“Captain, we’re surrounded by zombies. The streets outside are crawling with them. If no one draws them away, they won’t scatter until nightfall.”

The situation was dire. The members of the Eagle Squad were temporarily hiding inside a messy restaurant.

This mission had gone terribly wrong.

Not only did they fail to reach their target location, but they also lost one communications officer. Two other teammates had been bitten and infected, eventually turning into zombies.

Edmund had no choice but to put down the two who had completely turned.

The biggest problem now was that they had completely lost contact with command.

This meant they were without guidance, and continuing with the original plan would be very difficult. They could only rely on themselves to improvise.

As captain, Edmund had to make the calls for the entire team.

The situation was urgent. Their orders were clear—rescue Lee Sen from Norsen Biotech and recover the core data related to this outbreak.

The zombie outbreak had come too suddenly. Norsen Biotech’s research center had been completely overrun.

Many valuable paper records and experimental materials had not been evacuated.

The military needed those to study vaccines and prevent greater catastrophe.

The Eagle Squad had only 48 hours for this mission, and already 16 hours had passed.

After rappelling down from the rooftop, they encountered a massive zombie horde on the ground. Fighting and retreating, they lost a third of their members and were forced to take refuge in the small restaurant.

The restaurant staff were locked in the kitchen—they had also turned into zombies.

Fortunately, they had found two survivors, a local policeman and a doctor, both of whom had been a great help.

The policeman, a tall Black man, checked the situation outside and suggested, “I remember there’s an alley behind the kitchen window. Not too many zombies there—we can escape through it. But we’ll need to clear the kitchen zombies first.”

After weighing the risks, Edmund nodded and signaled to a teammate. “With me.”

Two minutes later, gunshots rang out in the kitchen. At the same time, the zombies outside the restaurant grew more frenzied, slamming themselves against the glass door.

The door shuddered violently, ready to collapse at any moment.

The squad members guarding it braced it with tables, struggling under the pressure, while the others rushed to help.

They shouted toward the kitchen, “Captain, are we clear yet?”

Moments later, the gunfire ceased.

Edmund’s voice came from the kitchen: “All clear. Move out.”

The instant they abandoned the front door, the glass gave way. Windows and display cases shattered in succession, and hordes of zombies poured in through every opening.

The team and the policeman fought their way backward, shutting the kitchen door behind them. But it wouldn’t hold for long.

Edmund and the others had already climbed out the window, the rest following close behind. The doctor was the last one through; just as he jumped out, the wooden kitchen door splintered and zombies lunged for the window.

Gunfire erupted.

The squad cut down the zombies that managed to squeeze through.

Though more were drawn by the noise, the alley was so narrow that only two could walk abreast, restricting the horde’s movements.

Before long, they shook off the pursuit.

The sky darkened, and Edmund’s expression grew heavy.

Daytime zombies were easier to deal with—they feared sunlight and didn’t wander openly in the streets.

But nightfall was their prime hunting time.

They would emerge from every hiding place, swarming through the streets in groups. By then, fighting them would be nearly impossible.

This meant they had to reach Norsen Biotech’s research institute before night fully fell.

---

“Gunshots? Did you hear that?”

Once Hal had recovered his strength, the two set out again.

Using her drone and offline maps, Su You found the safest route with the fewest zombies.

Aside from a few encounters they quickly dealt with, they reached within two blocks of Norsen Biotech without much danger.

“Gunshots?” Su You tilted her head, listening carefully. Sure enough, faint shots carried over the distance.

“Your teammates?”

Hal hesitated. “Sounds familiar. Most likely the captain and the others.”

Su You glanced toward the direction of the noise. “It’s moving closer to the company. If we keep going forward, we’ll definitely link up with them.”

She lifted her gun, firing past Hal’s shoulder. The bullet pierced a zombie’s skull cleanly.

Then she looked at the dimming sky. “The zombies are starting to gather. From here on, stay sharp and pick up the pace.”

Her drone footage confirmed it—as the light faded, even streets that had been nearly empty began to fill with lurking zombies.

When unseen, they moved quietly, almost invisible in the shadows, like predators lying in wait.

But once disturbed, their true ferocity surfaced.

So the two not only had to move faster but also avoid being noticed.

After two blocks, they finally saw the source of the gunfire.

Hal spotted his captain and immediately called out, “Captain!”

Seeing him, Edmund’s eyes lit up. “Good, Hal, you’re safe.”

Then his gaze shifted to the strange figure beside Hal—black helmet, reinforced pads, peculiar gear that set her apart from ordinary people.

But perfect for dealing with zombies.

“And this is…?”

Hal quickly introduced, “This is Miss Su. She saved me and got me here. She’s a good person, Captain. She’s also here searching for someone, and she can help us with the mission.”

Edmund nodded. “Thank you for saving my man.”

Su You inclined her head. “Let’s move. We need to get inside and find the materials fast. These gunshots will only draw more zombies.”

That remark drew a frown from one squad member.

“Captain, this mission is classified. How can we rely on an outsider? And judging by the voice—it’s a woman.”

Beneath her helmet, Su You clicked her tongue. Great, a misogynist.

She had dealt with plenty like him in her previous life, so his words didn’t anger her.

“No problem. If you don’t want me along, I can search on my own. After all, I’m just doing this to help a friend.”

Hal immediately stopped her. “Captain, Miss Su is extremely capable. I promise she won’t slow us down—she’ll help us greatly. And she has a radio and transceiver. She can reconnect us to headquarters.”

Then he turned and snapped at the troublemaker, “Riley, can’t you read the situation? This is not the time for your prejudice!”

The soldier, Riley, was a troublemaker and often clashed with Hal. His expression darkened. “Hal, watch your mouth. You don’t get to call the shots here.”

He stepped closer, menacingly, ready to throw a punch.

Edmund stepped in sharply, voice stern. “Riley, what do you think you’re doing? Do you want to jeopardize the mission?”