Chapter 5: The Battle Begins

Shen Feng stood amidst the corpses, the remnants of his adrenaline-fueled fury coursing through him. The crushing reality of the situation settled in—the admiration and fear emanating from the group were palpable. He was no longer just a student trying to survive; he had crossed a line into something darker.

Chang Jianyi's voice pierced through the haze of his excitement. "Shen Feng, you need to understand something important. Yes, we need to survive, but we shouldn't lose ourselves in the process. This isn't just about killing; it's about keeping our humanity."

Her words hit him like a bucket of cold water. He turned to her, meeting her gaze, and saw the concern etched on her face. This was not the first time he had faced life and death, but there was something different about this moment, something that twisted in his gut. "But what if I need to keep doing this? What if I have to kill again to survive? Isn't that just the way it is now?"

"Survival, yes," she replied, her voice steady but her eyes betrayed a flicker of fear. "But it doesn't have to be savagery. We can organize, strategize, find ways to survive that don't turn us into monsters. We have each other for a reason."

Shen Feng took a deep breath, his heart still racing from the thrill of the hunt, but there was something else now—a gnawing doubt. **"What kind of person do I want to be in a world like this?"**

A commotion from the back of the room distracted him. The man in the suit, still tied to the table, looked up wide-eyed. "You think you're some kind of hero, don't you? A real hero wouldn't treat others like that! You're as bad as the zombies out there!"

Shen Feng stepped toward him, the crowbar still gripped tightly in his hand. "I'm not a hero. I'm just trying to do what needs to be done."

"Then you are lost," the man spat back, still shaken but emboldened by the fact that he was alive, at least for now.

Chang Jianyi moved closer to Shen Feng and placed a hand gently on his arm. "Don't listen to him. Let's focus on how we can improve our situation. We need a plan. We've created a barrier, but we need a scout. Someone who can gather information and keep us updated on any further threats."

Shen Feng nodded, feeling the tension in the room. He caught the fearful gazes of the others and realized that this wasn't just about him anymore. "You're right. We can't just act recklessly. We need to work together. I want to help, not just by fighting, but by protecting everyone here."

As the atmosphere shifted from fear to cautious determination, Chang Jianyi's face softened. "Good. That's what I want to see—you finding a balance. Together, we can make a plan."

Shen Feng cast a glance at the pile of zombies. "But how do we deal with the ones still outside?"

"First, we need to patch up this place. Block any more entrances we can. Then, we come up with a rotation for scouts. I don't want anyone going out alone. If we spot more zombies, we can use sound—the noise will draw them away from our main positions."

The group nodded in agreement, the tension in their bodies easing as they began to devise a plan. Shen Feng helped Chang Jianyi direct them, utilizing each person's strengths and minimizing the risks. He felt more grounded in this leadership role, a sense of purpose driving him forward.

Hours passed as they fortified their makeshift barricade and discussed strategies. Shen Feng found himself standing watch at a window, scanning the landscape. Beyond the iron gate, the chaotic world now felt less ominous, more like a puzzle he needed to piece together.

Suddenly, a loud thump echoed against the metal gate. Shen Feng's heart raced; he turned to see a few of the zombies had found their way to the entrance again, their lifeless eyes fixed on the small door.

"Get ready!" he shouted, adrenaline surging as he sprang into action.

The group sprang into their previously assigned positions, the earlier fear replaced with a resolute resolve. Shen Feng gripped his crowbar and prepared to face the onslaught once more but with a new mindset: not just for himself, but for the others.

As the small door creaked open again, Shen Feng embraced the thrill of the challenge not as a mindless killer but as a protector—guarding his newfound family against the chaos outside.

This was survival, not just for now, but for the man he still hoped to become.