Chapter 16: Meeting and Regrouping
The air inside the girls' hostel was thick with tension as Sam, Ian, Max, and their group gathered with Shangguan Binger's team. The exhaustion of recent battles weighed heavily on them, but there was little time to rest. With the rising threat of mutant zombies and the rain's strange effects, they had to act quickly.
"We've secured most of the girls' dorms, but two remain," Shangguan stated, her voice calm but urgent. "We need to act fast before more girls fall victim to these strengthened zombies."
"Agreed," Max said, nodding. "We also need to regroup with Garry and the others at the boys' hostel. If the zombies continue to evolve, we're going to need everyone to fight together."
They quickly contacted Ryan at the boys' hostel to coordinate their next move.
"Good. We'll help you clear the zombies around Building B4 so you can enter safely," Ryan responded.
After strategizing, the teams first focused on clearing the remaining two girls' hostels together. Once secured, they regrouped with the boys' hostel group to plan their next moves.
Fighting the Strengthened Zombies
As they approached the first of the remaining girls' hostels, Sam immediately noticed something was off. The zombies weren't just faster—they were thinking. Their movements were more coordinated, their glowing eyes filled with a disturbing intelligence.
"They're learning," Ian muttered, gripping his sword tightly.
A particularly large zombie, nearly eight feet tall, roared and charged. Sam didn't hesitate—he fired a mana-infused arrow straight into its forehead. The zombie flinched but didn't fall.
"Everyone, focus your attacks!" Shangguan commanded.
Ian slashed through two zombies in a sweeping arc, while Max bashed one away with his shield. Sam switched to his slime sword, cutting down anything in his path. Emmy fought beside him, her movements smoother, her strikes more precise than before.
The battle was grueling, but their coordination paid off. They secured the hostel without casualties. Sam had made sure to prioritize protecting the group rather than simply racking up kills. He knew if he focused solely on slaughtering zombies, the fight would be easier—but it would also cost lives.
Avoiding unnecessary fights, they swiftly made their way to the boys' hostel. When they arrived, Garry, Roy, and Blake were already leading defensive efforts, fending off an increasing number of high-level zombies.
"Took you long enough!" Roy shouted, grinning, before turning serious. "They're getting even stronger."
The groups merged, their numbers giving them an advantage. After an intense struggle, they secured the area surrounding Building B4 and entered, barricading the doors behind them.
Once safe inside, Ryan contacted Shangguan Binger, and they divided the living arrangements—girls would take the fourth and fifth floors.
The Morning After
The next morning, Sam made his way to the mess hall. The air smelled faintly of tea and bread, though the bread was starting to mold. The kitchen staff had decided to finish it before it went completely bad.
Taking his portion, Sam sat across from Emmy.
"You're not attending the meeting?" Emmy asked, surprised. To her knowledge, Sam had the highest level in the group.
"Not interested," Sam said simply, taking a sip of green tea. "Ryan will handle it. He has the most connections."
Emmy frowned. "But you could lead the group."
Sam shook his head. "I don't think I'm made for leadership. It's better to just focus on getting stronger."
Emmy sighed but didn't argue. Instead, she pulled out her device. "Did you see the post from the Tealklic government?"
Sam raised an eyebrow. "No. What is it?"
"Here, look."
The post wasn't particularly surprising—governments worldwide had agreed to share research and intelligence on the evolving zombies and mutant animals. More importantly, they had declared a temporary hold on nuclear weapon usage.
"Well, at least they're thinking straight for once," Sam muttered, finishing his meal. Still hungry, he took out a flavored hard candy and unwrapped it. Emmy's eyes flickered toward it, and her expression betrayed a hint of curiosity.
Sam smirked and handed her one. "Here."
She took it hesitantly, then popped it into her mouth. Her eyes widened slightly at the Sour taste, making Sam chuckle.
The Strategy Meeting
Meanwhile, in the warden's office, the meeting was well underway. Using video calls, they connected with other groups scattered across the university—Simon's group, Roy Miller's squad, and the football team holding out in the gymnasium.
Ryan took charge, his voice steady. "We need to assess our current positions and resources. The zombies are evolving, and if we don't unite now, we risk being overwhelmed. What's your situation?"
Simon's group responded first. "We've managed to secure our building, but our food supply is running low. The zombies here are stronger, but we've adapted."
Roy Miller's squad chimed in. "We have food here, but our manpower is low. There are survivors, but these damn rats and lizards are strong. We're holding out, but we've lost a few members. We need better weapons if we're going to push forward."
The football team leader, Marcus, nodded grimly. "We've fortified the gym, but we're stuck. Every time we try to move out, we get swarmed."
Ryan exchanged glances with Garry and Shangguan before responding. "Here's the plan. We Should a united clearing force. Each group will focus on specific areas, and we'll coordinate rescue efforts for those who are trapped. We'll share supplies and redistribute weapons where necessary."
One by one, the groups agreed, realizing that survival depended on working together. The first full-scale university-wide clearing operation was officially in motion, with Ryan leading the charge and ensuring that every team had their objectives and support in place.