Chapter 30: Chapter 30: The Pudong Situation

Meanwhile, not far from the Zhongyuan Apartment, nestled amidst the urban landscape, lay the sprawling Emerald Garden Community.

This realm of opulence and grandeur boasted an expanse of residential mansions adorned with intricate architectural designs and multiple floors that soared high into the sky.

Stretching across an impressive ten hectares, the meticulously landscaped grounds of Emerald Garden Community offered a harmonious blend of verdant green spaces, serene gardens, and top-notch amenities.

Within this utopia of privilege, the elite found solace and indulgence, reveling in a life that seemed straight out of a fairy tale.

Yet, hidden away in one of the most luxurious residences, in the depths of a basement, three individuals sought refuge, their hearts pounding with fear.

The basement, surprisingly spacious, unfolded before them like a secret haven. Vibrant posters of video game characters adorned its walls, while a fully equipped gaming PC room occupied a corner, bathed in the glow of LED lights.

Above, an intricate ceiling display mimicked a tempestuous thunderstorm, with swirling clouds and electrifying lines, casting an ethereal beauty over the space.

In the midst of the room, a large billiards table stood in disarray, cluttered with scattered cues and balls. Yet, amidst the chaos, a chilling sight met their gaze.

Atop the table lay the severed head of a woman, her eyes gleaming with an eerie luminescence, her teeth sharp and menacing.

Fear etched across his face, a young man in his twenties, adorned in a sumptuous robe and luxury watches, clutched a kitchen knife tightly.

His vibrant blue eyes darted anxiously between the middle-aged man before him and the gruesome tableau beneath the table, where the woman's lifeless body lay concealed.

"Father," he stammered, his voice tinged with desperation, "what happened to Mother?" His words trembled in the tense air, laden with a mix of anguish and confusion.

"Shh, Lei'er, she is no longer your mother!" the middle-aged man snapped, his slicked-back undercut graying at the temples. Clad in a jacket bearing numerous claw-like tears, he cast a stern gaze upon the young man.

Holding a reel of tape tightly in his hand, he cautiously approached the woman—the woman who had inexplicably turned violent during an intimate moment, shattering their world.

"Big brother, I'm scared..." a nine-year-old girl whimpered, her double braided ponytails swaying as she clung to the young man's clothes.

Her once pristine white gown now bore the stains of blood, her face flushed, and her eyes swollen from witnessing her mother's gruesome fate.

Though she possessed the semblance of a typical affluent young girl, all traces of innocence had evaporated in the face of this nightmarish reality.

"Ni'er, I'm here for you. Everything will be okay," the young man began to reassure his little sister. But before he could finish his sentence, a deafening bang echoed through the basement.

A series of forceful knocks reverberated from his left, where a flight of stairs led to the upper levels of the house.

The young man's expression underwent a drastic transformation as he hurriedly glanced toward the wooden door, barricaded with chairs and various pieces of furniture hastily pushed against it.

Panic etched across his features as he whispered urgently to his father, "Father, they've found us!"

However, when his gaze returned to the scene where his father had been struggling against his "transformed" mother, a chilling realization gripped him.

His father, overpowered by the relentless force of his wife's deranged state, lay pinned to the floor, locked in a desperate struggle for survival.

"Fa--!"

"Don't come closer, Li'er!" the father bellowed, his face contorted with strained effort.

Veins pulsed across his forehead as his two sinewy arms strained to keep the tape pressed firmly against his wife's mouth, preventing her razor-sharp fangs from sinking into his flesh.

The grinding of her teeth resembled the deafening roar of a chainsaw, each gnash a chilling reminder of the peril they faced.

"GRR!" The transformed wife emitted a low growl, saliva dripping from her gaping maw. Her elongated fangs, poised to strike, sought to pierce her husband's face with relentless fury.

"Argh!" In a moment of unfortunate vulnerability, the father's defenses faltered, and the wife's ferocious bite found its mark on his left shoulder.

Agonized cries escaped his lips as he fought to push her off, his own strength waning against the relentless assault.

"Wuahaa!" The young girl, a witness to her parents' gruesome struggle, sobbed uncontrollably. Her piercing cries reverberated through the basement, merging with the thunderous pounding on the wooden door leading to the upper stairs.

"Father!" the young man's voice rang out, his desperation tinged with fear. Yet, his attention was abruptly diverted as his younger sister launched herself into his protective embrace.

"Hush, Ni'er. Please don't cry," the young man's voice quivered with anxiety as beads of sweat trailed down his furrowed brow. His gaze darted between his father locked in combat and the relentless assault on the door.

His hands, now occupied with comforting his sibling, offered tender strokes through her hair, attempting to soothe her trembling form.

Caught in the turmoil of his conflicting emotions, a pounding headache gripped him.

His father fought for his life against his monstrous wife, while the unknown creatures lurking upstairs relentlessly hammered and clawed, their unyielding desire to breach the confines of the basement growing increasingly palpable.

Amidst his despair, a glimmer of hope materialized in the form of two translucent screens that had persistently pestered him throughout their ordeal.

Suddenly, they took on new significance, shining like beacons of salvation in the young man's bewildered mind.

