Chapter Forty-Four: Level Three Zombie

In the vastness of the universe, the concept of biological hierarchy is not as clear-cut as in online games. Distinctions exist between creatures, such as the void behemoths that feed upon planets; even if one is only at Level 1, it could effortlessly crush tens of thousands of Level 10 creatures. Among the universe’s denizens, the living corpse is considered low-tier, yet in the dimension where Guo Lang finds himself, a Level 3 living corpse is terrifying. Its scales now almost cover its entire body; ordinary light machine gun fire can do little more than scrape its hide, and unless a vital spot is struck, substantial harm is unlikely. Then there are its claws—Guo Lang had encountered such corpses in his previous life. Their nails are black in the first growth, but after subsequent molts, the new nails take on a metallic sheen, slicing through steel as easily as tofu. With a little time, it could dismantle a tank barehanded.

Most importantly, it can command other living corpses within a certain range—a deadly ability. Though not as overwhelming as the mother corpse that could control millions, it could still marshal three or four hundred minions. Guo Lang looked at the entrance, where the controlled corpses remained in place, and anxiety gnawed at him.

Fortune favored them, for the living corpse’s evolution had been brief, leaving it with limited intelligence and no established attack routines. Otherwise, a single command could have made the situation dire. Even so, the standoff persisted.

Choosing a direct assault was risky. Though silencers dampened the noise, prolonged combat risked attracting other corpses. If they were forced to drag the fight into the night, their plan would have to be abandoned. Yet the corpses wouldn’t come out, and capturing the few warships inside the base would require storming in to eliminate the remaining corpses—an endeavor bound to incur heavy casualties. In such cramped, complex terrain, firearms lost their advantage. Melee combat was possible, but the price would be steep. These followers had just been recruited; ordering them in now could cost him their loyalty.

Worst of all, the Level 3 living corpse remained inside. Though not fully evolved—not yet capable of dismantling tanks—it could tear a person apart with ease.

Was he really to abandon everything inside? Guo Lang burned with unwillingness. As his frustration peaked, he suddenly spotted a shadow. He squinted, and his heart leapt into his throat.

“Alice, come back!” Guo Lang’s soul nearly fled his body. Unbeknownst to him, Alice had slipped into the mass of corpses—and to his astonishment, none of them noticed her! He’d seen Alice approach corpses within three meters undetected, but never blend directly into their midst. Even with distractions outside, this was staggeringly bold.

Not only bold—her abilities had improved. But Guo Lang’s concern wasn’t that; rather, it was that this reckless girl was playing with his nerves.

“Alice… calm down, don’t do anything rash. Slowly retreat!” Guo Lang kept his voice low, trying to coax her. Thomas, overhearing, glanced over and nearly choked in shock. This wild child—her nerves were steel!

Alice didn’t speak, but her actions revealed her resolve. She held the dagger Guo Lang had given her, her body entering a peculiar relaxed state, her mind sharpening to a razor focus. Her pupils shifted from pale violet to deep blue-purple, and an excited smile lit her delicate face.

“Master, Alice has advanced!” Peach exclaimed excitedly in Guo Lang’s mind.

“Advanced? So soon?” He himself had felt no stirrings yet. Curious, he asked, “Alice’s world is genetically chaotic; how could she evolve so quickly?” Guo Lang’s dimension had become a breeding ground because of its pure genes and extraordinary evolutionary ability. Though it was a low-magic world, its rapid evolution made it a favorite of the gods; this was their greatest advantage.

Yet Alice was defying all expectations. Guo Lang, who fancied himself the protagonist, felt enormous pressure.

“World genetics are a broad framework, but extraordinary individuals can break the rules. Clearly, Alice is one such person. I recommend exchanging for royal bloodline for her, to nurture her further. Once the base is established, set up the Shadow Hall in the profession center and let Alice become a professional. She’s a one-in-a-billion genius!” Peach advised.

Indeed, Guo Lang’s face darkened. But right now, their genius was courting disaster.

Alice had no idea that the AI she tormented daily held her in such high regard. If she knew, she’d… torment it all the more!

Her target was naturally the Level 3 corpse vexing her father. Blood seemed to burn in her veins, and things she’d never managed before suddenly felt possible—so she dared to slip boldly into the horde.

As she drew near, the advanced corpse sensed something and retreated two steps, scanning the group in search of the source of its unease.

Alice, ever watchful, noticed this and quickly shifted positions, avoiding its gaze. One searched, the other hid, while the surrounding corpses seemed oblivious. Guo Lang, watching from afar, felt his heart hammering in his chest.

“Hmm!” The advanced corpse grew agitated. Its scan revealed nothing, yet the disquiet persisted—the sense of danger crept ever closer. It retreated further, wary.

Alice narrowed her eyes. This creature was highly alert, its senses keen—she couldn’t get within five meters. Each time she tried, it would step back, forcing her to seek another angle.

“Hmm!” After a long, anxious wait, the advanced corpse finally bellowed, preparing to retreat deeper into the base. It reasoned that in a more open space, without minions to obscure its view, it could spot the threat if followed. Then, it could command the surrounding corpses to swarm and surely kill this bothersome fly.

Its intelligence was incomplete, but its tactics were sound. Alice, observing closely, saw the tension in its leg muscles—a sign it was about to bolt.

That wouldn’t do; if it escaped, she’d lose her chance. Excitement flashed in her deep blue-violet eyes, her smile broadening. She fixed her gaze and stepped boldly into its line of sight.

The corpse, about to flee, halted abruptly, its entire body freezing as it stared at Alice, scrutinizing her closely. It thought, Is this the annoying fly? Hmm, truly terrifying to look at! A cruel grin twisted its corpse face, but it remained cautious, stepping back again, intent on summoning the nearby corpses to encircle her, seeking an opportunity to sever her alarming head.

“Alice, what are you doing?” Guo Lang’s heart clenched as he saw Alice’s movements. He barked into the communicator, “All units, cover me!” Grabbing the kinetic gun Nightfall, he charged toward the base entrance, bloodline fully activated. Two or three hundred meters vanished in less than two breaths.

Bang! Guo Lang fired into the densest cluster of corpses. The new Nightfall pistol, powered by electromagnetic energy, released a compressed air blast that obliterated the three foremost corpses.

“Damn!” Abel, watching from afar, cursed aloud. “Boss, that gun is insane! Anyone got one? Lend it to me for some fun!” Thomas was taken aback. “First time seeing it myself!” This weapon was beyond Federation tech—clearly, the boss wasn’t bluffing. His technology surpassed the world’s current level by far. He then roared, “Stop gawking, provide cover fire!”

“Yes, sir!” The frontline fighters raised their machine guns and advanced. Though they were reluctant to enter the base, with the boss charging ahead, how could they hang back?

Guo Lang’s heart raced as he made as much noise as possible, hoping to draw attention away from Alice.

Inside the base, the Level 3 corpse ignored the commotion outside. It knew the little girl before it posed the real threat. Facing her, it retreated slowly, eyes locked, afraid a blink would lose her position.

Suddenly, it noticed the girl wasn’t fleeing, but standing her ground, a mocking smile on her face as she beckoned it with a finger.

Though the two species were different, taunts in nature are universally understood. Species barriers may hinder communication, but provocation often transcends those boundaries, as now.

A surge of fury overwhelmed it. The calm that had reigned was burned away by Alice’s smile and gesture. Now, only one thought remained: Damn it, she’s pretending to be superior—she’s showing off! I must tear her apart!