I'd like to thank our new Patreon Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation. I've read up to chapter 50, and it's a truly engaging read. It boasts a 4.4 rating on NovelUpdates. So you know it's going to be good.
Thank you again, Melonpan, for the sponsorship
--------
"This ET," one expert referenced the video, "has a head this big; it should have some intelligence, able to communicate! After so long, today we finally discover extraterrestrial life. Humanity isn't alone in the universe!"
"This must be an alien, right?! ET is a friendly extraterrestrial to humans! This creature attacked humans as soon as it appeared, showing strong aggressive tendencies!" Another expert expressed a clear opposing view.
The television displayed astonishing footage captured by a shaky-handed individual with a phone. Two "experts" disregarded the hysterical arguments of the host, debating whether the creature was an "ET" or an "alien."
The host, with a vacant gaze, watched the sudden footage being broadcasted. Calls from the director through the earpiece failed to bring him back from the shock.
The scene progressed as the monster tackled a second person, biting through the victim's skull. The phone's owner, finally terrified, swiftly turned the camera away.
Despite the director's persistent reminders to regain composure and continue hosting, the host, watching the two "experts" trying to accurately define the creature, strongly suspected these two were film graduates!
"At what point are we still debating this for real? Is this meaningful?!" It was obvious this creature, looking like a potato on a chopstick, meant harm to humans.
Fu Shiwu dropped his chopsticks without noticing, watching the horrifying scenes replayed due to the host's distraction, sending shivers down his spine.
"Will this ever end? Are we even going to survive this?"
The disappearance of the red glow for just a day heralded its return, now accompanied by an unknown entity.
While the creature indeed appeared terrifying, Fu Shiwu's concern lay with the impending catastrophe overshadowing the city. The atmospheric pollution soared to levels hundreds, thousands of times higher, eroding the defenses against the previously manageable infections. How long could they withstand this?
Fu Shiwu spent the sleepless night, mirroring his anxious speculations, as a new outbreak erupted.
Fever, vomiting, diarrhea—yet till now, medicine hadn't devised an effective vaccine. Only antibiotics seemed to prolong survival but not cure the ailment.
Their residential building wasn't spared this time. Thankfully, due to the renewed outbreak, authorities finally paid attention to their unlucky, sealed-off building.
Wang Ziping's efforts bore fruit. After several attempts to contact, someone finally came to clear the floor infested with unbearable corpses.
The new wave of illness severely tested people's immunity. These decaying corpses only exacerbated the spread.
Wang Ziping became the representative of their building, engaging in conversation with the rigorously clad corpse collectors.
"Which department are you from? Thank you so much. These bodies have caused great trouble here, and with this heat, the decomposition rate is high, the stench unbearable. It's tough for you to dress like this in such weather," Wang Ziping spoke, unable to offer cigarettes, expressing gratitude verbally instead.
Thanks to this, the elevator's floor restrictions were finally lifted. Otherwise, they'd have had to climb up and use ropes to retrieve the bodies.
"We're from the military. The situation in the city is dire, severely understaffed, so the city government sought help from the military district. Our battalion just arrived in Yuncity," the speaker, a platoon leader, despite his rigorous training, couldn't help but comment to Wang Ziping, "So many people died in this building, all under mysterious circumstances!"
The rapid progression of the illness and the lack of medicine resulted in inevitable deaths. Hospitals couldn't accommodate everyone. Some perished outside or at home. As a result, a hotline was established; government officials came to collect bodies.
Due to the sheer number of casualties, the troops dispatched to Yuncity had a separate platoon dedicated to this task.
The crematorium now worked 24/7, burning one after another, leaving families unable to claim ashes in such circumstances.
Tianjing Garden faced a unique situation. Sealing off the entrance led to chaos, resulting in significant casualties. Those responsible for sealing the place were dismissed immediately. However, the materials used required specialized tools for removal.
Without anyone assigned, they had to make do with using the underground parking elevator.
Wang Ziping's repeated calls went unanswered. Finally, he went directly to the police station. However, due to the inadequate manpower, such matters couldn't be addressed immediately. The deceased were merely photographed, leaving everything else unattended.
"Ah, we've been unlucky. Aside from the mentally unstable person, there were also a few troublemakers..." Wang Ziping sighed.
The platoon leader took an interest, prompting Wang Ziping to continue conversing with him.
Over fifty bodies were bagged in dark sacks, and soldiers in protective gear loaded them onto trucks.
"Alright, all cleaned up," after chatting with Wang Ziping for a while, the platoon leader kindly added, "It's not just about removing the bodies; thorough disinfection is necessary. You guys handle that yourselves."
"Understood, we'll manage it. We can find disinfectants in each household, or we'll buy them if needed," Wang Ziping expressed gratitude as he bid farewell to the platoon leader.
He appreciated the platoon leader not just for removing the bodies but also for providing valuable information.
The military conducted a thorough search for these monsters. They advised unarmed civilians like them to stay indoors, believing the creatures would soon be eradicated.
At this point, people didn't fully understand the danger these creatures posed. However, due to their repulsive appearance, they were dubbed "aliens."
Wang Ziping went door to door collecting disinfectants, while Fu Shiwu volunteered, wearing a mask, and along with a few others, disinfected the 20 floors.
After the job, Fu Shiwu's arms felt too sore; having stayed up the previous night and worked through the afternoon, he collapsed on the couch and dozed off.
In a daze, unsure of how long he'd slept, the doorbell roused him.
Fu Shiwu rubbed his eyes, put on his glasses, and opened the door, facing Tang Xuhai.
"What's up? Is your water finished?" Fu Shiwu asked Tang Xuhai.
"Almost, but I didn't come for that," Tang Xuhai pushed him inside without hesitation.
"Why?" Fu Shiwu was perplexed by the suddenness.
"We better leave this building," Tang Xuhai stated.
"Why?" Fu Shiwu was even more puzzled.
Tang Xuhai, noting the sleep marks on his face, patiently explained, "The military's operation failed, resulting in considerable casualties. Now, they're retreating to the east suburb's warehouse. If you don't want to end up dead for no reason, it's best to follow my advice!"
Fu Shiwu was stunned, unable to find words.
Just that afternoon, when he was working and sleeping, the military operation against the aliens was attacked. The aliens acted swiftly, in large numbers. Despite the formidable firepower, the aliens seemed relentless, even sacrificing themselves to block firing positions.
In the end, it was a Pyrrhic victory; the troops ran out of ammunition, forcing a retreat.
"Where should we go?" Fu Shiwu spoke fearfully.
"We don't have weapons. It's best to head to the military at the warehouse in the east suburbs," Tang Xuhai decided for them.
"Can we trust them?" Fu Shiwu inquired doubtfully.
Tang Xuhai made eye contact, his expression grave. "At this point, we don't have a choice."
Fu Shiwu agreed. He quickly packed a bag and followed Tang Xuhai. The two left, not looking back at the once-bustling, now desolate, building.
Thank you for reading this far! You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my Patreon community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
As a member of my Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For $5
- Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public.
- You also get access to all the novels I'm translating, you can find them here HERE.
- Your name will be featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
- The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
- You Get Ad-free Chapters.
For $10
- You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.
- You get access to Digital art.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
For $20
- You get to recommend a Novel and I will immediately start translating it.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Plus, you can Cancel your membership at any time.
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
