Apocalypse Survival Guide for a Beta [GB] - Chapter 32

In the Eastern District Two’s office, Lou Tiannan and Elena sat across from each other.

Just looking at them, they seemed like two people from completely different worlds. One had a gentle expression, with a smile as warm as a spring breeze, while the other had sharp, cold features, his gray eyes filled with an unrestrainable intensity.

Zhou Yu glanced back and forth between them and muttered under his breath, “They kind of look good together.”

The moment he said that, he nearly got the wind knocked out of him by Song Yan’s elbow. Song Yan cursed in a hushed voice, “Are you an idiot? How could two Alphas be a match? Do you want Captain Lou to beat you up, or do you want Captain Elena to do it?”

“Why did you betray the Federation?”

Even now, Lou Tiannan still couldn’t believe that Elena, the one who had once given him orders to execute criminals for the sake of the Federation’s safety, taking it as her top priority, would turn against them. He couldn’t understand her reason for defecting.

The two whispering on the side immediately fell silent and turned their attention to the office.

Elena wasn’t surprised by Lou Tiannan’s question. In fact, if she hadn’t made the decision herself, she wouldn’t have believed she would ever betray the Federation either. She looked at Lou Tiannan and answered, “Because the Federation might not be as important to me as I thought.”

Lou Tiannan’s eyelid twitched violently. “What do you mean?”

“Captain Lou, let’s talk about something more relevant.” Elena didn’t want to dwell on the topic, so she got straight to the point, “I know you’re planning to go to the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute in Eastern District One. I’m going there too. Let’s cooperate.”

“I don’t work with traitors,” Lou Tiannan rejected her without hesitation.

Elena crossed her hands over a few sheets of paper and sat in a completely relaxed posture. Even after being rejected, she showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, she responded calmly, “You are, of course, free to refuse me.”

She smiled. “As the captain of Military Defense’s Third Squad, there is something you need to understand. I will go to the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute no matter what. If we go there as partners, I can guarantee that I will not harm my allies. However, if we meet there as enemies, then you will find yourselves in even greater danger.”

Lou Tiannan’s expression darkened. “Are you threatening me?”

“If that’s how you choose to see it, then yes.” Elena’s gaze locked onto his, her tone both firm and composed. “Xiang Cheng ordered you to go to the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute, but tell me, how many times have you actually been there? Do you know how many layers of security the facility has? Do you know how to unlock the hundreds of security locks inside? You don’t.”

She leaned forward slightly. “But I do.”

Elena spoke in an unhurried, confident manner. Just as she claimed, she held all the leverage. She possessed powerful ability, she understood the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute, she knew the security system, and she could even unlock the institute’s encrypted locks.

Casually, she pushed a few sheets of paper across the table toward Lou Tiannan. “I know more about the institute’s current state than you do.”

Lou Tiannan glanced at the papers. They contained the latest intelligence on the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute.

Back in the New City Safe Zone, people had only speculated that the institute was likely in a dire situation but no one could confirm anything. But Elena had actual documents about it.

Seeing that he had taken in the information, Elena continued, “Captain Lou, you wouldn’t want Military Defense’s Third Squad to end up like the First Squad, would you?”

The First Squad had been completely wiped out at the perimeter of the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute.

Xiang Cheng’s grave words echoed in his mind.

Lou Tiannan knew that Elena had a talent for exploiting people’s weaknesses. And, in truth, her words did shake him. If things were as she described, then working with her had undeniable advantages. But the downside was equally clear. Someone who had already betrayed them once could just as easily betray them again.

He made his decision quickly. “I’ll cooperate with you, but I need to know why you’re going to the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute.”

“My mentor stayed behind. She left something for me and I’m only going there to retrieve it,” Elena replied.

Lou Tiannan’s gaze flickered in surprise. Before he could speak, a shocked voice behind him asked, “Dean Xiao Hehua didn’t leave?”

It was Wen Xiaxia. Her face was full of disbelief and beside her, Zhou Yu and Song Yan looked equally stunned.

From what they knew, when the zombie virus outbreak began, the Federal Security Bureau had immediately deployed protection squads to evacuate all key personnel to the safe zone in Eastern District Five.

Xiao Hehua, the dean of the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute, was also Elena’s mentor. Since taking over the institute, she has developed numerous life-saving medications, including cancer treatments, and has made outstanding contributions to both medical science and military advancement. She was one of the Federation’s most esteemed figures.

