Chapter Seventeen: Full Mobilization

Lin Qingqing was unaware of their thoughts. In fact, the residents of the Furong Community whom Captain Xiao and his team had previously encountered were also led by an esper. This time, they were on a mission, and the few residents were brought along as an exception out of respect for that esper.

As Xiao Lu had mentioned, there weren’t many combat-capable espers at the base. The leader, named Shi Kai, was an earth-element esper with great potential. So when he said he wanted to go back to fetch his friends and family, Xiao Pengfei agreed. It was also a good opportunity to have Xiao Lu gather some fuel.

Unexpectedly, when Xiao Lu returned, he brought along another esper, also from Furong Community. What a coincidence.

“What kind of ability do you have?” Xiao Pengfei asked curiously. “Mind sharing? I’m a metal-element esper, just reached the second level.”

Second level? Lin Qingqing hadn’t realized that Captain Xiao was already a second-level esper. That meant there must be a few first-level espers under his command. She couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Lu and the others.

“I’m probably ice-element, but I can only form a few ice blocks,” she said, extending her right hand. A block of ice quietly appeared in her palm.

Xiao Pengfei looked at the ice, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. This girl’s ice-forming speed was so fast, nearly second level. If she had truly only recently awakened her powers, that meant her talent was exceptional.

“Judging by your current ability, you’re probably in the late first level. The most obvious difference for energy-type espers at the second level is the ability to perform long-range attacks, like this.” He extended his right hand, and at the tips of two fingers appeared a thin metal spike. He shot it towards a zombie crawling by the roadside, piercing its head instantly.

Impressive! Captain Xiao’s metal spike seemed smaller than her ice blade but its lethality was astonishing. She wondered if her ice blade could be as deadly with a single strike.

“What about third-level espers? What are they like?” The second level was already formidable; she was curious about the third.

“Third level? Currently, second-level espers are extremely rare. It’s said someone at the capital base reached third level, but we don’t know the details. Little lady, don’t aim too high—many people can’t even make it to second level,” he replied.

Once again she was called ‘little lady.’ Lin Qingqing shook her head silently, finding it amusing. Captain Xiao didn’t seem more than ten years older than her, yet calling her that felt so natural.

“So, Captain Xiao, how did you reach second level?” Lin Qingqing put on a curious expression. Being a young lady had its perks—playing innocent and cute could easily lower others’ guard.

“That’s a crucial question. I wouldn’t tell just anyone,” Xiao Pengfei said. Seeing Lin Qingqing’s intelligence, courage, and talent, he felt a fondness for her and shared his experience.

“To upgrade your ability, two requirements must be met. First, you must train your control over your power. This depends on talent and diligent practice—everyone has their own training methods. Second, you need to improve your mental strength. Mental strength grows over time but slowly. Using an esper serum can greatly accelerate this growth.”

“Esper serum? Such a thing exists?”

“Of course. This serum is extracted from the crystal cores found inside zombie brains. You can exchange for it at major bases, but it must be traded with crystal cores.”

That explained why Zhou Mang and his group often killed zombies in the neighborhood—it was for the crystal cores.

Thinking of Zhou Mang, Lin Qingqing suddenly felt something was off. According to Captain Xiao, he should have reached second level by now. But she had accidentally entered second level through meditation; Zhou Mang likely didn’t have similar secret techniques.

Pondering this, she carefully asked, “Can you eat the crystal cores directly?” and shared her suspicions about Zhou Mang.

“Eat them directly? What kind of foolish idea is that? First, those things grow inside zombie brains—who could stomach that? More importantly, the energy inside is chaotic and violent; eating them might cause harm or affect one’s mind. If the cores were edible, why bother researching serums?”

Before Xiao Pengfei could speak, another lively soldier quickly chimed in to explain.

“So that’s it! No wonder Zhou Mang is so irritable and explosive, like a powder keg ready to blow. It must be because he ate the crystal cores.”

Lin Qingqing recalled the burning house and Zhou Mang’s furious, cursing departure, and pondered deeply.

At that moment, a string of private cars suddenly rushed out from the community gate at the end of the road.

They parked by the roadside, half-surrounding Captain Xiao’s convoy, all staring excitedly at the dozen soldiers as if they were saviors.

A young man got out of the lead car and approached Captain Xiao apologetically. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t expect so many people would be willing to follow you.”

Though apologetic, his expression betrayed a hint of pride.

This young man was Shi Kai. When rescued, he noticed Captain Xiao admired him, not only giving him advice but also promising to take him to the Rongcheng base.

Of course, Shi Kai was excited to follow Captain Xiao. After being bullied by Zhou Mang’s group for so long, he was fed up. Then one day, he awakened his ability.

Youthful and hot-headed, after becoming an esper, Shi Kai refused to keep kowtowing to Zhou Mang. He gathered a few childhood friends and classmates to form a small team.

Their approach was the exact opposite of Zhou Mang’s; they preferred to risk going out to find supplies rather than rob neighbors.

Of course, they didn’t help others kill zombies but encouraged everyone to do it themselves.

Most who agreed with their ideas were young people who believed they could carve out their own place in the apocalypse. Gradually, Shi Kai’s group gained influence among some residents of Furong Community.

So when they met Captain Xiao’s team, Shi Kai spread the news under the pretext of fetching his friends and family.

When people heard they were soldiers, they naturally regarded them as government rescue forces.

Shi Kai didn’t clarify otherwise. He thought this was a rare opportunity. He had seen Captain Xiao’s team slaughter zombies—one strike, one kill, fierce and effective!

Besides, they all had guns; whether they brought one or a group, it made no difference.

Seeing the grateful eyes of the neighbors, Shi Kai felt proud: I’m truly an outstanding young man, much better than Zhou Mang’s bunch!

He believed he had done a good deed, and Captain Xiao would surely give him face.

He just hadn’t expected so many people, which made him awkwardly apologize.

After hearing this, Xiao Pengfei’s expression darkened immediately.

His team had only twelve members; this mission to Jincheng was just to assess the situation. He knew there were many residents here and planned to report back so that professional rescue teams could be dispatched.

He had only taken pity on a promising young man on the way back, yet that man had brought along such a crowd.

What frustrated him most was that he couldn’t ignore them. These civilians surrounded them, eyes filled with hope. For a moment, Xiao Pengfei really couldn’t refuse.

“Since you’re all here, let’s go together. We’ll lead the way, and everyone follow behind. Be careful not to fall behind.”

He nodded to Shi Kai and turned to get into the jeep.