Chapter 504 The Swarm


    Chapter 504 The Swarm


    Buzz.


    The sound hit again.


    <i>Buzz</i>.


    Then the nightmare revealed itself.


    :.


    (7)。


    s


    A swarm of flies burst out–not the usual kind you can swat, butrge green–headed creatures, each as thick as a finger joint. They whirred like a thousand tiny engines, rushing directly toward the exit in a ck wave.


    Theresa’s instincts kicked in. She snapped up an Aeroshield, the shimmering barrier spreading wide enough to shield Lucas and the people behind her.


    The people further back weren’t as fortunate.


    The swarm split, diving at Desmond’s group like living bullets.


    Flies infiltrated cors and waistbands, wriggling into noses and ears. A couple of them panicked and screamed, opening their mouths to the buzzing swarm. In seconds, they were choking on insects, with wings pping against their cheeks and fuzzy legs scraping their tongues and teeth. Someid eggs as they crawled inside, while others burrowed deeper, disappearing down throats.


    They heaved and wed wildly at their faces, but the swarm gave them no way out. Every hole in their bodies was jammed full of buzzing flesh.


    Cecília was among them. She started to cry out, but she swallowed the swarm. Wesley and Eli panicked, swatting at the air like children frightened of bees, while the others did what they could–covering their mouths with their hands and hiding their faces.


    At the very back, Desmond turned sharply. He wrapped his arm around Juno, using his body <b>as </b><b>a </b>shield while the swarm roared above.


    The flies zipped by with a loud hum and then suddenly disappeared.


    For a split second, silence fell over.


    Then, the emergency exit behind them exploded with a loud boom.


    “Aaaargh!”


    Chapter 504 The Swarm


    The first figure through was Matthew. He was no longer human.


    <b>87 </b>


    s


    Desmond’s stomach lurched, but he had no time to think. His eyelid twitched briefly before he grabbed Juno and ran.


    Fifteenth floor.


    Sixteenth.


    Seventeenth.


    Each step set their lungs on fire; their legs howled in protest. One thought drove them on- make it to the twenty–seventh floor or drop dead on the way.


    Desmond easily outpaced the others. This wasn’t due to luck; he consistently ate the most at camp, reserving the best for himself. Consequently, he was healthier, stronger, and faster than everyone else because he made sure of it.


    It began with fifteen people–coworkers who were all trapped inside the building when everything copsed. They knew each other well–Juno was the art director, Wesley and Eli worked for her, Cecilia managed the front desk, and Desmond was the overall manager.


    That night was meant for overtime. Thirty people filled the office, working diligently to meet a deadline. Desmond and Cecilia weren’t required to stay, but both decided to do so. He stayed to supervise Ronald, keeping him away from Juno. Cecilia was focused on someone else entirely.


    Then the outbreak hit.


    Desmond recalled going to the convenience store with her to buy snacks and coffee for the team. There, they encountered the injured security guard, who was pale with fear. He seemed harmless, so they decided to bring him back.


    That choice had been a mistake.


    Desmond only grasped how bad things really were when the security guard attacked him inside the elevator. The cramped space became a brawl, and after a frantic struggle, he finally overpowered the man and left him trapped. Heart racing, he hurried to find Juno.


    Instead, he encountered Ronald, holding onto her and demanding exnations. The scene made Desmond’s blood boil. Before he could respond, a coworker suddenly copsed.


    Desmond understood immediately what that signified. He forced a calm face, told Juno to leave, and directed Ronald to take the injured worker to the hospital.


    Chapter 504 The Swarm


    The elevator doors opened, revealing a nightmare: zombies waiting inside, hungry.


    s


    Amid the chaos, Desmond fabricated a story for Ronald, iming that zombies were invading and someone had to fend them off. Desperate and trusting, Ronald believed him. He steadied himself at the elevator doors, fighting the zombie horde with only his resolve.


    Desmond quickly seized Juno’s arm and hurried away, clutching the dead guard’s keycard. Cecilia, Wesley, and Eli trailed closely behind.


    He ignored everyone behind him. Whether they overheard his talk with Ronald or not, he preferred to y it safe. It was better to stay close to those he trusted to avoid any trouble.


    Heter attempted to escape the building, but the street beneath was even more overwhelmed pletely overrun.


    So, he made his choice. Inside was better than outside.


    Walls, supplies, shelter. The building was as good as anywhere.


    Desmond’s first move was raiding the convenience store. He cleared it out, then locked the doors tight so no one else from outside could get in.


    Soon, more survivors from the building. By that time, Desmond already had the supplies and, thanks to his strength–typed ability, it was natural for others to see him as their leader.