[BL] NEET life in the Apocalypse

Chapter 28—Meeting you again

by Bocchan13

The fighting was intense, with the remaining Sun Base doing everything they could to fight. Lan Zhou was at a disadvantage because he didn’t want to cause a forest fire, so with every wave of his hand, flames bloomed from his fingertips creating an afterimage of a fan.

The metal ability user was adamant that he was stronger, so each hit of the flames melted his shield but it regenerated causing it to mold and change. Another burst of the flame boiled his skin instantly. Crying out in pain, the metal ability user clutched his melted shoulder and retreated, while Lan Zhou went on the offensive.

Lu Jingxiu made large ice spears, penetrating them deep into the ground, barricading the oncoming ability users from Xiao Zi. Another ice ability user tried to manipulate the ice to no avail. A level 4 could not compete with a level 7.

Wang Cheng was not entirely helpless. His space ability was akin to a black hole, since he could manipulate space; he made rifts in the air that doubled as teleports. The people getting caught were sent into an abyss of darkness; a space only Wang Cheng could control.

Yu Ci fought head-on, plowing his enormous body into the reverie like a rhino, bulldozing everyone in his path. His strength ability had synthesized into both physical strength and strengthening objects. The blade he carried made several people fly off into the distance.

“Quick! It’s here again!”

The vine zombie that used to be lethargic with a food coma now wriggled its ugly vines, vying for more meat. Song Yu could see that the vines were slightly longer. The 15 meter safe zone was now 20 meters. The melee was getting closer and closer to the vine zombie.

Song Yu had to act fast. He hid behind the trees, surrounding the prairie, hoping the vine zombie wouldn’t smell him. His breathing slowed, his heartbeat thudding slower and slower. Concentrated…focused.

The more you panic, the more you fumble.

Song Yu could vaguely see the body inside the jeep. It appeared to be that the body was under the jeep, but it made a hole into the cabin, filling its entire space. If he wanted to kill it, it would have to be fast. Song Yu saw a few fingers travelling under the body’s skin, likely people scratching inside, trying to get out. It was futile to save them; they were most likely half acid now.

Song Yu took out his bow and arrow. The ones he used for hunting zombies were nothing on this one. Traditional and regal, its bow string powerful and tight. A normal person would not be able to stretch the string, and an ability user would still have trouble.

A single arrow was taken out. Song Yu nocked the arrow, positioning himself in direct line to the head.

Inhale…

Stretching the arrow back, a small echo of the arrow brushing against the string was heard. The vine zombie, sensing the impending danger could not move, but could shield its head with its vines.

Exhale…

The sound of the arrow flying through was like a jet flying in the sky. People thought they were hearing the sounds of bombs falling and Lan Zhou turned his head just in time to see the cosplayer in black shoot an arrow directly at the vine zombie’s body.

“Come here! Come here! Here! Psst! Save me! Your family is here!” The vine zombie’s ‘voices’ echoed as the arrow directly hit through its mouth. One arrow would not deter it, so Song Yu took out an entire quiver of arrows.

Seeing this, the Sun Base were now scared. A death reaper had just appeared in the forest, not one of their own and was probably helping Lan Zhou’s team. Seeing their comrades scared, the metal ability user had no choice but to grit his teeth in anguish as he shouted,

“Retreat!”

The Sun Base decided to retreat and regroup at a later date, so they stopped fighting and ran off into the dark forest, northward towards their base. They had taken Lan Zhou’s two jeeps whilst the other was now the feeding ground for the vine zombie. Lan Zhou’s group would have no choice but to find another vehicle or suffer the journey back on foot.

Since the Sun Base was the only one for miles, they were sure that Lan Zhou and his team would have no choice but to come back.

After the vine zombie, there were only 6 or 7 people left from the Sun Base. Rounding everyone up, they ran to their vehicles, leaving Lan Zhou and co. behind. Lan Zhou wiped the sweat off his brows and looked as the cosplayer shot arrow after arrow, hitting the mark well.

The vine zombie did not like this in the least, its tentacles grabbing everything within its vicinity. Wooden branches and dirt were strung towards Song Yu, as well as the ground trembling like a 6.0 earthquake. Song Yu did not care as more and more arrows were shot. When Song Yu was about to shoot the finishing blow, the vine zombie roared.

Not the roar of the humans it had eaten, but like the dinosaur roar of an ancient monster. More than the trembling, everyone including Song Yu wanted to cover their ears. Its roar was vicious, causing the jeep to jerk around, the tires rolling off the rims.

The vine zombie did something completely unexpected. Opening its jaws, a putrid smell escaped and…an acid-ridden torso was thrown up. The person was dead, but not completely…its eyes still blinking.

The vine zombie threw the torso at Song Yu, who had just nocked another arrow, therefore could not defend himself. A ball of blue suddenly lit up the torso as it disintegrated before creating a small wind, catching the hood of Song Yu’s cloak.

Song Yu had not put on his mask after dinner, so his face was glowing white in the forest, his cold unwavering eyes staring at the vine zombie like prey. His wavy black hair fanned his face, caressing his cheeks as he dipped low to the ground. Song Yu took the opportunity to dip the arrow in the blue fire, catching it instantly.

The blue flames on the arrow were then shot, point blank into the vine zombie’s mouth. Screams were heard. Some feminine, some masculine, and the roar of the real zombie’s voice creating a cacophony of death. The vine monster was already injured by the previous arrows, but the arrow coming was engulfed in flames. It tried to avoid it, using its vines to deter the impact, but upon touching it, the vines burst into flames.

The screams of the vine zombie continued on and on, whilst Song Yu and the others watched. Song Yu did not know that his hood had been blown off, so when he turned around, he was in direct sight of Lan Zhou who sported a face of wonderment, awe, confusion, and embarrassment.

Lan Zhou’s eyes widened his mouth opening and closing, his gaze taking every inch of Song Yu’s. That familiar face, those luscious eyes, upturned nose and delicate lips. That face he recalled late at night in his dreams for the past two years was now right in front of him.

He shifted his body, embarrassment taking over. He rubbed off the blood from his body suit and tried to comb back his hair in a nicer manner.

“D-d-d-“

Song Yu took a step back, thinking if it was a good chance to run. Before anyone could do anything, Lan Zhou threw himself on Song Yu, his big body engulfing Song Yu in a giant hug.

“Darling!”

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Song Yu: “…”

Yu Ci: “…”

Lu Jingxiu: “…”

Xiao Zi: “…”

Wang Cheng: “…”

Vine zombie: “…”