I Transmigrated as the Protagonist and Was Kidnapped by the Villainous Omega - Chapter 37

“A-Jin, come quickly and try this on for size.” As soon as she entered the small wooden cabin, Hu Ziyuan eagerly pulled out the sample garment. Aunt Miao had just finished it, and after days of waiting, Hu Ziyuan brought it straight over the moment it was ready.

“Why are you still standing there? Come here, I’ll help you put it on.”

“Oh, Second Boss, don’t bother; I can do it myself.”

“You’ve forgotten again.” Hu Ziyuan frowned slightly. Seeing that the person wasn’t coming closer, she simply shook open the sample garment, stepped forward, and draped it over the other. “Don’t call me Second Boss; call me Ziyuan.”

They had known each other for so long, yet she still kept calling her “Second Boss,” making it sound so formal.

“Got it, Ziyuan,” Tang Jin sighed helplessly, then simply raised her arms and slipped them into the sleeves.

Carefully helping her put on the sample garment, Hu Ziyuan walked around her, examining her from all angles, back and forth, several times. Although it was just a simple white linen long shirt, and only the style and size were the same as the finished product, it looked surprisingly good on Tang Jin, giving her an almost ethereal, immortal quality.

Here’s the next part of the story:

“Is there anything that doesn’t feel right? Just say so; we can change anything.”

“No, it’s good.”

The size seemed fine, but the style…

Tang Jin looked down at the wide sleeves and the sash around her waist, a flicker of confusion in her mind. “Isn’t this a *Hanfu?” (Hanfu is a term referred to a traditional ethnic dress of the Han Chinese.)*

No one in Hong Xiu Zhao seemed to wear it…

Why did Aunt Miao make it like this?

“Oh, well, as long as it fits!” Hu Ziyuan’s eyes darted away; she didn’t answer. She quickly pulled the sample garment off. “Ahem, speaking of which, I haven’t seen Yuexi and Cheng Su for over half a day. I wonder what those two are up to.”

Hearing her ask, Tang Jin couldn’t help but glance at the clock on the wall.

It was already past four in the afternoon. If they left the stronghold now, they’d arrive in District 11 around nightfall.

Roughly, someone should be hitting a brick wall by now.

“I just overheard someone in the stronghold mention it,” Tang Jin said, relaying Su Cheng’s instructions. “They seemed to be heading to District 11 this morning.”

“District 11?!” Hu Ziyuan repeated loudly, thinking she had misheard, until the person in front of her nodded very seriously.

“…What are they doing there?!”

District 11 was a relatively large town, with significantly more zombies than the preceding areas. No one from Hong Xiu Zhao had been there yet.

“I’m not sure, but they didn’t seem to take many people with them.”

“What?!” Her eyes wide, Hu Ziyuan immediately shoved the sample garment into Tang Jin’s arms, turned, and ran out. “Keep this for me; I need to find Shi Yunqi first!”

“Wait…” Tang Jin hadn’t finished speaking before the person swept out the door like a gust of wind.

Never mind, she thought. Shi Yunqi will surely come asking me questions soon; I’ll tell her then.

Hu Ziyuan’s legs moved incredibly fast. As she ran, she cursed silently to herself.

What kind of crazy fit is Ling Yuexi having now? She didn’t even say goodbye before leaving! And Cheng Su, that idiot—why didn’t she stop her?! Are the two of them secretly going on a honeymoon there?!

She had just run a short distance outside when she spotted some people from the stronghold. She quickly asked, “Have you seen Shi Yunqi?”

“…She just went up to the mountaintop.” Seeing her so anxious, a few people couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong, Second Boss? Is something the matter?”

The mountaintop? Then she must be at the Water Curtain Cave.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Having gotten the answer she wanted, Hu Ziyuan took off running again.

Sitting cross-legged alone in the small wooden cabin, Tang Jin closed her eyes, twirling the prayer beads in her hand. It wasn’t long before someone violently pushed open the wooden door..

“You said they went to District 11?” Stepping into the room, Shi Yunqi shed her usual playful demeanor, becoming much more serious. She asked, her brows furrowed, “Who told you that?”

Tang Jin glanced at her, her gaze indifferent. “I don’t remember.”

No sooner had she spoken than Pupu rushed in, panting, “Sister Yuexi’s sniper rifle is missing!”

“Not just that.” Hu Ziyuan followed her into the cabin. “Four people and two vehicles are missing from the stronghold.”

Counting Ling Yuexi and Cheng Su, only six people dared to go to District 11?

Were they insane?!

