"Are all these people coming with us?" "Yes." Lily nodded. Five operatives stood behind her. She explained, "They're the strongest in our base right now." Theresa scanned the five ability users. Metal, wood, water, fire, earth. Speed and strength. Basic elemental abilities, all at most level three. "No need. Just send one with me. The rest stay at your base." Theresa didn't want to add to the mission's burden. To Lily, they're the strongest. To me, they're not strong enough. Bringing them only strains resources we can't spare. Better to leave them behind to defend it—if the zombies swarm again, at least they might still serve some purpose. Lily hesitated. "There are many Level 5 zombies. Are you sure?" She was stunned. "Fine. Calvin, you go with Ms. Hall." Calvin stepped forward. He was nearly 1.8 meters tall, with dual fire and strength abilities. His dark skin and sharp eyes gave him a commanding presence. Theresa asked Lily for communicators to locate the others, then boarded a helicopter with her team and Calvin, heading toward the military testing ground. On the helicopter, Calvin looked coolly at the others. "Your base's equipment is pretty good." "Not bad," Graham replied, holding his gun. "But once we get there, guns can't be used," Calvin warned. "All our allies are ability-users. Underground, only abilities or melee weapons will work." "Why bring so many people? Theresa can handle anything alone!" Graham said proudly.Calvin's gaze landed on the woman in the center, who didn't even wear a helmet. "Don't worry. With Theresa here, no monster can get near!" "She is amazing!" "She's coming to rescue people. You're safe!" Graham, Dave, and the others spoke with pride. Calvin's face tightened, doubt shadowing his eyes. How can everyone say Theresa's so strong? Don't they realize what a Level 5 zombie can do? I've faced one before—a speed-type Level 5—and it was like a ghost, fast and terrifying beyond words. Elemental-type zombies are even worse; one of those can wipe out hundreds of normal ones. People have died just trying to survive. They're seriously overestimating themselves. Calvin's concern grew. So many high-level zombies today—it would definitely be a bloody battle with slim odds. One misstep could cost lives. He doubted everything they'd just claimed. As Calvin worried, the helicopter landed at an abandoned military testing ground. The ground was empty, with several abandoned military vehicles scattered about. Dozens of zombies wandering nearby heard the helicopter and rushed toward it. Whir whirwhir. The zombies opened their stringy, gaping mouths and flailed their stiff limbs as they charged. The helicopter lowered a rope ladder onto the highest rooftop. Three or four operatives in black combat suits descended. After the team landed on the roof, zombies below immediately swarmed upward like flies. The roof was low, only one story, with rusted iron stairs outside. Clang clang. The zombies eagerly clambered up the stairs. Most were intact, with no missing limbs, though some had necks bitten. A few were in worse shape, missing stomachs or parts of their brains.Leading the charge was a soldier zombie in camouflage, its pale face covered in black veins, glaring with gray, bloodthirsty eyes. Raaah— The soldier zombie charged, moving three steps at a time, head bobbing violently, straight for Graham.