System Of The Undead

Chapter 228: A New Type Of Horde!

Jason, for the first time since the apocalypse began, was consumed by true despair. There was no need for anyone to tell him that this existence was the gravest mistake imaginable. He understood that if he didn’t find a way to regain control, the zombies would inevitably eradicate humanity. Yet, amidst the despair, a glimmer of hope flickered within him. He realized that mankind wasn’t completely doomed because he had deciphered the root cause—it was the parasites dwelling within those fragments.

As Jason retreated, he noticed that no one was pursuing him. They allowed him to escape, but why? He didn’t need to ask questions, for he found himself ironically replicating Franklin’s actions. Nevertheless, he had to trust them, believing that they would discover a means to survive. The significance of Chronos began to dawn on Jason, and he knew that encountering that entity wouldn’t be the last. He had to become stronger, swiftly, as something monumental was on the horizon.

Though uncertain whether to press on with the mission or retreat to camp, Jason understood that facing the gathering storm head-on was inevitable. Carl was nowhere to be seen, which was a relief. Jason didn’t want him here; he preferred that Carl remain at the designated position he had assigned. It was Jason’s hope that the others would eventually find their way back to that point. The car remained parked precisely where it had stopped, devoid of any zombies. Carl had managed to drive beyond their range, rendering himself undetectable.

Dimitris kept his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. These parasites had no comprehension of sleep, and Dimitris intended to exploit that to his advantage. He knew he had to escape, and he couldn’t leave Glenn behind. Though their wounds had been treated, Dimitris wondered why they were being kept alive. It seemed that their captors intended to use them as bargaining chips. Dimitris had overheard snippets of conversation between the zombie and Schneider—they were clearly not allies. He had to act accordingly to prevent them from gaining too much control, as it would render Dimitris and Glenn liabilities.

Bound to chairs, Dimitris and Glenn were restrained as a precautionary measure. The captors assumed that Dimitris posed no threat, and they were correct. In his current condition, he would struggle to put up a fight against a regular zombie. Nevertheless, being bound didn’t deter Dimitris. With little difficulty, he freed himself from the ropes. However, Glenn remained unconscious. Taking him along would be perilous, as Dimitris could barely care for himself, let alone another person. Despite his hands still being tied, Dimitris refused to abandon a comrade. He released Glenn from his restraints and hoisted him onto his back, knowing that the pressure might exacerbate his wounds and cause them to reopen at any moment.

-

This was a risk Dimitris knew he had to take, stepping into the dimly lit room where a putrid stench permeated the air. With each dragging step he took, his legs trembled, their weakness threatening to snap them like twigs. But this was a task he couldn’t avoid—he had to press forward. Summoning every ounce of willpower within him, he reached for the doorknob, his hand trembling as he turned it. The door creaked open, revealing the ominous darkness beyond.

As Dimitris rushed out into the open, his path was obstructed by Ana, who stood there motionless, her gaze empty and vacant. Her presence seemed almost ethereal, making Dimitris question if she was truly there. Slowly, he walked past her, and yet, she remained unresponsive to his movements. It was as if she was in a state of hibernation, a behavior he had only witnessed in large hordes of zombies. But there was no horde here, or so he thought. The moment he took his first step outside, the true extent of the situation unfolded before his eyes.

Stationary zombies, numbering over a hundred, filled the area. Dimitris realized the gravity of their predicament—this was the worst place to be, given their vulnerable wounds. If the zombies were to somehow detect their injuries, it would be the end for them. But there was something peculiar about this horde. These zombies didn’t appear disfigured or decayed like the others he had encountered. Instead, they resembled freshly deceased corpses, their appearance defying logic. How could over a hundred people have died in such a short span of time? There had to be a logical explanation but he knew he wasn’t getting his answers anytime soon.

This horde wasn’t comprised of ordinary zombies; these were evolved zombies. Only a few hours had passed since Jason’s retreat, yet things had escalated to this extent while Dimitris lay unconscious. A lump formed in his throat as he began his escape, desperate to distance himself from this perilous gathering. It was a grave mistake to venture this far out, risking the dire consequences that now loomed over them. Their lives were at stake, and preserving them took precedence above all else.

Though the zombies showed no reaction to his blood, Dimitris dared not question it. If this was a glitch in the matrix he was gladly taking it. He needed to get out of here, that was the only thing on his mind, he didn’t care how.

Soon enough, he managed to put some distance between himself and the horde, though the urgency to inform the rest of his team gnawed at him. But first, he needed to rest. Gently, he lowered Glenn to the ground, his labored breaths a testament to the strain he had endured. Something gnawed at Dimitris, a nagging feeling that this escape had been far too easy. However, the lady behind it all had underestimated them, thinking that mere ropes would be sufficient to hold them captive. She was gravely mistaken.

Dimitris wasn’t an ordinary man but had experience when it came to combat and escaping binds of this caliber.

"What the hell is going on!?" Dimitris muttered to himself, his mind swirling with unanswered questions.