Edge of the Apocalypse

Chapter 74: Chapter 70: Is All This... Worth It?

In this life, Yu Dong had spent a fortune to get his hands on a long-range weapon—a compound crossbow.

He had also acquired 40 carbon fiber Crossbow Arrows from the seller.

Twenty of them were fitted with hunting broadheads, also known as armor-piercing Crossbow Arrows. The tips were long, slender, and sharp, with a cross-shaped blade design. According to the seller, they could easily pierce the skin and scales of wild beasts, boasting astonishing penetrating power.

Before the apocalypse, Yu Dong had bought a few raw pig heads to test them. Within 100 meters, a Crossbow Arrow could easily penetrate the skull, its tip plunging directly into the brain tissue.

Absolutely brutal!

The other 20 were conical-tipped arrows, which the seller had gotten from a friend. They had simple, flat, triangular arrowheads. Their armor-piercing capability wasn’t as strong as the hunting broadheads, but a headshot within 50 meters was still extremely lethal.

The high penetrating power of the hunting broadheads was clearly better suited for killing zombies from a distance, making them Yu Dong’s primary choice of Crossbow Arrow.

’It’s a shame I only have 40 in total... It’ll be a real pain if they get damaged.’

Before the apocalypse, Yu Dong had downloaded some foreign materials on how to use a compound crossbow. He would study them in his spare time and had mastered all the basics.

The section on the care and use of Crossbow Arrows was especially critical. If he just shot them recklessly... he could ruin the entire batch in a single day.

’I’ll have to test it in real combat tomorrow.’

In the afternoon, Yu Dong wiped down his compound crossbow and Crossbow Arrows, getting a feel for the weapon inside his apartment. The others also prepared their own combat gear for the next day, sharpening their spears.

At dinner on the fourth day of the apocalypse, there were three fewer people than on the first day.

After the food was distributed at noon, Wang Xiuying had moved her belongings to the 32nd floor to live there long-term. She wouldn’t come down unless necessary. Her only responsibility was to manage the greenhouse and, in the future, provide everyone with a sustainable source of fresh vegetables.

Before the water supply was cut off, they had filled containers with large amounts of water in every apartment, so drinking water wouldn’t be a problem in the short term.

Yu Dong also gave Wang Xiuying a portable gas stove and some gas canisters specifically for her use.

Zhao Wenjie and Yang Yi had been kicked out and were now locked on the second floor.

Now, only Yu Dong’s group of six, plus Qiao Ping and Yan Yikai, remained, totaling eight people.

"How’s everyone feeling about the room assignments?"

Yu Dong had brought this up yesterday. After they finished clearing and organizing, it was time for them to have their own living spaces.

Yu Dong was moving back into his own apartment, 401, by himself. He had only kept one room clear for rest, while the others were piled high with various supplies, so he was the only one who could live there.

Liu Ye’ye said, "Xinyi and I will move back to my place, 301."

Shen Xinyi put her arm around Liu Ye’ye. "Ye Ye, you’re the best~"

The two of them had been sharing a room for the past few days and had grown quite close.

Qiao Ping then asked tentatively, "Could I possibly stay with you in 301?"

Liu Ye’ye shook her head. "My place is piled high with stuff, so there’s only one bedroom left... Besides, I need to use the 3D printer often, and that thing produces toxic fumes. It wouldn’t be good for the baby, you know~"

"I’ll just stay in 501 then."

Hearing this, Huang Zhiqiang also chimed in, "Well, I’ll take 501 too, then. This place... gets better light than 503. It’s more comfortable, haha~"

Qiao Ping gave Huang Zhiqiang a confused look, wondering what he was thinking.

But he was part of the original team, after all. And since three people had left, there were still two available rooms here, so she couldn’t really object.

Yan Yikai said, "Then let’s have the three of us stay together. I’ll keep my room."

Zhao Youcai gave a chuckle. "I’m not moving either."

Zhou also said, "I’m staying put, too. I’ll be in 503 with Youcai."

And so the rooming arrangements were settled. One person on the 32nd floor, five people on the 5th floor, one person on the 4th floor, two people on the 3rd floor, and two people on the 2nd floor.

The once crowded and cramped living situation instantly opened up, giving everyone ample personal space.

It was just that the two people living on the second floor weren’t particularly happy about it.

...

「The morning of the fifth day of the apocalypse.」

The team assembled. Yu Dong, Huang Zhiqiang, Zhao Youcai, Zhou Jian Country, and Yan Yikai stood behind the main entrance on the first floor, while Liu Ye’ye and Shen Xinyi positioned themselves by the window with the best view on the third floor.

In front of Liu Ye’ye sat a large, handheld walkie-talkie, from which a voice emerged.

"Ye Ye, we’re ready. Let’s begin!"

"Got it!"

Liu Ye’ye launched the drone. Her skill was just as sharp as in her past life. With precise micro-maneuvers, she flew it past the faces of three zombies roaming the residential complex grounds, heading toward Building One.

