Chapter 280

The convoy didn't return to their original outpost, heading straight for the Sanctuary Base under construction instead. In the darkness, their headlights became beacons drawing the undead.

"Watch out! Three o'clock!" Lieutenant Carter barked.

Aria Bennett steadied her sniper rifle and pulled the trigger. The bullet pierced a zombie's skull with perfect precision.

"Nice shot!" The soldier in the passenger seat gave her a thumbs-up.

Just two kilometers from the base, disaster struck.

A scream tore through the night.

Everyone turned to see a soldier entangled in thick, gnarled branches, being dragged toward a grotesquely twisted tree. A horrifying human face had formed on its trunk.

"Open fire!" Carter ordered.

Bullets rained down but barely scratched the bark.

Aria narrowed her eyes, her scope locking onto a pulsating crimson node at the tree's core.

Bang!

Her shot struck true. The tree shrieked as its branches withered instantly, dropping the soldier to the ground.

"What...what kind of monster is that?" someone stammered.

Aria jumped out, her combat boots crunching dead branches. She crouched, dipping her fingers into the oozing sap.

"The virus has reached the plant kingdom." Her face was grim in the moonlight. "Animals are next."

Carter swallowed hard. "Is there any hope left for us?"

"Of course." Aria clapped him on the shoulder. "We survived the dinosaurs. We'll survive this too."

The convoy moved on in heavy silence. Everyone knew—the rules of survival had just changed.

At dawn, Carter brought steaming soy milk and meat buns.

"Command approved your reward." He handed over a list. "Pick what you want."

Aria checked off housing and supplies, then scribbled an encrypted radio message.

"Looking for someone?" Carter raised an eyebrow.

"Lost teammates." She shrugged. "Any missions today?"

Carter smirked. "Big operation this afternoon. We need pros like you."

Outside, a flock of mutated crows darkened the sky. The real fight for survival had only just begun.