“You’ve been there, haven’t you?” Pressing a hand to her throbbing temple, Shi Yunqi turned to Tang Jin and said gravely, “What’s the situation like in there?”

In the original plan, Su Cheng intended for Tang Jin to exaggerate, ideally to instigate Hong Xiu Zhao to deploy all their forces.

However, after a moment’s thought, she spoke truthfully: “District 11 is a very large area. There are many zombies, and among them, one is exceptionally ferocious. From its strength, it was likely an A-grade Alpha before infection.”

“An A-grade Alpha?” The others’ faces stiffened.

It was known that zombies felt no pain; their eyes saw only to bite and tear.

But if the infected person was an Alpha before, it was different—after turning into a zombie, not only did their strength and speed increase, but most importantly, they also gained sentience…

“Yes,” Tang Jin confirmed. “However, Chao Feng has already dealt with it. Now, District 11 only has ordinary zombies left.”

“Even so, their numbers are still significant.” Frowning, Shi Yunqi pondered for a moment, then turned to Pupu. “Deploy all the mechs we’ve tested. I’ll go with you.” With that, she grabbed Pupu and headed out.

“Alright!”

Seeing that she only called Pupu and Hu Ziyuan urgently said, “I want to go too!”

“You don’t know how to pilot a mech, why would you go?!” Already one foot out the door, Shi Yunqi called back, “Your pheromones are useless against zombies; stay home and be good!”

Damn it.

Watching the two leave without looking back, Hu Ziyuan bit her lip and stomped her foot. “Then I’ll drive myself there!”

However, as she took a step, someone grabbed her arm from behind.

“If Ziyuan trusts me, why not take me along?”

During their time together, Tang Jin knew that with Hu Ziyuan’s temperament, even if she were confined, she would secretly slip out.

Given that, it was better for her to just go along.

Besides…

She also wanted to see that person cry as she hit a brick wall.

Realizing this thought, Tang Jin paused slightly, sighing inwardly.

Ah, am I becoming corrupted by being around her? Why am I learning her mischievous ways too?

“…You? What would you go for?” Gazing into those pale gray eyes, Hu Ziyuan’s heart involuntarily fluttered.

Could it be, she’s going for…

“Of course, to protect you, the Second Boss.” Tang Jin gave her a faint smile and pointed to the collar around her neck. “But, can this thing be taken off first?”

Her gaze followed Tang Jin’s long, slender index finger, and Hu Ziyuan’s face flushed. She almost bit her tongue. “Y-yes, it can, but you won’t…”

“I won’t leave.” As if knowing what she was about to say, Tang Jin’s eyes were filled with earnestness. “I really like it here.”

Really… like… it…

Her heart thumped wildly.

When Shi Yunqi and Pupu had assembled seven mechs and were about to depart, they saw a woman with short blue hair standing tall with her back to them at the stronghold gate. The sunlight shone obliquely on her, making her glow brilliantly.

Just then, an off-road vehicle drove past, its window rolling down. The purple-haired woman inside tilted her head. “Get in.”

“Wait! Hu Ziyuan!” Shi Yunqi flew her mech over, blocking the car. “How could you bring her too?!”

The handcuffs were off, the guards outside the door were gone, and now even the collar was removed!

And just now, she’d even seen the mechanical baton tucked into that person’s waist!

They actually gave Tang Jin her confiscated weapon back?

What if she suddenly turned on them?!

Was one crazy Ling Yuexi not enough, and now Hu Ziyuan was going crazy too?

Knowing Shi Yunqi’s concerns, Tang Jin nodded at her. “Don’t worry, I won’t cause any trouble.”

“Why should I believe you?” An A-grade Alpha causing chaos in their own stronghold—that would be disastrous!

“Don’t mind her, let’s go.” With a turn of the steering wheel, Hu Ziyuan drove around, calling out as she passed Shi Yunqi’s mech, “Good dogs don’t block the road, you know~”

“You!” Who are you calling a dog?!

“…Single dog,” Pupu mumbled softly, waving for the five people behind her. They piloted their mechs and followed along.

*****

The sun was setting in the west, hanging low in the sky, the clouds a fiery crimson.

Su Cheng quietly slipped out of the building, making sure the entrance was securely blocked before she left.

Leading the zombies away from the others’ hiding spot, she ran swiftly through the streets of District 11, cutting across one street after another. She kept running until she was quite far, estimating the distance was about right. Releasing the clotted seal here shouldn’t affect Ling Yuexi with her pheromones.

Taking a deep breath, Su Cheng clutched the pendant around her neck. After the next corner, she would…

Ya Zhi?