ROAR!!!

GRAAAR!!!

The three frenzied zombies gave chase, sprinting after it. But just as they got close... the drone shot upward and vanished from sight. Having lost their target, they were left to rage impotently on the spot.

"Hey! Over here, buddies!"

A voice called out from behind the door of Building One, and the three zombies, drawn by the sound, charged directly toward it!

AWOOO!!!

Their foul-smelling bodies slammed against the cracked-open door. Hands clawed desperately at the opening as hideous faces pressed close, jaws agape, trying to grab the humans behind the door and shove them into their mouths.

Behind the door, four spears were ready and waiting!

"Thrust!"

SQUELCH! SQUELCH!

Two sharp, manganese steel spears thrust out, and with a spray of blood, the first zombie was stabbed to death.

Then, the second zombie pressed its face to the opening.

"Thrust!"

SQUELCH! SQUELCH!

"Keep a rhythm... thrust in pairs! Don’t let your spear tips get tangled!"

Yu Dong directed the four men to split into two groups and take turns thrusting.

This time, with the combined stamina of four people and the rotational thrusting tactic, their endurance was incredible. Liu Ye’ye couldn’t even lure zombies over fast enough for them to kill.

Seeing that the four men were gradually getting in sync, Yu Dong picked up his compound crossbow and went to apartment 103. He opened a window, poked the loaded crossbow through a gap in the security bars, and aimed at a zombie...

THWAP!

Immense kinetic energy sent the carbon fiber Crossbow Arrow bursting forth, and it slammed into the neck of a zombie running toward the main entrance at incredible speed!

The tremendous force sent the arrow straight through the zombie’s neck!

The arrowhead emerged from the nape of its neck.

The zombie staggered from the impact before its entire body went limp and collapsed to the ground. Brownish blood gushed from its neck, and only its head continued to move, letting out a hoarse cry.

’The shot was off... but it still took the zombie out of the fight.’

Yu Dong guessed that his last shot had probably severed the zombie’s cervical spine, causing immediate full-body paralysis.

He pulled out another standard Crossbow Arrow and cocked the weapon.

His thick lats engaged, his powerful upper body strength providing immense stability as he easily drew the bowstring into position.

Yu Dong searched for the target Liu Ye’ye was luring, and once again, he pulled the trigger...

WHOOSH!

The arrow shot right past a running zombie... grazing nothing but a scrap of its clothing.

Completely unfazed, Yu Dong took out a third Crossbow Arrow...

WHOOSH!

A direct hit to the head, an instant kill!

’Three shots.’

Yu Dong smiled faintly.

He had already practiced on stationary pig heads. His upper body strength allowed him to maintain a high degree of accuracy. The crossbow was indeed as easy to master as people online had said.

Yu Dong also understood why this weapon was officially banned.

In the hands of someone with a decent physique like his, it became a lethal weapon with just a little training.

Now, he would use the zombies on the complex grounds to practice aiming at moving targets.

Cock, fire!

Yu Dong repeated the process again and again, constantly trying to hit the zombies’ heads.

His success rate steadily improved... until he had fired all 40 of his Crossbow Arrows, and every visible zombie on the complex grounds had been eliminated!

This time, without any mishaps, they managed to clear out all the zombies on the ground level in a single morning.

The most complex job, surprisingly, fell to Liu Ye’ye. The men below only had to stab and shoot, but she had far more to consider while piloting the drone.

Not only did she have to fly it back and forth, being careful not to let the zombies grab it, but she also had to monitor the battery level and bring it back for a swap before it ran out of power.

"Finally done! I already went through three batteries..."

Liu Ye’ye let out a long sigh of relief.

"Ye Ye, you’re amazing!"

Shen Xinyi had been watching from the side all morning. She felt she had truly underestimated Liu Ye’ye before. She never expected her to have such a skill, helping the team kill so many zombies.

"Sister Xinyi, it’s really simple. If you study for a few days, you’ll be able to do it just like me."

"Mhm! Dongzi said I should stick with you until I learn."

The team needed at least two people who could operate the drone. Otherwise, what would happen if one of them fell ill?

Yu Dong drew upon the experiences of his past life, utilizing everyone’s abilities to ensure the team maintained peak combat effectiveness, ready to face any challenge at any time.

Just as the group was wrapping up, Yang Yi, who had been watching from the second floor the whole time, gave a cold sneer.

"They only dare to fight zombies from behind a door... That’s the extent of their abilities. Without that door, what are they? Nothing."

Zhao Wenjie, however, remained silent beside her.

He remembered killing zombies with the team just a few days ago, how Yu Dong had patiently taught him how to exert force, how to thrust accurately, how the team should coordinate. He remembered everyone setting up the greenhouse and planting together...

But now, he could only watch from the second floor where he was locked up with Yang Yi, as the others moved forward step by step.

’Was it all... worth it?’

Zhao Wenjie looked at Yang Yi, who was sneering beside him... and for a long time, he said nothing.

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