Chapter 124 Grind Salt Into The Wound


    Among the four camps, five lives were lost. One man fell due to a tragic ident-cut down by his ownrade’s misfire. The other four weren’t so lucky either. Bitten during the struggle, three chose a warrior’s death. They made one final, fearless charge straight into the swarm, buying precious time for their people with their lives.


    Thest one, however, chose silence. He hid his wound. hoping to dy the inevitable. Yet when Lucas team returned after sealing off the perimeter, the truth could no longer be hidden. His body began to twist. The change had begun. Please don’t do this,” he begged, his voice trembling. “No, wait-please… My wife… she’s still waiting at home. If I die, there’s no one to protect her. She won’t survive alone… ugh- agh-ahh!


    The fighter from Victory Base dropped to his knees, pleading desperately for his life as his body began to contort grotesquely-bones warping in unnatural directions as the infection surged through his veins. His face lost all color in an instant, sickly veins spidering outward in a web of ck. Pain contorted his features as he crumpled to the ground, pressing his forehead to the dirt, whispering broken pleas between gasps of


    agony.


    Around him, the remaining members from Victory Base stood frozen, watching helplessly. Not one of them could lift their weapon. Because the man writhing in front of them wasn’t just another infected-he had been one of their own. They had survived hell together. Bled, fought, and wed through the apocalypse side by side. In this ruined world, their bond ran deeper than blood-and now, that bond made this moment unbearable.


    He’d only just begun his new life-married nor long ago after years of loving from a distance, the two had finally ovee time and space to be together, right before the world crumbled. This mission was supposed to be hisst run-for survival, for peace of mind. Before leaving, his wife had clutched him, her face soaked in tears, pleading with him to stay. But he had smiled through the goodbye, promising her that once he came back, they’d have more than enough supplies. No more scavenging, no more separations. Just the two of them-together, every single day


    But now, that promise hung in the air like smoke. Please… I beg you all… Shannon… Shannon… I love you -so much- Bang! The sharp crack of a gunshot split the silence. The contorted, mutating man fell silent. His body hit the dirt with a lifeless thud. A wave of fury rippled through the ranks of Victory Camp, Every eye locked onto the man who had just fired the fatal shot


    Standing there in stark contrast to the blood and dust around him was Bennie-administrator of Hope Camp-d in pristine white, untouched by the chaos. His expression was devoid of emotion, eyes cold as stone. The gun in his hand still smoked, as if the heat of judgment hadn’t yet cooled. The Hope Camp had remained untouched throughout the carnage, only now stepping out after thest threat had been neutralized.


    “You heartless b*stard!” roared Alvin Kent, the captain of Victory Camp, storming forward in fury. “He wasn’t gone yet! He hadn’t even turned!” He had barely taken two steps toward Bennie before the muzzles of several rifles snapped up and locked onto his forehead. Behind Bennie stood a wall of men, each one armed and unreadable, their gazes as icy and lethal as the weapons they carried. In that moment, the message was clear: take one more step, and Victory Camp would be wiped off the map.


    Breathing hard, fists trembling with helpless fury, Alvin stood frozen, his voice raw with grief. He wasn’t gone yet! He was still-human! Why did you murder him like that?” Bennie didn’t so much as flinch. His


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    expression remained carved in stone, untouched by sorrow, untouched by rage. “Had we waited until the mutation took hold,” he said, voice t and cutting, “we’d be gambling with everyone’s lives. I don’t take senseless risks.”


    Alvin’s fists clenched until his knuckles nched. His jaw locked tight, rage and sorrow swelling in his chest. Every word Bennie uttered seemed to grind salt into the wound. Bennie’s voice sliced through the tension once more, calm and devoid of feeling. “Units that suffered losses will receive additional supplies, in ordance with the number of casualties.” With that, he turned his back on them and simply left without further exnation. All eyes followed the Hope Camp delegation, watching in heavy silence as they withdrew from the scene.


    Once the dust settled, it was Lucas from Kl Camp who approached, his tone steady but sincere. “Do you need a hand?” Alvin shook his head. “We’ll take care of it, Mr. Keaton. But I appreciate it. No missiones without risk. You’ve fought hard, too.” Shovels met the earth as each team carved out shallow graves for their fallen. Lucas had his men deliver basic supplies-some wound dressings and sturdy tools for digging. No one said it aloud, but in those nces, there was unmistakable gratitude.


    The night’s battle left only a handful of camps unscathed-K1, Hope, and zing Sun, who had kept low the entire time. With his tasks at other camps wrapped up, Lucas ordered patrols to secure the safe zone’s outskirts, then made his way toward Theresa’s parked vehicle. No sooner had he arrived than Kyle emerged from his tent, pulling back the p. “Lucas!”


    Lucas acknowledged with a brief nod-this was a familiar face, once under hismand. “Kyle, where’s Theresa?” Kyle replied, “She’s asleep.” Lucas’ expression froze briefly. No issues there. He’d explicitly told her to stay out of the fight. This was purely a mission to gather supplies and repay old debts. “Make sure you get plenty of rest, too. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day on the road.” Kyle watched him depart, calling after him, “Got it, Lucas!”


    With dawn breaking the next day, the area outside had quieted significantly. The massive wave of zombies that had swept through during the night was now entirely pushed back. After a long and exhausting night, Lucas’ efforts finally bore fruit. Over a thousand gleamstones had been gathered-solid gains for each of the camps involved. Every team that had fought in the battle the previous day eagerly went out to im their share of the crystals. Meanwhile, Theresa, having finally surrendered to a deep sleep, awoke to an unexpected discovery: despitepletely draining her mind power the night before, her mind power seemed stronger than ever after resting.