The spacious third-floor apartment had fallen into a quiet rhythm of rest and recovery.
The rhythmic hammering of the torrential rain outside acted as a natural muffler, softening the sounds of the survivors chatting, eating, or, like Lin Kai, deeply asleep in the adjacent room.
A false sense of security, born from their recent successes, had settled over them.
In a far, dimly lit corner of the expansive bedroom, three young men huddled together, their voices reduced to venomous whispers.
Huo, a slightly handsome second-year student who was already a Zero Order (Mid) evolution, was the primary instigator, his face contorted with simmering resentment.
Beside him was Yong, also a second-year but of the Zero Order (Low) rank, a chubby boy who nervously kept checking over his shoulder.
The third, Xin, a former third-year student with a normal appearance who was also only Zero Order (Low), had an ego that chafed at being led by a younger boy, and he nodded conspiratorially.
"Ugh, I can't believe we're stuck in this building, waiting for that guy's permission for everything," Huo hissed, kicking a loose shard of plaster on the floor. His words carried the easy arrogance of someone who felt his rank entitled him to command, not follow.
"I know," Yong added, his tone thick with disgust, the sound barely audible over the drumming rain. "It absolutely pisses me off when I hear his condescending tone. As if we're children, incapable of making decisions for ourselves." Yong, acutely aware of his own low rank and lack of initiative, projected his self-contempt onto Lin Kai.
Xin leaned in, his lips curled into a sneer of pure jealousy. "And I bet that Lin Kai is sleeping soundly right now, dreaming of his authority. The little prince of the apocalypse gets to dictate our lives while he rests."
The conversation quickly spiraled into pure, toxic jealousy, fueled by primal, adolescent urges.
"You guys see the way the girls are fawning over him?" Huo spat, his eyes dark with anger. "The way they praise him after every order, as if he single-handedly saved the world? It's pathetic. We all fought, but only he gets the glory."
Yong's voice was lower, laced with a bitter envy that tasted of self-pity and entitlement.
"Damn it, it should have been me. I should have been the one to step up, be the hero in front of those girls. I could be enjoying their beauty and their gratitude right now, basking in their admiration."
The thought of the adoration and the accompanying 'pleasures' brought a brief, lusty flush to his chubby cheeks, momentarily making him forget his fear.
Xin nodded enthusiastically, a slightly dirty, predatory look settling over his features. "Yes, exactly! We are equals in strength to many others here, yet he treats us like dependents. But no, reality is a cruel joke, putting someone like him in charge."
Huo, however, was already planning, his natural cunning taking over. He looked at his two companions, a spark of calculation entering his eyes.
"Guys, listen closely. If we become stronger than that guy, if we surpass his rank, can't we also enjoy those pleasures? Who says he has a monopoly on being a 'hero' and claiming the best spoils?"
"A brilliant idea!" Yong exclaimed, the greed overriding his common sense. "We act as heroes, pretend to do the right, noble things—the girls will definitely be impressed and flock to us. Power and perceived virtue are the only currencies left."
Xin contributed his thoughts, licking his dry lips in anticipation. "Rong is the first one we need to target. She's powerful and has that cold aura around her and always have a guarded look. She seems hard to get, which means she's the ultimate prize. A beautiful conquest to show our superiority."
Huo's eyes gleamed in wicked agreement. "As brothers, we will take our chances one by one. The more difficult the game, the more exciting the reward, right, brothers? We are united in this pursuit."
The other two nodded, a silent, lustful pact sealed between them. They were completely blinded by their fantasy of power and conquest, failing to see the immediate, horrifying reality that lurked just outside the apartment walls.
"If we become powerful, who can stop us?" Huo declared, puffing out his chest, the Zero Order (Mid) status giving him false confidence.
"We have a clear path now: we kill the corrupted, and it's easy experience. That Lin Kai is truly dumb and far too cautious. Can't he see how weak those low-level corrupted are right outside? We can grind and level up smoothly, without his constant, annoying restrictions and 'safety first' lectures."
Their inexperience and arrogance had completely whitewashed the horrific reality of the park battle, replacing it with a simple, risk-free, videogame-like concept of "grinding" for experience points and social status.
After a few more minutes of rushed, excited discussions where they planned their escape route and imagined their glorious future spoils, Huo finalized the plot.
