Surviving the Game as a Zombie - Chapter 126

Suddenly learning you’re a murderer while in a state of amnesia was not a pleasant feeling. Terror, self-doubt, and a sense of guilt and frustration toward an unknown victim flooded Tang Yu’s mind in an instant, making her falter. A single sentence from Chaos had nearly torn through her mental defenses.

Who had she killed? What had she done? She couldn’t even recall a specific name or a vague scene.

Tang Yu felt drained, her body instinctively wanting to sit on the edge of the bed for support.

But reason told her she couldn’t reveal her emotions and vulnerability, at least not in this room.

She couldn’t tell if this was a lie fabricated by Chaos to disrupt her emotions or if it was the truth. Her mind was in turmoil, and she needed time to think.

Her rapid breathing must have reached Song Lengzhu, as the voice in her earpiece suddenly sped up, her responses to Lin Zhongqi becoming somewhat absentminded. The realization jolted Tang Yu. Her eyes cleared a little as she controlled her emotions and tapped her earpiece, signaling to Song Lengzhu that she was safe.

No matter what, she couldn’t affect Song Lengzhu’s performance.

Song Lengzhu’s presence was the very thing that snapped Tang Yu back to her senses. Ruminating was useless. She couldn’t sentence herself to death based on a single sentence from her opponent.

Tang Yu straightened up, concealed the emotion on her face, and calmed her breathing. She stood ramrod straight, clutching her knife. Her exceptional ability to accept things came into play at this moment. She pulled herself out of the negative emotions, refusing to complain or break down in tears as Chaos had wished.

Chaos wanted her to atone. Atone? If she had truly harmed an innocent person, she should be doing something to compensate the victim’s family and express her apologies, then receive the punishment she deserved. Not have her memories erased to be hunted and toyed with in a bizarre game. What kind of atonement was this?

Tang Yu reached out and opened the old laptop again. This time, it booted up normally, but no floating screen appeared.

Tang Yu thought for two seconds. With a grim face, she closed the lid, unplugged the charger, found a laptop bag in the desk drawer, and packed the old computer inside, carrying it in her hand.

This piece of junk—she was taking it back for Jian Che to examine. Whatever was hiding or parasitizing it, they were determined to find it.

After leaving the special room, the ever-present sense of being watched vanished. Tang Yu didn’t believe Chaos was gone. Since it knew her situation in the restricted zone and could interfere secretly, it must have a way of knowing her actions and status, perhaps by tapping into the game’s data or through some other means.

Perhaps because of Chaos’s presence, there were no surveillance cameras inside the villa. Tang Yu hefted the bag in her hand, then stuck one of the bombs to the underside of the staircase. The other, she had her shadow affix to the ceiling directly beneath the special room. However, Tang Yu didn’t know if these things could damage the special room, since its resources existed independently of the game.

After doing all this, Tang Yu left the courtyard and slipped into the small villa across the street. She hid on the second floor, quietly waiting for Song Lengzhu’s next move.

Song Lengzhu watched Lin Zhongqi in silence. After he finished explaining Chaos’s weakness, he changed the subject to cooperation. “I can see Miss Song is truly capable. It would be a waste to only exchange information. Why don’t we work together to find the remaining parts of Chaos?”

Song Lengzhu pondered for a moment. “That’s possible, but you also said that Chaos will soon be able to control the game. How can you be sure that after we find it, we’ll be the ones controlling it, and not the other way around?”

Song Lengzhu’s sharp question hit Lin Zhongqi like a blow. He froze for a second, clearly not having considered this. “Hiss, well…”

Before he could speak, Song Lengzhu pressed on, “Mr. Lin, how are you controlling Chaos now? We could discuss it. Perhaps we can find a solution.”

Song Lengzhu was fishing for information, quite obviously so. But Lin Zhongqi weighed his options. Compared to the threat to his power, Song Lengzhu’s probing seemed trivial. Besides, she had a point. Maybe this exceptionally clever girl could actually find a way.

“I’m not controlling it either. After I found it, it claimed to be a built-in service AI for the game. It answers whatever I ask and has provided me with some conveniences and management plans. Over the past six months, it has grown more powerful, but it has never overstepped its bounds. It only made one request—not to reveal its existence… Could it be that the Chaos you have, Miss Song, isn’t like this?”

Song Lengzhu lowered her head in thought. This didn’t sound like a built-in service AI. It was impossible for such a balance-breaking AI to exist in the game, let alone not be purged by the game company for over a year. Was it lying? More terrifyingly, Song Lengzhu suspected it had already grasped Lin Zhongqi’s personality, knew how to feign subservience, and had personally crafted an information cocoon for him.

