Chapter 26: Returning back to hostel
The night stretched on in uneasy silence, the flickering emergency lights casting long shadows across the makeshift shelter in the lecture hall. The rescued survivors sat huddled together, exhaustion evident in their hollow gazes. The weight of their ordeal clung to them like a heavy fog, but for the first time in days, they had something they hadn't dared hope for—safety, even if temporary.
Sam sat against the wall, Ira resting against his shoulder, scanning the room as he took slow, measured breaths. His mind was already calculating their next move. The food situation was dire, and their growing numbers only made it worse. They needed to return to the hostel buildings soon.
Roy was sharpening his blade nearby, his gaze flickering toward Sam. "We can't stay here long," he murmured. "This place is too exposed. Too many windows."
"I know," Sam replied, his voice calm but firm. "We rest for a few hours. At first light, we move."
Max leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "We still have one more stop to make. There's a big group of twenty people trapped in a classroom on the third floor."
Emmy, sitting close to Sam, nodded. "We have to move smartly. There are more zombies there."
A quiet voice spoke up from among the survivors. It was Sarah, one of the students they had rescued. "There's a supply cache in the administration building. We found it before we got trapped… but it was too risky to reach."
Sam's gaze sharpened. "What kind of supplies?"
"Medical kits, computer spare parts, some sponsored supplies, and a bit of food," she said, shifting uncomfortably. "We saw it through a locked office window. It's not much, but it's better than nothing."
That was enough for Sam. "Then after we rescue the people on the third floor, that's our target."
As dawn broke, Sam gathered the group and selected those who could fight. The rest would stay behind to fortify the lecture hall under Peater's leadership.
The lobby was filled with zombies. Max, Sonia, and the other shield users pushed forward, using mana shields and brute strength to create an opening. Every attack drained mana, and they had to conserve their energy carefully.
"I don't like this," Max muttered, panting.
Emmy scanned the area with her wind radar. "There."
They moved quickly, cutting through stragglers and reaching the trapped survivors. The rescue went smoothly, and they left the newly freed survivors with Peater before heading to the administration building.
As soon as they entered, the air turned thick with tension. The scent of decay was overwhelming. Papers were scattered across the floor, and overturned desks hinted at a struggle.
Roy gestured toward the hallway. "Supply room's at the end. Let's move."
A low growl echoed from one of the offices. Then another. Twisted, emaciated bodies with glowing veins pulsing under their decaying flesh emerged, their movements jerky and unnatural.
"Mutants" Emmy hissed.
Before anyone could react, the mutant rats, lizard and zombies lunged.
Sam swung Ira in a clean arc, severing the first zombie's head. Max and Sonia moved in tandem, shields blocking incoming attacks while their weapons tore through flesh. Beth and the others provided cover, mana arrows piercing skulls with deadly precision.
One of the creatures let out a shriek before leaping onto the walls, crawling unnaturally fast toward them.
"Above!" Emmy shouted.
Roy reacted instantly, releasing a mana-infused arrow. It struck the creature's skull mid-leap, sending it crashing to the floor.
The fight was brutal but short. As the last zombie fell, the group caught their breath. The silence returned, but the tension remained.
"We need to move fast," Sam said, wiping blood from his blade. "The noise will attract more."
They reached the supply room. The door was locked, but a well-placed kick from Max broke it open. Inside, shelves lined with medical supplies, power banks, and most importantly, packets of biscuits, chips, and canned drinks greeted them.
Roy grinned, opening one of the cans as they stuffed supplies into their bags.
They worked quickly, gathering everything they could carry. Just as they were about to leave, a distant roar reverberated through the building, sending a chill down their spines.
"That's new," Max muttered.
Sam's grip on Ira tightened. "Move. Now."
They sprinted back through the building. Sam also called Peater, "Retreat with everyone and follow us now."
As they neared the exit, Peater and the others joined them. A hulking figure emerged from the shadows. Its massive frame was covered in patches of armored flesh, its eyes burning with an unnatural glow.
"A Berserker," Emmy whispered, fear creeping into her voice.
The creature roared and charged.
"Scatter!" Sam shouted.
The fight that followed was unlike anything they had faced before. The Berserker was fast despite its size, its blows shattering walls and sending debris flying. Max and Sonia tried to block its attacks, but the sheer force knocked them off balance. Their arrows barely pierced its thick hide.
Sam knew they couldn't take it head-on. "Lure it outside!"
The fighters moved as one, dodging and striking where they could. Finally, as they reached the open courtyard, Beth and Max together stopped the left hand of the zombie using their weapons. Sam saw his chance. He poured most of mana he had left into Ira in glaive form.
With a single, decisive strike, he drove it through the creature's chest using mana blade and bulk-up together.
The Berserker let out a final, gurgling roar before collapsing.
The group stood in the aftermath, panting, exhausted but alive.
Max groaned, rubbing his shoulder. "I hate this apocalypse."
Sam chuckled breathlessly. "Get used to it."
With their supplies secured, they made their way back to the lecture hall, knowing that this was only the beginning of the challenges ahead.