Chapter 86: Level 2 Zombie Mine

Very soon, the zombies began climbing on top of each other like a human pyramid, gradually swarming the Tomorrow like an army of ants. On the deck, the combat personnel opened fire recklessly with their heavy machine guns and Peregrine Falcon Assault Rifles. Level 1 zombies were instantly shredded and fell one after another. However, the weapons had minimal effect against Level 2 zombies. Finally, the first zombie climbed up onto the platform, followed by the second, the third....... Leading them was a Tyrant standing four to five meters tall. It let out a sudden roar and charged forward head-on, enduring the dense firepower. Following close behind were the Screeching Banshee and the Webweaver. The Screeching Banshee unleashed high-pitched shrieks, the sharp sound waves nearly bursting eardrums and disrupting balance. The Webweaver crawled agilely across the deck, occasionally spraying webs that entangled the combat personnel, and even the heavy machine guns and cannons. Meanwhile, the Corroder continued climbing, the corrosive liquid oozing from its body began to erode the Tomorrow’s City Armor. More and more zombies reached the deck, and the situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control. Just then, a torrent of concentrated firepower swept in, tearing through the zombie swarm. It was the Storm Infantry Vehicle that Li Ye had Old Zhou bring over. This Level 2 vehicle was now unleashing firepower freely on the lift platform. The hard-to-kill Tyrant was subsequently gunned down, and the zombies on the deck were wiped out. As the lift platform slowly rose, the climbing zombie swarm came into the Storm Infantry Vehicle’s view. Under the barrage of the Stinger Autocannon and the Rattler Machine Gun, the zombies clinging to the Tomorrow and the front line of the zombie swarm were all slaughtered. The Tomorrow finally reached top speed and roared away. Half an hour later, it had completely shaken off the zombie swarm. At that moment, the expressions on everyone’s faces on the deck were filled with lingering fear. Among all the monsters in the Wasteland, zombies were the most terrifying. These creatures existed in overwhelming numbers and felt no fear whatsoever. Once they spotted a living person, they launched into a frenzy. As long as one suffered even a scratch from them — even just from their fingernails — they would be immediately infected. What was most terrifying was their unimaginably high speed. They could easily catch up to convoys and Mobile Cities. Once zombies invaded the deck and began spreading, the entire Mobile City would fall. Li Ye swiftly confirmed the casualties. Thanks to the timely arrival of the Storm Infantry Vehicle, the initial zombie incursion onto the deck was stopped, resulting in only three combat personnel casualties. Two of them were overwhelmed by the first zombies that climbed up because they were too far away. The last one was bitten by the agile Webweaver. At this moment, his wound began turning black from infection, the veins protruded like tiny black snakes, and web-like black-purple patterns surfaced on his skin. His breathing became rapid, his heart pounded violently, his eyes turned ferocious, and his body began twitching uncontrollably. "Those bitten by zombies all turn into zombies. He can’t be saved now," Lin Wu said. "Better to end his suffering quickly." Li Ye nodded to Old Zhou, who then shot the man, ending his pain. Lin Wu then wheeled himself in front of Li Ye and expressed his thoughts. Although they had escaped danger, the Tomorrow needed to promptly clean out the zombie flesh and remnants stuck in its treaded wheels. If not removed, the remains could become more deeply lodged as the city moved, potentially jamming a wheel component and causing malfunction. In addition, the rear deck of the Tomorrow had sustained heavy damage and required replacement. The damage came from two sources. First, the corrosive fluid from the Level 2 zombie Corroder eroded the deck during its climb. Second, while the Storm Infantry Vehicle was strafing the clinging zombies, many bullets pierced the zombies’ bodies and struck the deck. A trace of worry appeared in Li Ye’s eyes. The Eternal Night Zone was shrouded in darkness from all directions, and it was extremely difficult to observe the full surroundings relying only on searchlights. As a Level 2 zone, this area was frequently inhabited by Level 2 monsters, posing a high threat. If the Tomorrow stopped on its own for repairs and obstacle clearance, it could very likely encounter danger. "If only there were a safe harbor like Roland Fortress!"he sighed. In the time that followed, the Tomorrow continued moving, while Li Ye assigned people to clean the zombie corpses and bloodstains from the deck. The loot from Level 1 zombies remained meager, whereas the items dropped by Level 2 zombies were significantly better. Some dropped 15 to 30 Crystal Coins, others dropped a Level 1 Submachine Gun, and one even dropped a Level 1 City Armor Blueprint. If it had been before, Li Ye would have been ecstatic. But now that the Tomorrow was fully equipped with Level 1 gear, these resources were no longer appealing. A dozen minutes later, Lin Xia in the Watchtower made a new discovery. "Report! A mine has been spotted two kilometers northeast!" "A mine?" Li Ye perked up instantly upon hearing that. Mines in Level 2 zones were usually Level 2, capable of producing resources like Level 2 Iron Ore, Level 2 Saltpeter, and Level 2 Coal. For the Tomorrow, which had just upgraded to a Level 2 city, these were truly valuable resources! The Level 2 Iron Ore mined would be prioritized for crafting Level 2 Heavy Machine Guns – Bloodtear Rippers. These had a 30% damage bonus when attacking non-structure and vehicle targets, making them devastating monster-killers! After facing the Level 2 zombie swarm, Li Ye had developed a slight fear of insufficient firepower. He now wished he could build a dozen Bloodtear Rippers and place them all over the Tomorrow. "Proceed southeast immediately!"he ordered at once. However, Lin Xia’s hesitant voice came through the voice tube at that moment. "Report, there are monsters at the mine — a group of Level 2 Kobolds currently mining." "Kobolds?" There was a trace of doubt in Li Ye’s voice. It wasn’t strange for monsters to appear in a mine. What puzzled him was Lin Xia’s hesitant tone. And what Lin Xia said next left him momentarily stunned. "These Level 2 Kobolds are also infected. They are all zombies now." When Li Ye reached the Watchtower and picked up the binoculars, he got a clear look at the mine. The entire Level 2 mine was of medium scale and could yield a considerable amount of Level 2 Iron Ore. And as Lin Xia had described, over a hundred Level 2 Kobolds wandered the mine, now turned into zombies. Their heads still retained canine contours, but most of their fur had fallen off, revealing bluish-gray rotting flesh and yellowed fangs. Some of these Kobold zombies wandered aimlessly around the mine, while others blankly swung Mining Pickaxes to continue mining. Li Ye couldn't help but frown slightly. Could even the monsters of the Wasteland be infected and turned into zombies? What exactly was going on in this Eternal Night Zone? Then he waved his hand and issued the command. "Everyone on the Tomorrow, prepare for battle. We’re taking that Level 2 mine!"