It was also involved in managing the city. No wonder Songming City had a policy of “no expressing dissatisfaction.” As long as no one complained, Lin Zhongqi, at the pinnacle of power and surrounded by sycophants, would never hear the truth. He probably thought his management skills were superb, and that deep-seated arrogance was becoming more and more apparent.

Song Lengzhu suddenly looked up and asked slowly, “Have you… never suspected that it’s been lying to you all along?”

Lin Zhongqi’s mustache twitched. A moment later, his expression turned serious. “That’s impossible. There are interstellar regulations that AIs can provide incomplete information, but they cannot lie. That includes the fact that it’s also serving you; perhaps it just didn’t mention it because I never asked.” It was unclear whether Lin Zhongqi’s words were sincere or feigned. He continued, “Miss Song, you’re overthinking things.”

But in reality, incomplete information could itself create a lie.

Song Lengzhu didn’t press the issue, only responding, “Mm, it seems Chaos is docile after all. I was indeed overthinking it. I’ll need to consider Mr. Lin’s proposal. I can’t give you an answer right away.”

“No matter. You haven’t had dinner yet, have you? Why don’t you dine here? We can continue our discussion after the meal.” Lin Zhongqi invited her graciously.

Song Lengzhu wanted to refuse. His offer seemed polite and thoughtful, but the implication was that he was only giving her the duration of a meal to think. But on second thought, Song Lengzhu agreed. After dinner, Lin Zhongqi probably wouldn’t have time to discuss this matter anymore.

It was already late at night, but the villa’s staff had still prepared a meal. Business had been hectic tonight, and Lin Zhongqi himself hadn’t eaten yet.

The long dining table was adorned with exquisite decorations. The food served was far more varied than what was available in the “Food Exchange Area”—fresh meat, rarely seen vegetables, and so-called cellar-aged red wine were all laid out before Song Lengzhu.

The two sat across the table from each other. After a couple of sips of red wine, Lin Zhongqi began to recount his glorious achievements in establishing the camp.

“If Miss Song wants to rely on Chaos to build a camp, that might not work. Although Chaos provides some resource assistance, building a city isn’t easy, especially one this large. I’ve put in a lot of effort over the past year…” As Lin Zhongqi spoke, he glanced at Song Lengzhu. Seeing that she was listening intently and had indeed provided information tonight, he cast aside his cautious and defensive attitude and opened up.

Song Lengzhu listened with a blank expression, offering a few absentminded responses. Her mind wasn’t on Lin Zhongqi; it was entirely on her little zombie. Tang Yu hadn’t spoken for a long time, and she could faintly hear heavy breathing. It wasn’t until Tang Yu gave her the all-clear signal that Song Lengzhu finally relaxed.

At the dinner table, Lin Zhongqi seemed to talk a lot, but he deliberately avoided key information, such as the location of the city’s armed forces and defensive points. He wouldn’t utter a word about them. However, Song Lengzhu didn’t need that information. What she needed was precisely what Lin Zhongqi considered unimportant.

For instance, trivial matters like how many players had come to seek refuge with him, which areas they were stationed in, and how many players had tried to curry favor with him.

The meal was tasteless, but Lin Zhongqi was in high spirits. Song Lengzhu secretly tapped her wrist twice, then turned her head to look at Lou Yan, who was standing dutifully at the door.

Lou Yan didn’t notice Song Lengzhu’s gaze. He glanced down, and his face suddenly filled with alarm. He walked over to the dining table and whispered a few words in Lin Zhongqi’s ear.

Lin Zhongqi’s hand, still in a gesture of ‘directing the nation’s affairs,’ hadn’t even been lowered before he was shocked and angered by the news. His outstretched finger clenched into a fist, which he slammed heavily onto the table. The exquisite porcelain and wine glasses in front of him clattered loudly.

“Who! Who did this!” Lin Zhongqi stood up, his face livid with anger.

“What happened?” Song Lengzhu put down her utensils and looked up to ask.

“It’s nothing. Miss Song, please continue your meal. I have to handle an urgent situation.” Lin Zhongqi suppressed his anger to placate his “guest,” then left in a huff with Lou Yan.

Song Lengzhu sat at the table for a while longer. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a whole roasted chicken under a cloche that hadn’t been touched. Song Lengzhu summoned a butler. “Please pack this up for me. I’d like to take it with me.”

The butler wore an indescribable expression. How could this person, who looked so elegant and calm, act like a starving ghost, even wanting to pack up leftovers? The butler clicked his tongue, but since she was Lin Zhongqi’s guest, he found a clean plastic bag, wrapped up the roasted chicken, and even thoughtfully cut it into pieces and provided disposable gloves.