Her name had to have been on the evacuation list. How could she have stayed behind?

When Elena spoke of her mentor, there was a trace of melancholy in her voice, “When the security forces arrived at the institute, she was waiting for the results of her research. She refused to leave her laboratory.”

“What was she researching?” Everyone had the same unspoken suspicion.

Elena faced them and slowly said, “Primal blood vaccine.” |2|

***

While Elena and Lou Tiannan were talking in the conference hall, Lin Bai, who was outside, was unusually restless.

She had overheard the conversation between Elena and Lou Tiannan through a listening device. She didn’t want them to cooperate because she couldn’t stay in close contact with Elena for too long.

Elena was not as easy to fool as Lou Tiannan. As a renowned adjudicator of the Law Enforcement Department, her reputation was well-earned.

Besides, she had been quite familiar with Elena before.

Her current body had too many flaws. If she stayed with Elena, she would be doomed.

She thought to herself, ‘Maybe it was time to leave Lou Tiannan’s team.’

Lin Bai quickly calculated her options in her mind.

Xi Ya, looking at Lin Bai with unease, leaned against her and called out softly, “Mom…”

Xi Ya’s voice snapped Lin Bai out of her thoughts. In an instant, she came back to her senses. Then another idea struck her. Since Xi Ya was there, could she play into a specific persona? She could set her character as a tragic widow who lost her partner and was now struggling to survive in the post-apocalyptic world with a child.

She stroked her chin, refining the persona in her mind, but then reconsidered. No, it wouldn’t work. The thought of maintaining such a facade the entire way was exhausting. More importantly, if Elena discovered the secret of her body, things would go terribly wrong.

Why was Elena going to the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute? Was it also for the primal blood vaccine?

No, no, she had to leave! She must leave! She needed to find a way to escape!

When Lou Tiannan came out, he saw Lin Bai sitting on the steps with her head down, Xi Ya beside her. Both of them looked despondent.

His brows furrowed as he recalled Elena’s words from earlier.

“The 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute was the first area to fall. Since the beginning of the apocalypse, the signs of life inside have been steadily decreasing. But everyone believed in the institute’s defense system and they trusted Dean Xiao Hehua…”

Elena sighed. “But due to the apocalypse, the area around the institute became surrounded by zombies. The boundary net’s magnetic field was disrupted and no information could get out. Then, three months ago, a team perished outside the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute. They fought desperately to get close to the facility and managed to gather some information from certain zombies before transmitting it out.

“There are no survivors left in the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute. The zombies inside are extremely dangerous, different from the ones we’ve encountered so far.”

Taking all factors into consideration and after discussing with his team, they decided to cooperate with Elena for the expedition.

“Captain Lou, have you finished your discussion?” The moment Lou Tiannan appeared, Lin Bai immediately noticed him. The reason was simple. After he showed up, her energy started replenishing itself automatically.

She had been puzzled at first. It was an overcast day and there was no sunlight or heat, so where was the energy coming from?

Then she turned her head and saw Lou Tiannan not far away. The familiar recharging sensation could only come from him. But when she took a closer look at his condition, she found it odd. Lou Tiannan looked perfectly normal, so why was he able to recharge her?

“It’s settled. We’ll depart tomorrow morning. We’ll be heading to Eastern District One with Elena.”

Lin Bai nodded but was more concerned about something else at the moment. “Captain Lou, has your energy… increased?” she asked hesitantly.

Lou Tiannan paused, surprised that Lin Bai had noticed.

His energy had indeed increased. More precisely, his ability had successfully advanced to a higher tier. He had realized the moment he woke up that his body was filled with powerful energy, his five senses had sharpened, his mental sea had expanded, and his physical recovery had significantly improved. The burn scar left by Chang Qi on his chest had almost completely disappeared.

It was one of the reasons he had agreed to cooperate with Elena. With his current ability level, he was confident that if Elena betrayed them, he could seriously injure her before she had a chance to cause harm, ensuring the safety of his team.

Because his ability had reached S+ rank.

It was both good and bad news.

Previously, the highest ability rank in the Federation was believed to be S-rank. It was thought to be the limit. But now that he had broken past S-rank and saw that there were still higher tiers within his mental sea, it suggested that ranks beyond S+ existed. If that were the case, then zombies might also be evolving in the same way. Just how powerful was the strongest among them?

