Apocalypse Survival Guide for a Beta [GB] - Chapter 70
The operation log was stored in an extremely small traceback chip, hidden behind the wiring in the military defense building. While waiting inside the building for news from Lou Tiannan, Wen Xiaxia’s sharp eyes had spotted it. Military trace-back chips were restricted by access permissions, but Zhu Liang’s clearance was just enough to unlock them. After listening to the contents, everyone agreed that Lou Tiannan had to know about it.
Lou Tiannan activated the trace-back chip and a familiar voice emerged. It was the voice of the First Squad’s captain.
“Today is Star Domain Year 427, July 4th, Scorching Sun Day. We have received a Federation mission to head to the 621 Biopharmaceutical Research Institute. The journey has been smooth so far and we expect to reach Eastern District One in two days.”
“On July 5th, we were ambushed by Bloodbone forces. A survivor rescued us. He has family in the research institute and is highly capable. We’ve decided to bring him with us into the facility.”
“July 7th, we’ve arrived in Eastern District One. There are many third-tier zombies. We are trying to break through and enter the institute.”
“July 8th, we attempted to break through, but we failed. We lost two comrades. We have requested rescue from the Federation Safe Zone in Eastern District Five. Once the rescue arrives, we will proceed to the research institute.”
After a brief pause, another voice followed, weak but familiar.
“Hello? Hello? This is First Squad’s Vice Captain, Zhang Yuanqi, recording on July 10th. The Federation mission has failed.”
Lou Tiannan’s heart clenched. Zhang Yuanqi’s voice continued.
“We never get the rescue from the Safe Zone. Bloodbone’s ability users ambushed us. One of them self-destructed. The captain, eleven teammates, and the survivor… all perished.”
“I don’t know if anyone will come after us to complete the mission. If you’ve found this log chip, leave Eastern District One immediately. The Federation is no longer safe.”
“The captain gave his life to save me from that explosion. I wanted to seek help at the nearest Aurora Church, but I accidentally uncovered Aurora’s conspiracy.”
“Aurora and the Federation are both involved. They are not the good guys.”
Zhang Yuanqi’s account was chaotic, fragmented, with sentences that barely connected. But what he said next shook Lou Tiannan to the core.
“The Federation has transported a large number of zombies to the Aurora Church. Aurora is extracting the zombie virus. They are trying to awaken a zombie king… or perhaps they are already nurturing it.” His voice was filled with uncertainty and dread.
A zombie king?!
“I used my ability to glimpse it. It was a massive cocoon. Aurora is injecting the zombie virus into it. They are feeding that monstrous thing. I overheard them say that once they awaken whatever is inside, they will rule over the apocalypse. Aurora has gone mad. They want to control both zombies and humans.”
“They have already begun creating ability-enhanced zombies…”
Zhang Yuanqi’s voice became hoarse and filled with pain. “I wanted to destroy that cocoon, but I was discovered by the ability-enhanced zombies and got infected with the zombie virus.”
“In the end, I decided to return here. My comrades are here… and this is the place where I once swore my oath.” His voice grew rough, his breathing labored. “Federation Military Defense… heh… never retreat…” His raspy voice grew faint, almost drowned out by the uncontrollable growl of a zombie rising in his throat.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out. The operation log ended there.
Lou Tiannan recognized the sound. It was from an M1784 model firearm, the standard-issued weapon of Zhang Yuanqi, the vice-captain of the First Squad.
Even though Zhou Yu and the others had already listened to it once before, hearing it again still made their chests ache with grief.
Lou Tiannan turned toward the direction of Eastern District One and saluted. The others silently followed suit, raising their hands in a solemn military gesture.
“Ah—!”
The silence was shattered by Zhu Liang’s agonized scream.
Everyone turned toward him in alarm.
His hands and feet were bound with iron chains by Zhou Yu. His severed left arm had been bandaged, but due to his violent struggle, fresh blood seeped through the gauze, staining it red. His entire body was taut with strain, veins bulging under his skin, and his eyes were wide open, filled with unbearable pain.
“Xiaxia, what’s happening to Brother Liang?” Lou Tiannan asked in a grave tone.
“His body temperature is normal. Externally, there are no signs of major mutation in his facial features or limbs. The vaccine is working, but… it’s not enough…” Wen Xiaxia’s eyes glistened with tears. Watching Zhu Liang’s condition, she was almost certain. “The second dose must contain the key medicinal catalyst!”
She had attended the military medical rescue course and was fortunate enough to have studied under Dean Xiao Hehua. She often researched ancient planetary medical texts and she had heard of the concept of a medicinal catalyst.
‘If a disease is particularly difficult to treat, the process can be divided into multiple stages. First, use a standard remedy to counter the symptoms, then apply a catalyst to fully activate the remedy’s effects.’
“The first dose is effective, but it hasn’t reached its full potential,” Wen Xiaxia said quickly.
“Then what if we administer another first dose?” Lou Tiannan asked.
Wen Xiaxia shook her head. She didn’t know. She wasn’t sure.
The iron chains binding Zhu Liang’s wrists and ankles had already begun to chafe his skin red. His face contorted in pain and his struggles made the metal chains rattle loudly. He could feel the mutation surging inside his body, his consciousness slipping away.
A dark, demonic whisper echoed in his mind, “Join us… Become the ruler of this world…”
Something was trying to take control of him. It whispered, “We are already the same… You will gain eternal life…”
The same… Zhu Liang’s vision blurred.
But then, a powerful voice exploded in his mind.
Federation Military Defense! Never retreat!
He was a soldier of the Federation. He would never become the same as those zombies!
