The Post-Apocalyptic Rival Who Crashed My Wedding with a Baby - Chapter 13

Natural selection is the law of the wild, and it is a fundamental human instinct.

After awakening their powers, ordinary humans strive to become high-ranking Espers by continuously absorbing soul crystals. The world of zombies is no different. Hundreds, even thousands of zombies are pitted against one another like venomous insects in a jar—fighting, devouring their own kind, and seizing resources until a Zombie King finally emerges from the carnage.

According to data released by the Research Institute, Zombie Kings typically start at Level 3. Most possess a single ability, though a few rare specimens are dual-elemental. Their brains generate an energy field that allows them to summon and command any lower-level zombies in their vicinity. While their intelligence levels vary, they are universally acknowledged as a nightmare to deal with.

After all, the memory of a base with hundreds of survivors being effortlessly overrun by a Zombie King was still fresh. In this wasteland, such tragedies were commonplace. Even a “standard” Zombie King required a massive expenditure of manpower and resources to eliminate completely.

This, however, was a Level 6 High-Tier Water Zombie King.

Worse still, its intelligence was clearly formidable; it knew how to use forest vegetation and water ripples to mask its movements. Had the Chonghai Research Institute not updated its satellite remote sensing technology to detect the creature and deduce its destination from its past trajectory, Chonghai Base would have been doomed before they even had time to prepare.

Now, Chonghai Base was mobilizing its resources through the Mission Hall, calling upon all A-rank and S-rank squads. With the promise of lavish rewards, many Espers would surely flock to the cause.

Despite this, Jiang Weiqing remained tight-lipped, a persistent sense of dread lurking in her heart. She hadn’t forgotten Chonghai’s unique geography. Surrounded by the ocean with only a small central island, it was known as the City on the Sea. Those endless waters were a natural advantage for Water-type Espers—but the same held true for a Water-type Zombie King.

According to the mission details, they had fifteen days at most before the King arrived. The window of time was narrow, especially since… Jiang Weiqing’s eyes flickered. Because she had failed the engagement quest, she had regressed to a Level 4 Esper. Her odds of victory had just plummeted.

The rest of the Longyu Squad stared at their communicators with complex expressions.

“A Level 6 Water King…” An Songyu bit his lip, his face pale with frustration. “The evolution speed of these monsters is getting out of hand.”

In the current world, the strongest human Espers he knew of were only Level 5. Yet the zombies had already reached Level 6. Since the collapse, both species had started from the same line. Humans had to hunt zombies for crystals to advance, but zombies could choose to devour their own kind or hunt humans. He knew their non-human physiology gave them an edge, but the gap was becoming terrifying. A Level 6 Zombie King—a creature with no senses and no pain—was a monster beyond imagination.

“I wonder how many will die this time,” Lin Yunxia sighed, her brow furrowed. In such a slaughter, the “Normies” without powers always suffered the most.

Miao Jialing, however, was busy eyeing the rewards. “Whatever the case, Chonghai is being generous. This should pull in a lot of help. Just accepting the task gets you a hundred points.”

“You keep any crystals you find, and you get mission points based on your kill count to exchange for unlimited food and weapons,” Jialing read aloud.

Shen Qingyu’s eyes narrowed at that last part. Precious food and weapons were always in short supply; “unlimited exchange” was a massive lure that would attract not just lone squads, but entire base factions.

Jiang Weiqing let out a cynical snort. “If they tried to limit exchanges at a time like this, Chonghai might as well just roll over and die.”

While the others looked puzzled, Shen Qingyu understood immediately. A Level 6 King would bring a massive tide of zombies. Food and weapons were the only things that guaranteed survival for both Espers and Normies. If Chonghai didn’t open the floodgates now, they were essentially committing suicide.

Xu Bairan looked up, lost. “Captain, are we taking the job? Are we going to Chonghai?”

The group fell silent, eyes fixing on Jiang Weiqing. She rubbed her chin and smirked. “Chonghai put out the call; of course we’re going. We’re an S-rank squad. If we don’t go, no one else will have the guts to show up.”

She wasn’t exaggerating. As an S-rank team, the Longyu Squad was a bellwether for the rest of the community. Moreover, the System was now pushing her to take the quest. It was going to be a brutal fight.

Chonghai Base… The name made her heart skip a beat with that same eerie, ominous premonition.

Lin Yunxia was overjoyed. She turned to Shen Qingyu. “Sister Qingyu, we can go together now!” The dilemma of being separated from the baby had vanished in an instant.

Jiang Weiqing coughed and looked at Shen Qingyu. “The Longyu Squad is fairly capable. If you’re willing to pay me two Level 1 crystals a day, I’d be happy to escort you there.”

That’s a bargain, Weiqing thought privately.

Shen Qingyu looked at the child in her arms and rolled her eyes. She nodded. “Fine. But since we’re being so meticulous about the books, I’ll need you to settle the bill for that ‘dinner’ you just ate.”

“One pound of fresh silver fish: two Level 1 crystals. Three eggs: four Level 1 crystals. Large octopus: three Level 1 crystals…”

As the prices rolled off Shen Qingyu’s tongue, Jiang Weiqing felt a cold sweat break out. She waved her hands frantically. “Wait, I just had a thought, maybe we should—”

Shen Qingyu cut her off. “It adds up to exactly thirty crystals. For the next fifteen days, you’ll give me those two crystals a day. We’re even.”

Beside them, Lu Yan meowed indignantly. “Sister Qingyu, you’re charging her way too little! Those silver fish were so fresh, they should be five crystals each, meow!” She shot Jiang Weiqing a look that said you’re getting a steal. “You’re so lucky, meow.”

Jiang Weiqing: “…”

Lucky? This is a total loss on both ends!

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