Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Chapter 15: Chapter 15 Shut Up_1

As he looked at Wen Yu in front of him, Xiao Lin swallowed hard. This young man, although he speaks politely, hasn’t attempted to hide the chilling look in his eyes. As a criminal investigator, I understand this look all too well. It’s the kind of look you see on murderers or thugs. Comparing the power gap between us, I’d better compromise. Officer Xiao wisely chose to do so.

”Young man, you’ve saved my life. If there’s anything you need, please let me know. I’ll do my best to assist,” Xiao Lin said respectfully, keenly aware that the circumstances left him no choice.

”Yes, there are many questions. Let’s find a safer place... and also...” Wen Yu motioned with his mouth towards the distance.

Originally, Xiao Lin’s teammates had run off. But seeing that the three zombies were dealt with, and reluctant to abandon Xiao Lin—their upright, self-sacrificing, and very useful meat shield—they scurried back.

”Oh my, Officer Xiao, thank you so much for what you did just now! When we get back, I’ll definitely report this to our higher-ups. Your spirit of self-sacrifice is something we should all learn from...” The fat man whom Xiao Lin had rescued panted heavily while speaking in bureaucratic jargon. His fluency was such that even I can’t help but glance at him sideways, Wen Yu thought.

”Who’s this young man?” Fatty Wang asked, noticing Wen Yu standing off to the side, holding a steel saber.

Seeing that the couple from the distance was also returning, Wen Yu ignored Fatty Wang. He pointed to the small supermarket nearby and said, ”Let’s discuss inside. It’s not safe outside at night.” He then walked into the supermarket first.

Seeing Wen Yu ignore his question, Fatty Wang’s face turned from red to pale in embarrassment. ”Officer Xiao, who is he?” Fatty Wang asked.

”A man who saved my life.” Officer Xiao, disheartened by his teammates’ earlier actions, spoke brusquely.

Upon hearing his words, the faces of the other three people turned red. The young couple at the back helped Xiao Lin up, following Wen Yu into the supermarket.

I’m not worried about zombies in the supermarket; I cleared them out earlier today, Wen Yu thought.

Looking at the four who entered, Wen Yu asked directly, ”You’re a policeman, right? What’s your name?”

”My name’s Xiao Lin. Yes, I’m a police officer,” Xiao Lin replied immediately when Wen Yu addressed him.

”Hmm, a police station should be safer than out here. How did you end up outside?” Wen Yu was very curious. After all, at the start of the apocalypse, the military and police had the biggest advantage. These heavily-armed people should have evolved much faster. Of course, killing zombies with personal combat weapons earned points. However, using area-effect hot weapons such as grenades, missiles, or tanks to kill monsters awarded no points at all.

”Don’t even mention it. We were fine in the police station until a horde of rats, each bigger than a cat, suddenly swarmed the place and drove all the survivors out.” The one who answered wasn’t Xiao Lin, but another professionist. From the terrified look on his face, it was clear he was still traumatized by that day’s events.

This sparked Wen Yu’s interest. ”Rats? How many?”

”Young man, those rats were terrifying! If you ask me, we’d be much better off staying together. There are two of us professionists, and with you, we could escape to Harbin City. That’s the provincial capital; the government has certainly begun relief efforts there. Rest assured, I, Wang Zhicai, as the Secretary of the XX Bureau in Mudanjiang City...”

”How many rats?” Wen Yu cut him off, not paying attention to Fatty Wang’s rambling, his eyes fixed on Xiao Lin.

Fatty Wang hadn’t finished speaking when Wen Yu interrupted him, causing him to visibly lose face. Before the apocalypse, I was a figure of some authority. Wherever I went, people would always flatter me. Even after the apocalypse began, the police officers, aware of my status, still protected me diligently. How dare this kid...

”Ahem, young man...” Fatty Wang wanted to continue.