[Dragon's Fist (Active): Channel the essence of the dragon within you, empowering your fists with potent draconic energy. Upon activation, your fists become conduits for the elemental power associated with your unique dragon bloodline or characteristic.

Each strike you deliver unleashes a surge of elemental force upon impact, enveloping your enemies in its raw power for a duration of 5 seconds.]

[Draconic Fortitude (Passive): As a bearer of dragon heritage, your physical resilience is amplified by the potent draconic energy flowing through your veins.

This grants you an innate armor bonus, affording you 10% damage reduction against all forms of physical attacks.]

As the young man still reeled in a daze, trying to comprehend the nature of these mysterious screens, fate revealed itself to be merciless.

The feeble wooden door that had valiantly acted as their defense against the encroaching horrors was blasted open, crashing to the ground in a shattering cacophony.

Through his wide-eyed gaze, the young man beheld a horde of grotesque humanoid creatures hurtling towards them, their soft, lifeless eyes devoid of humanity.

Some stumbled and fell, their heads bouncing carelessly upon impact with the cold floor, as if their lack of coordination held no consequence.

"GRR!" A chill ran down the young man's spine, his face drained of color. Beside him, his younger sister, exhausted from her tearful ordeal, had already succumbed to sleep.

Meanwhile, his father continued his valiant struggle against his own transformed wife, their battle locked in a vicious dance of survival.

With his only free hand, the young man found himself transfixed by the unfolding chaos, his heart pounding in his chest as he grappled with the weight of their uncertain fate.

"No--" The young man's mind was gripped by the terrifying vision of their inevitable demise, envisioning the gruesome fate that awaited his family at the hands of these ravenous creatures.

However, just as the horde of vampiric beings reached the final steps of the staircase, a piercing, shrill sound reverberated throughout the entire area, cutting through the night like a blade.

In an instant, the grotesque creatures froze in their tracks, their menacing advance halted. Their pairs of crimson eyes shifted, diverting their attention towards the source of the sound.

Intrigued, their bodies began to retreat, their collective focus momentarily captivated by this new auditory intrusion.

...

Inside one of the grandiose five-star hotels that stood along the highway, strategically positioned between the Zhongyuan Apartment and the luxurious residential area known as Emerald Garden Community, the opulent lobby had transformed into a macabre spectacle.

The entrance was barricaded by a grim assemblage of over fifty lifeless corpses, their presence casting an eerie pall over the once elegant space.

"Do you think this is acceptable?" A man of imposing stature, his brawny figure surpassing that of the average gym enthusiast, stood with an unwavering gaze fixed upon the obstructed entrance of the hotel.

Despite his physical dominance, there was a palpable reverence in his demeanor towards the slender and seemingly unassuming young man standing beside him.

"Yes, for now," came the composed response from the lean and nimble figure. Despite his unimposing frame, there was an air of authority that commanded respect from those around him.

Dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit, his right arm adorned with an intricate tattoo depicting various animals, he exuded an aura of quiet power.

The faint scars etched upon his skin hinted at past encounters that tested his mettle. Surprisingly, both men held firearms, a stark reminder of the dire circumstances that had befallen them.

"Should we inform the young miss?" As the two of them remained fixated on the barricade, a voice emerged from behind.

Turning to face the source, they encountered another man donned in a matching black suit, his glasses adding an air of sophistication to his appearance.

He was accompanied by several other well-dressed individuals, each armed and assuming a vigilant stance, their weapons raised to shoulder level as they meticulously scanned their surroundings.

Even the most oblivious observer could discern that these individuals belonged to the same group, perhaps even a gang.

With a sense of hierarchy and deference, they adhered to a chain of command, their actions and words indicative of a structured organization.

"Yes, although it appears to be safe for now, I suggest inspecting each floor and checking every member for injuries such as scratches or bites from these creatures," the slender young man spoke, his voice carrying a tone of authority.

Before he could even finish his sentence, the distinct sound of high heels echoed from a distance. Upon hearing it, all of the black-suited men immediately stepped aside, their heads bowing in reverence towards the approaching figures.

The young man, despite his slender frame, and the burly muscular man also lowered their heads in respectful greeting. "Greetings, young miss," they collectively spoke in unison, their words echoing with utmost deference.

"No need for such formalities. Oppa, what is the current situation?" The voice that followed was as captivating as the sight that accompanied it.

A strikingly beautiful young woman emerged, possessing a flawless model-like body, flowing blonde hair, and captivating magenta crystal eyes.

A floral tattoo adorned her right arm, adding to her allure. She wore a white crop top that showcased her slender waist, which swayed gracefully with each step she took.

Despite her undeniable allure, the men in the room dared not steal so much as a glance at her. Their gazes averted, they refrained from indulging their curiosity.

Even as beads of sweat formed on their brows, their unease stemmed not only from the palpable chill in the air but also from their desperate struggle to control their innate curiosity.

"For now, the situation is under control. The majority of those blood-sucking creatures are unable to advance past the entrance due to their fellow corpses blocking their path," the slim and wiry young man reported, pausing briefly to gather his thoughts.

"In addition, the provisions we found in the kitchen will sustain us for nearly two days, at most. However, knowing that these creatures seem to fear sunlight, we..."

His words trailed off as he was interrupted by a sudden, piercing, and shrill sound that echoed through the area, slicing through the night with an ominous intensity.