“Ahhh—!” Zhu Liang’s body was caught in a battle between two forces. For a fleeting moment, his mind cleared.
“Tiannan—!” he rasped. “Give me a shot!” Zhu Liang was drenched in sweat, the pain inside his body excruciating. He could no longer suppress the thing inside him. He didn’t want to become one of those monsters.
Lou Tiannan didn’t hesitate. He injected another dose of the vaccine into Zhu Liang’s body.
As the medication entered his system, Zhu Liang gasped sharply and then collapsed heavily onto the wooden surface, falling into unconsciousness.
Everyone watched him anxiously.
Lou Tiannan stared at Zhu Liang’s unconscious form, his mind racing through the chaotic information, trying to extract the key points.
The second dose had been taken.
There were zombies wearing Aurora’s white robes on the 17th floor.
Aurora was raising a zombie king.
He felt like he was still missing something, but there was no time to dwell on it.
…
All the clues pointed to Aurora.
“We’re going to Aurora Church,” Lou Tiannan said coldly.
They were already near the border between Eastern District One and Eastern District Five, while Aurora Church was right on the edge of Eastern District Five. If they moved quickly, there might still be hope for Liang.
Following Lou Tiannan’s orders, the group immediately set off for Aurora Church. Twenty minutes later, the church’s tower came into view.
Lou Tiannan carried Zhu Liang on his back while Zhou Yu, Song Yan, and the others spread out around him to scout and provide cover.
“There’s someone over there.” Lin Bai suddenly pointed toward a secluded house in the corner.
Everyone went on high alert, cautiously focusing on the house.
Standing at an angle hidden from view, Lin Bai swiftly pressed a syringe into Zhu Liang’s arm muscle. The entire process took less than two seconds. As she withdrew the syringe and looked up, her gaze met a pair of weak but open eyes. Calmly, she looked away, turning her attention back to the house.
A moment later, Zhu Liang’s eyelids dropped shut once more.
Just then, they noticed a familiar tuft of green hair peeking out from a window.
“It’s Bai Chuan and the others,” Song Yan, who had sharp eyesight, recognized Bai Chuan and his companions.
***
Two minutes later, Lou Tiannan and his team met with Bai Chuan’s group inside the small house.
“What are you doing here?”
“There are Federation patrols in Eastern District Five. Elena’s identity makes it difficult for her to get close. This is the main route to the Eastern District Five Safe Zone. We were waiting for you!” Bai Chuan explained.
Bai Chuan, Elena, and Tang Mary all glanced at Lin Bai, discreetly assessing her condition. Seeing that she wasn’t injured, they finally relaxed.
Elena’s gaze swept over the group, landing on the unconscious Zhu Liang on Lou Tiannan’s back. Her voice turned serious. “What happened to Zhu Liang?”
“He was infected with the zombie virus,” Lou Tiannan said as he set Zhu Liang down from his back. But the moment Zhu Liang was laid down, his brows furrowed and he let out a pained groan.
“Then why haven’t you put him out of his misery?” Bai Chuan blurted out instinctively.
Lu Jia shot him an angry glare.
“He doesn’t look like he’s mutating…” Elena observed closely. “Did you give him the vaccine?”
“Mm.” Lou Tiannan did not deny it.
Hearing this, Bai Chuan and the others looked intrigued. “The vaccine really works against the zombie virus?”
“It works, but part of it is missing.”
Elena sensed something was off. “What do you mean?”
“Dean Xiao Hehua’s vaccine consists of two doses, the first dose and the second dose. But the box only contained the first dose. Xiaxia says the key ingredient is in the second dose.”
As Xiao Hehua’s student, Elena immediately understood what that meant. Her mind quickly made the connection. “The second dose was taken? Was it Aurora?”
“We’re not sure, but it’s very likely,” Lou Tiannan replied.
Elena reached out to check Zhu Liang’s temperature, examined his nails and the wound on his back, and then carefully opened his eyes to observe his pupils. “He looks… cured.”
Lou Tiannan exchanged a glance with Wen Xiaxia. She hurried forward to check Zhu Liang and exclaimed in delight, “His nails have returned to normal! His pupils and teeth too!”
It was undoubtedly good news. Elena was pleased but also puzzled. “Just one dose was enough to cure him?”
“No, I gave him two injections.” Lou Tiannan wasn’t sure if it was the combination of both doses, but seeing Zhu Liang’s condition improve, they all finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Tap, tap, tap.
Outside the house, the sound of synchronized footsteps approached. Everyone inside immediately fell silent. They crept toward the window and saw that it was the Federation soldiers from the Eastern District Five Safe Zone on patrol.
After the patrol passed, Elena turned to Lou Tiannan. “We discovered something. Bai Chuan saw Aurora’s followers transporting zombies into the side hall of Aurora Church.”
“They’re still transporting zombies?!” Zhou Yu exclaimed in shock.
Elena caught the subtle implication in Zhou Yu’s tone, as if he already knew about this. She frowned. “You knew?”
“We found the First Squad’s battle log. They reported that Aurora is raising a zombie king.”
The revelation was like a bombshell.
“Raising a zombie king?”
The three of them were stunned.
Lou Tiannan took out the trace-back chip. After listening to its recording, their expressions turned serious.
Tang Mary scoffed. “No wonder they’re always up to shady business. Turns out, this is their dirty secret!”
“What do you plan to do next?” Elena asked, looking at Lou Tiannan.

Storyteller Dahliya's Words
Update every Saturday starting 10th May. If you like this novel, consider buying advance chapters or donating in Ko-fi. Thanks for dropping by!