Struggling Soul

 "Go! Get to the helicopter!" Silver Fox shouted, his voice edged with urgency. The helicopter was hovering just beside the rooftop—a single leap could mean survival.

"Silver Fox, get on first!" Lion ordered, gripping the heavy machine gun to provide cover, despite the strain it placed on his body.

"Let's go, boss! Leave them—they can't keep up with us!" Silver Fox ran to Lion, pulling him urgently towards the helicopter. He knew Lion too well and feared what his commander might do in the wake of Tiger's death.

Silver Fox dragged Lion, moving quickly towards safety. Meanwhile, Hound and Python continued to lay down suppressing fire, and Yang Tian sprinted towards the helicopter from not far away—he could almost taste hope.

"Hiss... roar!" The Mother zombie's furious howl echoed across the rooftop. It had gone to such great lengths—how could it let its prey escape now? The guttural roar seemed to go on forever, filled with raw rage. It had intended to torture these humans until the bitter end, but now, they were slipping through its grasp.

A crimson figure burst out from the horde in the distance—the Mother zombie, shrouded in blood-red, hurtling towards them.

"Mother zombie skill—Frenzied Charge!" Yang Tian's pupils contracted as he watched the Mother zombie streak towards them, its speed leaving a trail of afterimages. Its entire body was enveloped in an eerie crimson glow.

Yang Tian clenched his teeth, pulling Jessica with him as they ran, the helicopter getting closer. Yet, every meter felt interminable.

Finally, the helicopter was within reach. Yang Tian prepared to jump aboard, but a chilling wave of killing intent surged from behind. He had no choice—he had to turn and fight, or he might reach the helicopter as nothing more than a headless corpse.

Clang! The sound of a knife clashing against sharp claws rang out, sparks flying. The impact made it clear just how fierce the fight was between Yang Tian and the Mother zombie. Even with his genetically enhanced strength, Yang Tian felt his chances of winning slipping away. The Mother was at least two levels above him, and while Yang Tian's combat skills allowed him to barely hold his own for a few exchanges, the disparity in speed and strength left no hope for victory.

Once again, Yang Tian used every ounce of his strength to repel the Mother's attack. Turning, he saw Jessica had already climbed aboard the helicopter, extending her hand towards him. He lunged for her outstretched arm.

"Puppet! Grab on! Hurry!" Jessica bit her lip until it bled, straining to pull Yang Tian up.

"Ratatat! Ratatat!" The others in the helicopter drew their guns, providing covering fire. But the crimson figure seemed oblivious to the bullets, its rage driving it onward. It couldn't allow its prey to escape. With a furious swipe, it aimed at Yang Tian's back. If that claw connected, Yang Tian would be torn in half.

Yang Tian had no choice but to turn again. He swung his knife, the blade flashing, clashing with the Mother's claws. This time, Yang Tian was completely overpowered. The Mother knocked him to the ground, pinning him beneath it. Its sharp claws pressed down towards his head, and only his desperate defense with the knife kept him alive.

"Puppet! Kick it away!" Silver Fox yelled, raising his rifle to fire at the Mother. The Mother turned its bloodshot eyes, filled with hatred, and with Yang Tian in its grip, dove into the horde of zombies below.

"Puppet!" Jessica's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, her eyes wide as she watched Yang Tian being swallowed by the sea of undead.

"We have to go! They're getting closer! If they catch us, it's over!" The pilot shouted, struggling to keep the helicopter steady as zombies hurled themselves at it. With no choice, the helicopter began to rise.

"No! Puppet! No!" Jessica's voice broke, hoarse and filled with despair. She could still feel the warmth of his hand pulling her, saving her.

Chapter 13: Into the Horde

"Humans! Roar!" The Mother's angry roars echoed across the rooftop as it watched the helicopter fade into the distance. Several zombies staggered forward, trying to grab hold of the retreating helicopter, only to fall from the great height.

The Mother grabbed a nearby zombie, preparing to throw it at the helicopter, but then sensed something—a slight movement beside it.

"Let go of me!" Yang Tian yelled, thrusting his knife towards the Mother's head. The Mother's fury only grew, and with a savage swipe, its claws raked across his chest, tearing flesh. It stuffed the bloody chunks into its mouth, chewing.

"Aaaah!" Yang Tian screamed in agony. The pain was unlike anything he had ever experienced—his chest shredded, blood flowing freely.

The Mother roared again, watching the helicopter disappear, then gave an order that only the other zombies could understand. Slowly, the ordinary zombies formed a circle, leaving Yang Tian and the Mother in the center, like an arena in ancient Rome.

The Mother stood still, its rage palpable, watching the distant helicopter with eyes full of anger, frustration, and regret.

Yang Tian looked up at the departing helicopter, a bitter smile crossing his face. Images of familiar faces flashed through his mind. It had been only a day, yet it felt like years.

There was Black Bear, strong and solitary, facing the horde alone, leaving behind just a single promise: "With my life, I buy your word."

There was Snow Leopard, quiet and loyal, torn apart by the zombies, his disbelieving eyes staring through the gaps of the horde, forever etched in Yang Tian's mind: "Rookie... maybe you should pray to the old man upstairs... or pick up your gun and send them to meet Him! Let God taste what it's like to be bitten."

There was Tiger, fierce and proud, wielding his heavy machine gun until the end: "If I turn, put a bullet in my head—aim true."

And then there were Lion, Hound, Python—each vivid, each fallen.

Now, it was his turn. Was he really going to die here, at the hands of the Mother zombie?

Clang! The clash of knife against claw rang out once more, intense and fierce. Despite the genetic enhancements, Yang Tian struggled to keep up with the Mother's relentless speed and power.

The Mother roared, its muddied eyes filled with hatred. The helicopter had already taken off, and the gunfire from those providing cover had ceased.

"Give me a gun!" Jessica demanded, her usually cold eyes now bloodshot. Ignoring her teammates' attempts to calm her, she grabbed a sniper rifle and positioned herself at the open side of the helicopter, swiftly setting up the scope.

"Blood... flesh!" The Mother zombie roared, raising its foot to crush Yang Tian. This man—he was the one who had cost it its prey, and now, it would take its revenge.

Yang Tian rolled aside as the Mother's foot came down, shattering the concrete where he'd just been lying.

The ordinary zombies roared in response, their guttural noises filling the rooftop, turning it into something out of a nightmare.

"No... Puppet, no..." Jessica whispered, her lips trembling, her eyes locked on the rooftop below. The battle between Yang Tian and the Mother was fierce, their movements unpredictable.

Through the scope, Jessica saw the Mother tearing at Yang Tian's chest, flesh coming away in its clawed hands.

"No! I can't... I can't see clearly..." Jessica shook her head, her hands trembling as tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision. The chaotic, close-quarters fight between Yang Tian and the Mother made it impossible for her to get a clear shot.

"No!" Jessica screamed, throwing down her rifle in frustration. She buried her face in her hands, her entire body shaking. At that moment, the cold, composed sniper seemed as vulnerable as a child: "I can't see... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

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