Hearing this, everyone's mood improved slightly.

Chu Jiaojiao cautiously raised her head, asking with a hint of anticipation, "Really?"

"Hey, such a big research institute can't possibly be short of just five vaccines, right? Don't worry, everyone, maybe we'll have good news soon," Zhang Zhiguo said with a simple smile.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle.

Just as everyone's expressions finally eased a bit, a piercing electric shock suddenly came from above.

Li Kaixuan covered his ears and looked up, surprised to find an electronic megaphone hanging above him.

"Due to the small number of remaining participants, the final number of approved participants has been reduced from 20 to 15."

"To reiterate, due to the limited number of participants remaining, the number of slots will be reduced to 15."

"All participants are encouraged to seize this opportunity."

The broadcast announcement, accompanied by static, ended, and the atmosphere that had just eased instantly became tense again.

The promised 20 people have not only not been increased, but the number has even been reduced!

"We have 25 people, but the research institute only needs 15. What about the rest?" Chu Jiaojiao asked timidly, arms crossed.

Everyone present fell silent, exchanging glances out of the corner of their eyes.

After a dozen seconds, someone finally spoke up in a low, trembling voice, "The remaining 10 people are definitely going to be eliminated, right..."

The pressure returned, and the bloodstains on the wall seemed to thicken instantly, pushing everyone's fragile nerves to their limit.

“Since there are only 15 spots left, then…” The girl with the high ponytail who had just broken down in tears suddenly stood up with a strange expression and slowly walked behind Chu Jiaojiao.

The next instant, her expression turned ferocious, and her slender elbow gripped Chu Jiaojiao's neck. "Killing 10 people is enough!"

"Anyway, this bitch almost wiped us all out! Let's kill her first!"

The girl with the high ponytail was a plant-based ability user. As she spoke, the sharp vines in her hand suddenly grew larger and wrapped around Chu Jiaojiao's neck like a serpent.

The thorns on the vines pierced Chu Jiaojiao's skin, frantically sucking her blood like a sponge.

Chu Jiaojiao's skin was originally fair, but now that the vines were frantically absorbing her nutrients, her face instantly turned ashen.

This sudden scene stunned everyone. By the time they reacted, Chu Jiaojiao had already been strangled until her eyes rolled back.

"Are you fucking crazy?!" Li Kaixuan rushed over immediately, kicked the girl with the high ponytail to the ground, and pulled the barely alive Chu Jiaojiao back to life.

But a frenzy had already been ignited in the crowd.

Just as Li Kaixuan helped Chu Jiaojiao up, a splinter pierced his shoulder.

A male earth-elemental ability user, his face contorted, manipulated earth spikes to frantically chase after Li Kaixuan and Chu Jiaojiao, yelling, "When the hell did you even arrive? And you're still acting like simps! Warm men should be ranked after dogs!"

The entire first-floor lobby instantly descended into chaos, with various superpowers being thrown at each other in a frenzy.

Lu Sheng frowned and kicked the earth-type ability user who was desperately chasing Li Kaixuan to the ground, while at the same time binding him tightly with the electric python in his hand.

Sun Lu immediately understood and nimbly rushed into the chaotic crowd, quickly separating these weaklings with little combat experience.

Then, one of the people, who were supposed to be equal to all beings, was given a large bag.

The remaining people were stunned by Sun Lu's beating, and looked up blankly at the two dashing and fierce warriors in front of them.

"Given the institute's dishonest practices, do you think the remaining 15 people are safe? What if they notify you next time that it's 10 or 5 people? What will you do then? Kill them all?"

Zhang Zhiguo seemed simple-minded before, but he was quick-witted when it mattered.

The remaining people looked dejected and collapsed on the ground, giving up completely.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" The girl with the high ponytail glared angrily at Chu Jiaojiao. "I've disliked this whiny girl for a long time. If it weren't for her, we wouldn't have been chased so badly by the zombies."

Some have lost all hope of living and given up completely, saying, "I don't want to struggle anymore. I'm going to die anyway, so I'll just wait here to die and not go anywhere else. Do whatever you want."

Li Kaixuan kicked him in annoyance, "Why say such discouraging things? If you're a man, you should persevere. Maybe there's another way out."