Chapter 24​​

On day 127 of the outbreak, an off-road vehicle drove past the complex.

The roar of its engine drew the red-eyed zombie downstairs. Zombies from across the complex converged at the main entrance.

The people in the vehicle clearly hadn't expected such a horde. They fired a couple of shots into the mass before speeding away.

I felt an odd sense of gratitude towards the red-eyed zombie, but I desperately wished for the apocalypse to end.

By day 165, our TV started picking up intermittent signals.

The government had established safe zones across provinces and cities. Military operations to clear out zombies were underway. Survivors were urged to make their way to these zones.

The news filled Tian Tian and me with hope, like seeing light after walking endlessly in darkness.

But considering our limited combat skills and ample supplies, we decided to stay put.

On day 201, a large-scale mutation occurred among the zombies. Numbers of the intelligent, red-eyed type surged, hindering the national clearance plan.

On day 237, the government deployed a specialized disinfectant targeting the intelligent zombies, spraying it nationwide.

The smart zombies clinging to high-rise buildings across our complex dissolved into pools of black sludge under the chemical rain.

By day 265, military trucks rolled into our complex, clearing out a large wave of the remaining shambling undead.

Soldiers used megaphones: "The nation is actively executing rescue operations! Vaccines are under development! Please, do not give up hope!"

Hearing those words, Tian Tian and I burst into tears.

On day 312, helicopters emblazoned with the five-star red flag circled the complex daily.

I watched as several households hung Chinese flags from their windows. After that, the helicopters began dropping supplies directly to those homes.

Other survivors quickly followed suit. Tian Tian and I stood at our window, counting the flags, realizing far more people had survived than we'd thought.

Day 345 brought monumental news: The zombie vaccine was successful!

The last zombie on Chinese soil was eliminated in Xinjiang. The people began the arduous task of rebuilding.

After receiving the vaccine, Tian Tian and I both signed up to help with reconstruction efforts.

After nearly a year of terror and darkness, humanity finally stepped into the dawn of a new world.