Volume One, Chapter 15: Embracing the Trial

Gaoyang halted his steps and looked up at the guard, his tone steady and calm. “We mean no harm; we only wish to stay for one night.”

The guard scrutinized Gaoyang and Lin Xue from head to toe, his gaze lingering for a few moments on the weapons Gaoyang carried and the backpack on Lin Xue’s back. Then, he sneered coldly, “No harm? Put down that weapon first, then talk!”

Lin Xue glanced nervously at Gaoyang, but he made no move. Instead, he spoke coldly, “If we meant harm, you would have acted already.”

The guard clearly hadn’t expected Gaoyang’s composure and firmness but remained alert. He waved his hand, and several armed men emerged from inside, surrounding the two.

“The boss will decide what to do with you,” one said.

Under the threat of gun barrels, Gaoyang and Lin Xue were ushered into the stronghold.

The place was larger than they had imagined—a ruined area transformed into a camp with simple wooden huts and tents, alongside a rudimentary trading zone where a few survivors exchanged goods.

At the camp’s center hung a huge red flag bearing the words “New Order.”

“Take them to see the boss,” the leader ordered with a wave.

They were led into an old factory that had been modified. The factory’s large gate was replaced by a metal shutter, surrounded by heavily armed guards.

Inside, a middle-aged man sat behind a spartan desk. He was tall, his face marked with several scars, his eyes sharp and authoritative.

“Who are you, and why have you come here?” he asked in a low, oppressive voice.

Gaoyang met his gaze without fear and calmly replied, “We are passing survivors, hoping to stay for one night and trade some supplies.”

The man studied Gaoyang, suspicion flickering across his eyes. His gaze stopped at the baseball bat in Gaoyang’s hand, his brow furrowing slightly. “An Electrokinesis user?”

Gaoyang did not deny it. “So what if I am?”

The man sneered. “In this post-apocalyptic world, those with abilities are indeed powerful, but this is the New Order’s territory. I make the rules here.”

“What are your rules then?” Gaoyang retorted.

The man stood, his eyes sharpening. “You can stay, but only if you pass a trial to prove your worth.”

Lin Xue couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of trial?”

The man pointed coldly to a spot on the map. “Five kilometers from here is an abandoned hospital. There’s a military cipher box we desperately need. Our people can’t get in; you retrieve it for us.”

“An abandoned hospital?” Lin Xue frowned. “There must be many zombies there.”

“Do you have a choice?” The man’s tone was icy. “Accept the trial or leave—and leaving doesn’t guarantee you’ll survive.”

Gaoyang thought for a moment, then nodded. “Fine, we’ll go.”

Lin Xue widened her eyes and whispered, “Gaoyang, are you crazy?”

Gaoyang lowered his voice. “There’s no better option. Besides, the military cipher box might be linked to the Skyfall Project. We have to see.”

Without further words, they took basic supplies and left the stronghold, heading toward the abandoned hospital.

As night deepened, the hospital’s silhouette emerged. The dilapidated building stood like a giant beast in the darkness, most of its windows shattered, the interior shrouded in blackness.

“This doesn’t look good,” Lin Xue whispered, gripping her dagger tightly.

Gaoyang nodded, raising his baseball bat as lightning crackled in his palm, casting a faint glow around them.

“Let’s move quickly,” he said with a stern gaze.

Carefully, they entered the hospital.

A stench of decay hit them, the floor stained with dried blood and scattered with broken bodies.

A low growl suddenly echoed from upstairs.

Gaoyang stopped, raising a finger to signal Lin Xue to silence.

“There’s something up there,” he said quietly.

Holding her breath, Lin Xue stared nervously at the staircase.

“Get ready, and be prepared to retreat at any moment,” Gaoyang whispered, then slowly ascended.

The upstairs corridor was dim, Gaoyang’s electrical glow lighting their path.

Suddenly, several zombies lunged from rooms. Their eyes glowed faint green as they let out hoarse snarls.

Without hesitation, Gaoyang swung his bat, lightning exploding in the air as it struck a zombie hard.

“Bang!”

The first zombie convulsed and collapsed.

Lin Xue seized the chance to stab another zombie’s head, her movements clumsy but effective.

“Not bad,” Gaoyang said coldly, pressing forward.

Soon, they found their target—a military cipher box—in a room upstairs.

“Found it!” Lin Xue said, suppressing her excitement.

Before she could reach for it, heavy footsteps sounded from downstairs.

“Trouble, more zombies are coming,” Gaoyang frowned, quickly stowing the box into the backpack.

They rushed out to find the corridor filled with zombies.

These were stronger and astonishingly fast.

“Break through!” Gaoyang shouted, lightning surging wildly around him.

He led the charge, using his power to strike down zombies one by one. Lin Xue followed closely, dodging attacks.

A massive zombie suddenly charged from the corridor’s end—twice the size of a normal one, its arms like iron hammers.

“Go!” Gaoyang yelled, turning to face the giant beast, swinging his bat fiercely.

“Boom!”

Lightning clashed against the giant zombie’s body, sparks flying violently.

The creature staggered back but roared and lunged again.

Gaoyang gritted his teeth, unleashing his full power until the giant zombie finally fell.

“Move!” he called, and the two rushed downstairs, escaping the hospital.

Outside, the night breeze blew as they gasped for breath.

“We made it,” Lin Xue said softly, a weary smile on her face.

Gaoyang nodded, eyes flickering with complexity as he looked at the cipher box in his pack.

“Hopefully, this holds the answers we need.”

Dawn’s first light broke through the shattered clouds, illuminating the New Order’s stronghold.

Gaoyang and Lin Xue, exhausted, returned to camp, the heavy military cipher box in their pack marking the success of their trial.

The guards were surprised to see them alive. “You actually made it back?”

Gaoyang gave a cold glance but said nothing, heading straight toward the leader’s factory.