Song Lengzhu took the food and said, “When Mr. Lin returns, just tell him I couldn’t wait for him and have gone back to my residence.”

The butler looked troubled. “Mr. Lin instructed me to take good care of you and said there were important matters to discuss. Why don’t you wait a little longer? Mr. Lin will be back soon.”

Song Lengzhu gave the butler a cold look. “I’ve already waited for a while. If he doesn’t come back tonight, am I supposed to sit here all night?”

Her gaze was sharp, her voice low, and an imposing pressure emanated from her without any sign of anger. The butler hesitated for a moment before meekly replying, “Then… then please do as you wish, miss. I will explain the situation to Mr. Lin.”

Song Lengzhu nodded slightly and then walked out of the villa.

Lin Zhongqi wouldn’t be coming back. The theft from the armory, the riots in the civilian district, and the loss of the water plant were enough to keep him busy.

While waiting, Tang Yu communicated with Jin Ye and Xiao Li several times. Xiao Li was excitedly chattering in the group chat, saying that Xiao Qi was leading them on a rampage of sabotage, and it was incredibly thrilling.

For example, taking advantage of Jin Ye’s lock-picking skill, they cleared out most of the supplies from the armory. Then, using the twins’ item-transfer ability, they sent all the weapons outside the city.

Another example: using Xiao Li’s recruitment skill, they won over many players and NPCs. Tang Yu then learned that Lin Zhongqi’s act of sending citizens to become zombies had provoked many residents. They were afraid they would be the next to be sacrificed. The city-wide announcement hadn’t served as a warning to others but had instead created an opening for Xiao Qi and her group to exploit.

This group of players and NPCs hit it off immediately. Some went to cause trouble at the water plant, while others set fires in the suburbs. Under Xiao Li and Xiao Qi’s persuasion, they created quite a commotion.

There were too many disturbances, forcing the city’s guards to disperse their forces. It was only when they could no longer contain the situation that it was reported to Lin Zhongqi.

Tang Yu squatted by the windowsill, listening quietly. Her attention was completely diverted. She temporarily set aside the matter of Chaos, focusing single-mindedly on the siege operation before her.

The second-floor bedroom window faced the small villa across the street. The grenade launcher she carried on her back was now propped on the windowsill, its muzzle aimed at Lin Zhongqi’s residence. Four zombies stood silently in the opposite courtyard, awaiting Tang Yu’s command.

The first thing to arrive for Tang Yu wasn’t Lin Zhongqi, but a roasted chicken held out in front of her.

Song Lengzhu had appeared silently behind Tang Yu. She handed over the plastic bag in her hand and spoke softly, “You haven’t eaten, have you? I brought this for you.”

It smelled so good. Tang Yu’s gaze traveled up from the bag with the roasted chicken, past Song Lengzhu’s slender hands, all the way to her slightly lowered eyes.

Looking up, Tang Yu’s eyes grew warm. She didn’t know why, but she felt a sense of distress, and at the same time, a flicker of cowardice.

If what Chaos said was true, how would Song Lengzhu see her?

Song Lengzhu leaned down to look at Tang Yu, who was squatting on the floor. In the dim light, she couldn’t see much, only those brilliant, captivating eyes that made it impossible to look away.

Seeing no reaction, Song Lengzhu raised the plastic bag again. “What’s wrong? Not hungry? Zombies need to eat too, right?”

Only then did Tang Yu put down the gun in her hands and take the roasted chicken.

The chicken was already cold. Tang Yu ate a piece. She didn’t have much of an appetite, but once the food was in her mouth, she suddenly began to devour it ravenously. The calm she had found was suddenly stirred into turmoil by Song Lengzhu’s arrival. She still hadn’t figured out how to view and handle this matter.

Song Lengzhu keenly sensed that something was off with the little zombie’s mood. She glanced at the situation in the courtyard, then squatted down beside Tang Yu.

“Eat slowly.” Song Lengzhu’s brows furrowed slightly as she couldn’t help but remind her. “Did you find something at the anchor point?”

“Mm.” Tang Yu’s cheeks were stuffed, and she answered with a mumble. She didn’t look at Song Lengzhu, instead staring intently at the courtyard across the way.

“Lin Zhongqi won’t be back so soon. Don’t be so tense.” Song Lengzhu tried to ease Tang Yu’s mood. She asked, “Were you talking with Chaos earlier?”

“Mm,” Tang Yu replied again.

“What did it say?”

What did it say? The question was finally asked. Tang Yu’s chewing suddenly stopped. She irritably pulled off the plastic gloves, took a pen and paper from her pocket, and began writing against the wall in the dark.

