Chapter 6
Zhao Jun led the way. His steps seemed to falter slightly due to his injuries, but each footstep was strangely light, almost inaudible, and he always managed to precisely avoid the broken glass and other noisy debris on the ground. This kind of precise control of the body was definitely not something an ordinary survivor could develop in a short time.
Chen Mengzhou's eyes swept across his ankles, where there seemed to be very faint dark lines, different from dust stains, which flashed by and disappeared into the trouser legs, so fast that it seemed like an illusion.
[Future Dream Fragment Correlation Tip: Low-frequency energy fluctuations detected, pattern partially matching the description of "Stealth Enhancement (Elementary)." Source: Target's lower extremities.] The system's voice coldly confirmed her observation.
Stealth enhancement? He truly possessed a hidden ability. And it seemed to be related to physical enhancement, not elemental or spiritual, but more focused on combat and survival. This explained how he had survived alone until now, and how he was so familiar with this area—perhaps he had secretly visited many supply points using this ability.
He'd chosen the library as his base, perhaps not just because it was easily defended and difficult to attack. Perhaps there was something he needed, undiscovered by others, or perhaps a path to a secret warehouse known only to him? He wanted to use her power to eliminate any dangers lurking within the library, while also placing her in a relatively closed environment where he could easily control or observe her.
Chen Mengzhou's mind raced, but his expression remained impassive. He simply memorized Zhao Jun's gait, his choice of route, and the subtle glances he occasionally gave at certain ruins. These details were gradually piecing together a truer picture of this temporary companion: he was definitely not as simple and embarrassed as he appeared.
After walking through a few alleys, a gray, old building with Roman columns and a broken door appeared before us. The library sign hung askew, covered in a thick layer of dust. The first floor door had long been damaged, and the inside was pitch black, emitting a mixture of moldy paper and dust.
"This is it." Zhao Jun lowered his voice, with just the right amount of tension and caution on his face. "The situation inside is unclear, and those things may be hidden there. Miss Shen, look..."
He threw the question back, lowering his posture, as if everything revolved around her.
Chen Mengzhou didn't go in immediately. She concentrated her mind and tried to extend her time perception into the door.
The scene before her once again began to shimmer with subtle doubles and fluctuations: she "saw" several slow-moving zombies wandering the first-floor hall, about four or five in number, sparsely distributed. She "saw" the staircase leading to the second floor, mostly blocked by a pile of toppled bookshelves and books, though still seemingly passable. She "saw" the second floor was relatively empty, but shadows moved deep in the corridor...
The perception was clearer than before, but still extremely short-lived and accompanied by a slight dizziness. This kind of prediction of the very near future consumed mental energy.
"There are five of them in the lobby on the first floor, and they are moving slowly. There is an obstacle at the stairwell, but they can get through. There is something going on on the second floor, but it's unclear." She shared the information she "saw" concisely, without hiding anything or explaining the source of the information.
A flash of deep surprise and inquiry suddenly flashed across Zhao Jun's eyes! He hadn't even seen her conduct any reconnaissance. She had simply stood at the doorway in silence for a few seconds, yet she had come up with such specific information? This woman...how strange and powerful were her abilities?
He quickly suppressed the strange look in his eyes, and an expression of admiration and dependence appeared on his face: "Miss Shen, you are amazing! Now we have a clear idea in mind! Then... let's clean up the first floor and then go up?"
"Yeah." Chen Mengzhou nodded and took the lead to step into the dim hall.
The foul smell hit me in the face.
The battle was almost a foregone conclusion. Five slow-moving, ordinary zombies posed no threat to the prepared Shen Mengzhou. She didn't even use her space-consuming ability, relying solely on her initially strengthened body and the saber. With a flash of her own, the blade's light pierced the zombie's eye socket or jaw, killing it instantly.
Zhao Jun followed behind her, acting very cooperative. He picked up a fallen metal table leg and, with all his might, knocked over a zombie charging from the side, creating some space for Shen Mengzhou (even though she didn't need it). He appeared brave and tried his best. But there was a sense of deliberate reserve in his movements, as if he was hiding his true power and speed.
After clearing the first floor, the two moved to the stairwell. The blockage was larger than expected, requiring more effort to clear.
"I'll do it, I'll do it!" Zhao Jun took the initiative, rolled up his sleeves, and began to move the heavy bookshelves and bundles of books. He worked hard, sweat rolling down his forehead, and his breathing became heavy, looking very exhausted.
However, Chen Mengzhou keenly noticed that as he bent over, beneath his collar, a strange, dark pattern seemed to flash again. The fatigue he displayed seemed subtly mismatched with his actual efficiency in lifting the weight. He was performing, deliberately creating the illusion of "I'm trying my best, but my strength is limited."
He was indeed very cunning. He showed a cooperative attitude, concealed his true strength, and tried to lower her vigilance.
Chen Mengzhou was enjoying the leisure time, standing aside with his arms folded, on guard. He seemed to be paying attention to the street outside, but in fact, he was taking in Zhao Jun's performance from the corner of his eye.
Finally, the passage was cleared.
"Okay! Miss Shen, we can go up now." Zhao Jun wiped the sweat off his forehead and said while panting, with a tired and honest smile on his face.
Chen Mengzhou nodded and took the lead to step onto the stairs. The stairs were made of wood and made a creaking sound when stepped on.
The moment she stepped onto the second-floor platform and glanced towards the deep corridor—
"call out!"
A very subtle sound of breaking through the air came from the depths of the corridor! It was astonishingly fast!
It wasn't the roar and pounce of a zombie, but something sharp and tiny, shooting straight at her face!
Chen Mengzhou's pupils shrank, and her time perception was passively triggered again! She "saw" a slender, pale, bone-spur-like object, with a faint blue luster gleaming at the tip!
Poisonous? Or a mutant?
At the critical moment, she leaned back and swiped her right hand in front of her body very quickly!
"Zheng!"
An extremely thin space barrier appeared in an instant and disappeared in an instant!
The bone spur hit the invisible space barrier, making a slight sound, and its direction deviated slightly. Then it was nailed to the door frame beside her with a "thump", and the tail was still trembling slightly.
Almost at the same time, Zhao Jun behind Chen Mengzhou also moved!
His reaction was incredibly fast, showing no sign of fatigue from the previous move! He didn't rush towards the source of the attack, nor did he retreat in panic. Instead, he took a sudden step forward, as if trying to block Shen Mengzhou (or, rather, get closer to her), while shouting, "Be careful!"
But his action subtly blocked some of the space that Chen Mengzhou might have used to dodge to the left and rear, and his hand on his waist seemed to have grasped something, ready to strike.
Was he protecting her? Or was he creating chaos, or even... hoping she'd get hurt or lose her composure so he could observe more, or... do something?
Chen Mengzhou steadied himself, his cold eyes first sweeping over the strange bone spur on the door frame, then, slowly and with a barely perceptible chill, he turned to Zhao Jun who was "bravely guarding" him.
From deep in the corridor, a teeth-grinding "cracking" sound was heard, as if something was rubbing against bones and slowly approaching.
The crisis has not been resolved.
But the "companions" around him seem to be more intriguing than the monsters in the dark.
The corners of Chen Mengzhou's lips curled up into a very faint and cold arc.
"Thank you." She said softly to Zhao Jun, her tone calm.
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