2.Fog Ambush

The thought of being killed and having his flesh torn apart and eaten by other survivors sent a shiver down Qin Hu's spine. Any last hesitation in his heart vanished.

Rather than becoming someone else's meal, he would rather take the risk and infiltrate the occupied zone in search of a chance to live!

But getting close to the occupied zone was an entirely different challenge. It was swarming with Weisen patrols, and the slightest misstep could expose him. If that happened, he'd be dead before he could even react—torn apart by a pack of screeching Weisen.

After wracking his brain for a solution and coming up empty, Qin Hu simply stopped thinking about it. He threw aside all concerns and set off immediately.

I'll figure it out when I get there. Overanalyzing wouldn't change anything. The best plan was to adapt on the fly.

With agile steps, he darted toward a half-collapsed wall, leapt up, and grabbed the top edge. Slowly, he lifted his head to peer over.

Thick fog blanketed everything, reducing visibility to near zero. He tilted his head, listening intently. Only after ensuring there was no movement did he vault over the wall with the silent grace of a cat. His landing was light, his movements fluid—barely making a sound.

Qin Hu remained crouched, scanning his surroundings with the patience of a seasoned survivor.

Caution is the key to survival. Recklessness would've gotten him killed long ago.

The area had once been a residential district in Lan Jing, filled with two-story suburban houses. Now, like the rest of the city, it was a wasteland of ruins—just another graveyard of humanity, ravaged by the Weisen.

A single turn would take him directly onto the street leading into the occupied zone. It was the fastest route, but also the most dangerous. The Weisen could be lurking anywhere in the fog, waiting in eerie silence.

Taking the long way through the ruins was safer, even if it meant extra effort.

Navigating the rubble required skill—

He had to avoid open spaces, where he'd be exposed.

He had to keep to the shadows, concealing himself from prying eyes.

And most importantly, he had to stay far away from other survivors.

Sometimes, humans were far more dangerous than the Weisen. If he had to take a detour to avoid them, so be it.

With no immediate danger in sight, Qin Hu prepared to move—only for a gunshot to suddenly ring out behind him.

Bang!

His entire body tensed.

Then came another shot. And another. Within seconds, the air was filled with the chaotic roar of gunfire.

Panic surged through him. His instincts screamed at him to run.

Throwing stealth aside, he bolted. Sprinting through the debris, he vaulted over a crumbling wall, landing soundlessly before ducking behind it for cover.

Only then did he realize—he wasn't alone.

Just a few meters away, a figure crouched in the corner.

Qin Hu's grip tightened around the sharpened steel pipe at his waist, his body coiled like a spring, ready to strike.

The person was clad in filthy, tattered clothes. Their hair was matted and unkempt, their face covered in grime, making it impossible to determine their age or gender. What was clear, however, was how painfully thin they were—far more emaciated than most survivors.

Their wide eyes locked onto his in shock. Immediately, they raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, then lifted a single finger to their lips.

Stay quiet.

Qin Hu narrowed his eyes but didn't lower his weapon. He brandished the steel pipe in a threatening motion, a silent warning not to try anything, before refocusing on the sounds outside.

He wanted to know what was happening. But the fog obscured his vision, leaving only the relentless crackle of gunfire as his clue.

Only the Resistance would dare go head-to-head with the Weisen. And with such an intense firefight, it was obvious—they had launched an ambush.

Qin Hu's chest tightened.

If the Resistance was fighting here, the Weisen would retaliate. And when they did, they would tear apart every inch of this area in search of enemies.

Anyone left behind would be slaughtered.

The moment the shooting stops, I need to get out of here.

The stranger in the corner seemed to share the same realization. They shifted uneasily, confirming Qin Hu's suspicion—they knew exactly what was happening outside.

Every survivor did. No one lasted this long without understanding the rules of the game.

Both of them wanted to flee, but running blindly into a battlefield was suicide.

For now, the safest move was staying put.

They sat in tense silence, watching each other.

Qin Hu's grip tightened on his weapon. If the other person made any sudden moves, he wouldn't hesitate to strike.

But the stranger, seemingly aware of this, remained completely still. The standoff continued, both sides unwilling to break the fragile balance.

Then—

The gunfire began to fade. The bursts of shots grew sporadic, the explosions less frequent.

Qin Hu exhaled slowly.

The Resistance is winning.

This was his chance.

Without hesitation, he darted forward. But barely two steps in, a new sound froze him in place—

Heavy, erratic footsteps. And they were getting closer.

His pulse spiked. He had to move—fast.

But then, from above, came a faint, ominous hum.

Qin Hu's blood ran cold.

A Weisen gunship.

The vibration in the air was subtle but unmistakable. Even through the thick fog, the Weisen's advanced sensors could detect any human movement.

There was no time to think.

In an instant, he spun and lunged at the stranger.

The moment the gunship locked onto them, they'd both be dead. They needed cover—now.

The stranger had just started to stand when Qin Hu crashed into them, shoving them back against the wall. Their wide eyes filled with terror.

Instinctively, their hand shot toward their waist—reaching for a hidden blade.

But Qin Hu was faster.

Before they could react, he twisted their arm, pinning them against the cold concrete. Their thin body trembled beneath his grip, his sharpened steel pipe pressing firmly against their throat.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

The only thing in the stranger's mind was one disbelieving thought—

What the hell is this guy made of? How can he be this fast?!