Chapter 3: The Path of Survival
The world felt different after the evolution. Lin Yu stood in the dim convenience store, staring at his reflection in the cracked mirror, and for the first time since everything had begun, he did not see just a frightened child looking back at him. His eyes were calmer now, sharper, carrying a depth that did not belong to someone his age. When he raised his hand, the water in the air gathered instantly, as if responding to his thoughts rather than his commands, forming a smooth sphere that rotated gently above his palm. There was no delay, no struggle; it obeyed him naturally.
He slowly clenched his fist, and the sphere compressed into a thin needle before dispersing into mist. A faint breath escaped his lips as he tried to steady his thoughts. "So this is… evolution," he murmured quietly, the word feeling unfamiliar yet fitting. The glowing core from the mutated zombie had not only strengthened him but changed something deeper within him. He could feel it clearly now—the connection between himself and water had become stronger, more intimate, almost like an extension of his own body.
But that also meant one thing. If creatures like that existed, then stronger ones would exist too.
Lin Yu's gaze shifted toward the broken door. The outside world remained silent for now, but he knew that silence was temporary. The mutated zombie had appeared alone, but it would not be the last. Staying in one place was no longer safe. He needed food, water, and most importantly, information. Even if he was stronger, he was still just one person in a collapsing world.
He picked up a half-empty backpack from behind the counter and checked its contents. A few packets of instant noodles, a bottle of expired juice, and a small utility knife. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. With a wave of his hand, he gathered moisture from the air and condensed it into clean drinking water, filling an empty bottle nearby. Watching the clear liquid settle, he felt a small sense of reassurance. At the very least, he would not die of thirst.
"Next… I need a safer place," he muttered as he slung the backpack over his shoulder.
Stepping out of the store, Lin Yu paused briefly. The street was eerily quiet, littered with abandoned cars, broken glass, and dried bloodstains. The bodies of the zombies he had crushed earlier were still scattered around, but none moved. However, he did not relax. He could feel faint disturbances in the air, subtle signs of movement far away.
He crouched down and placed his hand on the wet ground. The thin layer of water spread outward like a ripple, extending his senses. Shapes began to form in his mind—slow-moving figures, clustered in the distance, wandering aimlessly. Normal zombies.
Lin Yu exhaled slowly. "Good… nothing like before."
Still, he did not let his guard down. He moved carefully along the side of the street, keeping close to walls and avoiding open areas. His body was light, his movements quiet, guided by instinct and caution. Every step he took was deliberate, every sound analyzed.
After walking for nearly twenty minutes, he stopped at the corner of a narrow alley. Ahead, he saw a small supermarket. The glass doors were cracked, but not completely destroyed, and most importantly, there were no immediate signs of zombies nearby.
Food.
His eyes narrowed slightly. It was risky, but necessary.
Lin Yu approached slowly, extending his senses through the thin moisture in the air. No sudden movements. No hidden threats. Just silence. He pushed the door open gently and slipped inside.
The interior was dim, illuminated faintly by light filtering through broken windows. Shelves were overturned, and many goods had already been looted, but not everything was gone. Lin Yu moved quickly but carefully, collecting what he could—canned food, dry snacks, and a few sealed water bottles. He did not take more than he could carry.
As he reached for another item, his body suddenly froze.
A sound.
Very faint.
But real.
His eyes sharpened as he slowly turned his head toward the back of the store. The air felt… wrong.
Then he heard it again.
A breath.
Not the irregular, broken breathing of a zombie.
A human breath.
Lin Yu's heart tightened.
Someone was here.
For a brief moment, hesitation appeared in his eyes. Since the outbreak began, he had not met a single living person. He did not know if that was a good thing or a bad thing anymore. Humans… could be more dangerous than zombies.
But before he could decide—
A sudden crash echoed from the back.
Followed by a terrified scream.
"Help…!"
Lin Yu's expression changed instantly. His body moved before his thoughts could catch up as he rushed toward the sound. Turning the corner, he saw the source. A girl, around his age, had fallen to the ground, her face pale with fear as two zombies staggered toward her from opposite sides. She tried to crawl back, but her leg seemed injured.
Without hesitation, Lin Yu raised his hand.
Two sharp streams of water shot forward like blades.
In a single instant, both zombies were cut down, their heads separated cleanly from their bodies before they could even react.
Silence returned.
The girl stared at him in shock, her body trembling.
Lin Yu stood there, water slowly dispersing around him, his expression calm but distant. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then he finally broke the silence.
"Can you stand?"
His voice was steady, but not cold.
The girl blinked, still trying to process what had just happened. "…Y-You… you killed them…"
Lin Yu didn't respond to that. Instead, he glanced briefly at her injured leg and then at the surrounding area. "More will come if we stay here," he said simply. "If you want to live, get up."
His words were direct, almost harsh, but there was no malice in them—only urgency.
The girl hesitated for a moment before nodding weakly. She tried to stand but winced in pain, nearly falling again.
Lin Yu frowned slightly.
This would slow him down.
In this world, slowing down meant danger.
For a brief second, he considered leaving her behind. It would be the safest choice. The most logical choice.
But then—
His gaze shifted.
He saw her eyes.
Fear.
Desperation.
The same look he had seen in himself not long ago.
Lin Yu let out a quiet sigh.
"…Fine."
He stepped forward and extended his hand.
"I'll help you. But you follow me. No noise, no mistakes."
The girl looked at his hand, stunned, before slowly reaching out and grabbing it. Her grip was weak, but firm.
"Okay…" she whispered.
Lin Yu pulled her up, supporting her weight slightly as he turned toward the exit. His senses spread outward once more, scanning the surroundings.
The world outside was still filled with death.
But now—
He was no longer alone.
And somewhere in the distance…
Something else had begun to move.