C14 Unexpectedly
Everyone had come to a consensus, so Shen Faang refrained from further comment and guided everyone toward a relatively safe destination.
Having endured so many hardships, he was confident that they wouldn't encounter similar problems at the supermarket later on. Addressing the group, he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you all for your understanding. Shortly, I will ensure that you are in a safe environment where such incidents won't recur."
They all nodded in agreement, understanding that Shen Faang's assurance stemmed from a place of confidence that he could lead them to safety. Thus, they were free from further concerns.
Their current objective was to locate a supermarket. The prolonged battles had left them in need of replenishment, both in water and food supplies.
They decided to split up, aiming to find a supermarket as quickly as possible to restore their energy.
Shen Faang addressed the group's immediate needs, "I'm sure everyone is both hungry and thirsty by now. Let's divide our efforts to find a supermarket swiftly. This way, we can refuel and be prepared to retaliate swiftly if another battle arises."
After Shen Faang's instructions, the group offered no further discussion. Recognizing his strength and leadership, they knew that following his guidance was their best chance of survival. Thus, everyone complied without objection.
Uncertain of the next steps, Shen Faang and Wang Mengyan headed east, while the rest of the group ventured west. They were confident that they would find a relatively safe supermarket in one of these directions.
Not long after setting out, Shen Faang spotted what appeared to be a large supermarket ahead. It seemed like the perfect place to replenish their supplies. He quickly sent Wang Mengyan back to gather the others, hoping to share a celebratory meal together in safety.
Once everyone was assembled in the supermarket, Shen Faang hoped to provide them with water. However, as they took their first sips, they realized that things were not going as planned. Shen Faang spotted zombies within the supermarket—a completely unforeseen turn of events.
Shen Faang was determined to quickly take down the zombies since it was he who had summoned everyone to the supermarket. If he couldn't overcome the zombies now, he was at a loss for how he would justify the situation to the others later on.
As the most skilled fighter present, only Shen Faang had the capability to confront the zombies. Disregarding the warnings of the others, he swiftly approached the undead, confident that his extensive combat experience meant these zombies posed no real threat to him.
Drawing his sword with swift assurance, Shen Faang trusted in his own strength to vanquish the zombies before him.
Without further ado, he advanced on the zombies. Their reaction to the sight of Shen Faang's sword was immediate—they recoiled in terror, stepping back. They had already felt the sting of his blade, sustaining serious injuries, which only reinforced Shen Faang's belief that he could defeat them with his sword.
Charging into the fray, Shen Faang engaged in a fierce struggle with the zombies. One by one, they fell until none remained standing. The onlookers regarded Shen Faang with admiration, amazed that he alone had the power to defeat the threat. This victory brought a collective sense of joy to the group.
But their relief was short-lived. Upon exiting the supermarket, they were shocked to find that the zombies had tracked them down by their unique human scent—a twist that caught everyone off guard.
They had assumed that the zombies had been dealt with by Shen Faang, that they were now in a relatively safe environment. Yet, they hadn't anticipated that the real danger was still to come, as the zombies homed in on them, drawn by the scent of living flesh.
Confusion and fear took hold as they realized they were trapped inside the supermarket, with any attempt to leave surely resulting in a zombie attack.
Frustration grew as they reflected on their decision to search for water in the supermarket. Despite their thirst and hunger, they now regretted not waiting until they were back in a safer location.
Blame began to circulate among them. No one dared to fault Shen Faang, so instead, their frustrations were directed at Wang Mengyan. They accused her of leading them to this predicament by suggesting the supermarket visit.
Had they not followed her suggestion, they believed they could have avoided the zombies' pursuit and the ordeal that followed.
Wang Mengyan found herself in a tough spot. She had only intended to help everyone recharge their energy, but now, unexpectedly, she was the one being blamed. She was at a loss for what to do next.
Shen Faang, on the other hand, stayed out of the argument. He recognized that the most pressing task was to devise a plan for a safe exit. Being trapped here with the other five was far from ideal.
Before long, Mengyan's sobs filled the air. She was being scolded by everyone, yet no one considered her feelings, leaving Shen Faang uncertain about how to proceed. After all, it was he who had asked Mengyan to gather everyone at the supermarket, so he felt compelled to intervene.
He approached the group and said, "It was I who asked Wang Mengyan to call you all here. If you're upset, direct your anger at me. There's no reason to make someone who's not involved bear the brunt of your frustrations."
After Shen Faang spoke his piece, he walked away, leaving the group in stunned silence. They hesitated to continue their complaints, fearing Shen Faang's potential anger and unsure of how to respond.
In the end, Shen Faang was the only one with the capability to lead them out of this dire situation. So, without further ado, they focused on the hope of a swift escape from the looming threat of the zombies.