She wrote for a long time, flipping through several pages of the notepad. Her handwriting was messy. In the past, Tang Yu’s calligraphy had been fluid and elegant, but now it was just an illegible scrawl.

Song Lengzhu waited quietly beside her for Tang Yu to finish writing.

Tang Yu briefly explained her conversation with Chaos and its intention to kill her. As she reached the end, Tang Yu paused her pen. As if guided by some unseen force, she concealed the final part of her conversation with Chaos.

Song Lengzhu took the notepad and, using the light filtering through the screen window, read it carefully twice.

“As expected, it’s not as docile as Lin Zhongqi claimed.” Song Lengzhu looked at Tang Yu. “Don’t worry too much. It can’t kill you right now.”

“I know,” Tang Yu mumbled. That wasn’t what she was worried about. The thing she was truly worried about couldn’t be said aloud right now.

Tang Yu realized she had lost her composure in front of Song Lengzhu. She calmed herself and handed the laptop bag at her feet to the other woman.

“It’s parasitizing this?” Song Lengzhu took the computer.

Tang Yu nodded.

“In that case, the eyeball we found in the library must have also been parasitized by a Chaos. It’s a shame we destroyed it. Lin Zhongqi said Chaos is some kind of artificial intelligence, but I don’t know if the Chaos in each anchor point are connected.” While syncing up, Song Lengzhu opened the computer, but the floating screen didn’t appear.

Tang Yu took back the notepad and wrote: “I have someone on my team who knows programming. I’ll take this laptop back for them to look at.”

“Oh? Not Jin Ye or Xiao Li? You have other people on your team?” Song Lengzhu tilted her head, a self-deprecating smile on her face. “It seems I know very little about you.”

Tang Yu choked for a moment, then wrote on the paper: “I have a camp. There’s nothing to hide about that.”

Song Lengzhu stared at the words for a long time. She suddenly lowered her voice. “Then I hope you won’t hide other things from me, either.”

How clever she was, seeing through Tang Yu’s secret at a glance. Her voice carried an undisguised sense of disappointment.

To Tang Yu’s ears, that dream-like request made a sour, astringent emotion well up in her chest. Tang Yu’s hand, holding the pen, tightened and tightened, but she wrote no more words. She didn’t want to hide it either, but she needed time to figure out the truth first. At the very least, she needed to find some kind of proof before she could face Song Lengzhu frankly, no matter the outcome.

What was the use of telling Song Lengzhu now? To make her hate her? To make her stay away? After all, Song Lengzhu had already made her stance clear in the library—she wasn’t someone who would staunchly support her. They weren’t even teammates, let alone anything else. Tang Yu couldn’t think of any reason why she had to tell her.

Tang Yu pressed her lips together and said nothing. She silently took the laptop back from Song Lengzhu, turned it off, and put it in the computer bag.

This silence made Song Lengzhu’s eyelashes tremble slightly, but Tang Yu didn’t see it.

“I’ve said too much.” Song Lengzhu turned her head away, her heart feeling heavy. She bit her lower lip, stood up, and retreated into the darkness.

When Tang Yu turned to look at her, she could only see a silhouette sitting on the edge of the bed, faintly exuding a sense of distance.

Tang Yu sighed and wrote on the paper: “Thank you for bringing me food.” She offered it to Song Lengzhu, who didn’t take it, only glanced at it. It was impossible to know if she’d seen it clearly in the dark.

The long-awaited reunion and private moment had, for some reason, become awkward in an instant. The sour, aching feeling in Tang Yu’s heart was about to burst. This wasn’t the situation she wanted to see. She silently retracted the notepad, crumpled the pages she had written on in her palm, and burned them to ash with a burst of fire.

“A new ability?” Song Lengzhu asked quietly, staring at the flare of light.

“Mm.” Tang Yu summoned another flame in her palm to show Song Lengzhu. The firelight flickered across her face, illuminating it intermittently.

Song Lengzhu nodded, showing little interest in Tang Yu’s new ability. She glanced at her wrist and stood up. “Lin Zhongqi left the water plant in a hurry. He’s probably on his way back.” She reverted to her business-like tone. “You and I will team up to seriously injure him. If we can’t kill him outright, we must at least get the main controller.”

“Okay.”

The two of them tacitly avoided mentioning what had just happened, as if the awkward atmosphere was merely an illusion born from over-sentimentality. They should stand together like partners, their minds focused without the slightest deviation. This was the safest state.

Song Lengzhu walked up behind Tang Yu. Tang Yu propped up her gun again. They both looked at the courtyard across the way. It was as quiet as ever, the zombies standing motionless.