Chapter 74: Lin Ai – Part 4
Peng!
“…We might really be done for now, Ai Jiejie.”
Juncheng lit a match, the faint light illuminating the absolute darkness. However, all it revealed was blood smeared on the glass, twisted limbs crammed together, and countless humanoid figures surging into the underground. These figures emitted beast-like roars, desperately slamming against the glass, their last barrier.
I thought this would be the last sanctuary for Juncheng and me, but it turned out to be a desperate trap leading straight to hell.
Thinking back now, how could we possibly find a perfectly safe underground shelter by chance? Juncheng had warned me at the time, but I still stepped into it due to my own selfishness. My naivete has pushed us into this hopeless situation.
“…It’s all my fault…”
Just as we were nearing the edge of the city, we discovered this underground shelter. It appeared very safe and sturdy, with a reinforced isolation room made entirely of tempered glass at the very back. There was ample food for cultivating plants, an underground water source, and a generator. Conservatively, we could live here for five to six years.
When we first found it, I was ecstatic. This shelter seemed like a paradise on Earth specifically prepared for survivors like us in the apocalypse, like a miracle—a lost traveler in the desert stumbling upon an oasis.
But now, it seems so suspicious. How could such a well-equipped and heavily fortified shelter appear by chance? Even a wealthy person’s peculiar hobby wouldn’t be prepared to this extent. This was a sweet trap, specifically set for a foolish woman like me, who craved peace and happiness.
The desert traveler saw the distant oasis, rushed towards it with hope, only to find it was a mirage… I fell for it.
Because of my possessiveness, we were almost at the city’s edge, about to leave this city of the living. With the subtle use of my ability, we had safely navigated through all the dangerous areas. Of course, that was only on the surface. In reality, by the time I discovered I could use this ability, I had already completely distanced myself from all zombie-related dangers.
I never told Juncheng about this. Yes, I don’t know when it started, but I discovered I could control zombies. This control felt like having another body created out of thin air, allowing me to manipulate it freely. I’m not sure about the exact mechanism. Perhaps I awakened some special ability.
But in the end, what the true nature of this ability is, or why I obtained it, are irrelevant questions. I have no interest in exploring them. However, one thing is certain: with this ability, I could protect Juncheng.
And while frequently using this ability, I discovered that I could control not zombies, but the ‘virus’ itself. Thus, the stronger the zombie, the easier it was to control. The lowest-level zombies, due to their low virus content, were actually uncontrollable.
That bathwater incident was the same. It wasn’t luck that we found clean water. I simply waited for Juncheng to not be paying attention, controlled a zombie to dip its hand into the prepared water, and then transferred all the viruses in the water to that zombie instead.
With this ability, I could protect Juncheng, and we could be together forever. Sometimes, I even felt thankful for this sudden apocalypse, as it allowed me to encounter Juncheng and receive warmth from him.
I must not expose myself, absolutely not. If Juncheng found out, he would surely beg me to consolidate all the viruses together. Then, the crisis would be resolved, and he would return to his own world. At that point, I would… I would be alone again…
I was terrified. With my father gone, I had no one and nothing to rely on. I felt so alone. That’s why, when I saw this underground shelter, I didn’t even stop to consider its rationality. My emotions got the better of me.
The result is that the world is upside down, and I’m still the same. I’m truly pathetic…
*Crack—*
Another impact sound, this time clearly hearing the glass crack. The zombies continued to press forward. The outcome was… like this.
Reality shattered the sweet dream I had woven into pieces. This was a malicious trap set by some unknown entity. An ear-piercing alarm sounded, and a hidden entrance automatically opened. A horde of zombies rushed into the shelter, attacking us as we slept.
Although we managed to escape to this final hiding place, Juncheng had already been bitten on the shoulder. While I managed to suppress the virus in Juncheng’s body with my ability, we were completely surrounded now. Even with my powers, facing such a large number of zombies, I was helpless. I can’t control so many zombies simultaneously, and transferring viruses is a delicate operation that requires a lot of time, and we don’t have much time left.
This is the end…
SF Light Novel
It’s my fault for putting Juncheng in such danger. He could have survived… it’s all because of me…
Juncheng’s voice grew weaker. The oxygen in this enclosed space was extremely limited. No matter what, we would die…
“I’m a useless older sister… It’s all my fault. You warned me, yet I insisted on moving in…”
“I don’t blame you, Ai Jiejie. Besides, I agreed to move in too, didn’t I?”
