Apocalypse: I Raised the Ultimate Antagonist from Scratch

The harsh glare of the loading bay’s overhead halogen strips hummed softly against the backdrop of idling heavy diesel engines.

Snow melted off the armored plating of the newly arrived transports, dripping in steady, rhythmic beats onto the deck below. With the initial commotion of the convoy’s arrival settling into a controlled routine, Han Zheng turned his attention toward Lu Feng, gesturing with a tilt of his chin for the soldier to step slightly away from the main group.

Lu Feng immediately complied, stepping into the quieter alcove beside the primary access corridor. "Commander?"

"Lu Feng," Han Zheng said in a lowered, gravelly tone, his sharp eyes flicking across the busy bay before locking onto the captain. "There’s something you need to know before we proceed with the base integration. Lin Qing suffered severe head trauma during her fall off the ridge. Her physical recovery is remarkably stable, but she has lost her memories."

Lu Feng’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of raw breaking through his usually disciplined military composure. He swallowed hard, quickly masking his surprise as his gaze drifted over toward Lin Qing, who was quietly observing the structural layout of the inner blast doors with a calm, analytical expression.

"Understood, Commander," Lu Feng replied, his voice dropping into a respectful hush as he adjusted his posture. He cleared his throat and stepped back toward the passenger side of the SUV where Lin Qing stood.

Coming to attention, he offered her a clean, crisp military salute. "Lin Qing... I am Captain Lu Feng. It is good to have you back safely."

He then gestured behind him toward his younger sister, who was still standing near the environmental barrier with her arms crossed tightly over her chest, with a sour expression. "And this is my younger sister, Lu Ning."

Lu Ning bit her lower lip, shooting Lin Qing a brief, reluctant look under her brother’s stern, warning gaze. She muttered a curt, barely audible greeting before sharply looking away, her posture stiff with unhidden, bitter resentment.

Lin Qing merely tilted her head slightly, taking in their vastly different reactions with a calm, observant nod. Even without her memories, the stark contrast between the captain’s disciplined respect and his sister’s simmering jealousy was impossible to miss.

Han Zheng didn’t linger on Lu Ning’s attitude. Turning away from the siblings, he approached Dr. Zhou, who was reviewing a digital inventory tablet near the medical bay entrance. "Dr. Zhou, you know the physical layout of this research center better than anyone here. Where should we locate the civilians and crew we brought in from the military depot?"

Dr. Zhou tapped her screen, stepping closer to the edge of the staging platform to look down at the trucks unloading behind them. "The lower levels do not have any spacious areas fit for large groups," she explained. "I advise taking the families and non-combatants up to the upper-floor canteen area. It’s warm, completely secured from the main research wings, and fully equipped with industrial cookware, dining facilities, and clean running water."

She shifted her tablet, pointing a finger toward the illuminated schematic on her screen. "As for the guards, they can be housed in the primary residential suite. That way, they remain close to the main command network if we need to mobilize them for defense duty."

"Good. Handle the housing assignments according to that plan," Han Zheng agreed, looking back over at Lu Feng. "Lu Feng, I’m handing over the transfer logistics to you. Make sure all of the civilians are settled comfortably and fed."

"Yes, sir! I’ll oversee the transport up to the canteen personally," Lu Feng nodded firmly, immediately turning to give orders to his duty squad.

Han Zheng turned back to Lin Qing. His dark eyes locked onto hers with a quiet, protective firmness. "I have to head back into the mountain pass immediately to oversee the extraction of Wave Two," he said softly, his deep voice dropping to a register meant only for her. "You need rest and a full medical review. I want you to stay behind at the research center."

Lin Qing looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. She felt the steady, reassuring warmth of his hand resting lightly against her back, a grounding force amid the unfamiliar base. She knew her body needed recovery, and remaining behind to get her bearings made complete sense.

"Alright," she agreed calmly, offering a small nod. "I’ll stay."

Before turning back toward the SUV, a sudden thought crossed Han Zheng’s mind. His dark eyes narrowed slightly as a cold, calculating instinct took root. He looked back over his shoulder at Lu Feng, who was about to lead the first group of civilians inside.

