After wrapping up the clean-up operations in Rainbow Country, Han Yue didn't forget to indulge in one last shopping spree before leaving. She also wrapped up her warehouse collections, maxing out what she could gather. With everything finally in order, the group boarded their jet and began their journey home—though not without a stopover in Freedom Country first.
Onboard the jet, Secretary Wen took the opportunity to brief them on the plan for their return stop.
After collecting the 50+ warehouses Shadow 1 had previously secured, they would make one final sweep of the largest transit and logistics centers across Freedom Country. These included the back-end supply hubs of major chains like Walmart, Target, and Costco. Unlike regular storefronts, these massive warehouses were over a hundred times larger and packed with high-demand supplies. Efficiency was key—if they moved fast, they could clear the route in a few hours and finally head back to Dragon Kingdom.
As the jet cruised above the clouds, Han Yue relaxed on one of the lounge seats, casually scrolling through her phone. Nearby, baby Snowball, the little white leopard, snuggled peacefully atop Long Yi's stomach like a spoiled pet. Long Yi, however, was mid-call—on a video conference with Colonel Long.
"We've located several trafficked mutants and awakeners," Long Yi reported. "They've been secured. We're still checking for any that might've slipped through."
Colonel Long nodded. "Good. We'll handle it from our end and file the official report." He continued, "Higher-ups are now distributing cold and heat-resistant crop seeds to major agricultural zones. I've already secured a batch for our private bases."
He also updated them that fifteen military bases across the kingdom had been completed. Though operational, they were undergoing further expansion and reinforcement. Some areas were being fully evacuated while others, despite warnings, stubbornly remained. "We're fortifying the lines regardless," Colonel Long added.
Fishing operations had scaled drastically, with fleets hauling in daily loads that were dried, pickled, or canned. This aggressive fishing strategy stirred global criticism—environmental groups accused them of overfishing. But those who picked up the hint quietly sent shipments of weapons and grain in return, signaling a silent alliance of preparation.
Meanwhile, foreign hostile media painted the Dragon Kingdom as conspirators, sowing panic and preparing for war. The kingdom, however, remained silent and unmoved. Secretary Wen reported a sudden increase in smartwatch job listings—most relating to fishing, canning, packaging, or logistics. Neighboring countries were sending raw materials, but stayed on alert, particularly near its borders. While soldiers were slowly being recalled, deep trenches and land traps were now being widened and fortified in secret.
Colonel Long then shifted topics. "The Dragon Peak Military Base is fully operational. But I'm expanding it further—more dormitories, larger cafeterias, added warehouses. Supplies are being transferred now. Training rotations have already begun, and I've issued relocation notices for military families. They'll be moved within three months."
Following his report, Secretary Xu and Qiao also chimed in.
"The Long family private base is nearly complete," Qiao said. "The great wall has been built, the family crest embedded into all major structures. Warehouses are stocked to the brim with food and daily essentials. The cafeteria is ready. Shadow Guard HQ has been moved into the base. Only a skeleton crew remains at the old HQ."
Even the staff—maids, servants, and key personnel—had begun relocating. Only the Old Butler and Old Master remained at Long Mansion for now.
An encrypted message from the government had also arrived—an official request to expand the Dragon Peak Military Base. After negotiation, Long Yi permitted expansion, but only downward along the mountain, not upward. Scouts were forbidden from approaching the peak. Another request followed: Could citizens be relocated to the base? Long Yi refused for now, stating it would depend on the severity of future events.
After the final briefings, the video conference ended.
Several hours later, they finally touched down in Freedom Country once more.
Shadow 1 stood waiting on the tarmac. "Boss," he said, grinning, "I've secured sixty full warehouses at the airport. All rented, all filled."
Han Yue gave him a big thumbs-up. "You're even crazier than I am," she said, laughing.
It took Han Yue and Long Yi just two hours to clear everything—sorting, absorbing, and storing into the Space. Once done, they checked into a hotel for their final night here.
Tomorrow, at long last, they would return to Dragon Kingdom.
Part 2
Around midnight, Han Yue, Long Yi, and Shadow 1, 2, along with the remaining team, were on the road—en route to the massive logistics hubs. Signals were jammed, CCTVs were disabled, and alarms were shut down. Any warehouse staff still on site were sprayed with sleeping powder and left dozing peacefully in the corner.
Han Yue, dressed once again in her black "alien wizard" getup, zoomed around on a skateboard while lazily waving her wand. With each sweep, the entire warehouse contents vanished into her storage. Shadow 1, seeing this kind of performance for the first time, felt his eye twitch uncontrollably. Shadow 2, already numb to her antics, silently followed behind with zero expression. He had seen too much.
Meanwhile, Long Yi and the rest of the team were working through separate logistic warehouses, each of them massive—some even the size of small airports. This way, they could split the load, save time, and meet up midway before heading to the airport for departure.
After four hours and five major warehouse sweeps across Walmart, Target, Costco, and others, the groups finally reunited. Of course, Han Yue—being her theatrical self—had Shadow 2 turn on the CCTV for one last magical performance. With a distorted voice changer, she stared directly into the lens and declared:
"Which is more dangerous—a brainless zombie or a human?"
Then, poof—she vanished. Shadow 2 promptly turned off the CCTV and they all drove straight to the airport.
✦ ✦ ✦
Now high above the Pacific Ocean aboard their private jet, Han Yue sat by the window, eyes watching the vast sea below. She blinked and thought, Well, since I'm out here in the middle of nowhere… might as well collect water, right? Hehe.
And so she did.
For the entire eight-hour trip back to the Dragon Kingdom, Han Yue calmly harvested the Pacific Ocean in chunks—her hand occasionally waving through thin air as massive vortexes formed below the aircraft. Marine life of all kinds—fish, seaweed, and even a few shocked seagulls—vanished into her expanding ocean space, causing ripples across the region.
She was completely relaxed. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for Freedom Country.
✦ ✦ ✦
By daybreak, chaos erupted.
News outlets exploded with headlines after discovering the full extent of the thefts. Billions in goods—gone. From multiple key logistic warehouses of the largest chains in the country.
Even worse… someone leaked the video.
"ALIEN STEALS FROM WALMART!"
"THE ALIEN WIZARD STRIKES AGAIN!"
"THE ALIEN ASKED IF A ZOMBIE OR A HUMAN IS MORE DANGEROUS?!"
The internet was on fire.
Netizens flooded comment sections and forums.
"WOW MY IDOL LIKES COSTCO CHICKEN??"
"IS THIS A SIGN? ARE ZOMBIES COMING?"
Some even took the alien wizard's question seriously. A viral debate sparked among scholars, psychologists, and doomsday preppers alike.
"A zombie is just an undead carnivore. But humans... humans are complicated. Greed, envy, betrayal—human nature itself is dangerous."
Others disagreed.
"Zombies can infect and spread—humans can't turn you into one of them overnight!"
Some added grimly,
"Your own flesh and blood can betray you. What's more dangerous than that?"
✦ ✦ ✦
Back in the Dragon Kingdom's War Council Chamber, officials watched the news broadcast in silence. The "Alien Wizard" was on-screen again, waving a wand and vanishing supplies, leaving behind that chilling question.
"Who do you think is more dangerous—zombies or humans?"
No one spoke. They all already knew the answer.
Humans.
Zombies devour flesh. But humans? Humans commit genocide. Enslave others. Exploit the weak. Even cannibalism—once thought to be folklore—still existed in isolated tribes and dark corners of the modern world.
What humans are capable of... is often far worse.