Chapter 13: Reaching the Sky Again

“Hmm… that makes sense, let’s buy four,” Wang Zhi said, handing the magnetic card to the staff member, swiping it to complete the transaction.

The staff quickly brought the daggers from the warehouse. Ying took one, examined it, and then pulled out the previous one.

Clink!

The blade of the previous dagger fell to the ground, sliced cleanly by the purple-golden dagger in Ying’s hand. Upon closer inspection, this new dagger showed no signs of damage.

“This really is a fine blade!” Ying said, admiring the dagger in her hand with satisfaction.

Hiss~ Wang Zhi inhaled sharply, this was truly a weapon that could cut through iron like mud. Compared to the one Ying held, the previous dagger was nothing more than scrap metal.

After returning, the four of them bought military backpacks, bullet pouches, and spare magazines for their pistols. Since Wang Zhi’s gun was homemade, it would take a day to duplicate it. The total cost came to 100 survival points.

On the way back, Wang Zhi noticed that there were twice as many people in the training hall compared to usual, with many unfamiliar faces.

Wang Zhi’s team had long met the requirements to upgrade to a level 2 team, but they’d been too focused on training and hadn’t had the time to handle the upgrade process. Now, to preserve their maximum stamina and prepare for the mission, they were in a state of rest.

The four of them went to the 1st-floor service desk to upgrade their team. The process went smoothly, and another team even made way for Wang Zhi’s team, allowing them to cut in line. Nobody tried to approach Ying anymore, which Wang Zhi understood — after the fight with Zhao Yang, a level 2 team had no interest in challenging him, and the lower-level teams certainly didn’t want to make things difficult for themselves.

Soon, Wang Zhi’s team had been upgraded to a level 2 team. The staff informed them that they needed to move to Room 007 in Block B within 24 hours. The team’s member limit had increased by 5, so they needed to relocate to a level 2 team room in Block B.

After hearing about the upgrade, many people rushed over to try to join Wang Zhi’s team. However, Wang Zhi rejected them all; he wasn’t interested in gathering people who couldn’t be trusted. Some with no team, upon hearing that Wang Zhi’s team was about to leave on a mission, immediately backed out.

Wang Zhi shook his head at the sight of these people. They only wanted the rewards without putting in the effort. How could that work?

As the saying goes, “It’s easy to guard against a thief at home, but hard to guard against an insider.” Wang Zhi had to be very cautious when choosing teammates.

Afterwards, Wang Zhi and his team started moving their belongings to Room 007 in Block B. People on the road whispered among themselves as they saw them.

Room 007 in Block B was much larger than their previous room in Block A, with an additional bed. Each of them chose a bed and set down their things, leaving the farthest bed empty.

The news that Wang Zhi’s team was about to go on a mission had already spread, and some even started betting on whether they would return alive.

In the room, Wang Zhi and his team silently cleaned their weapons, each lost in their thoughts.

On the surface, Wang Zhi appeared calm, but inside, he was filled with fear. He was about to begin killing, and he knew that tomorrow he would face the relentless, emotionless zombies. He kept telling himself that they weren’t humans; they were zombies, hoping to lessen his sense of guilt.

The Fatty, usually carefree and full of jokes, now wore a serious expression, constantly practicing reloading his gun.

Lao He was quietly resting with his back against the bed, his eyes closed, and Wang Zhi couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

Ying, on the other hand, was casually slicing the air with her golden dagger, seemingly unaffected by the mission the next day.

“Sister Ying, aren’t you scared? We’re going out tomorrow,” Wang Zhi couldn’t help but ask.

“Scared? What’s there to be afraid of? If I’m not afraid of living people, why would I be afraid of the dead?” Ying replied nonchalantly.

“Then don’t you have any concerns?” Wang Zhi asked again.

“My concern is that my sisters are still alive,” Ying said, and Wang Zhi understood. The other three members of her team had been silent, wisely choosing not to ask further.

After 10 hours, the staff at the weapon store delivered the biohazard suits and magazines Wang Zhi had ordered the previous day. With only a few hours left before departure, Wang Zhi and his team went to the restaurant to enjoy a 50 survival points meal, their farewell dinner.

After the meal, the four of them suited up in their biohazard gear and were ready for the mission.

On the way out, people around them looked on, some admiring their bravery, while others believed they would never return. Everyone had their own thoughts, but many were aware that Wang Zhi’s team was a level 2 team with only four members. If they returned safely, joining them would surely ensure a long life.

As Wang Zhi walked to the preparation hall, he paid no attention to the stares or words of others. All he cared about now was fighting his way back to survive.

In the preparation hall, Captain Adam directed them to the elevator in Block C, No. 2.

This mission would be conducted by helicopter, with the team parachuting down to the ground.

With just a few hours to go, Wang Zhi asked Lao He and Ying, who had experience with parachuting, to give him and the Fatty a quick lesson on the basics. The parachutes and helicopters were ready, and Lao He would inform them over the wireless headset when to deploy the parachutes.

The reason for parachuting was simple: If the helicopter descended and used a soft ladder, the noise from the helicopter’s blades would attract zombies, preventing them from landing.

Wang Zhi checked the time; it was almost time to depart. There was no need to wait for the exact moment. He stood up and headed to the elevator in Block C.

After a brief wait, the elevator doors opened, and they entered a large warehouse. Inside was a helicopter, with the pilot already inside, waiting for them to board.

“Let’s go,” Wang Zhi said, leading the way as he jumped onto the helicopter.

Vroom!

The helicopter started, and the metal hatch above slowly opened. The helicopter slowly ascended, and after several days, Wang Zhi and his team once again saw the gloomy, overcast sky!