"Lu Feng... call Yang Jun over here right now."

Lu Feng looked slightly surprised by the sudden, abrupt order, but he didn’t question the command. He tapped his comms unit, speaking a few brief commands into the channel. Within two minutes, the sharp sound of heavy boots echoed down the service corridor, and Yang Jun walked into the loading bay.

Yang Jun had a relaxed, almost casual demeanor as he approached—clearly expecting a routine summons for duty or gear maintenance. But the exact second his eyes drifted past Han Zheng and landed squarely on Lin Qing standing alive, healthy, and unharmed, his entire body went completely rigid.

His face drained of color in an instant, shifting from utter shock to an ugly, poorly masked dismay. His jaw clenched tightly as his chest heaved with a sharp, involuntary intake of air.

Han Zheng’s sharp eyes caught every single expression on Yang Jun’s face—the widened pupils, the pale shift, the sudden tremor in his jaw. It confirmed every silent suspicion Han Zheng had harbored since Lin Qing’s initial "accident" off the cliff ridge.

’It was him’, Han Zheng thought, a dark, lethal chill settling deep in his chest. ’He thought she was dead.’

Without breaking his composure, Han Zheng altered his plans on the spot. "Yang Jun," Han Zheng commanded, his voice as cold and even as frozen steel. "You’re coming with me on the Wave Two extraction. Gear up and board the lead transport immediately."

Yang Jun blinked, caught entirely off guard by the directive. "Sir? I thought I was assigned to manual maintenance in the lower bay—"

"Plans changed," Han Zheng cut him off coldly, his dark gaze locking onto the soldier with zero room for debate. "Get in the transport."

Yang Jun swallowed hard, his throat dry and his face still pale. Realizing he had no way out without raising immediate alarm, he reluctantly saluted and turned toward the vehicle line, his mind clearly racing in panic.

Han Zheng wasn’t about to leave a traitor inside the base while Lin Qing was in a recovering, vulnerable state. Dragging Yang Jun out into the dangerous pass kept the snake right under his nose, where he could monitor his every move.

Han Zheng turned back to Dr. Zhou. "Dr. Zhou, please show Lin Qing to her room so she can rest."

"Of course. Follow me whenever you’re ready, Lin Qing," Dr. Zhou nodded, pulling her tablet close.

Before stepping toward his waiting SUV, Han Zheng leaned down slightly toward Lin Qing, his voice dropping to a low, quiet whisper near her ear. "Keep an eye out for Lu Ning while I’m gone. Don’t let her bother you."

A faint, amused spark glinted in Lin Qing’s eyes as she looked up at him. "I can handle a little girl."

Standing near the edge of the elevated platform, five-year-old Han Ye quietly watched the entire exchange unfold.

He was carefully processing every single maneuver his father made.

’Father noticed Yang Jun’s expression’, Han Ye thought, feeling a wave of silent, intense approval. ’Dragging Yang Jun out into the blizzard where he can’t touch her or scheme with anyone inside the base... a brilliant move.’

Han Ye stepped forward, walking up to Han Zheng.

"Dad... take care out there in the snow," Han Ye said softly. "Return safely, okay?"

Han Zheng reached down, his hand ruffling his son’s dark, neat hair with a gentle smile that softened his rigid features. "I will. Take care of things here while I’m gone."

"I will," Han Ye promised obediently, offering a small nod.

As Han Zheng turned and boarded the lead SUV, the heavy diesel engines roared to life, filling the loading bay with a deep, mechanical thrum. The giant hydraulic arms engaged, and the blast gates slowly began to seal shut once more, cutting off the cold wind outside.

Han Ye turned his head, his dark eyes landing squarely on Lin Qing. He trotted over to Lin Qing’s side, reaching out with a hand to lightly tug on the heavy fabric of her coat hem.

"Mother," Han Ye said softly. "I’ll walk with you up to your room."

Lin Qing looked down at the tiny hand resting against her coat, feeling an unexpected sense of comfort from the small boy. The faint, subtle tension in her shoulders melted away. She extended her fingers so he could hold her hand as Dr. Zhou led the way into the warm, quiet corridors of the inner command sector.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!