He recalled the ability-wielding zombie that could control fire. He refused to believe it was an anomaly. In Eastern District One, they might encounter more ability-wielding zombies, possibly even creatures more powerful than those.

This was the conclusion he had reached after reviewing the documents Elena had provided.

Fu Heng, the captain of the First Squad, had been an S-rank ability user. His entire team had possessed formidable abilities, yet they had been completely wiped out at the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute. Just how dangerous had that place become?

“Captain Lou, are you zoning out again? That’s a bit dangerous, you know,” Lin Bai said dryly. “What’s with you? Zoning out while fighting, zoning out while talking… or are you just avoiding my question?”

“No, I really did get stronger.”

Hearing his confirmation, Lin Bai was conflicted.

Ah! The charging station’s energy had increased! Now she wouldn’t have to wait until he exhausted his ability to absorb some of his heat and energy. She could do it just by staying close. If he ever pushed himself too far, she could charge even faster. What could be better than this?

But why did he have to agree to work with Elena?!

Lin Bai’s expression twisted in frustration.

She quickly made up her mind to stay on the team. The things inside the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute weren’t something she could handle alone and staying beside Lou Tiannan as her ‘charging station’ was the most suitable choice.

Besides, Elena’s working with Lou Tiannan was, in some ways, beneficial to her as well.

Lin Bai accepted it with ease.

To foster a friendly working relationship, they all had dinner together that evening in the Eastern District Two cafeteria.

“Why is the cafeteria so empty at this hour?” Zhou Yu asked curiously. “Shouldn’t there be more people during mealtime?”

“The main area of Eastern District Two is being relocated underground. Most people are already dining in the underground section. After tomorrow, the surface area of Eastern District Two will be closed,” Elena explained with a smile.

Moving underground was something the New City Safe Zone was also working on, but they hadn’t expected Eastern District Two to act so quickly and were already in the process of relocation.

Noticing their surprise, Elena explained, “When the zombie outbreak worsened, Eastern District Two had already begun preparations for this. Plus, we had existing underground air-raid shelters. We only needed to modify and expand them to fully accommodate the residents of Eastern District Two.”

“Captain Elena, your planning is truly thorough,” Zhou Yu said with admiration.

Elena smiled. “For the safety of the people, we must think everything through carefully.” At that moment, she seemed once again like the most reliable captain of the Federation’s Law Enforcement’s First Squad.

They carried their trays to a table and sat down. Lin Bai had already gotten her food early and found a quiet corner, with Xi Ya sitting to her right. Soon, someone placed a tray down on her left and asked in a gentle voice, “Miss Lin Bai, may I sit here?”

Lin Bai turned her head and saw Elena. Deep down, she wanted to shove Elena aside, but on the surface, she only appeared slightly nervous as she nodded. “Captain Elena, you’re too polite. Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.” Elena sat down politely.

Lou Tiannan turned around with his tray and saw Elena talking to Lin Bai. He frowned slightly, feeling that Elena seemed to be paying too much attention to Lin Bai. But Lin Bai didn’t seem to know Elena…

No, that wasn’t right. Lin Bai’s reaction when she first heard Elena’s name didn’t seem like that of someone who had never met her before. A vague sense of unease crossed Lou Tiannan’s mind, though he couldn’t put his finger on it.

He sat across from them and soon, Zhou Yu, Song Yan, and the others also brought their trays over, taking seats along Lou Tiannan’s side without much hesitation.

Elena had Lin Bai on her right, while the seat to her left remained the only vacant one.

Zhu Liang was the last to arrive. He sat down beside Elena with his tray.

Because of the presence of the two captains, the conversation at the table was minimal. The only sounds were those of utensils clinking against plates and bowls. They were eating the best available food which included cultivated potatoes and coarse wheat rice. The wheat rice was loose and made a slight clattering sound against the bowl whenever someone scooped it up.

Just as they were about to finish eating, Elena turned her head and looked at Zhu Liang. “Vice Captain Zhu.”

Zhu Liang glanced at her. “Captain Elena, is something the matter?”

“Are you carrying something on you?”

As soon as Elena spoke, all eyes at the table turned toward Zhu Liang. He frowned slightly, unsure of what she meant.

Lin Bai, however, thought to herself, ‘Oh no.’