Chapter 53: A New Awakener!

Wu Dashan dropped to the ground, knocking out a few quick push-ups and squats to test his body before strapping on his gear.

On the drone feed, Liu Shuang'er frowned. "Huang Ming," she said urgently, "ask him now if he's awakened an ability. As a doctor, I can tell you—no one that weak recovers that fast."

If not for her warning, Huang Ming might have overlooked it. But now it was obvious—Wu Dashan's sudden burst of energy didn't add up.

" Wu," he asked carefully, "have you noticed anything unusual about yourself lately?"

Wu Dashan blinked. "Unusual? What do you mean?"

Huang Ming hesitated, then decided to lay it out. "Like how I can pull things out of thin air. That's my ability—spatial manipulation. Try focusing. Do you feel anything beyond normal?"

Wu Dashan's eyes widened as the pieces clicked. That explained Huang Ming's impossible feats. But powers? Like some damn superhero movie?

Still, he closed his eyes, concentrating.

Then he felt it—a coiled strength humming beneath his skin, ready to erupt.

"Space powers, huh?" He flexed his hands. "Now that you mention it... I do feel stronger. Like my muscles are denser. More explosive."

Before Huang Ming could respond, Wu Dashan's fist lashed out—

A sickening crunch.

The zombie's skull imploded, spraying chunks of gore across the pavement. Bricks cracked. The concrete beneath it cratered.

Huang Ming sucked in a sharp breath.

What the hell was that?

No human punch should've done that. And Wu Dashan's knuckles were barely even dirty—meaning the sheer speed had blasted the mess away before it could stick.

"Holy shit," Gu Anqing gasped over comms. "Since when can people hit like that?"

"Fascinating," Lu Yusi murmured, almost giddy. "I'd kill to study his DNA."

Liu Shuang'er scoffed. "Please. Huang Ming's spatial ability is way more OP. This guy's just a meathead. No food, no survival."

Huang Ming barely held back a laugh at their bickering.

Wu Dashan, meanwhile, wiped his hands and started smearing zombie guts on his suit. "So yeah," he said casually, "seems like I've got super strength. Can focus it in my fists—or spread it over my skin to toughen up. But it burns energy fast. And honestly?" He grinned. "That punch was maybe 30% power. Still running on empty."

Thirty percent?

If that was a third of his max, Wu Dashan wasn't just strong—he was a monster.

Which raised the obvious question.

"Old Wu," Huang Ming said slowly, "with power like that, you could survive solo easy. You sure you still wanna follow me?"

Wu Dashan didn't hesitate. "Man, don't flatter me. Next to your tricks, I'm just a brawler. I gave my word. Unless I'm dead, I'm sticking with you."

Huang Ming studied him.

Was it loyalty? Or just pragmatism? Right now, Wu Dashan stayed because Huang Ming had resources. That could change.

But for now...

"Alright," Huang Ming shrugged. "Follow my lead, no freelancing. Do that, and you'll eat well."

"Got it, boss." Wu Dashan gave a thumbs-up, still slathering gore on his gear.

Then Huang Ming noticed—one hand was still clean.

"Hold up," he said, pulling out a steaming burger from his spatial storage. "Eat first. Get your strength back."

Wu Dashan froze, staring at the fresh food like it was a damn miracle.

"You've got hot meals in there?!"

Huang Ming smirked. "Perks of space pockets." He tossed over a yogurt drink too.

Wu Dashan devoured both, his body absorbing the nutrients almost unnervingly fast. By the time he finished, his movements were sharper, his stance steadier.

"Damn," he muttered, cracking his neck. "That hit different."

Ten minutes later, both men were prepped and leaping out the window—straight into the horde.

The zombies ignored them, their reeking camouflage doing its job. Three drones led the way as they moved toward campus.

Then Liu Shuang'er's voice crackled in Huang Ming's earpiece—tense, urgent.

"Huang Ming. Don't look back. Just move."

"Why?"

"Because there's a three-meter-tall zombie near the station," she hissed. "And it's heading your way."

Huang Ming's blood went cold.

Three meters?!

"You've gotta be kidding me," he muttered.

Lu Yusi cut in, just as sharp. "It's definitely mutated. And it definitely smells you. Hurry."

Then Gu Anqing, deadly serious: "That thing? Bullets won't stop it. Run."