Chapter 6: Smash Supermarket

In the subsequent days, Lin confined himself to his home, immersing himself in a relentless routine of consuming meat and training his newly acquired zombie followers. His 'little brother' zombies, as he referred to them, were making rapid progress under his tutelage. They had not only mastered the use of basic weapons like watermelon knives but had also advanced to handling crossbows, marking a significant upgrade in their armament.

During these intensive three days, Lin's diet consisted almost exclusively of blood and meat. He consumed an astonishing amount, equivalent to at least ten cows. This constant intake facilitated a rapid evolution in his physical form. His body grew stronger by the hour, and his skin developed a rubber-like toughness. Conventional weapons could no longer leave a mark on him, managing only to leave shallow white lines on his now resilient skin.

Lin felt a peculiar itch in his brain, a telltale sign of an impending significant evolution. He was on the verge of advancing from a Level C to a Level B zombie. This advancement meant that a crystal core would form in his skull, dramatically increasing his overall strength and awakening a unique ability. Each zombie's ability differed vastly, ranging from rapid self-healing and super infection to more bizarre powers like hallucination and mind control. These abilities could be a nightmare for any living creature, causing them to struggle in unseen battles.

Lin, sipping from a tall glass, pondered over the potential ability he might awaken. In his previous life, he hadn't evolved far enough to develop such powers. But now, with an ample supply of flesh and blood, he was on track to surpass his previous limitations.

As he absorbed energy from his carnivorous feasts, Lin had developed a preference for certain meats. Beef was at the top of his list, followed by pork, and then chicken. However, when it came to blood, chicken blood was the most energizing, making his pale complexion slightly flush with a hint of redness.

Amidst his contemplation, a series of loud crashing noises from the street below caught his acute zombie hearing. Curious, Lin approached the windowsill and peered down to investigate the source of the disturbance.

On the street, he saw a group of humans, armed and desperate. They had fashioned makeshift armor from newspapers and tape, a rudimentary defense against zombie bites. Their weapons varied from wrenches and crowbars to a frying pan. The leader, a burly man wielding a fire axe, was furiously trying to break into the roll-up door of a supermarket – Lin's supermarket.

Lin watched as the group risked their lives, motivated by the dwindling food supplies. The noise of their efforts, however, was attracting zombies from all around. The streets, littered with corpses and stained with blood, bore witness to the dire state of the city.

As the zombies closed in, panic ensued among the humans. They fought bravely, but their adversaries' numbers were overwhelming. Lin observed a particularly timid man in the group get bitten and quickly succumb to the horde, his agonizing screams filling the air.

The situation escalated rapidly. The group managed to open the supermarket door, but in doing so, they faced a dilemma. One of their members got stuck, his body half inside the store and half out, preventing them from closing the door. The leader, with a heavy heart, made a ruthless decision. He chopped off the trapped man's hands, allowing the door to close and securing relative safety for those inside.

From his vantage point, Lin watched the scene unfold with detached interest. He couldn't help but admire the leader's decisiveness. To Lin, the human struggle below was an intriguing spectacle, highlighting the harsh realities of survival in this new world.

However, the irony was not lost on him. The supermarket they had fought so hard to access was, in fact, empty. Lin had long since cleared it out, storing everything in his special space. The effort and sacrifice the group had made were in vain.

As the screams and chaos below subsided, Lin returned to his routine, sipping his drink in solitude. The world outside was a brutal battleground where every decision could mean life or death. Yet, for Lin, these human struggles were distant concerns. His focus was on his evolution and the mastery of his new form.

In this apocalyptic landscape, Lin stood apart, a unique entity with a different perspective on survival. His journey, marked by transformation and adaptation, continued to unfold in unexpected ways. As the city outside descended further into despair and chaos, Lin remained an observer, a predator preparing for the next phase of his existence in this ruthless new world.