"Okay, it's decided. We will go outside now. We sneak out, kill a few corrupted, ascend to high rank quickly, and come back as indisputable heroes."
Just as they finished their plotting, a wave of subtle, chilling awareness washed over them. Rong, sitting with Professor Shen a dozen feet away, was talking calmly about food rationing, but her gaze—sharp, distant, and utterly devoid of emotion—was pinned directly on their shadowy corner.
Her highly evolved senses had picked up the tremor of their anxious whispering and their suspicious, furtive body language. Her gaze was not one of idle curiosity but of hardened, focused judgment, concentrating on deciphering the dark undercurrent of their intent.
Yong felt a cold wash of goosebumps spread over his skin. He nervously nudged Huo, his voice barely a breath. "Hey, guys, can you feel that? Rong's looking right at us. Her face... it's not having a good expression."
"Yes, I feel it, too," Xin muttered, his earlier excitement draining away into a knot of anxiety. "We need to hurry. She's stronger than us, and she'll certainly guess our plan if she keeps staring. We need to get out of this building quickly or we will miss our only chance."
Huo, though Mid Rank, quickly suppressed his instinctive fear of Rong's power. "The rain has slowed slightly. It's perfect cover. We have to move now. We'll make an excuse. Just be normal. We can't let anyone know we're suspicious."
Yong quickly came up with the cover story, desperate to escape Rong's scrutiny. "We can tell them we're going to find a room on another floor to sleep. Say we need a little privacy and want to explore the apartment for a better resting place. That will convince them."
With their flimsy plan in place, the three boys stood up, attempting to appear casual. The other survivors, engrossed in their own conversations, naps, or simple games, paid them little mind. They crossed the room, their hearts pounding in anticipation of their secret, reckless hunt.
As they reached the door, Rong's voice, quiet and measured, cut through the ambient noise, stopping them in their tracks. "Where are you three going in this hour?"
Huo adopted a carefully rehearsed, nonchalant posture, meeting her gaze calmly. "Miss Rong, we're feeling restless. There are no proper beds here, and we need proper sleep. We thought we'd explore this floor and the one above to find a quiet, clean room to settle down for the rest of the nap time."
Professor Shen, always worried about the group's safety, quickly interjected. "Shouldn't you ask Lin Kai about this first? You know how dangerous it is to move around the building alone, especially after dark."
"Yes, Professor, we know, and we are cautious," Yong quickly interjected, trying to sound responsible and capable. "Rest assured, Professor, one of us is in Mid Rank, and if something happens, we will let you know immediately, or we can deal with it ourselves. We won't be foolish."
They maintained their feigned sincerity, trying desperately to convince the two watchful figures. As Professor Shen began to voice further concerns, Rong subtly placed a hand on his arm, silencing him. She had already made her decision.
"Professor, let them go," she said softly, but her eyes never left the boys. "We cannot place too many restrictions on everyone, especially when the leader is absent. If he were here, he would likely agree to their request for privacy and rest."
Rong knew this was a dangerous lie, but she saw something in the boys' eyes that made her decide to allow the experiment. She wanted Lin Kai to return and find the group intact, but she also wanted him to be able to use the consequences of this foolish action as a necessary lesson for everyone else still harboring ambitions against him.
Professor Shen sighed, giving in to Rong's quiet authority. "Alright, boys. You may go, but come back once you've rested. Do not get lost. Be mindful of the dangers."
"Of course, Professor. Thank you," Huo lied with a charming smile.
The three boys nodded calmly and slipped out of the room, their hearts thumping in shared excitement and barely concealed treachery. Lin Kai, deep in a deserved, heavy sleep in the next room, remained utterly oblivious to the disaster they were inviting.
Moving with stealthy, eager steps, they went down the main staircase. They finally reached the street outside the apartment building where the rain was still a steady, heavy pour.
They quickly put distance between themselves and the apartment, shedding the fear of being seen for the thrilling rush of the forbidden hunt.
With lust for power and pleasure fueling their colossal inexperience, the three misguided boys began their eager search for easy targets, completely unprepared for the true brutality of a world that had no use for titles, appearances, or petty jealous.
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Author's Note:
Haha, I hope this one makes u keep thinking that what would happen next. I will make more human like situations and tell ur thoughts also on this. Your support is motivation for writing more chapters for u.