(2) Not good, he's on a mad power trip (2)

His expression changed; that skinny fellow was actually pointing a gun at him.

"B-Big brother, let's talk this out nicely, don't be impulsive." Ma Nhat Long waved his hands, backing up step by step, retreating to the side of his sedan, ready to flee at any moment.

Ton Nang said in a deep voice, "A survivor in distress, yet built stronger than anyone. You're either sent by others or intentionally trying to infiltrate and seize the base. I'll give you three seconds now, otherwise, don't even think of leaving."

Hearing this.

Ma Nhat Long didn't say another word, directly jumping into the car. Just as he got into the car he had driven here.

"3"

Boom!

Boom!

Ton Nang directly opened fire.

"Damn it, a real fucking lunatic! Just you remember this, Old Me!"

The sedan shook for a moment, then sped away, Ma Nhat Long's curses trailing behind.

Ton Nang watched the departing sedan, naturally unconcerned that anyone could breach the prison. The prison's defensive capabilities were very strong; under any circumstances, the strongest defensive position was the prison.

"Ha Minh Hien, can't you use your brain sometimes when you do things?" Ton Nang looked at Ha Minh Hien, truly speechless with him.

Ha Minh Hien said, "I understand."

It was truly unbearable. He just felt the sympathetic gazes of those around him. Perhaps no one in the entire prison was more miserable than him, constantly facing verbal humiliation. Fortunately, his skin was thick enough; no matter how much he was scolded, he could always maintain his original composure.

Ton Nang saw Ha Minh Hien's dejected mood and thought about what he had just said. It seemed it really was a bit hurtful, so his tone softened considerably.

"There are all sorts of factions outside now. Some people, you can tell at a glance they're problematic. You should understand."

"Understood."

...

Nighttime.

Duong Quang Residential Area.

Lam Pham stood on the balcony, looking at the street-side shops. He could tell the survivors were gathered together chatting, talking about their encounters during this period, their various experiences outside since the apocalypse erupted.

These things, to them, were perhaps something they never thought they would encounter in their entire lives.

Yet now, they were genuinely happening right before their eyes.

He had settled Duong Bang Phi's group of survivors properly. As the population expanded, the surroundings naturally became more lively. This was what he hoped for.

From initially renting out houses in Duong Quang Residential Area, seemingly to earn commission, as the situation developed, he realized he didn't need to focus so much on making money, but rather on bringing suitable people to Duong Quang Residential Area.

"It's really good development; consistently maintaining good development is the best."

Clearing out shops, bringing Vuong Khai, Dai Vu, Tieu Vu, A Hai, and others to earn money was just to get them used to the idea that hard work brings rewards. Now, they all had their own goals.

Vuong Khai, besides being a water plant employee, had also started to connect with the survivors staying on the street, conducting a type of trade based on currency.

This was very good.

It was also what he wanted to see.

"Time for bed, time for bed. Looking forward to the future."

As he drifted off to sleep.

He suddenly opened his eyes, sensing that wave of mental power fluctuation again.

It was coming from Van Van's room.

"Is it an inability to control her mental power, or is it because Van Van is still young, so this happens?"

He thought about the information he had learned during the day.

It was that Ma Nhat Long, with immense strength, capable of shattering granite with his bare hands and twisting iron pipes into pretzels.

An ordinary person definitely couldn't do that.

If it were before, he might have had to think about it, but now with Van Van's mental power appearing, he wondered if, in moments of despair, human potential was gradually being activated, beginning to fight against the apocalypse.

In Van Van's room, household items and other small objects were floating. Heavier furniture only showed a tendency to float.

And Van Van was completely unaware of these situations.

Still sound asleep.

Only her slightly furrowed brows indicated that Van Van might be having some kind of nightmare, encountering something terrifying in her dream, thereby triggering her mental power.

Early morning.

Downstairs.

"Brother Lam, there's a new situation." Ma Duy Vien walked over. "The radio has been broadcasting sound, but it's intermittent, like someone is transmitting information, but for some reason, the sound has strong static. Come take a look."

Lam Pham and Co Hang went to the place where the radio was set up.

"Static... static... Is... static... static... there... static... This... Secur..."

Hearing the transmitted sound.

Ma Duy Vien spread his hands, indicating, "It's just like this, completely incomprehensible what the other party wants to express."

Lam Pham said, "Having sound means there are living people. If there are survivors, there's hope. In the current apocalypse, it's not just us who have survived; there are definitely many other living people."

Co Hang said, "That's a certainty. Human potential is limitless, especially in times of crisis, it can erupt. Tieu Pham, you've been clearing out zombies in Hoang City. I think in the future, Hoang City should become humanity's first shelter city free from the threat of zombies. When that time comes, gathering humanity together, the chances of fighting against zombies will be even greater."

Hearing Brother Hang's words.

Lam Pham deeply felt the responsibility on his shoulders. It was very important. After all, right now, he was the only one who could clear zombies on such a large scale; it was truly very difficult for others.

"I will speed up."

