Chapter 5: Recruit Younger Brother

In the tranquility of his top-floor apartment, Lin was interrupted by the familiar chime of his cell phone. He picked it up to discover a message from Linda on the messaging app. Her message was filled with fear and concern. "Hubby! Are you alright? Zombies are everywhere. I'm so scared and worried about you right now. Are you still alive?"

"I'm still alive," Lin replied in a succinct manner.

Relieved, Linda quickly explained her situation. She was trapped in her dorm room, running low on food. Remembering Lin's well-stocked supermarket, she asked if he could bring her some supplies.

"Alright, hold on. I'll come after a while," Lin responded. His reply, though simple, was laced with an eerie undertone, a reflection of his new zombie nature. Unaware of Lin's transformation, Linda continued to express her desperation and love.

However, Lin was no longer swayed by Linda's words. To him, she was merely 'living material' he had saved for later. Despite his enhanced strength from consuming a substantial amount of meat, Lin chose to wait, to become even stronger before venturing into the dangerous outside world.

In the meantime, the owners' group chat was buzzing with messages of fear and courage. Neighbors shared their experiences and strategies for surviving the zombie onslaught. Some boasted of their successes in defending themselves, while others desperately sought help. Lin observed these conversations with detached curiosity. Although now a zombie, he felt no urge to attack his neighbors, as human flesh was less appealing and nutritious compared to beef. His focus was on evolution, not mindless predation.

Lin decided to gather a few zombie followers. Not for hunting purposes, but more as a means of protection and assistance. With key in hand, he left his apartment. The building echoed with the low growls of roaming zombies.

He didn't have to go far. Just one floor down, he encountered a female zombie, who instinctively recognized Lin's superiority. She was his neighbor, a former high jumper with impressively agile limbs even in her undead form. Lin saw potential in her, possibly evolving into an agile zombie king under his guidance.

After feeding her a bag of frozen steaks, the female zombie submitted to Lin's command, indicating her allegiance. Lin continued his search in the building and soon added two more zombies with promising qualities to his group. One was a former fitness instructor with notable physical strength. The other, a scholarly doctor in life, retained a semblance of intelligence.

With his new group, Lin returned to his apartment. He observed them, considering their training potential. They weren't ready to face armed humans yet, but Lin wondered if they could learn to use weapons.

To test this theory, Lin threw down three watermelon knives. Initially confused, the zombies gradually understood as Lin directed them to pick up the knives. The fitness instructor, although clumsy, managed to grasp the concept, while the doctor zombie quickly adapted, demonstrating unexpected intelligence.

This experiment was enlightening for Lin. Zombies could indeed be trained, but only by a stronger Corpse King like himself.

As Lin planned his next steps, the world outside continued its descent into chaos. The once thriving city was now overrun with zombies and despair. The few survivors' cries for help echoed in the perilous streets. From his vantage point, Lin watched as the city he once knew turned into a haven for the undead.

However, Lin's focus remained on his immediate surroundings. Training his new zombie followers was vital. With them, Lin aimed to navigate this post-apocalyptic world, using their unique abilities to ensure his survival and potentially rise to greater power.

In this crumbling world, Lin, with his unconventional undead army, stood prepared to face the challenges of the new era. His journey, marked by transformation and adaptation, was just beginning. In an apocalypse where the distinction between predator and prey constantly shifted, Lin's strategic approach to survival promised an intriguing tale of resilience and cunning amidst utter chaos.