City B is the country's main gas provider, Ji Yanyu assumed that was the reason for taking a detour. Early the next morning when the sun hadn't risen up yet, they went through the back door and stole a car in a relatively good condition.
Ji Yanyu was stunned when he saw Sister Yan professionally pick-lock the car. As expected of those in the military, they learn so many skills.
The rode on the way wasn't exactly smooth, but it wasn't hard either. The car was fast after all, and the walking zombies can't exactly catch up even with their increase in speed.
The trip to City B would take a whole five days on car after considering any unexpected incidents, Ji Yanyu thought the ride would be stiff but it was needless worry.
Zhou Xun was leaning in the passenger seat and deep in his sleep, Yan Shun was cleaning her gun, Wang Bao was reading a novel they got from the grocery, and Li Shiu was driving.
Su Wei was sitting beside him as they watch a movie on the laptop while munching on snacks, Ji Yanyu almost got the illusion that today was simply an ordinary road trip.
It was also recently that he found out that Li Shiu has an ability that works similar to electricity, diligently functioning as a human charger.
Their breakfast, lunch and dinner was cooked by Wang Bao, Ji Yanyu was extremely happy eating dishes that came fresh from the stove. He had been eating cold food before he met the male lead's team after all.
He was also taught how to chop and clean different ingredients, though when it comes to cooking he was completely pushed away after having a taste of his cooked dish.
"Little Yu, do you have a grudge against us?" Even the usually considerate Su Wei couldn't determine the food he had cooked once on the journey.
Ji Yanyu glanced outside the car, it was dark and cold, during nights like this would he feel unbelievable. It had only been half a month, but everything has become increasingly different.
"Is something bothering you?" Zhou Xun who was scheduled for the night drive lightly glanced at the still awake temporary teammate.
Ji Yanyu was a bit stunned, he leaned on the passenger seat and shook his head, "It's too peaceful,"
"You don't like it?" As if amused, Zhou Xun laughed, "Shouldn't you be glad there aren't too much trouble?"
"It's not like that, it's like the calm before the storm," Ji Yanyu shook his head, he doesn't know what will happen in the future but he knew it wouldn't be easy.
Peaceful nights like this would be rare once the zombies began to evolve into stronger opponents, right now, they've already become faster and more sensitive to sound and smell, what more once zombies with abilities appear?
Zhou Xun didn't say anything anymore, moreover, he doesn't exactly know how to comfort the other party, not when even he doesn't know what will happen soon after.
Ji Yanyu was about to say something to ease the mood when system 69 suddenly warned him about a horde of zombies in front, his face contorted and he hurriedly warned, "A'Xun, there's a huge amount of zombies a few meters front, do you think we can still change course?"
"What?" Zhou Xun was stunned and hurriedly braked while looking at the map, as much as possible they shouldn't engage in a fight but seeing the available routes on the map, he could only grit his teeth, "This is difficult, the other routes are in a completely different direction,"
"Approximately how many zombies are there, Ji Yanyu?" Li Shiu suddenly spoke from behind without notice causing the two people in front to look back in horror.
Fortunately, Ji Yanyu has a good heart else he'd be shocked scared, he pretended to close his eyes and ask his system who was roaming around, "...Around 80.. it should be the residents of the town nearby,"
It was in the middle of the night, and fighting wouldn't be efficient. Li Shiu's brows creased, they have to go to City B in the least amount of time and bring back the other two members that was stuck in the hospital, but going forward would be suicidal when facing ordinary zombies in large quantities with their current weapons and abilities.
"What should we do, Boss? Should we take the bridge a few kilometers back to go to City B?" Zhou Xun also knew the situation and worried over their team.
Ji Yanyu saw the dilemma and tried to recall the plot while asking his system to share what it was currently seeing for him to know more about the terrain,
His shut eyes began to see the view of the town in front like a drone, the town was most likely relatively well-managed considering it is where tourists that wishes to cross would pass by, there were several crossings and alleyways that their car could pass through.
Since the zombies are spread apart, they wouldn't easily get crowded unless they stay at an area for a while or drive directly at the center where the majority are gathered.
Ji Yanyu pursed his lips and hesitantly suggested, "...I think we can pass while avoiding confrontation, but we have to move fast,"
"Do you have an idea?" Li Shiu looked at the teenager and listened to what Ji Yanyu had in mind, his serious face nodding from time to time as he hummed in acknowledgement.
"Good," Li Shiu lightly chuckled, "That might work. Let's do it tomorrow morning, once the sun rose we will immediately proceed,"
Ji Yanyu hurriedly nodded his head and hid the bubbling sense of responsibility. It had already been two days and one night, after passing this hurdle it would take no time to arrive to their destination. Hopefully, everything would go well.
Once dawn struck, the car drove out with a full tank. The other members who were already informed of the plan were in high alert as they held their own respective guns, this time, Li Shiu was the one driving.
The town was soon in sight and Ji Yanyu observed through the system hovering mid-air, giving directions where to go after finding out which corner has less zombies, his heart beating in an extremely fast rate.
The rest of the team was making sure no zombies would be any meter near them, if any does, they'll shoot it with a silenced gun directly to its temple. Fortunately, just like what Ji Yanyu had said, there were only ordinary zombies.
"Damn, fortunately we have Yanyu, this would've taken longer," Yan Shun cursed and looked at the town getting farther away, shooting the zombies that still persistently followed them out.
Her face was grim as she pulled back, the days really had changed. Even she was afraid, after all, she had seen various people who even if just scratched by a small amount, would change into a zombie in less than a day.
They can't afford any injuries, and they can't risk getting surrounded. This is more than enough to become a threat to their lives.
Ji Yanyu pursed his lips as he counted the days, in a few weeks, everything will subvert their expectations. And the only thing he can do is hope that the protagonist would move faster.
According to the novel, evolved zombies, plants and animals would start appearing one by one in the late September. At the very least, encountering zombies similar to the one back in the supermarket shouldn't happen often.
Li Shiu didn't say anything, but the crisis was not without effect. He stirred the wheel and only drove faster, the faster they go to City B, the faster they can get to City Z.
In half an hour, they passed by the huge welcome sign of City B, but what met them was not debris of damaged city walls, but a terrain covered with large roots and thick greens. City B was no longer what is used to be.
And at the center of the whole city was a mutated zombie surrounded by more than a dozen ordinary zombies.
Ji Yanyu: ....