Co Hang looked at Lam Pham, "It's been hard on you. I only hate that we can't help, otherwise you could have it much easier, not having to be like this all the time."

Lam Pham smiled, "It's nothing, I quite enjoy interacting with zombies."

Slaying zombies could earn points, and points could enhance him. It was just like playing a game, killing monsters to level up. To have such a mechanism in the apocalypse, honestly, he was quite interested.

...

Bank Hideout.

Chu Duong looked at Han Suong and her group, "You all live quite well. Honestly, I'm very envious. Your hideout in Hoang City should be top-tier. Although it doesn't occupy an advantageous terrain, having an Awakened protecting it makes it safer than any other hideout."

"Awakened? What do you mean?"

Han Suong looked at Chu Duong in surprise. Although she knew Van Van had mental powers, this matter was only known to a fixed group of people and had never been spread outside. After all, this kind of situation was rare, at least for now, very rare. Whoever could become an Awakened would definitely be in great danger; the number of people wanting to study them would surely not be small.

"You don't even know about Awakened ones? Ah, right, 'Awakened' is a term I came up with. It's when ordinary people awaken abilities. However, the one protecting Duong Quang Residential Area should be an Awakened, right? Otherwise, that superhuman ability is inexplicable." Chu Duong wasn't thinking about how to deal with anyone; he just wanted to manage his own territory.

The apocalypse was also a chaotic era. In a chaotic era where heroes contend for supremacy, some notable figures were bound to emerge.

Han Suong shook her head, "We haven't paid attention to these things. You mentioned Awakened; does that mean you have one here?"

Chu Duong smiled, "To be honest with you all, there is indeed one. She's a female. I saved her, and she followed me. Her ability is very simple, just running fast, faster than ordinary people. Even former world champions wouldn't be half as fast as her."

Han Suong and her group exchanged glances, a deep shock in their eyes. This shock was... since the apocalypse erupted, such a situation had actually appeared. They originally thought that apart from Lam Pham, Van Van was special, but there were others.

Chu Duong said, "Don't look so shocked. This ability is quite underwhelming, just running fast. But what I care more about is that this ability of hers appeared after the last thunderstorm. I suspect that thunderstorm was not simple."

Han Suong remembered that thunderstorm. The zombies had rioted. Lam Pham had said that after that thunderstorm, evolved zombies became more numerous. Evidently, that thunderstorm had also triggered a series of effects on the zombies.

"If you put it that way, then our chances of humanity fighting the apocalypse are even greater," Han Suong said.

Chu Duong leaned back on the sofa, shaking his head. "No, it's not that the chances are greater, but that it will become even more chaotic. As long as someone truly awakens, they will inevitably have ambitions, just like in ancient times contending for hegemony. With soldiers in hand, they will occupy a territory and become the lord of a faction."

Han Suong looked at Chu Duong. She could see that this man had ambitions. He always adhered to fair trade. To be able to survive in the apocalypse, he indeed had some talent.

"So you also have such thoughts?"

"Haha, what man doesn't have such thoughts? I indeed have ambitions in this regard, to carve out a territory within Hoang City, to become a regional overlord while simultaneously fighting against zombies."

Xu Trach Duong, who was beside them, said, "Chu Duong, I advise you to stop thinking about these things. My Brother Lam is not to be trifled with. He's dedicated to clearing out the zombies in Hoang City. One day, he will completely clear out the zombies in Hoang City, thereby making Hoang City the central shelter city for humanity. You'd best not do any of those bad things. My Brother Lam is upright, detests flattery, and hates evil like a sworn enemy. He can tell if you're a good person or a bad person at a glance. If you're a bad person, truly, no one can save you."

"Haha, that formidable? I really don't quite believe it." Chu Duong laughed. Men always had a bit of unwillingness to admit defeat; no other meaning, just unwilling to believe that such an awesome man could exist in the world. Absolutely impossible, couldn't happen.

Han Suong kindly reminded, "What he said is all true. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. I also believe that Hoang City will become the final central shelter for humanity."

Chu Duong thought for a moment, then slowly said, "Alright, let's assume that. When Hoang City truly becomes the final central shelter for humanity, with the power I've developed, it shouldn't be too much to ask for a decent official position for me, right? Ordinary people have it hard now; those who sacrifice are all ordinary people. Those who can escape danger early are also the officials and adults. I also want to leave myself a way out."

What could Han Suong say to such a statement?

Anyone would have such thoughts.

But in Duong Quang Residential Area, probably no one would have such thoughts. Lam Pham protected everyone too well; survival was like any other day. But she knew that once Hoang City became the final central shelter for humanity, many problems would definitely arise.

In times of utmost crisis, everyone can unite, but when the fruits ripen, there will be endless arguments at the dinner table over those fruits.

Human nature is just a repeating machine.

Looking back through history until now... it has always been like this.

"Come, let me show you something."

Chu Duong stood up and walked towards another area.

Han Suong and her group followed behind, arriving at a window.

Chu Duong pointed to an empty plot of land downstairs, "See, that's the awakened woman. Doesn't she run really fast?"