“But, but…”
“Actually, I… Maybe my parents and younger sisters are already gone… You were the one who always encouraged me, so I had the motivation to keep going.”
“Juncheng…”
“And when you said we could live here together forever, I was truly happy… Even if I never see my family again, if I could be with you… I could accept that too.”
I sobbed uncontrollably. So, you had the same thoughts as me? I’m not alone…
“…Juncheng! No! I don’t want it to end like this! I’m going to save you!”
“Ai Jiejie, it’s no use… What a shame. I thought I could be like a hero and sacrifice myself to clear a path for you… However, dying with Ai Jiejie in the end doesn’t feel too bad either…”
To me, you’re just too radiant…
…I won’t let it end like this.
Juncheng’s words gave me a new idea. Transferring the virus takes time, but it would be different if I acted as the ‘terminal’ to ‘absorb’ all the viruses. Ah, this is the only way we can try…
No matter what, even if I become something else, I have to let him live…
I tightly gripped Juncheng’s hands and absorbed the zombie virus from his body into mine. My body slowly grew warmer, as if I had drunk too much alcohol. Perhaps my cheeks were also blushing. Tears stopped falling, and a smile naturally spread across my face.
Without hesitation, I kissed Juncheng’s lips. Absorbing, licking, and transferring all the remaining viruses through my saliva. Light Novel
My emotions were soaring. My head felt light and floaty. Juncheng’s words from earlier began to replay in my mind.
How could… A mere elementary school student say such cool lines? Ah, perhaps because he hasn’t yet realized how awkward such lines can be, he doesn’t feel ashamed saying them? That’s amazing. Elementary school students are the best!
Finally, after completely absorbing the remnants (saliva and viruses), I lifted my head and swayed, showing a big smile.
“A-Ai Jiejie?”
“You brat, what are you trying to be cool for!”
I gently punched Juncheng’s head before hugging him tightly.
“So… there’s no more time to continue. I wonder which lucky woman will get to taste your first kiss in the future… but your first kiss is mine~ Hehe~”
With this kiss, I feel like I can do anything now. I am omnipotent now~ Li Nai is the strongest!
“Leave it to your sister to resolve~ Hehe~”
“Ai Jiejie! Wait! What are you doing…?”
“Sorry~ Sleep well~”
When you wake up, you might not remember me anymore. To you, it will just be like a long dream. It was a dream for me too… Unfortunately, I never told you my real name is Li Nai.
As the glass shattered, I reached out to the first zombie that lunged at me. My fingertip touched its forehead, and the virus within the creature instantly flowed into me. It seems I have a higher compatibility with viruses than anyone else.
I continued this process, absorbing all the viruses, making myself the ‘source.’ Ah, right, right. Zombies with fatal wounds cannot be absorbed. Juncheng said they would die instantly upon turning back into humans… I’ll order them to gather elsewhere~
book.SFA
Attention! March!
“Hehehehe…”
SF Light Novel
It feels… pleasant. My head feels hazy and heavy, but I don’t feel sleepy at all. It feels like sleepwalking. Is this how every zombie feels? Perhaps becoming a zombie isn’t so bad after all…
Well then, let’s continue. I need to create a safe world for Juncheng.
Much of their experiences, memories, have been lost, shattered, or even forgotten. Human history is composed of their experiences and memories. And their cognition of the future is also based on these experiences and memories. However, for this woman who has lost her ‘past’ and has a blurry cognition of the ‘future,’ she can only choose to dwell in the ‘present.’
“It’s time to wake up… The dream is over now.”
Someone is speaking, seemingly calling me to wake up. Was I asleep? Hooaa~ I feel like I had a very, very long dream, but I can’t remember any of it. Oh, where am I? …Huh? Who am I?
A woman with unnaturally pale skin stands before me, holding my hands with a loving gaze and a smile, saying something to me. Behind her are a bunch of incomplete zombies. Wow, what the… are we filming a horror movie?
…Is that my name?
…“AAA….GA?!”
Huh? I can’t speak.
Well, whatever~
My stomach~
I’m hungry~
