Chapter Eight: Bootlicking

After explaining all the precautions, the group moved forward quietly. Ahead, between two adjacent buildings, there was a crude alley. At the end stood two trash bins, one open, the other tightly sealed. The blatant attempt at concealment amused Mu Jiuer, who couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

They slowed their pace. Sade, wielding a butcher's knife, took the lead, with Lillian close behind. Before Sade could approach, the lid of the trash bin was pushed open from within, and a middle-aged man emerged. This surprised Mu Chen's party, but Sade immediately lunged, pressing his knife to the man's throat to take control.

Lillian was momentarily flustered, uncertain where to put the sticky socks in her hand. She glanced back at Mu Chen for instructions. The middle-aged man's sharp eyes quickly noticed Mu Chen was in charge and pleaded with him.

"Brother, let's talk this over, let's talk this over. We just want to get some money, never intended to hurt anyone. I’m willing to submit, to follow you wherever you go."

For a moment, everyone was silent, awaiting Mu Chen's response.

"Let him come out of the trash bin first. Lillian, check him for weapons."

The man struggled out of the bin; his once white shirt was filthy, but the fresh bloodstains at his cuffs made Mu Chen frown.

"What’s your name? Are you carrying any weapons?" Mu Chen’s words sounded, to the man, like the final test to join the team.

"Brother, my name is Yao Da. I have no weapons. You can have your servant search me—I really have nothing. I was just following Second Yao, he was the one in charge, I just went along!"

Lillian had already searched Yao Da thoroughly and, finding nothing, shook her head at Mu Chen.

Mu Jiuer touched her face, about to speak but hesitated, watching Mu Chen interrogate Yao Da. She chose silence.

"Brother, I truly wish to join you. I’ll do whatever you ask, no complaints."

Mu Chen, seated in his wheelchair, narrowed his eyes.

Yao Da’s story was not particularly detailed, but it was logically sound; the skillful shifting of blame onto the dead disgusted Mu Chen.

"Fine, but what you did before makes us uneasy. Times are exceptional, so we’ll have to tie you up. Once we’re sure you mean no harm and are sincere, we’ll untie you. One thing to clarify: we’re not people who kill indiscriminately," Mu Chen said gently.

Yao Da hesitated at the demand, but his body instinctively leaned back. When Sade pressed the butcher’s knife to his neck, he quickly put on a cooperative face and agreed.

Without resistance, Lillian soon had Yao Da’s hands firmly bound behind him.

Mu Chen chuckled softly; he hadn’t expected it to be so easy.

This is what they call being too clever for one’s own good.

"Sade, hold him down! Lillian, gag him!"

Mu Chen’s order left Yao Da bewildered. Before he could react, Sade had him pinned to the ground. The foul, sticky socks were shoved into his mouth with irresistible force, the stench bringing tears to his eyes. He could only emit muffled sounds.

"Jiuer, find some more cloth to fill his mouth completely."

Pinned to the ground, Yao Da rolled his eyes.

Mu Chen offered no explanation, nor did anyone expect one.

"Lillian, check the trash bin where he hid for weapons."

Despite the persistent stench, Lillian searched thoroughly. Soon she produced a spring-loaded knife.

The puzzle was solved!

Bloodstains on the cuff, knife wound on Yao Er’s leg.

To save himself, he’d even harm his own brother!

Mu Chen had always viewed Yao Da as dangerous, but he had underestimated him; calling him deranged was no exaggeration.

"Jiuer, what were you about to say earlier? Was it him who slapped you?"

Mu Chen’s memory and observation were always sharp; he’d noticed his sister’s reaction.

"Yes..." Mu Jiuer replied softly, surprised by her brother’s attentiveness.

"Tie him up." Mu Chen pulled a coil of rope from his backpack and handed it to Mu Jiuer.

A few minutes later, Yao Da was bound tightly from head to toe.

"Sade, cut off his right hand!"

Sade obeyed without hesitation. The sound of knife meeting flesh was followed by blood gushing down Yao Da’s arm.

Agonizing pain made Yao Da’s veins bulge as he emitted muffled cries, convulsing on the ground like a wounded maggot.

"We truly don’t kill indiscriminately—but that only applies to people. Beasts are another matter entirely!"

Fresh blood still poured from Yao Da’s wound. Mu Chen raised his brow, feeling a pang of pity, but in the apocalypse, he had to steel himself.

"Dispose of him. There’s no reason to keep him alive."

Ultimately too soft-hearted, Mu Chen looked away, not watching Sade deal with him. When Sade returned, Yao Da lay motionless, curled up on the ground, a pool of blood spreading beneath him...

Mu Chen sighed deeply. The incident was finally resolved. Accidents had come one after another, leaving him mentally exhausted.

He longed to lie comfortably in bed and sleep, but the writhing red mist all around was a constant reminder that danger was everywhere.

Forcing himself to stay alert, he opened his [Personal Information].

[Name: Mu Chen (Disabled)]
[Race: Human]
[Title: None]
[Level: Lv2]
[Skill: Expulsion]

Physique: 2
Spirit: 8 (5)
Defense: 1

Only 5 points of spirit remained. Mu Chen knew it was now the third hour since the red mist appeared.

The expulsion skill had cost him 3 spirit points.

He decided that once he was down to 4 spirit points, whether they left the city or not, everyone would need to rest and recover.

On the road, Mu Chen took out a map of Han City, repeatedly checking their current location.

Fortunately, the next hour passed without incident. With their backpack slots full, they didn’t bother collecting more supplies.

Consulting the map, they found themselves close to the city’s edge, only four or five streets away.

The broad road was flanked by residential buildings, no longer as densely packed as those in the city center.

Finding a secluded spot, the group sat down to rest. Mu Chen pulled several bottles of functional beverages from his backpack and distributed them.

The sound of drinking echoed in his ears.

During the break, he opened the regional chat channel.

"I am xxx... Posting this message to prove I was here. The people I love and those who loved me are gone. I’m tired, no more hiding."

"So thirsty, my throat feels like it’s on fire. Why is the water from the faucet black? Is anyone nearby? Begging for a sip of water, coordinates xxxx, please, someone take me away."

"What are you thinking up there? Everyone’s got their own problems. No one knows if monsters will appear—there’s no way to explore, let alone share anything."

"Sigh, look at the regional population. Each area had a hundred thousand people; now there are just over nine thousand left."

"A warning to everyone: keep quiet to reduce the chance of running into monsters. Some have incredibly keen hearing."

"Does anyone know how to avoid these monsters? I checked the floor and locked up, but monsters still appeared. I’m hungry, thirsty, and too afraid to move."

"What else can we do? Wait for death, I guess! Can’t you see? This is the end of the world!"

"......"

Most posts in the channel were full of despair, but some gave him a rough sense of the situation.

Each region had a hundred thousand people, and in his, over ninety percent had died in four hours.

From this small sample, it was clear that things were no better in any region across the globe.