Han Suong and her group watched.

Indeed, very fast.

In an instant, she vanished from sight and appeared in another place.

If it were their first time seeing it, they would definitely be shocked speechless. But thinking of Lam Pham slashing a helicopter from a distance with a sword, relatively speaking, this thing before them was probably child's play.

"You're not shocked at all?" Chu Duong observed the expressions of Han Suong and her group. He essentially wanted to show off a bit, but who would have thought, they were so calm.

Han Suong: "Shocked."

Xu Trach Duong: "Damn, runs really fast."

Lao Mao and Van Kiet exchanged glances, thinking they should probably give him some face, "Awakened ones are this terrifying."

Chu Duong blinked, looking at them with a somewhat strange gaze, "Why do I feel like you guys are fooling me?"

Han Suong said, "No, we're just relatively composed."

Chu Duong shook his head, a little helpless. Humans, is it really so difficult to acknowledge others' excellence?

"Follow me, I'll show you something else. As humans, there are some things it's better for you to know. Although I have some ambitions, the one thing I understand best is dedication."

When he said this, his gaze was extremely solemn, as if he truly wanted to contribute something important.

Ordinary people couldn't do it.

Only those with some enlightenment would be willing.

Han Suong and her group became serious.

They really felt like Chu Duong was about to say something major.

Soon.

When they saw the situation before them, their expressions were all a bit complicated.

Chu Duong pointed to a white crystal, then pointed to his own head, "This is a crystal from inside a zombie's head. Not all zombies have them, only those evolved ones. To obtain these crystals, there was still some price to pay."

Xu Trach Duong said casually, "What was I saying? Crystals, huh? I know, I've seen them too."

Chu Duong said seriously, "You've seen them, but you don't know their use. What I want to tell you is the use of crystals. This thing is extremely powerful, and it's also a tool to deal with zombies. Actually, nature is very fair. Take rats, for example; they are ordinary, but nature gave rats the ability to sense natural disasters. Fish have no memory, yet nature gave fish the ability to roam rivers and lakes. It gave us humans intelligent brains but didn't give us the ability to sense or roam freely. It even gave us short lifespans and various irresistible dangers."

"Now it's different. Zombies are powerful, seemingly making us humans unable to resist, but often it's not the case. Look at the appearance of Awakened ones; it already speaks of fairness. And this crystal, from inside a zombie's head, that too is to provide us humans with help to fight zombies."

"The energy of the crystal can be absorbed by any metal, thereby strengthening the metal's intensity. I've said all that needs to be said. Some things you still need to slowly realize on your own."

After speaking, Chu Duong looked at their expressions.

He hoped to see shock, horror, disbelief, and other such expressions on their faces.

Sure enough.

Seeing their mouths agape, he knew that what he had just said had thoroughly stunned them.

Those methods for humanity to fight against zombies.

Were spread from his mouth.

Imagine the future, when later generations recall the new era of disaster, they will all think of a true figure, Chu Duong.

Han Suong had originally thought Chu Duong was going to say something important.

She hadn't expected it to be this.

But honestly, she still rather admired Chu Duong's behavior. Not everyone could selflessly tell others.

"Have you told anyone else?" Han Suong asked.

Chu Duong smiled, "Only you guys get it for free. The May Man Hao and several other hideouts traded supplies for it. These hideouts are considered relatively strong within Hoang City and have the initial ability to resist zombies."

Unexpectedly, they still had to thank him?

Chu Duong saw them dazed again and couldn't help but smile, "No need to thank me. Who let us get to know each other in the early days of the apocalypse? I just hope that if it's really as you say, and that person can clear out all the zombies in Hoang City, then you have to put in a few good words for me, haha."

Han Suong: ...

Van Kiet: ...

Xu Trach Duong: ...

Lao Mao: ...

Outside the bank.

Inside the steel beast.

Xu Trach Duong couldn't help but say, "Today, Chu Duong really got to show off for once. We already knew all that stuff he said."

Han Suong said, "Other things don't matter. The Awakened ones are indeed important news. Van Van isn't unique; there are others. We just don't know what kind of abilities they will awaken."

Van Kiet said, "Could it be related to zombies? Brother Lam said zombies have mental, strength, speed, and other types. It feels like they're all connected, just one is human, one is zombie."

"Mm, that makes sense. Lao Mao, drive first." Han Suong looked through the window at the bank, as if she could see Chu Duong also standing at the window, watching them.

Lao Mao stepped on the accelerator, and the steel beast headed into the distance.

At this moment.

Chu Duong was indeed standing by the window watching the departing steel beast, his expression unreadable, as if he were thinking about something.

Then, Chu Duong was seen taking a white crystal out of his pocket.

He held it up, looking at the galaxy-like shimmer within the crystal.

He clenched his fist, the veins on his arm popping out, as if containing immense power.

"Hehe, actually I didn't tell you, after that thunderstorm, I also became an Awakened. I'm still a bit weak now, but when I truly become powerful, I'll definitely make your jaws drop."

"Hehehehe..."