024 Dispute

"What are you doing?"

 Seeing the soldiers pointing their guns at him, Chandan couldn't help but shout angrily, "Why are you aiming your guns at us?"

 "It's just standard procedure," replied a calm voice from the staircase before any of the soldiers could respond. A man in a military uniform, flanked by several armed soldiers, descended from the second floor.

 The man appeared to be in his late twenties, with a somewhat handsome face. However, his hooked nose, thin lips, and cold, calculating gaze gave him an unsettlingly ruthless and arrogant demeanor.

 As he walked down, he scanned Anirudh and Chandan with a predatory gaze before smirking faintly. "With all the zombies out there, how can we be sure you haven't been bitten? It's better for everyone if you cooperate. Otherwise…" His tone turned icy. "For the safety of the group, we'll have to err on the side of caution. If that means shooting you first and asking questions later, so be it."

 "You—"

 Chandan was infuriated by the man's arrogance and was about to retort when Anirudh tugged at him and shook his head. "Let them check. It's not worth arguing."

 Anirudh knew that a man who commanded bodyguards in these times was likely someone with considerable influence. Though his demeanor was overbearing, what he said wasn't entirely unreasonable. There was no need to escalate things further.

 "Fine…"

 Although Chandan was still annoyed, he trusted Anirudh's judgment and didn't argue further.

 The soldiers quickly checked both of them, confirming they weren't injured or infected. Only then did they lower their weapons, and the others visibly relaxed.

 But their troubles were far from over.

 "Tell me, how did you manage to escape through that horde of zombies without a scratch?"

 The hooked-nose man blocked their path, his gaze condescending as he interrogated them. His tone made it clear that he believed he had the upper hand.

 "None of your business!" Chandan shot back without hesitation.

 Even though this man's background was clearly significant, Chandan wasn't intimidated. This was the National University of Defense Technology, his father was a high-ranking official there, and he himself had recently awakened an ability. There was no reason to back down.

 "You're courting death!"

 Hooked-Nose's face darkened. Few people dared to speak to him like that. Seething with anger, he barked an order to his soldiers. "I suspect they're hiding a secret that allows them to deal with zombies. Seize them and interrogate them thoroughly!"

 "Yes, sir!"

 The three soldiers moved to apprehend Anirudh and Chandan. However, either underestimating their opponents or wanting to capture them alive, they chose to fight hand-to-hand instead of using their weapons.

 That was their mistake.

 Anirudh's physical abilities were now five times stronger than an ordinary person's, and Chandan, who had awakened an ice ability, was no less formidable. Against such opponents, these soldiers didn't stand a chance.

 "Damn it!"

 Anirudh had held back earlier, but Hooked-Nose's persistent arrogance pushed him over the edge. With a roar, he grabbed the nearest soldier, swung him like a ragdoll, and hurled him into another soldier. The two crashed into each other and collapsed in a heap, groaning in pain.

 Meanwhile, the soldier attacking Chandan managed to grab his arm, but before he could execute a grappling move, an intense cold surged through his body. Stiffened by the freezing sensation, he was effortlessly thrown to the ground by Chandan and knocked unconscious.

 "What?!"

 Hooked-Nose was shocked. His guards were elite soldiers, each capable of taking on several men at once, yet they were defeated in seconds by two unarmed civilians.

 His expression darkened. He quickly drew his pistol and aimed it at Anirudh and Chandan. "Don't move, or I'll—"

 "Or you'll what?"

 A stern voice interrupted him from the staircase. An older man with graying hair and a commanding presence descended the stairs, his sharp gaze fixed on Hooked-Nose.

 "Do you think my son has offended you so much that you need to draw your gun? Quite the display of authority!"

 "Dad!" Chandan exclaimed with relief, his face lighting up.

 The man was Lakshmipati Prajapati, Chandan's father and the second-in-command at the National University of Defense Technology.

 Hooked-Nose paled. He hadn't expected the "arrogant kid" to be Lakshmipati Prajapati's son. In the university's power structure, Lakshmipati Prajapati might officially be second-in-command, but he was the one who truly held the reins.

 Recognizing the precariousness of his position, Hooked-Nose forced a smile. "Ah, so this is your son! Truly a chip off the old block." He quickly shifted gears, adding, "Please don't misunderstand. My actions weren't personal. I noticed your son made it through the zombie horde unscathed and suspected he might possess something valuable that could help us all. I acted out of urgency, not hostility."

 Lakshmipati Prajapati, now intrigued, turned to Chandan. "Is this true? Did you make it through the horde unharmed?"

 "Well…"

 Chandan hesitated, unsure if he should reveal the truth about the severed tongue in Anirudh's possession.

 "Yes," Anirudh interjected. He raised the severed zombie tongue and explained, "This comes from a high-level mutated zombie. Its residual scent deters regular zombies, which is how we managed to get here safely."

 The room fell silent as everyone processed his words. Greed flickered in Hooked-Nose's eyes.

 "If this severed tongue can deter zombies…" Lakshmipati Prajapati mused. "Perhaps we can use it to break through and reach the helipad."

 "It won't work," Anirudh replied. "The tongue's deterrent range is only five meters. It's not enough to protect a large group."

 Frustration flashed across Lakshmipati Prajapati's face as he realized the limitations.

 "There might be another way," Hooked-Nose suggested slyly. "We could use the zombie-attracting virus samples we've developed to lure the horde away. While someone distracts the zombies, the rest of us can rush to the helipad and escape. Of course, it's risky for whoever stays behind."

 "Why not use the tongue to protect someone flying the helicopter back and forth to evacuate everyone?" Anirudh asked, sensing danger in the man's plan.

 "That's impossible," Hooked-Nose replied firmly. "The helicopter startup process is noisy and will attract the horde instantly. We only have one chance to take off."

 "And who do you propose to be the bait?" Chandan asked coldly.

 Hooked-Nose's gaze locked onto Anirudh. "Someone strong, brave, and capable of holding the zombies' attention long enough for us to escape. Like him."