Chapter 213: The Phoenix Man Who Soared Before the Apocalypse (18)

【Earth is about to face a catastrophe that will determine the fate of humanity. In this disaster, we may lose many people, but please rest assured, citizens: the government will not abandon a single person. Temporary shelters will be constructed soon. When the time comes, everyone will be able to proceed there in an orderly fashion. As soon as the shelters are ready, we will notify the public. Until then, please persevere, stay strong, and live bravely!】

【Earth has fallen. Good luck to you all.】

The moment this news aired, it signaled that the government, which had been holding on with all its might, could no longer sustain itself.

The outside world had descended into complete chaos.

From now on, everyone would have to rely on themselves for everything. Self-rescue was the only way forward.

But the outside looked like hell on earth. In areas with low housing density, it might still be possible to venture out and try one’s luck. But in densely populated areas, stepping outside was a death sentence.

Fortunately, only a few days had passed since the disaster began, and most households still had food stored up.

Since they weren’t starving, no one was willing to take the risk.

People still clung to a sliver of hope, counting on the government to finish building the shelters and come to take them there.

Su Mingyue asked curiously, “Will there really be shelters?”

“There will be, but not right now. Things are too chaotic. Even if a shelter sends out a signal, it won’t be for at least ten days or half a month,” Shen Xiuyan sighed. “And no one’s going to come save you. If you want to get to a shelter, you’ll have to go there yourself. But in a few days, the internet will collapse. If people don’t go out, they’ll never get any useful information.”

Su Mingyue sighed. “In the end, you really can only rely on yourself.”

“Exactly. In this world, you can’t count on anyone but yourself.”

The two of them stayed home for a few more days, still not making any moves. Their villa was in a relatively remote area with low population density. Without knowing what was happening outside, staying put was the safest option.

After several days of holding out, someone finally couldn’t take it anymore.

The group chat for the villa community was buzzing with messages.

【What’s it like out there? Has anyone gone out yet?】

【No, I don’t dare go out.】

【Me neither. But a friend of mine in the city center sent me a message. It’s already a mess over there. Probably the moment you step out your door, you’re done for.】

He even attached a few photos.

【Image attached】【Image attached】【Image attached】

The photos showed a dense crowd of people swarming the streets. Their movements were stiff and mechanical, their bodies drenched in blood.

The roads were completely paralyzed. Traffic lights were out, and wrecked cars lay scattered everywhere, twisted and overturned. It looked like a scene straight out of hell.

Those with weaker mental fortitude vomited immediately after seeing the images.

【Zombies. Just like the ones in books. The Apocalypse is here. Hahahahahaha!!!】

That one clearly had a mental breakdown.

【The owner of Building 12 must’ve lost it. But he’s not wrong. These really do look like zombies…】

【We’re screwed. That’s it for us.】

People began to fall apart one by one.

For a while, no one posted anything in the group.

【Wait, we’ve got zombies here too. I just saw one heading south.】

【Don’t scare me. I’m going to check the window.】

【Ahhh! I see them too. There are three!】

【Not just three. More are coming from behind.】

【No way I’m going outside now. I’ve got plenty of food at home. I’m not going anywhere. Let’s see what they can do to me.】

【You think you can stay inside forever? What’ll you do when you run out of food?】

【We still have the government. What am I afraid of? Things will get better. Yeah, they will.】

That person seemed to be desperately trying to convince himself.

【Okay, maybe you guys are fine, but I’ve got nothing to eat at home. Who would’ve thought the Apocalypse would come so suddenly? Anyone here with extra food willing to share a little?】

Someone chimed in with a shameless request.

【I’ve got some left. But do you even dare come get it?】

【……】

The conversation ended abruptly.

Two days later, that same person must have finally reached his limit. He asked again in the group chat.

【Do you still have food? Can I come get some now?】

【Sure. Come on over.】

The other person didn’t seem to take him seriously, convinced he wouldn’t actually show up.

After all, there were plenty of zombies roaming outside. Going out now was a gamble with your life.

But the man, already starving and desperate, didn’t care anymore. With no more news broadcasts, he figured he was dead either way—whether he stayed home or went out. So he might as well take a chance.

Even though it was the height of summer, he put on thick clothes, wrapping himself up tightly from head to toe.

Then he rummaged through his house and quickly locked eyes on a kitchen knife. Gritting his teeth, he made up his mind.

He took a deep breath, opened the door, and headed toward the other man’s house, knife in hand.

Along the way, he moved with extreme caution, doing his best to avoid making any noise that might attract the zombies.

But fate is cruel. The more you try to avoid something, the more likely it is to happen.

He accidentally stepped on a dry branch, which snapped with a loud crack.

A nearby zombie heard the sound and turned its head.

It spotted the man and gave him a twisted grin that was anything but friendly. The look in its eyes was that of a predator spotting prey.

The man didn’t hesitate. He turned and ran.

The zombie chased after him, and the noise drew even more of its kind.

They all began converging in his direction.

The man darted left and right, finally managing to shake off the clumsy creatures.

Panting heavily, he leaned against a wall, trying to catch his breath. Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. Something felt wrong. He turned his head to the right—and saw a zombie standing there, eyes glowing green, like it had been lying in wait.

In the blink of an eye, the zombie lunged at him. Acting purely on instinct, the man shut his eyes and swung the kitchen knife.

But the pain he expected never came. Instead, something warm and wet splattered across his face.

He slowly opened his eyes, staring blankly at the zombie. Then he touched his face.

Looking at his hand, he saw blood.

A dark red, almost greenish liquid—zombie blood.

Realizing he had actually wounded the creature, he threw himself at it and, with a few swift strikes, chopped off its terrifying head.

The man collapsed to the ground, staring blankly at the sky. Then he picked up the kitchen knife and slowly stood up.

Ding-dong~

The doorbell rang. The person inside called out, “Who is it?”

No way, did that idiot actually come?

“It’s me. The guy from the group chat.”

The homeowner’s eyes widened in disbelief. It really was him. He quickly opened the door and let him in.

In the early days of the Apocalypse, people’s guard was still low. Later on, no one would be foolish enough to open their door and let a stranger walk in.