Ch. 26 - A Woman Must Be Strong

Yu Dachao’s voice trembled with raw emotion as it crackled through the walkie-talkie. “Captain? Is that you, Captain? You’re still alive?!” The words carried a mixture of disbelief and desperate hope, cutting through the despair that gripped the survivors. Chen Liu felt a heavy weight lifted from his chest at the sound of a familiar voice. Someone’s still alive. We haven’t lost everything. The fear of a total wipeout haunted him, but Yu Dachao’s voice provided a lifeline. “It’s me,” he replied, his tone steady despite the turmoil within. Yu Dachao’s response was choked with emotion, teetering on the edge of tears. “Captain, the zombies broke into the VIP lounge. We can’t hold on much longer.” Chen Liu sensed the storm of frustration, pride, and relief in his comrade’s words. Even Li Dong, nearby,  exhaled quietly, a rare moment of vulnerability from the hardened fighter. Chen Liu became the squad’s anchor, a beacon of strength in the apocalyptic storm. “Wait there,” he commanded, wasting no more words before charging toward the third floor like a panther, his movements swift and purposeful.

Upon reaching the VIP lounge, Chen Liu was met with a scene teetering on the brink of collapse. A Six-Star zombie was crouched over a lifeless body, feeding greedily. Another just knocked Li Dong to the floor, its claws poised for a killing blow. A Five-Star zombie was charging toward Yu Dachao, who stood defenseless. Without hesitation, Chen Liu leapt in front of Yu Dachao, his axe descending in a single, fluid arc to cleave the Five-Star zombie’s skull. No time to think. Just act. He turned immediately to Li Dong, who, ever the seasoned fighter,  seized the moment. Li Dong wrapped his arms around the rising Six-Star zombie, pinning it tightly and creating a perfect opening. Chen Liu struck without pause, his axe delivering another clean crack through bone. The final Six-Star zombie, still gorged from feeding, was too slow to react. Alone and outmatched, its fate was sealed. In less than ten minutes, Chen Liu’s enhanced strength and honed instincts dispatched all three zombies, shattering the oppressive dread that gripped the survivors. Yu Dachao stared, mouth agape, as if witnessing a miracle. “When did the Captain get so strong?” Strong enough to change the tide, he thought, awe mingling with exhaustion. Li Dong, too, had fallen silent, his competitive spirit extinguished in the face of Chen Liu’s prowess.

The room had gone still, the clatter of dropped weapons and ragged breaths the only sounds. Then, like a dam breaking, unrestrained cheers erupted. The survivors had weathered another catastrophe, clinging to life in the brutal apocalypse. But the celebration was fleeting. From a corner, a single sob broke the silence, followed by another, until waves of grief swept through the room, heavy and suffocating. Of the over 140 survivors who started, fewer than 50 remained, including the unconscious Zhang Chong. Ordinary humans proved heartbreakingly fragile against the zombie onslaught. Amid the chorus of weeping, a young woman’s voice cut through, firm and resolute. “I want to fight. I want to get stronger!” She stood in a corner, her gaze locked on Chen Liu, her words carrying a quiet defiance that silenced the room. In this world, waiting for death isn’t an option. The apocalypse had taught her that survival demanded self-reliance.

Chen Liu studied the tall, freckle-faced woman in her early twenties. “Your name?” he asked. “Yu Na,” she replied, her face etched with stubborn resolve. In the earlier chaos, Yu Na was among the few women who resisted and survived, wielding courage and luck in equal measure. “Once you become a reserve warrior, there’s no backing out—unless you die. Knowing that, do you still want in?” Chen Liu pressed firmly. Yu Na’s response was quick and unwavering. “Better to die fighting than be slaughtered without resistance.” She’s got fire, Chen marvelled, nodding approvingly. “Good. You’re in.” He respected her choice, recognizing that every survivor, hardened by the apocalypse, bore the weight of their decisions. Yu Na stepped forward, leaving the corner to stand behind him—a small movement that marked a profound shift in her path. This is my choice—no turning back. She was convinced. 

Chen Liu turned his gaze to the others huddled in the corner. “Anyone else who wants to fight, step forward now. This is your only chance.” The reserve warriors had been decimated, with only five remaining, and the squad desperately needed fresh recruits. Young women might not have been ideal soldiers, but their willingness could not be ignored. Seven more  stepped forward, one after the other: “I’ll join.” “Me too.” “Count me in.” “Add me.” All were young, their pre-apocalypse lives as receptionists, food service workers, finance staff, or mid-level managers at the sanatorium were now a distant memory. The facility’s predominantly female staff resulted in a high number of women among the survivors, yet neither Chen Liu nor Li Dong, a veteran of the group,  fully recognised their potential until now[^4]. We overlooked them, but they’re stepping up. Chen Liu was impressed by their courage. These valiant women were unwilling to let their lives fade quietly. As Yu Na had declared, even in death, I want to shine, if only for a moment.

In contrast, the older women—janitors and cleaning staff in their forties and fifties—remained in the corners, their bodies stronger from years of labour, but their spirits resigned. They’ve given up, Chen Liu observed, noting the stark divide in resolve. He turned to the eight new recruits. “Courage is good, but it’s not enough. Your first task: clean up the bodies in the cafeteria. Can you do it?” The women exchanged uneasy glances. The corpses—both zombie and human—were gruesome, many with shattered skulls or torn flesh. To prevent reanimation, each would need a final stab to the head. This was a grim but necessary test for newcomers. Yu Na stepped forward. “We can do it. Sisters, in ancient times, Hua Mulan joined the army for her father. Mu Guiying stood shoulder to shoulder with men. We can do this too.” Her words sparked nods of agreement, the group steeling themselves. Chen Liu allowed a faint smile, handing Yu Na a dagger. “This is on loan. Remember, corpses can reanimate at any time. Stay alert.” She’s a leader already, he thought, noting the warmth of the dagger as she gripped it tightly. Yu Na, like the others, had been inspired by Chen Liu’s godlike arrival. His swift slaying of three zombies had earned him not just respect, but reverence.

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