(1) Whoever Dares Disturb My Embrace Must Be Beaten Into a Dog's Head (1)

In the desolate night, the wind blew gently, carrying wisps of chill.

Out in the wild.

A bonfire crackled and burned, dispelling the surrounding darkness and opening up a bright area.

A group of survivors clad in jet-black armor gathered before the bonfire. The firelight reflected off the armor, casting a fiery red glow.

It seemed as though they were warming themselves, but in reality, they were playing with fire, ignoring the scorching flames as their armor-covered hands stirred the burning firewood in the bonfire.

"This armor is incredible! We can put our hands right over the fire and not feel the heat at all."

Having gotten their new toys, everyone played tirelessly.

In the past, even when wearing clothes, they would feel the cold when approaching a bonfire. But now, clad in armor, their body temperature remained in a stable, incredibly comfortable state.

Hoc Phan said, "Have you all finished reading the Zombie Illustrated Handbook carefully?"

This was an apocalyptic bible that had to be committed to memory. Looking up at the starry night sky, the Goddess of Luck had been with them, allowing them to meet Lam Pham and receive his help. More importantly, it let them know that in this apocalypse, they were not struggling forward alone; there were stronger people also fighting against the end of the world.

Thinking of Lam Pham's strength, he firmly believed that even if their Resistance Army was wiped out, humanity would not perish.

Because Lam Pham was still there.

"Finished."

"I've finished it too. The content is truly earth-shattering, a real eye-opener. I've benefited greatly."

"The zombies that scattered our main forces back then were the force-type zombies and the Tyrant Zombies. No wonder they were so terrifying."

Thinking back on that scene.

They still felt a lingering fear.

Fortunately, the even more terrifying zombies from the handbook had not appeared. Those zombies were truly frightening, of all different kinds. In their eyes, they were simply undefeatable existences.

Hoc Phan nodded in satisfaction.

To describe their previous situation, it was a fifty-fifty match against ordinary zombies.

But now, with the equipment provided by Lam Pham, facing ordinary zombies was a 10-0 split: their side 10, the zombies 0. This kind of outcome was unimaginable before.

As for evolved zombies, it would depend on what kind they were. If they were the force-type or speed-type from the handbook, they still had great confidence.

As for zombies of a higher grade than those, it would be very difficult. Evasion would be the most correct choice.

Just then.

"Zombies! Zombies have appeared!"

The patrolling soldiers, clad in armor, spotted movement in the distance. The sound of "Argh... argh..." reached their ears. In an instant, everyone at the scene instinctively tensed up.

In the past, they had always been at war with zombies.

They knew full well how terrifying zombies were. Zombies felt no pain, surging forward ferociously like rabid dogs. They went into a complete frenzy upon seeing humans. If bitten or scratched, one would turn into a zombie in an extremely short amount of time.

That kind of turmoil was terrifying and could throw any formation into chaos in an instant.

"To battle! To battle!"

Hoc Phan shouted. In their instinctive reaction to encountering zombies, they focused their minds and prepared for an all-out fight, while also beginning to board the vehicles one by one, preparing to drive away.

Fighting zombies at night was not a wise choice.

The pitch-black night affected their vision.

Rat-tat-tat-tat...

The soldiers opened fire, bullets pouring out.

Zombies hit in the leg had their limbs blown off. The fallen zombies still had the ability to move, crawling forward relentlessly with their hands. The zombie spirit was terrifying; as long as they weren't dead, they would head towards their target.

Some were hit in the head, which exploded in an instant, splattering viscous blood all over the ground.

They were all soldiers who had fought countless battles with zombies, rich in combat experience. Their aim was extremely accurate. Under the illumination of the headlights, they couldn't guarantee a headshot with every bullet, but at least one out of every two shots was a certain hit.

"Captain, the number of zombies is increasing. Our firepower can't cover them all! Requesting retreat... Ah! Little Guang Tou, be careful!"

A soldier saw the large number of zombies and felt their firepower couldn't suppress them, suggesting a tactical retreat. But in his peripheral vision, he saw a zombie break through the line of fire and tackle a comrade to the ground. Just as he was about to fire a shot to save him.

He was stunned to find that the zombie biting his comrade couldn't break through the armor's defense with its teeth or claws. It didn't even leave a single scratch.

Whoosh!

In a flash.

It dawned on him. That's right, we're all wearing the armor Lam Pham gave us! Our own defense is incredibly strong; the zombies can't break through it at all.

"Captain! We're wearing armor, there's no need to be afraid! Everyone, don't be nervous! The zombies can't break through our defenses!"

At this soldier's reminder, everyone was briefly stunned. That's right, we're wearing armor.

Someone lightly slapped their own head.

They were so used to the old situation that they couldn't switch their mindset for a moment.

Hoc Phan said decisively, "Close-quarters combat! Avoid attracting more zombies from the surroundings with concentrated gunfire."

"Yes, sir!"

Clang!

Clang!

Over a dozen soldiers drew the straight blades slung on their backs. With their own safety secured, they were completely unleashed. Wielding their sharp blades, with a single chop, a zombie's head was directly separated from its body.

Although these were un-reinforced blades.

These blades were made of special materials and could truly cut through iron as if it were mud. Slicing through an ordinary zombie's head was as easy as cutting grass. Splat!

"So satisfying! This is so sharp!"

A soldier in armor, with a raise of his hand and a chop of his blade, directly severed a zombie's head. Protected by the armor, there was no need to fear these zombies getting close.

Hoc Phan also brandished his blade, easily lopping off a zombie's head.

The feeling was excellent.

He didn't feel any resistance.

Everything was incredibly smooth.

"Kill them!"

"Finish these bastards!"

The soldiers were incredibly excited.

This battle was the most satisfying one they had ever fought, and it was the only time they could engage in close-quarters combat with zombies.

A while later.

It gradually grew quiet.

There were no more "argh... argh..." sounds from the zombies. Listening carefully, one could only hear the crackling of firewood in the bonfire.

The dozen or so soldiers looked at the scene before them.

They were panting slightly.

They could hardly believe that the scene before them was their own doing.

The ground was littered with zombie corpses.

Many of them had their heads chopped off.

"Hahaha..."

Someone couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"We did all this!"

"Captain, this is too powerful! Really, it's so strong! Wearing this armor, we can slaughter these ordinary zombies with ease!"

Hoc Phan said, "This is the power of the armor, but you cannot be complacent. Lam Pham told us that this armor has no problem dealing with ordinary zombies, but if we encounter evolved zombies, its effectiveness will be greatly reduced. The danger is always present. We cannot let our guard down just because we have the protection of the armor."

The group chimed in their agreement.

"Captain, we're not stupid. We know what we're doing, don't worry."

"Yeah, I just never thought we could have such an easy and satisfying fight. It feels great!"