Wen Yu noticed that ever since Fatty Wang spoke, the other three remained silent. Clearly, Fatty Wang’s official position still holds some sway in their minds, he thought.

Feeling increasingly impatient, Wen Yu interrupted Secretary Wang again. ”Shut up, Fatty! And you, answer my question: just how many were there?” Wen Yu pointed his steel saber at Xiao Lin.

Looking at Secretary Wang, whose face was gradually turning ashen, and then at the openly impatient Wen Yu, it’s obvious Wen Yu’s combat strength far surpasses our own, they thought.

”Several hundred. We didn’t get a close look at the exact number, but there were definitely a lot,” Xiao Lin replied.

”Hmm, good. Then, there should be firearms and bulletproof vests in the police station, right? Where are they kept?” This is my primary objective, Wen Yu mused.

Upon hearing Wen Yu’s question, Wang Fatty couldn’t help but feel indignant. ”Young man, I must remind you, those are state property! If you take them, you’ll be breaking the law!” Wang Fatty squinted his small eyes, trying to regain some dignity by invoking the authority of the state.

”AAAH!”

A scream of pain tore through the air as Wang Fatty was sent flying backward, slamming into two shelves. Teeth scattered from his bloodied mouth.

Wen Yu stood nonchalantly where Fatty Wang had been, casually wiping blood and saliva from his hand. ”Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”

Wang Fatty looked at Wen Yu’s fierce gaze, shivered involuntarily, and lowered his head. He no longer dared to speak. But the rage and murderous intent in my eyes... I must hide it carefully, he thought.

Officer Xiao and the other two hadn’t even seen Wen Yu move before Secretary Wang was sent flying. They instantly grasped Wen Yu’s strength, and the atmosphere immediately became tense. Wen Yu ignored Fatty Wang, focusing intently on Xiao Lin.

Xiao Lin looked at Wang Fatty, sprawled in the distance, then back at Wen Yu standing before him. ”The weapons and equipment are in the basement. It’s usually locked, but we unlocked it yesterday. There are still many handguns, ammunition, and a few bulletproof vests left inside,” Xiao Lin confessed. After witnessing Wen Yu’s combat prowess, I’m afraid this young man will kill me if I conceal anything.

”Good.” Wen Yu carefully observed Xiao Lin’s gaze and expression. He’s most likely telling the truth, he concluded. Wen Yu then picked up his weapon and turned to walk out.

Seeing Wen Yu leave, Wang Fatty clenched his fists and roared at Xiao Lin, ”Officer Xiao, how could you tell him those things? That’s against the law! Just you wait, the country will punish you for this!”

”Oh, right.”

Before the sound of Wang Fatty’s voice had even faded, Wen Yu, whom they all thought had departed, suddenly reappeared at the supermarket entrance. A playful smile touched his lips as he began to speak slowly. ”I forgot to tell you something, Officer Xiao. As far as I know, many animals have mutated—rats, dogs, cats, things like that. Perhaps even insects could have mutated. In such dangerous circumstances, it’s debatable whether we humans can even survive. Officer Xiao, you should take good care of Secretary Wang and find your organization as soon as possible.”

”HAHAHAHA, HAHAHAHA.”

Accompanied by Wen Yu’s laughter, the sound of his footsteps gradually faded away. This time, he had truly left.

However, the expressions of those remaining in the supermarket changed distinctly. Wang Fatty stared blankly, his eyes vacant, first at where Wen Yu had departed, then at Officer Xiao, whose expression was uncertain. All color drained from Fatty Wang’s previously ruddy face.

In fact, when the apocalypse descended, many had already understood that the era had changed. Officer Xiao naturally understood this too; it’s just that years of ingrained beliefs left me with a lingering expectation for the country. Wen Yu’s parting words had undoubtedly shattered Officer Xiao’s last shred of illusion.

How many people... how many can the government truly save? Officer Xiao stared at the ceiling, the question he then voiced echoing his deepest despair: ”What do you all think—how many people can the government save?”