Volume One, Chapter 14: Shadows of the Skyward Project

The scorching sun blazed down upon the desolate earth. Gaoyang and Lin Xue left the ravaged parking lot behind, their steps steady yet their hearts turbulent. The four words “Sky Curtain Project,” left behind by Zhao Feng before his death, hung over Gaoyang’s mind like a dark cloud.

Lin Xue’s face was pale, but she gritted her teeth against the pain in her shoulder and followed closely behind Gaoyang. “Gaoyang, what do you think Zhao Feng meant by the ‘Sky Curtain Project’?”

Gaoyang’s gaze was sharp and cold; he didn’t look back. “I don’t know, but it’s definitely not simple. They’re guarding that map and this area for some important reason.”

They reached an abandoned shack offering some shade. Gaoyang pushed open the door, confirmed it was safe, and motioned for Lin Xue to rest inside.

He took out a map found on Zhao Feng’s body, spreading it on the ground to study carefully. Several red circles marked the map, the closest one not far from their current location, scrawled beside it was the phrase “Experiment Site.”

“Experiment site?” Lin Xue crouched down, leaning close to the map with a furrowed brow. “That sounds ominous.”

Gaoyang nodded, tapping the map gently. “Whatever it is, we need to find out. Information is power, especially in the apocalypse.”

Lin Xue bit her lip and whispered, “Do you think we really need to go there? What if it’s a trap?”

Gaoyang’s eyes turned colder. “Taking risks is necessary. If this project is connected to the end of the world, we have to know the truth.”

After a brief rest, they packed up and set out toward the experiment site marked on the map.

The path remained fraught with danger—dilapidated buildings and wandering zombies made every step a challenge.

Gaoyang deftly cleared threats around them while Lin Xue followed cautiously, careful not to become a burden.

A sudden roar echoed from the street ahead.

Three evolved zombies appeared, their bodies larger than ordinary ones, eyes glowing green, their skin as hard as steel.

“Those are enhanced zombies,” Gaoyang said softly, his eyes sharp.

Lin Xue gripped her dagger tightly, nervous. “What do we do?”

“Find cover, don’t act rashly,” Gaoyang ordered swiftly, gripping his baseball bat as electricity surged through his body in an instant.

“Lightning Assault!”

He charged at the zombies, swinging his bat hard against one’s head.

Electric sparks exploded, but the zombie’s skull was as tough as steel, only staggering back a few steps.

“Definitely tougher than normal zombies,” Gaoyang thought, quickly retreating to avoid their counterattack.

Lin Xue hid behind an abandoned car, watching Gaoyang struggle, unable to help but shout, “Do you need me to do something?”

Gaoyang didn’t look back, shouting, “Keep your distance! Don’t let them get close!”

He took a deep breath, continuously charging the lightning in his hands.

As the zombies advanced, he swung his bat again, unleashing a powerful current that smashed one zombie to the ground.

But the remaining two attacked more ferociously.

Gaoyang moved with calm precision, dodging attacks and wearing them down with electric strikes until a final “Lightning Impact” shattered their skulls.

Breathing heavily, he rested the bat on his shoulder and scanned the area coldly. “Let’s move. We can’t afford to waste time.”

Lin Xue emerged from behind the car, her gaze complicated. “Aren’t you afraid? It’s so dangerous here, yet we have to go deeper?”

Gaoyang glanced at her, voice steady but resolute. “Fear is useless. The truth is what will keep us alive.”

They pressed on and finally arrived at the experiment site indicated on the map.

It was an abandoned factory ravaged by zombies and time, its walls riddled with bullet holes and bloodstains. The main gate hung partly open, as if inviting unwelcome visitors.

“Do you really think we’ll find answers here?” Lin Xue asked in a low voice.

Gaoyang gripped his bat tightly, eyes sharp as knives. “We’ll know once we go inside.”

They cautiously entered the factory, their footsteps echoing in the dim space.

The air was thick with the stench of decay and metallic tang, nauseating.

Suddenly, Lin Xue stopped and whispered, “I think there’s someone ahead.”

Gaoyang raised a hand to signal silence, stepping slowly toward the factory’s heart. Lightning flickered faintly in his palm, illuminating the path.

Sure enough, in the center of the factory sat a figure on a tattered chair, seemingly waiting for them.

“Welcome,” the person rasped, voice hoarse and low.

Gaoyang frowned. “Who are you?”

The figure slowly raised his head, revealing a face scarred and worn.

He smiled with a hint of mockery. “I’m Dr. Chen, once a researcher involved in the Sky Curtain Project.”

Lin Xue gasped. “Sky Curtain Project? What exactly is that?”

Dr. Chen sneered. “It was a military program launched before the apocalypse, an attempt to control the zombie hordes using mechanized technology to restore order.”

“And the result? The plan failed. The zombies grew stronger, and our world was destroyed.”

Gaoyang’s gaze sharpened. “So what is this place? Are you still researching this?”

Dr. Chen shook his head, despair flickering in his eyes. “I’ve failed countless times.”

“But I have to stay. There’s still one core left—a controller. If you can get it, maybe everything can be changed.”

Gaoyang’s brow furrowed. “Where is the core?”

Dr. Chen pointed deeper into the factory, tone grave. “It’s guarded by mechanized zombies. If you want it, be prepared to pay the price.”

Lin Xue’s face turned pale. “Do we really have to do this?”

Gaoyang said nothing, only tightening his grip on the bat, determination flashing in his eyes.

“Take us there,” he said, voice low but powerful.

Dr. Chen sighed and slowly stood. “Then follow me.”

They followed him deeper into the factory, faint sounds of machinery humming and zombies growling echoing around them.

The last light of dusk spilled over the ravaged wasteland as Gaoyang and Lin Xue emerged from the factory, weary and dragging their bodies toward a distant survivor outpost.

It was a walled compound topped with barbed steel spikes. Several survivors stood watch, guns in hand, eyes wary of the outside world.

Lin Xue whispered, “Are we really going in? Those people don’t look friendly.”

Gaoyang’s gaze was icy as he replied softly, “This is one of the marked locations on the map. We have to go in and uncover the truth about the Sky Curtain Project and their connection.”

The guards quickly raised their rifles, one shouting, “Stop! This is territory of the New Order Alliance. No outsiders allowed!”