Punishing David severely would reduce our combat strength and decrease the chances of everyone's survival. But can we pretend like this never happened? Clark suddenly chuckled, finding it somewhat ridiculous. Allowing a criminal to become a savior?
He lifted his foot, and in a situation where no one could stop him, he stomped down on David's left arm with a crisp sound, fracturing it. David writhed in pain on the ground.
"You just attacked a Union soldier?" Michael raised his gun immediately.
Without causing further conflict or hesitation, Clark made no move. Emma Kensington also aimed her gun at Michael. "Michael, try pulling the trigger!"
"Fine! I'll remember this!" Michael put down his gun, locked eyes with Clark, and signaled for no more conflict. He had David helped up and led the group towards the mansion.
"You're right. If he were my man, I would have killed him myself!" Emma Kensington said to Clark.
After speaking, she went over to assist Olivia Turner. At this moment, women could understand each other better. Clark walked at the rear of the group, seeming indifferent. He didn't regret confronting Michael; someone like David deserved a beating anytime he encountered him.
Upon returning to the mansion, an announcement was made to everyone, declaring an immediate departure towards the designated evacuation point, a cruise terminal where a ship named "Ark" would be waiting.
Everyone started preparing to leave early the next morning.
"Ding!
The system detects the host successfully assisting the first beauty in escaping danger and rewards special bonuses: Reward One, directional movement within 800 meters; Reward Two, directional movement within 500 meters, can carry one person. Both rewards are single-use only," the system's voice rang out once again.
Perfect timing! Clark felt secretly delighted. He didn't believe the C-class zombie would simply run away and not return. With the troubles of that C-class zombie and David, safety was out of the question.
The night passed, and few could truly sleep, as everyone worried about the journey ahead. Michael deliberately assigned David to patrol at night, avoiding encounters with Olivia Turner and Clark. Emma Kensington also seemed preoccupied, gazing outside with a contemplative expression.
The night came and went quietly. When daylight appeared on the horizon, everyone knew it was time to set off. The survivors numbered just over seventy. Each person received some food, water, and a few beer bottles filled with fuel. The resources of the mansion were depleted.
The location of the Ark was approximately fifty kilometers from the mansion, a day's journey.
The group set out with the 191st squad leading the way, and Emma Kensington and Clark bringing up the rear. Olivia Turner naturally walked beside Clark.
"Thanks for yesterday," Olivia Turner said somewhat embarrassed, walking alongside Clark, her voice soft like the buzzing of a mosquito.
"No problem. Scum deserves a beating," Clark replied with a smile.
Seeing Olivia Turner and Clark talking, Emma Kensington intentionally distanced herself a bit.
The team advanced for more than ten kilometers, occasionally encountering one or two wandering zombies, all of which were incinerated by Michael's flamethrower.
"Captain, I must settle the score with that guy who hit me!" David walked beside Michael, expressing his grievances.
"Get lost!" Michael glanced at David, not saying a word.
How could Michael not be aware of David's character? Did he have no part in those affairs?
"We've got a situation up ahead!" Don't cause conflict, walking at the forefront, shouted back to the others, and the entire group came to a halt.
At this moment, everyone had just passed through the forest and arrived at a clearing. The sun was fully risen, the light slightly blinding. In the middle of the clearing, a tree trunk was deliberately erected, and on the trunk was a little girl, trembling with fear.
She had fainted and woken up several times. Now, upon hearing people approaching, she woke up again and saw her mother in the distance.
"Mom, I want my mom..."
The little girl cried out, a sound that could break hearts.
"Momo!" The little girl's mother, upon hearing her child's cry, was about to rush out but was stopped by Michael.
In such an open space, with only the little girl present, something was clearly amiss! Michael nervously scanned the surroundings. The clearing vaguely formed a circular shape, and the entire group had already walked into it. From the dark depths of the forest, moving figures continuously emerged.
"We are surrounded!" Michael shouted directly. "Everyone, face the forest with your backs to me and be ready to fight!"
"This situation is not right!" Emma Kensington also observed the surroundings.
Clark felt something might be happening beneath his feet. The ground in the clearing was soft, leaving footprints with every step. Although nothing seemed abnormal at the moment, he couldn't shake the feeling that the real danger was coming from below.
At the same moment, the figures that had appeared around them had approached the group. It was a horde of wandering zombies!"Damn it, think a bunch of zombies can wipe us out?" Michael spoke while opening his flamethrower, spraying fire at the surrounding zombie horde. The 191st squad was in full force.
Emma Kensington also held up her gun, spraying flames outward, but she remained cautious, fearing any unforeseen circumstances.
The scene momentarily became chaotic as the surrounding trees and the emerging zombies caught fire.
Within the crowd, people continuously threw Molotov cocktails outward until they were all exhausted.
This intense operation directly incinerated all the zombies. Was it going to end like this?
Clark thought to himself.
At that moment, the C-level zombie from earlier suddenly appeared beside the little girl. It extended its hand, its sharp fingernails gently resting on the girl's head. If it exerted a little force, the consequences would be unimaginable!
"No, I beg you, let go of my child!" The little girl's mother pleaded while crying.
But would pleading with a zombie be of any use? Clearly not!
However, what surprised everyone was that the zombie didn't immediately attack. It seemed to be waiting for something.
"Now's the chance!" Michael didn't want to waste time and directly called out to the team members. Three directional throwing knives flew out. If you followed their trajectory, these three knives would hit the C-level zombie, but at the same time, they would also end the little girl's life!
Anyone could see this outcome!
"No, please, I beg you!" The little girl's mother pleaded helplessly, but at this moment, she couldn't influence anyone.
Swish! A gust of wind blew, lifting the little girl's mother's disheveled hair. A steel wire net flew even faster, covering the three throwing knives, tightening, and then dropping to the ground.
Emma Kensington took action!
"Emma Kensington, what are you doing?" Michael stared at Emma Kensington, who had already walked to the front. There was anger in his eyes, but he didn't erupt.