Chapter 21: An Old Acquaintance

[Basic Information]Nickname: Zhong YexueTitle: NoneLevel: 0

Yazī (Alexander) couldn't shake the feeling that he'd seen that face before. It turned out this was someone he had encountered later in the apocalypse—a woman named Zhong Yexue. She was known for her hidden profession as the "Divine Healer." Yazī remembered her very clearly, mostly because he had once sought her help to treat the scars on his face.

Back then, filled with hope, he had found Zhong Yexue only to be coldly told that the scar involved his soul and was impossible to repair. Later, after suffering several severe injuries, he'd again turned to her for treatment. But note that he had met her only in the later days of the apocalypse, when everyone had already been hardened by hardship. Back then, Zhong Yexue's face and aura were very different from what they were now—so at first, Yazī hadn't immediately recognized her.

Fate, it seemed, was strangely ironic. On the second day after the apocalypse, he had unexpectedly run into a familiar face. Yet Yazī himself felt little fondness for Zhong Yexue; in his eyes, while a Divine Healer might be respected and pose little mortal threat, she was ultimately just a "tool." Without true power, one could easily be sacrificed at any moment—where was the freedom and thrill of the "Phantom" (his own hidden profession) in that? As for the other three people present, a quick glance revealed they were ordinary individuals—each at level 0, having never even killed a single zombie.

Yazī checked his watch; it was now 8:30 PM. Outside, the zombies—bolstered by the night's attribute boost—had grown terrifyingly powerful. Inside the infirmary, all could hear the sounds of restless zombies. And now, the much-anticipated feast was about to begin!

Yazī retrieved a thick stack of cards from his storage and randomly drew four. "Hmm—an assortment of dishes, with both meat and vegetables; there's even some booze," he mused. He strode over to an office desk and activated the cards. In an instant, several exquisitely prepared dishes materialized on the table. The food looked and smelled delectable—enough to make one's mouth water.

Nearby, three people huddled in a corner, their eyes widening in astonishment. They'd only been watching Yazī's movements, expecting him to do something dramatic—but they never imagined that with just a few cards, he could conjure an entire banquet. The aroma was irresistible.

Soon, the little nurse's stomach began to rumble in perfect harmony, and even the two repairmen couldn't help but stare hungrily at the feast, their swallowing sounds louder than the nurse's. Even Zhong Yexue—the one who'd once been cool and composed—found herself unable to resist the lure of such delicious food. After all, it had been more than 24 hours since the apocalypse began; although they had replenished their energy with things like glucose from the infirmary, who could say no to a table full of mouthwatering dishes?

Still, none dared to make any sudden moves or speak too loudly—after all, Yazī's recent display of brutal efficiency (remember the bloody scene with that young man) had everyone on edge. Finally, after Yazī had wolfed down nearly half the spread with astonishing speed, Zhong Yexue couldn't contain herself any longer.

In the gentlest, most tender voice she could muster, she stepped forward and asked, "Sir, where did all this food come from? Might there be a chance we could have some too?"

Yazī's thoughts raced—this was exactly what he had intended. He had laid out the feast to capture their attention. Still, he maintained a calm, impassive expression on his masked face. After casually sipping some abalone broth from the table, he looked up at Zhong Yexue and said coolly, "You want some, huh?"

Zhong Yexue nodded, and the three others behind her also bobbed their heads eagerly, like little chicks pecking at grains.

"Very simple," Yazī continued. "I need you to do something for me. Take these two sheets of paper." He retrieved two pieces of paper from his storage. "On the first one, you'll find a list of the medicines I require. You and the little nurse are to find them and pack them up for me. On the second sheet is a list of small items—things like the thick cloth with suction cups I hang on my door. I need all these items made tonight. Come tomorrow morning at 6:00, I'll pay you with food based on how much you manage to produce."

That, in truth, was his real purpose. He preferred to leave the medicine-making to professionals—and the other small gadgets were items that would help him survive in the apocalypse. He himself was capable of making them, but it would be a waste of time when he could instead use that time to kill more zombies. So he decided to offer them some food in exchange for their help.

The two repairmen soon stepped forward to inspect the papers. Yazī asked, "So, can you make these?" One of them nodded vigorously and pointed toward a tool kit in the corner. Yazī glanced over, satisfied, then produced items from storage—[a specially shaped piece of iron], [a length of thin cord]—a host of cards that could serve as raw materials. He activated those cards and handed them over for the repairmen's use.

"Then get to work," Yazī said. "I suggest you work through the night—I'm off to sleep now. Remember, tomorrow at 6:00, come to me to claim your food." With that, he yawned and strolled into the infusion room.