Huff...huff...
Panting harshly, Huo Zaiyuan feels his legs trembling faintly. If not for Long Zhanye's arm supporting his body to stay upright, he would have collapsed in a heap on the floor long ago. With thousands of bloodthirsty gazes focused on his person, this kind of terrifying experience is not something everyone can cope with. Even if he had experienced the apocalypse once before, gone through a rebirth, cultivated until his mental state is a lot calmer than the average person, this one leap can still cause him a heart attack ah.
"It's over, it's over." Gazing at the wide-eyed, panting boy in his arms, Long Zhanye pats him lightly on the back, appreciation shining in his eyes.
Such big courage, a real rarity ah.
Taking a few minutes to ease tension from his limbs, Huo Zaiyuan eventually feels his heart rate returning to normal, no longer threatening to leap out of his chest. Only then does he realise he is still in Long Zhanye's embrace and immediately freezes before retreating back a step, away from the other man's hug.
In order to avoid an awkward moment, he takes out a wooden tile and lights it up, throwing it onto the two corpses lying on the balcony. A golden blaze rises, rapidly consuming the bodies and leaving behind two grains of devil ant crystals. Removing a small tong and the glass bottle from the pouch, he places the blood red grains inside.
"What are those things?" Long Zhanye was silently watching as the golden fire burns up the zombies' motionless bodies until nothing is left behind, but when Huo Zaiyuan gently picks up the two blood red objects, he can no longer hold back his curiosity and asks.
"These are things residing in the skulls of zombies. Around ten days ago, when the dead volcano near H City erupted and spewed up volcanic ash, these things were amongst the ashes. However, those are living ants the colour of blood. I suppose these things are what causes people to change into zombies. Because these ants can burrow in and live within the corpses, when the bodies are burned with spiritual fire, the red ants inside the zombies will become crystals. As it is, these crystals are one of the materials I need to draw my talismans." Huo Zaiyuan openly tells everything to the soldier as he closes the lid and pretends to return it into his pouch when in actuality, he is placing it back in his space.
Having a waist pouch was an idea he thought of when he decided to leave the rented house. Anytime he needs to use a talisman, all he has to do is reach inside and takes it from his space. This way, he wouldn't give rise to any doubts or suspicions.
A sword eyebrow raises and a sharp gaze travels to the interior of the second floor. "Then I suppose there will be a lot of ant crystals here?" The meaning of his words is very clear. Long Zhanye is willing to help him collect more materials.
"Not necessarily, since not every zombie will have it..."
"No worries, with me here, I will definitely help you collect a lot of materials. Let's go. First, to search the armoury." Resting a hand on his shoulder, Long Zhanye flashes a small smile.
Ever since his rebirth, Huo Zaiyuan has rarely interacted with people, let alone having skinship with anyone. In spite of not being used to intimacy, being close to this man whom he has only known for less than a day, he doesn't feel even a sliver of discomfort. Quite strange, truly.
Looking at Long Zhanye, he nods.
This man exudes a rather unique charm, allowing people to feel safe and secure. Perhaps it's because of this charisma that causes Huo Zaiyuan to not shy away from his touch.
A few zombies dithering along the second floor's corridor are quickly taken down one at a time by Long Zhanye. Every scrupulous action from the older man manages to move Huo Zaiyuan's heart a little. After he (LZY) is done, the pile of bodies is set ablaze, yielding five more devil ants crystals.
Taking the stairs up to the next floor, they discover the military district's armoury spans the entire level. The walls are constructed out of thick steel plates, making them immune to explosions and ensures the safety of all weapons stored within.
Stopping before the armoury's door, Long Zhanye removes a magnetic card and swipes it over the electronic lock. The door lock's light flashes red and the heavy steel door opens inwards, causing the strong smell of gun oil o waft out. However, neither enters, instead waiting for the armoury's door to open fully, determining the inside is safe before deigning to walk in.
Although Z City's military district is small and not given much care, its armoury is well-stocked with everything the soldiers might need. Pistols, rifles, machine guns, bazookas...everything that should be there is present. Seeing all these weapons, Huo Zaiyuan's eyes brighten.
During his mad shopping for goods, he ever entertained the thought of possibly storing a gun or two in his space for self-protection. But living in this country where the administration and rights to carry firearms is extremely strict, as an ordinary citizen looking to purchase a gun is easier said than done.