoundly understood this kind of ideology. This ideology was not to restrict them, but to let them maintain their past peaceful ways of thinking and handling matters, to maintain habits and rationality.
Old Man Vuong could understand that Little Pham didn't want to save meaningless people. He was an individual, not a superman, not a saint, unable to open his heart wide and tolerate everyone.