After finishing breakfast, Ye Chen summoned Bai Long and Yue Heng. The moment these two heard they were going out to hunt zombies, they became instantly energized. Yue Heng had already learned from Bai Long that one could harvest 'Jihua' from the zombies to enhance their strength.

Yue Heng still vividly recalled Ye Chen, armed with just an axe, swiftly dispatching over twenty zombies—a god-like display that would forever be etched in his memory. Hearing they were going out to hunt now, excitement surged through him.

The group geared up completely. The hide from the last Demonic Wind Hound yielded six pieces of soft leather armor, one for Yue Heng and one for Bai Long, protecting vital areas around the heart. As long as their heads weren't smashed open by a zombie, their lives wouldn't be in immediate danger.

When they reached the entrance of the research institute, a figure was already standing there, having waited for quite some time. He wore glasses, his dark hair fell loosely, one hand rested in his pocket, and a cigarette dangled from his lips as he gazed outward, his eyes somewhat distant.

Hearing the sound of footsteps, the figure turned, casting a faint glance over Ye Chen and his group, and stated flatly, "Going out?"

Ye Chen looked at him and nodded.

This person was naturally Dr. Mo Feng. He turned back, fixed Ye Chen with a look, and then said dismissively, "I'm coming too."

Ye Chen scrutinized him, then after a long pause, slowly nodded, saying no more. He pushed open the door and stepped out, the group following closely behind. Mo Feng spared one last look at Ye Chen's retreating back, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, before following suit.

Leaving the laboratory, they emerged onto a desolate street. Debris, severed limbs, and bodies lay scattered everywhere. The wind howled, sweeping across the ground and kicking up scraps of paper.

"Where are we going?" Bai Long asked curiously.

"The supermarket!"

Ye Chen moved instantly, flashing toward the distance.

"You know where the supermarket is?" Bai Long looked around, seeing no obvious mall, and asked with concern. He didn't want to wander aimlessly in this dangerous city lest they attract powerful monsters.

Ye Chen offered no reply. With a quick movement, he rounded a street corner. As he stepped past the bend, a lurking zombie opened its monstrous jaws and lunged ferociously. Ye Chen, however, seemed to have anticipated it. With a sweep of his arm, he split the zombie's skull in two; the action was fluid and utterly without hesitation.

"My strength has indeed increased significantly, reaching the realm of Six-Man Strength," Ye Chen observed the fallen zombie, frowning slightly. He then looked ahead and saw a large, three-story supermarket bordering the street, occupying a massive area. Many vehicles were parked nearby, and occasionally, a zombie carelessly bumped into one, triggering the car alarm and attracting a swarm of others.

In the apocalypse, one must never approach vehicles.

The entrance of the supermarket was swarming with zombies—several hundred at a glance, a sight chilling enough to make one desperately want to turn and flee.

"We're going there?" Yue Heng trembled, his face pale. He was still just an ordinary person, unable to handle even an H1-level zombie, let alone H2-level ones.

Bai Long looked relaxed, patting his shoulder with a prematurely world-weary air. "Don't worry. Stick behind your big brother Bai, and I'll cover you."

Yue Heng eyed him suspiciously. "Can you even fight the zombies?"

Bai Long paused, then cleared his throat lightly, glancing sideways at him. "Little Yue Yue, don't doubt Big Bro. Bro is a legend!"

"Your sister is a legend!" Yue Heng rolled his eyes, then turned back to Ye Chen. "Why here? It’s too dangerous."

Ye Chen looked at him. "In the early days of the apocalypse, food is paramount. Later on, you'll realize that a single piece of bread or candy must be bought with your life! Right now, we must stockpile food quickly."

Yue Heng started, then frowned in thought.

"I'll draw the monsters away first. You act according to the opportunity," Ye Chen stated solemnly.

"What?" Yue Heng gasped in alarm. "Are you crazy? You're going to draw aggro? There are hundreds of zombies! If they surround you, you won't escape!"

