I am the Zombie King of the Apocalyptic World
Chapter 1618 - 1612: The Pain of Losing a Loved One

Chapter 1618: Chapter 1612: The Pain of Losing a Loved One

The reporter speaking in the video paused briefly, and when they spoke again, their tone became exceptionally heavy, mixed with a hint of choking.

[These heroes have already died in the Second District. No one came out alive. Even at the moment of their deaths, not a single one tried to escape. They fought until the very last moment with the weapons in their hands. And here, I have a pile of items—these are the relics left behind by each hero. In the following moments, I will read out each of their names. I hope everyone who sees this will always remember them. Every soldier who sacrificed their life did so for the future of humanity. They are heroes.]

[I’ll start with the Level 8 New Humans. There were two of them. The first is named Hu Linghan. I’m sure everyone has heard of him. The second, unfortunately, we could not learn his real name, only his codename: Fuying. Moving on to the Level 7 New Humans, there are twenty-seven of them: Zhang Yanzhong, Li Qi, Wang Wanfu, Wu Mingming, Wu Mingtian, Zhong Hang... Level 6 New Humans: Xijiang, Bai Kaixuan, Luo Zhenfeng, Song Wuheng...]

From the video came name after name, each representing a soul lost yesterday. Brother Shi stared blankly at the screen, and when the reporter listed one of the Level 6 New Humans, his pupils shrank abruptly. He quickly exited the entertainment app and opened his email, where he saw a newly received message! The sender was none other than his own elder brother!

[Little Shi, I’m sorry that I can’t leave. From the very beginning, I already knew I would die here; I just didn’t know when. Initially, I thought I should take you out of Dangerous Sanctuary City, but I didn’t tell you. After a day of reflection, I don’t know why, but I suddenly wanted to face everything—even if it meant dying.]

[Father passed away early, but everyone who knew his deeds recognized him as a hero deep down. He sacrificed his life for the country. He deserved to be called a hero. And we, as the children of a hero, shouldn’t turn away from responsibility. At least one of us should face it head-on. You know me well. You know I’ve been tenacious since I was young, with ambitions that go beyond most. That’s why... I want to be even greater than our father!]

[There are many things I didn’t tell you. Do you remember the story about spirits and humans I gave you years ago? My storytelling skills were poor, and you didn’t like that fairy tale. You’d grown up, and to you, it felt childish. But honestly, I just wanted you to understand the core message of the story. In it, humans were no longer us. Our identities exchanged places with the spirits. Forests shrank little by little as humans kept taking from them, and the spirits’ living space diminished more and more until they went extinct. In that story, we were the spirits, and our forests are also shrinking—now there’s barely any left in China where we can survive. Humanity must realize this!]

[At the end of the story, all the spirits perished, leaving only humans behind. But humanity’s fate was even more tragic than that of the spirits. Humans’ food was not derived from the spirits, and their extinction didn’t directly impact humanity. However, humans are the food source for zombies. We are like leeks in a garden—cut down, then regrow, only to be cut down again.]

[No one can keep running away. The things we need to face will inevitably come. I want to be like Father—to be a hero, an even greater hero. Maybe the impact of everything I’ve done will end up being negligible, but no one knows if my efforts will be the final push humanity needs to endure. My sacrifice seeks no recompense. I only hope my name can appear somewhere within the vast expanse of human history. Even if it’s a barely noticeable stroke—just as long as someone remembers my name, that’s enough.]

[Little Shi, you should grow up now. From the moment you see this message, you should understand that from now on, no one will protect you anymore. You must face every difficulty ahead alone. Remember, just survive. No matter how much humiliation or torment you endure, keep the light alive in your heart. Someday, it’ll all end. Humanity’s life will return to how it was before the Apocalypse.]

[And one more thing: always stay calm, no matter the circumstance—even when you read this email. Don’t come back! Whatever you do, don’t come back!]

His eyes scanned over the email thoroughly, and in that instant, the light in his face began to dim. His hand clutching the phone started trembling, his mouth opened and shut repeatedly, but he could not make a sound...

His gaze became blank, shifting from unwillingness to disbelief, his mouth murmuring as if trying to say something, yet no words came. Soon, tears began rolling down the corners of his eyes.

"You..."

He uttered a single word, but that word hung in the air without any continuation. He couldn’t believe his eyes and ears; he had seen a name—heard a name—that shouldn’t be there. That name... That person... hadn’t they escaped with him?

Brother Shi’s unusual expression went unnoticed by Crooked Neck and Ghost Head, who were chatting about their plans upon reaching White Wing Base.

"When we reach White Wing, first thing is finding a tavern for a feast, then hitting up a Japan bathhouse for a soak. I’ve only seen it in movies, never had the pleasure myself."

"You two go have fun first. I’ll eat something and leave. I need to quickly find a mercenary group to help me search for my wife and child."

"It won’t take much time, will it? A bath’s just a little while. Finding mercenaries will take time anyway, and a half-hour difference won’t matter—they’d have messed up already if they were going to. We’ve got enough Yajin to last us a lifetime—Brother Shi, don’t you think?... Hey... What’s wrong with you?"

Ghost Head glanced back as he spoke, noticing Brother Shi’s silence. But Brother Shi didn’t reply, and Ghost Head finally realized something was off. He frowned in confusion.

"Brother Shi?" Ghost Head called out, but got no response.

"Why are you crying?"

Ghost Head’s voice drew the attention of Crooked Neck in the driver’s seat, who turned to look as well.

What the...? Brother Shi’s crying?

Crooked Neck quickly turned his head, glanced at Brother Shi, and confirmed it—Brother Shi was indeed crying, tears streaming down like a flood.

"What’s going on? Could it be..." Ghost Head hesitated and guessed, "Could it be... your brother’s name was on that list?"

"Mm... He... He died in the Second District... just yesterday..."

Brother Shi’s voice trembled with sorrow, his hands shaking, his words trembling. He wished desperately that this was all a dream he hadn’t yet awakened from. But why did it feel so real? He knew this was reality, but he didn’t know how to face it. His brother was the last family he had left in this post-apocalyptic world!

Lost, he felt his plan to start fresh at White Wing Base grow hazy and uncertain in that moment.