C1 Virus Outbreak

Yesterday, a sudden outbreak of rabies occurred in a small mountain village in the western part of our country. Seventy percent of the population was infected, and those with severe cases went mad. Currently, the local law enforcement has successfully restored order at the scene.

Yan Cheng's attention was captured by a breaking news alert on his phone.

"Seventy percent of a village infected? That's just unbelievable," he murmured to himself before nudging his classmate Lang Zhe and handing him the phone.

Lang Zhe, noticing the teacher was distracted, quickly took the phone. After a brief glance, he tossed it back, whispering, "You kidding me?"

Confused, Yan Cheng retrieved his phone. The news article had vanished, replaced by a message: This content violates regulations, and the video has been blocked.

"What's going on here?" he wondered.

Without hesitation, Yan Cheng posted in the class group chat: "Did anyone catch that piece on rabies yesterday?"

The message seemed fine as he typed it out, but once he hit send, the message that appeared to everyone was: "Did anyone see the news yesterday?"

"Cheng, what did you see?"

"What kind of banned video?"

"Who else but you is always glued to their phone?" Yan Cheng was well-known for his phone fixation.

"Yan Cheng, weren't you paying attention in class again?" Huang Qiu, the class beauty and monitor, was gearing up to lecture him once more.

Meanwhile, the internet was scrubbed clean of not just rabies, but also any mention of apocalypse, cannibalism, zombies, viruses, and biting incidents.

At that moment, Cheng Jianyun, the head of the Public Security Bureau, stood before a stern middle-aged man.

"Sir, the epidemic is particularly severe. We've severed the channels of dissemination on the internet to prevent public panic," Cheng Jianyun reported.

The middle-aged man pondered for a moment with closed eyes then responded, "Given the gravity of the situation, let's have the reporters break the news. We'll also declare a state of emergency across all provinces."

"Understood!"

In the university cafeteria, the news broadcast was playing. Suddenly, the screen switched to a different story.

We interrupt with an important announcement. Please pass this information along to those nearby.

Yesterday, a virus erupted in many towns and cities, rapidly spreading to larger urban areas. Infection in humans leads to fever symptoms, followed by a swift deterioration that turns people bloodthirsty.

Currently, no specific medication has been developed to combat this virus, which can only be neutralized by high temperatures. Therefore, everyone must take proper precautions.

Ensure that all drinking water and food are thoroughly boiled before consumption. Additionally, emergency controls are being implemented across all provinces and regions immediately.

While this announcement was being broadcast, Yan Cheng was playing games on his phone in the restroom next to the cafeteria.

He wasn't addicted to gaming; he simply played whenever he had some free time. His phone contained only three games: a farm management game, PUBG, and a game about conquering the universe. Except for PUBG, the others were simulation games, played merely to pass the time.

Yan Cheng set his phone on the toilet paper roll. As he buckled his belt and reached for his phone, his hand shook, and the device plunged into the toilet.

He quickly retrieved his phone from the water and immediately powered it down.

He hurriedly dried the surface with toilet paper and disinfected it with several sprays of alcohol before using the restroom's hand dryer to further dry the phone.

Back in his dorm, Yan Cheng prayed for a miracle, pressing his hands together, "Please, let this work!"

The phone remained unresponsive.

"I'll try once more!"

A spark flashed in the dark, and Yan Cheng was suddenly electrocuted.

Meanwhile, the school's infirmary lost power. With students previously gathered for temperature checks, confusion ensued. Thankfully, teachers worked diligently to maintain order.

"Why did you bite me?" someone in the crowd suddenly complained.

Then, almost all the students started biting those around them. Those who weren't quickly consumed joined the growing horde of biters.

"This has to be the zombie virus!"

A cry rang out as the scene was drenched in blood. Those of faint heart could no longer bring themselves to move.

The school principal gazed upon the tragic sight before him and lamented, "I have led these children to their doom!" In the next instant, he was overwhelmed by the encroaching horde of zombies.