Chapter Fourteen: And You Still Claim You Have No Powers

The city had already fallen to the zombies, and they were especially sensitive to the scent of the living. Merely a few seconds after they stepped out of the car, nearby zombies, drooling foully, staggered toward them.

Lin Qisheng, with his usual nonchalance, said, "Miss, you're so beautiful. Do you need my protection?"

Xu Nuo shook her head.

"Oh, what a pity," Lin Qisheng remarked, feigning regret as his gaze shifted to Gu Xingze. A glint of challenge flashed in his eyes. "But I think I’m better suited to protect you."

Even as Lin Qisheng spoke, the undead approached. He stepped in front of Xu Nuo before Gu Xingze could react. From the angle where Xu Nuo couldn’t see, a trace of murderous intent flickered in Gu Xingze's eyes.

Lin Qisheng sneered, though his tone was innocent. "Brother Gu, what’s with that look? I only want to protect Miss Xu. Is that so wrong?"

"I appreciate your kindness," Xu Nuo replied, turning away so quickly that Lin Qisheng was caught off guard, unable to mask the flicker of emotion on his face.

"But I am perfectly capable of protecting myself." Xu Nuo patted Lin Qisheng’s shoulder. "Didn’t you say you were going home? I’ve brought you as far as I can. Please, go on your way."

"Miss Xu," Lin Qisheng waved his hand, and flames erupted, instantly reducing the nearest zombie to ashes. There was a hint of threat in his gesture. "I’m truly interested in you."

Interested in what, exactly? Did he think he was some domineering CEO?

Before Xu Nuo could answer, Gu Xingze stepped in front of her. She couldn’t see his face, but she could sense the hostility radiating from him.

The mass of zombies pressed in, forming a circle that threatened to swallow the three at its center. Yet the tension between them was aimed not at the undead but at each other.

"Brother Gu, you’re making it seem as if I’m the real threat here. Aren’t the zombies more dangerous?" Lin Qisheng remarked, releasing another burst of fire that sent the lunging zombies scrambling back, momentarily slowing their advance.

"Besides, Brother Gu, you look familiar. If I’m not mistaken, you’re not really the type to play protector of the weak."

A look of reminiscence passed through Gu Xingze’s eyes. He lowered his gaze in response to Lin Qisheng’s challenge. Xu Nuo couldn’t read his expression, only heard him say, "I will protect you."

"What?" Lin Qisheng was taken aback, clearly unprepared for this answer.

"Is there anything else you want?" Gu Xingze gripped Xu Nuo’s hand, wielding a blade of wind in his other. The zombies before them fell like reeds before a storm.

For ordinary people, this horde was nothing less than hell. But to those with powers, it posed little threat; it was easy enough to come and go unscathed, so long as they didn’t have a powerless companion to protect.

"You don’t have to do this. I can walk by myself," Xu Nuo said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation as she watched the sea of zombies.

"Miss Xu, why don’t you come with me instead? I won’t restrict your freedom," Lin Qisheng persisted, sidling closer. "However wide a path you want, I’ll clear it for you. Whatever you wish for, I’ll help you find."

Xu Nuo remained composed. "Is that so?" Then why is your affection for me still in the negative?

She asked, "I’m curious—why do you insist on staying by my side?"

Lin Qisheng answered with apparent sincerity, "I told you, I’m interested in you. What kind of person could make even Gu Xingze willingly play the guardian?"

Suddenly, he leaned close to her ear. "Miss, do you have some special ability that makes him see you differently?"

Bang—Gu Xingze landed a punch on Lin Qisheng’s face, catching him off-guard and leaving him no chance to dodge.

"Heh..." Lin Qisheng gave a cold laugh. "Miss Xu, how about we make a bet? I don’t believe you’re just an ordinary person. What’s your power?"

Xu Nuo replied honestly, "I don’t have any abilities."

"Impossible," Lin Qisheng declared. "You must have powers. Let me guess... is it spatial manipulation? Otherwise, with Brother Gu’s temperament, he’d never burden himself with a powerless companion while scavenging for supplies."

"That’s not it," Xu Nuo denied flatly.

Gu Xingze glanced her way.

"It’s really not," Xu Nuo explained to him. "I truly don’t have any powers." Though her existence was shrouded in mysteries she couldn’t explain, she had never intentionally kept anything from Gu Xingze and wouldn’t, if it came to that.

"So you’re really just an ordinary person," Lin Qisheng said, his initial interest waning. In plainer terms, she was a letdown—not worth the time and energy spent on her.

"Well, then, Brother Gu, take good care of her," Lin Qisheng said with a wave, turning to leave.

"Wait," Gu Xingze’s voice was dangerous. "Trying to run?"

"Uh, yeah," Lin Qisheng realized he’d made a blunder and felt awkward. "Sorry for intruding on your lovers’ quarrel."

"Too late," Xu Nuo said, echoing Gu Xingze’s sentiment and fitting the mood perfectly.

"Hey, wait!" Lin Qisheng felt a whirlwind rise around him, sweeping him up in an instant. "Why so eager for a fight? If you’re going to brawl with me, who’ll protect your girlfriend?"

Gu Xingze was distracted for a moment by those words.

"You don’t need to worry about that." Xu Nuo pulled a Gatling gun from her backpack and, without hesitation, unleashed a barrage upon the zombie horde.

The deafening roar of gunfire filled the air. Lin Qisheng stared in disbelief as Xu Nuo conjured a gun from thin air, then, with her slight frame, wielded it with devastating effect. Wherever the muzzle swept, no zombie was left standing.

Lin Qisheng gaped. "What... is this a dream?"

Rat-a-tat-tat—

In less than a minute, Xu Nuo had mowed down the entire front row of zombies.

The mindless undead had no sense of danger and couldn’t comprehend how terrifying this delicate-looking girl truly was. One after another, they fell before her relentless assault.

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat—

The gunfire seemed endless, as though the bullets would never run dry.

Lin Qisheng and Gu Xingze had long since ceased their fight, watching in bewilderment as Xu Nuo revealed this side of herself.

Lin Qisheng murmured in a daze, "And you still say you have no powers..."

Meanwhile, the livestream audience was thrilled. The streamer stood her ground, firing in all directions, mowing down wave after wave with overwhelming firepower—it was exhilarating!

[I can’t believe it, I thought you guys were joking, but the streamer really can handle zombies.]

[Of course! And look at the setting—zombie apocalypse! If you don’t fight zombies, what’s the point?]

[Anyone who doubted me before, come out and face the music!]

At last, Xu Nuo set down her gun and addressed her viewers, "Friends, does my earlier promise still count?"

[Of course!]

How could it not? After enduring so much, this was their moment of triumph—they’d finally put their rivals in their place.

The rewards poured in—not just the promised weapons, but all sorts of gadgets and trinkets, stuffing her backpack to the brim.