Chapter 9

"Can you smell it as well?" I asked while my hand is still on her head. Sensing her nod, that's a confirmation that her senses improved, not just her physical strength.

Even me, I am in a defensive mode right now. If this was just a game, I could rush without even care, but this is real life. Despite having cheat like powers, I still want to play safe, at least for now.

"I'll go first, okay?" When I told her, her grip on my shoulder began to get stronger. I looked at her, and as she noticed my gaze, she shook her head, and this time, she pulled me behind her.

As her back is in front of me, it got me curious, so I asked, "Ye Lian. Are you trying to protect me?" She turned her head and bobbed her head once. This girl...

Okay, ill let her do her thing for now, but if something gets wrong, I will involve myself.

"Thank you, Ye Lian." Getting a smile from her, she then proceeds towards the stairs.

As we are almost at the second floor, we heard slamming noise. Also, Ye Lian's expression displayed aggression. She looks like a predator ready to attack its prey.

"Is that a... Rat? No. It's too big." We finally see who the cause of those banging noise. It's big enough to be called a rat, but.

"A lion size rat? Seriously?" Do animals mutate faster than humans? If so, that will be very dangerous.

Ye Lian, immediately dashed but I noticed something. Is she used in fighting before even turning into a zombie? Her movement is flawless as she rushed towards the gigantic rat.

"Now Im sure of it, I thought it is just because she turned into a zombie, her combat improved but that would be impossible, or else humans will be extinct within a month." But I'm confidently precise that the gels are helping to improve her mentality and physical prowess.

"Scree!" The mutated rat screeched and hastily went to a defensive stance, showing its sharp canine. The body of the rat has a hole that is showing some bones of its ribs.

In a melee fight distance, Ye Lian tried to claw its head, but the rat was smart enough to raise its sharp claws.

"It's useless," I spoke while looking at the rat's hard looking claws sliced like butter. Red grade item is an endgame item even though its just tier 1.

But recalling the zombies, we encountered on the first floor. Their bite marks did not come from a human. It was this monster all along. The outbreak just started a few hours ago, but a rat already mutated.

With one more slash from the red grade weapon, the head of the rat sliced into three folds. It is certainly not a sight to see, but its like im already used to it.

"Damn, girl." As the fight ended in a few seconds, Ye Lian turned her body to look at me. Blood is on her cheeks, but her smile is still there. Beautiful as always. It seems like the tensed feeling we felt lately was worthless.

Walking towards her, I bought a handkerchief with a self-clean function. I held her cheek and slightly raised her head, and while wiping the other side, her eyes are still staring at mine while her smile did not fade. Does she want to be praised?

"You did well, Ye Lian," I said with a smile.

"Now then, let us check what's on that door, okay?" As always, she grabs my shoulder, placing it between her breasts. Complain? Never.

"I should knock first. Is anyone inside? Don't worry. You are safe already." I am knocking for half a minute, and someone answered on the other side that stunned me.

"Really? Is it safe? Is my daddy okay?" The sound of her voice... A child?

I forcibly opened the door, and my eyes settled on a little girl. She has shoulder-length pink hair with bangs reaching down from her temples' side, stretching outwards, a mole under her left eye, and wearing a white headband on her head.

"If we were coming here, this girl could already be food from that monster." If we came here late for at least ten minutes, this cute little girl could already be at the stomach of that rat. The door is already wrecked and just a few more slams, it could be breached.

I walk towards the girl and bent. Her body is trembling while her face reveals she was really scared. I made the most gentle smile as possible and placed my hand on her head.

"Don't worry, okay? The big sister behind me, and I will protect you." I don't know if it's because of my tone or facial expression is affecting her, but she soothes down quickly.

"Y-yes..." She answered with her voice stuttering. I offered my hand, and she instantly grabs it. She's cold. I feel pity for her.

As we get out of the room, I carried her in my embrace and covered her eyes.

"Just close your eyes for a moment, okay?" I whispered politely. I managed to cover her vision, but the smell of the mutated rat is still very disturbing.

(Next Chapter)