Just as she peered around the corner, Su Cheng immediately spotted that familiar figure. She sharply changed direction, instantly retreating, and darted into a narrow side alley.

Why is he in District 11? The original book didn’t seem to mention this part of the plot!

At this moment, the zombies behind her caught up, not stopping their pursuit, but bypassing her directly to lunge at Ya Zhi.

“Overestimating yourselves.” A fierce glint flashed in Ya Zhi’s eyes. His twin hammers swung violently in quick succession. Amidst flying flesh and bl00d, in just moments, he single-handedly cleared this wave of the horde.

…So strong!

Peeking through the crack, Su Cheng, who had watched the entire spectacle, trembled with shock.

What the hell is this, a human or a ghost?!

“What, do I have to invite you out…?”

He found me?!

Her pupils constricted sharply. In that instant, Su Cheng instinctively dodged backward. The next second, a massive iron hammer flew diagonally, thudding and shattering the very crevice she had just been hiding in.

Thrown back by the impact, Su Cheng didn’t dare waste a moment. She didn’t even stop to pick up her mask, which had fallen to the ground. She simply rolled with the momentum, stood up, and ran.

Damn it!

Fighting zombies was acceptable, but facing that guy head-on? No thanks!

She definitely didn’t want Ya Zhi to know about the undercover operation!

Watching her run, he wasn’t in a hurry to chase. He leisurely picked up his iron hammers, twisted his neck left and right twice, and then a glance from the corner of his eye suddenly noticed something dropped on the ground nearby.

Taking two steps forward, he picked up the mask. With a flip of his hand, the pink pig design came into view.

“Pink pig…”

People from Hong Xiu Zhao came too?

District 11 was certainly lively today!

Ya Zhi let out a heavy snort. He thought, If that’s the case, then let him catch them all in one go!

Crushing the mask in his hand, he pushed off the ground. The earth instantly cracked, and he shot forward like a cannonball, chasing fiercely in the direction Su Cheng had fled.

*****

In the abandoned building, one of the Betas woke up.

The light was dim. She looked around, seeing that the others seemed to be tired and asleep. She had no idea what the situation was outside, or how much time had passed.

Standing up and stretching, she suddenly realized a serious problem.

Where was Cheng Su?

She quickly woke the others. After getting up, the four Betas each took their flashlights and carefully searched around. Unable to find her, they all walked towards Ling Yuexi.

“Boss, wake up.”

She didn’t react after several calls. Feeling that something was wrong, they shook her shoulder, their voices growing louder. “Boss, it’s bad! Cheng Su is gone!”

Ling Yuexi frowned, slowly opening her eyes. She saw the four Betas anxiously surrounding her, with only one person missing.

“…Where’s Cheng Su?” A sudden bad feeling welled up in her heart. She raised a hand to rub the back of her neck, recalling what happened before she was knocked out.

“She’s gone!”

“Yes, we haven’t seen her since we woke up.”

“Could she have run away to save herself?”

“No.” Ling Yuexi interrupted their suspicions. She looked down, staring blankly at the golden Desert Eagle in her hand, her gaze darkening. “You all stay here and keep watch. I’m going out to look for her.” Standing up abruptly, she put the Desert Eagle back into the holster on her outer thigh and grabbed her sniper rifle before leaving.

It feels like a storm is brewing.

Her face was terrifyingly grim, as if any slight disturbance could make her explode.

The others saw this and knew there was no stopping her. Besides, their skills were indeed inferior to the Boss’, and following her would only cause more trouble. For a moment, no one dared to speak.

The door was blocked from the outside. Ling Yuexi listened for a moment, then beckoned.

The four Betas worked together to slowly push open a small gap, just wide enough for one person to pass through.

Ling Yuexi peered out to both sides, then with a flicker of her body, slipped out.

The wandering zombies outside seemed to have thinned out considerably. She walked quickly through the street, her eyelids twitching.

There were no bodies on the ground, which meant she hadn’t been killed by someone.

The scene looked rather like…

She had been lured away by someone.

As the thought surfaced, her breath hitched.

That bastard…

Her chest seized with an uncontrollable ache. Ling Yuexi bit her lip, trembling as she stood at the intersection, an inexplicable fear instantly crawling through her entire mind.

She didn’t dare to linger for another moment. She didn’t know where to start looking, so she just ran by instinct, searching street after street…

The roads in District 11 were intricate and complex, much like the tangled threads of fate.

The setting sun slowly descended, disappearing silently beyond the horizon.

One fled in a desperate hurry, the other searched aimlessly.

Two parallel streets, separated only by a row of low-rise houses, and the two individuals, moving in opposite directions, drew close, then missed each other…