A gust of wind blew through the corridors. The B Area marketplace was once bustling, with vendors shouting from dawn till dusk. They sold vegetables and meat, and the air was thick with the smell of fish, scattered leaves, bloodstains, and iron hooks.
But after the apocalypse, the market lost its life. Heavy rains washed over the place, leaving the long tables cracked and everything covered in a grimy, dirty hue. Under the gloomy sky, the world appeared in shades of gray. Chu Muge, carrying Gu Yao, dashed through the market, weaving in and out of the narrow passageways.
The marketplace was originally part of an old residential area, with numerous crisscrossing alleys. Behind them, a wave of zombies surged. Chu Muge relied on her powers to grant her speed, darting swiftly through the labyrinth.
Clattering sounds echoed through the marketplace as it seemed to return to its former chaotic state, with countless fragile items colliding and shattering on the ground.
From above, the massive tide of zombies, upon entering the maze-like marketplace, split into several smaller waves, crashing wildly through the narrow spaces. As time passed, the number of zombies chasing Chu Muge began to dwindle. Eventually, she swiftly turned into a secluded alley and let out a deep breath.
A quick rest, and then they would have to keep running. There were too many zombies; it was only a matter of time before they flooded this place. The horde was like a drop of ink in water, bound to spread throughout the entire marketplace.
Suddenly, Chu Muge heard a faint panting sound, followed by the whimpering of an animal. Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced toward a zombie dog not far away, its face half-torn off, exposing sharp teeth. She rolled her eyes.
…Please, no.
The dog's pale eyes rolled up as it bared its teeth and lunged at her. In the split second before it reached her, Chu Muge lifted her leg, already charged with energy, and kicked forward with all her might.
She hit it square on the snout.
The zombie dog’s protruding muzzle caved in, teeth flying out as it was sent sprawling a considerable distance away.
“Woof… woof!”
Before Chu Muge could relax, she heard more barking nearby. Turning around, she saw several zombie dogs, each in varying stages of decay, staring intently at her, growling menacingly. These dogs were likely meat dogs from the market, originally intended to be slaughtered for food. When the apocalypse hit, their cages were opened, and these once-imprisoned animals transformed into new creatures, first attacking those who had once tormented them.
In Chu Muge’s slit pupils, the zombie dogs’ reflections danced. Just as she braced for them to attack, she noticed them suddenly wagging their tails and panting.
Chu Muge: -ω-
She had a good idea of what was happening.
Sure enough, Gu Yao took control of the dogs. She calmed them down, and the zombie dogs wagged their tails as they circled the two of them, their tongues lolling out.
Gu Yao, drawn to one dog’s large, glossy eyes, found it increasingly adorable. She crouched down, reaching out to pet it.
Chu Muge grabbed her hand sharply, her tone cold, “Don’t touch it, it’s disgusting.”
Disgusting?!
Gu Yao looked up at Chu Muge’s face, filled with disdain, then back at the big-eyed puppy in front of her, feeling a pang in her heart.
What’s disgusting about it? It’s clearly adorable!
Gu Yao: Hehe, doggie, doggie (^q^)
Meanwhile, distant growls began to echo. Chu Muge’s expression turned serious as she softly said, “Let’s go.”
Without waiting for a response, she pulled Gu Yao along.
The zombie dogs were quite useful. Along the way, whenever they encountered a zombie, it was either controlled by Gu Yao or taken down by the zombie dogs. With a bit of luck, they managed to avoid stirring up the horde and made it to an exit of the market unscathed.
As they quietly slipped away, the market behind them was filled with constant growling. Chu Muge exhaled, preparing to continue toward their destination.
They’d have to avoid this place in the future.
They had lost a few zombie dogs along the way. Now, only two of the little cuties were still wagging their tails by their side. As they walked, Gu Yao kept glancing at the dogs, her hand itching to pet them.
I really want to pet them…
Chu Muge, who had been watching her secretly, finally couldn’t hold back. She cleared her throat and said, “Senior, please stop trying to pet them…”
Her voice softened slightly, “You know… it’d be better if you petted me instead of them.”
Jealous of a dog?
Gu Yao thought she was joking, but the next moment, Chu Muge leaned closer, expressionless, her cat ears twitching slightly.
Gu Yao: …(*?ロ?)!!
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Chu Muge had always been reluctant to let anyone touch her ears, so wasn’t this the perfect chance to sneak a feel?
Without hesitation, Gu Yao reached out and stroked one. The thin ear was warm and furry, with a slight pulse beneath the surface, making it incredibly soft to the touch.
Gu Yao could feel Chu Muge’s body tense up the moment she made contact. Her slit pupils narrowed into a thin line, and she pursed her lips, even her steps halting for a moment.
Is she really that sensitive?
Gu Yao, curious, gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Ah…!” Chu Muge shuddered, quickly raising her hands to stop Gu Yao from continuing to mess with her ears, gritting her teeth, “Senior… that’s enough.”
But didn’t you say before that I could pet you all day?
Gu Yao, expressionless, ignored her and continued to stroke.
Chu Muge coughed, her face flushed, eyes darting away, “W-We still need to reach our destination… please…”
Ignoring her, Gu Yao kept petting.
Seeing that Gu Yao wasn’t stopping, Chu Muge gave up trying to talk her out of it and simply endured in silence.
See, nothing’s wrong, right?
Just as Gu Yao was thinking this, Chu Muge’s legs suddenly gave out, and she stumbled, catching herself on the door of an abandoned car, head down, trying not to fall.
Gu Yao was startled and quickly let go.
Wow, it’s real!
Chu Muge, lips pursed, waved her hand dismissively, steadying herself as she casually said, “I’m fine.”
You don’t look fine at all…
Chu Muge scratched her head in frustration, clearly annoyed by the cat ears on her head. “Maybe I should start wearing a hat.”
She spoke with a hint of resignation.
—
Finally, they arrived.
After much effort, they finally arrived.
The silhouette of the mental hospital grew clearer as they approached. Chu Muge eyed the half-opened iron gate and the fresh corpse of a zombie with its head bashed in, lying on the ground. Her eyes narrowed.
Holding Gu Yao’s hand, she quietly led her inside, heading toward the dark entrance of the hospital’s first floor.
“Someone’s been here recently,” Chu Muge murmured.
The zombie’s body was no older than a week, likely only a couple of days.
So, someone had already arrived here before them?