I am the Zombie King of the Apocalyptic World
Chapter 1615 - 1609: Dying in the Past Self

Chapter 1615: Chapter 1609: Dying in the Past Self

The reporter, who had stood up again, continued to broadcast live updates from the Second District Defensive Line of Dangerous Sanctuary City. Brother Shi, disinterested, immediately exited the broadcast.

[The battle between Dangerous Sanctuary City and the royal zombie horde is about to begin. Will humanity prevail this time? Dangerous Sanctuary City serves as the checkpoint to prevent the zombie tide from entering China. If Dangerous Sanctuary City falls, the demonic zombie tide will firmly establish a foothold on the Chinese Continent. From tomorrow onward, the Chinese Continent might be the first continent to harbor two Zombie Kings. How long can humanity’s wishful thinking persist?]

[During this period, multiple survivor bases and Sanctuary Cities have provided substantial military supplies to Dangerous Sanctuary City. Of course, some factions remain indifferent. In their minds, they might believe that the fall of Dangerous Sanctuary City has no bearing on them. Yet, when the royal zombie tide spreads its shadow across the entire Chinese Continent, perhaps regret will come—but it will already be too late.]

[As for the live scene at the Second District Defensive Line of Dangerous Sanctuary City, I apologize that due to distance constraints, I cannot be present there. Nevertheless, this doesn’t stop me from paying tribute to every soldier participating in this battle. May glory be with you all! I believe that humanity’s millions of years of history will not end with our generation. I have faith that we will overcome this crisis, and our civilization will once again shine in a decaying world!]

[There has never been any divine intervention; so-called miracles are nothing more than ordinary people like us stepping forward. The world does not act on human will. All hope and opportunity must be created and seized by humanity itself, rather than waiting for others to work while one enjoys the fruits. I just want to tell everyone this: our time is running out. The moment has come when each individual must stand up and take action.]

[I know that saying all this here is probably pointless. This video contains nothing groundbreaking. Throughout my career—both before the Apocalypse and after the Apocalypse—I grew weary long ago. Whether before the Apocalypse or after it, all these efforts have merely been for survival.]

[This is likely my last video. After this video, I will no longer be the Lingling Qi you once knew. I will become myself again. To this profession, I say goodbye—forever. I am opening a new Chapter in my life: donning exoskeletal combat armor, picking up arms, and fighting for humanity’s future survival! This video ends here. Those familiar nicknames I see each time, like seeing old friends, move me to tears. Thank you for your companionship. This is the end of this video. Farewell...]

The video ended. The three sat there, speechless, staring blankly. Brother Shi didn’t know what was going through the minds of the other two. Yong seemed utterly detached from the conversation; perhaps he didn’t even grasp the video’s contents. Instead, he began reflecting on their decision to become deserters—was it the right choice?

Everyone has the right to determine their own survival. No one has the right to condemn them for choosing to be deserters. Yet he couldn’t forget those haunting words: [Dangerous Sanctuary City is the final checkpoint preventing the demonic zombie tide from entering the Chinese Continent.]

They could flee to Bai Ling to start over, and if need be, they could flee again to someplace else. They could keep running endlessly. But eventually, the road would reach its end. At that point, where could they still escape to? Another continent?

Someday, they would have to face what they needed to confront!

As these thoughts surfaced, waves of shame rose within Brother Shi, scrambling his mind. He hastily stopped himself, silently repeating, "If we don’t run, we die. If we don’t run, we die. Staying alive is the most important thing!"

After chanting this for a while, he felt somewhat better. At least the guilt had diminished. He quickly exited the video platform and opened another video. The video had been posted half an hour ago, showing Dangerous Sanctuary City bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun.

The content of this video was different from the previous ones. Instead of reporters providing updates on the situation, it showed a group of soldiers standing together. At the center of their group was an officer holding a selfie stick, capturing the faces of every person behind him.

[Well... Here we are... This is the Second District Defensive Line of Dangerous Sanctuary City. Behind me are the brothers who’ve stuck with me for years. You all better stay alive, got that? When this is over, I’ll take you to a karaoke joint to pick up girls and have a feast!]

[We’ve always been lucky, haven’t we? Surviving this time, it’s not a big deal. Come on, everyone, give us a smile. We’ll keep this recording and display it in the Multimedia room for three days and nights after the battle is over! By then, you all can eat as much roasted lamb as you want!]

At the officer’s urging, the soldiers behind him burst into laughter. However, their laughter did not lighten the mood—it felt heavy instead. Each soldier’s smile seemed forced, and even the officer’s laughter looked stiff.

The video tugged relentlessly at the hearts of those watching it from behind their screens. Ten years after the Apocalypse, they’d seen all manner of bloodshed. After a while, they’d become desensitized. Yet this video—devoid of any gory imagery—felt unbearably cruel. The sentiment remained unchanged: those who join this battle are unlikely to survive!

The video wasn’t over when Brother Shi couldn’t bear it any longer and shut it off. He glanced at Ghost Head and Crooked Neck. Neither showed any reaction, their expressions merely vacant. Clearly, their emotions mirrored Brother Shi’s own. Brother Shi sighed deeply. His phone still had over 30 percent battery left—at this rate, he’d need to conserve power if he wanted it to last until the same time tomorrow. He opened his mailbox but found no messages. Regrettably, there was nothing—his elder brother hadn’t sent any updates.

Swoosh—

Brother Shi shut off his phone and told Ghost Head and Crooked Neck, "Let’s sleep. Wake up early tomorrow."

The two nodded without saying much. Brother Shi leaned his body against the wall and closed his eyes. Among the three, only Yong kept gazing out the window, lost in thought, while Ghost Head stared into the darkness before him. Regret churned within Ghost Head’s heart—an unshakable, relentless pang. He felt as though he’d never again experience the beauty of old memories: the winding dirt paths he once trekked, the fields he used to trample, the flowers and grasses he’d broken, and the people he once knew—all were gone. The past was drowned beneath the sickly greenery of the Apocalypse, where damp soil buried the decayed remains of those he once recognized.

In his mind’s eye, the faces of several soldiers resurfaced. Fear began to creep in—a strange, inexplicable fear. It wasn’t the zombies or even the terrifying Zombie King that terrified him. No, he feared the version of himself that had long since died in the past.