"Exactly! Young man, don't push yourself too hard," Bai Long chimed in agreement.

"Brother!" Ye Zhu’s expression grew tense, her meaning perfectly clear in her eyes.

Ye Chen glanced at them, his gaze softening slightly. "Don't worry, I have confidence." With that, he glanced at his sister, Ye Zhu, then turned and walked out. Facing the entrance of the supermarket crowded with hundreds of zombies, he took a deep breath before charging forward.

"Go for it!"

"Be safe!"

Ye Zhu and the others silently watched Ye Chen's receding figure, worry etched in their eyes.

Roar!

At the supermarket entrance, hundreds of zombies smelled fresh blood. One by one, they turned their grotesque faces toward Ye Chen, whose black hair fluttered, roaring as they rushed forward, swarming like locusts.

"Die!"

Ye Chen's eyes were cold. The fire axe in his hand moved like falling leaves, weaving up and down. Any zombie that came within three feet of him instantly had its head split open, collapsing to the ground and writhing.

Roar! Roar!

More and more zombies gathered, surrounding him like water from all directions, eyes bloodthirsty, claws sharp. Only Ye Chen's figure remained in their sight, like hungry tigers, their eyes greedy.

Awooo!!

Suddenly, from a street in the distance, a long howl rang out. Immediately following, a tall figure lunged forward. Its sharp claws struck the ground, making the pavement tremble. It leaped up and landed on a sedan, the car roof instantly sinking under the pressure.

This monster was as tall as an elephant, shaped like a dog, with ferocious fangs and powerful limbs. The claws on its legs were extremely sharp. It was completely hairless; its skin was raw and bloody, allowing one to see the underlying blood vessels—it was horrifying!

"Zombie Hound!"

Ye Chen, fighting amidst the zombie horde, was slightly startled upon seeing this monster. He instantly recognized its identity: a Dark Creature!

Whether human or animal, under the virus, there were three possible outcomes!

First, Evolution, becoming a stronger existence! The Demonic Wind Hound, for instance, was an evolved type!

Second, becoming a Zombie—a failed evolution, resulting in the loss of will and memory, transforming into another kind of creature. In the early stages, they resemble the zombies from movies, but later they evolve intelligence and become another form of life, exceedingly formidable, known as: Dark Creatures! For example, the zombies flooding the streets would eventually become Dark Creatures, transforming into beings like Lizardmen or Half-Dragon types.

Third, maintaining the original form, neither evolving nor becoming a Dark Creature—this was the state Ye Chen and his group were in.

Regardless of the form, all could evolve and continuously grow stronger by devouring blood.

The main characteristic of a zombie was the loss of hair, and this Zombie Hound was no exception; it lacked the thick fur of the Demonic Wind Hound.

"Awooo!!"

The Zombie Hound stood on the sedan and let out a long howl, like a demonic wolf baying at the moon. The surrounding zombies seemed to receive a command; they grew even more frenzied, charging toward Ye Chen without regard for anything else.

"Not good!" Ye Chen frowned. "This Zombie Hound has developed rudimentary intelligence. Using the unique energy present in the bodies of Dark Creatures, they can communicate and even issue commands! It intends to exhaust my stamina with these zombies before it attacks..."

Ye Chen stared at the Zombie Hound, his eyes turning icy cold.

"Kill the leader first, then the minions! Die!"

He took a step forward; the ground seemed to ripple like cloth beneath his foot. Ye Chen clenched his fists, a "kaka" sound echoing, and his eyes suddenly shone brightly. A pair of black tentacles slowly emerged from his forehead.

"Superman Mode, Stage One, Activate!"

His chilling voice echoed as if from the underworld. As the last syllable fell, the zombies frantically charging toward Ye Chen suddenly shuddered, and then, their bodies exploded, scattering blood and gore as their forms were torn into countless fragments...

...Oh dear, it’s activated! Things will get even more exciting below, so remember to give recommendation votes!