Chapter 155: Strict Orders Against Internal Strife, Backup Plans, and Ambushes

Su Ze threw out the four words "Zombie Royalty" and briefly described how he had been plotted against, making the atmosphere in the entire corridor extremely oppressive.

Incredible expressions appeared on the faces of all the leaders present.

They could command zombies and even set traps to scheme against a powerhouse of Su Ze's level?

This had completely exceeded their understanding of zombies!

"Damn it, have these ghost things become spirits?" Wang Meng spat fiercely, clenching his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. "Boss, just say the word! We'll fight them to the death!"

"Fight?" Chen Xueming pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses exceptionally calm. "Fight with what? We can't even touch their shadows, and we know nothing about their numbers or abilities."

"But we can't just sit here and wait for death!"

"Everyone, calm down."

Su Ze raised his hand, stopping their argument.

"I'm telling you this not to cause panic."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it settled everyone's hearts.

"It's just to remind you that our true enemies might be smarter and harder to deal with than imagined... From now on, every action must be more cautious."

Su Ze looked around at everyone and continued.

"However, there's no need to be overly fearful. No matter how strong they are, they must still follow the rules of this game for now. As long as we become stronger than them, there's nothing to fear."

Everyone nodded upon hearing this, and their solemn expressions softened slightly.

That's right, with Boss Su Ze here, what's there to be afraid of!

However, at that moment, the familiar, emotionless mechanical prompt sounded in the minds of all surviving players simultaneously!

【Ding! The seventh night of the Novice Protection Period has ended.】

【Congratulations to all surviving players for successfully enduring the seven-night period!】

【At midnight tonight, final individual settlement rewards will be issued based on each player's total zombie kill count and quality during the Novice Period!】

【Simultaneously, final Dormitory settlement rewards will be issued based on each Dormitory's total zombie kill count and quality during the Novice Period!】

【After the rewards are distributed, a three-day Recuperation Period will begin.】

【During the Recuperation Period, zombies will not appear. Players, please use this time to repair your Dormitory, organize resources, and prepare for the next round of the game.】

【Special Note: After the Recuperation Period ends, Landlord Permissions will be fully unlocked! landlords will have absolute expulsion rights over tenants, as well as... a One-click Kill Right!】

Boom!

The final prompt was like a nuclear bomb, detonating in everyone's heads!

The atmosphere in the corridor, which had just softened, instantly became eerie.

The eight leaders, including Wang Meng, Xu Feng, and Chen Xueming, all glanced at each other.

Their eyes all held a hint of gravity.

Landlord Permissions—those words represented supreme power.

They also represented the bloodiest betrayals and killings!

They could almost foresee the massive waves this news would stir up.

To fight for the position of landlord, to hold their own lives in their own hands, a brutal internal struggle would inevitably break out in this building!

The strength they had worked so hard to gather might very well fall apart in this internal strife, resulting in heavy casualties!

"Boss..." Xu Feng's lips were a bit dry. He looked at Su Ze, his voice strained.

Su Ze's expression didn't change at all, as if he had long expected all of this.

He stood up and walked before the crowd, his gaze like a blade scanning every face.

"I know what you're worried about."

"From now on, I order:"

"In all dormitories within our sphere of influence, any form of internal strife is strictly forbidden! Anyone who dares to kill one another for the landlord position will be executed without mercy!"

His voice was decisive, carrying an irresistible majesty.

"As for the selection of landlords," Su Ze paused, looking at the eight leaders including Wang Meng, Xu Feng, and Chen Xueming,

"each of you eight will devise a set of fair selection standards for your respective floors."

"It can be based on contribution, strength, or any other standard you deem reasonable..."

"The selection process must be open and transparent, convincing everyone."

"Too many players have died already; we cannot lose more to our own people."

Su Ze's words were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly boosting the morale of all the leaders.

Their hearts all settled.

"Yes! Boss!"

"We understand!"

The eight leaders responded in unison, their voices loud and full of drive.

A massive crisis capable of tearing the entire faction apart was thus neutralized by Su Ze with just a few words.

...

Meanwhile.

Inside a mysterious space that could not be detected.

Three blurry figures floated quietly in the darkness.

Before them, a cloud of black smoke slowly condensed, turning into that scrawny fellow.

However, at this moment, he appeared exceptionally wretched; his right arm was severed at the shoulder, and grey energy continued to dissipate from the wound.

"Damn it! Damned human!"

He let out a sharp and angry roar, his voice filled with resentment.

"He was hiding his strength from the very beginning! His power far exceeds the intelligence! Plus that damned 'Ten Thousand Zombie Slayer' achievement's suppression on us, and the rules' suppression... I even activated Scale Armor Protection in that instant!"

The other three figures listened to his roar in silence.

The burly figure spoke slowly, his voice heavy like thunder: "We indeed miscalculated; we didn't expect him to hide so much."

"Hmph, it's more than just a miscalculation."

The figure with the long tongue added sinisterly, "He managed to get an S-rank Treasure Hunting Evaluation. Heaven knows what good things that damned game will reward him with. This time, we really went for the wool and came home shorn."

For a moment, the atmosphere in the space became extremely oppressive.

"Enough, stop arguing."

Finally, that stunningly beautiful figure with a graceful silhouette spoke in a cold female voice, interrupting their argument.

No distinct emotion could be heard in her voice, yet it made the other three figures fall silent.

"Just a newborn variable, why panic?"

The one-armed fellow seemed somewhat unconvinced: "What variable? His growth speed is terrifying! If we let him develop further, he will sooner or later become a major threat!"

"Therefore, we cannot give him any more chances."

A hint of a playful smile entered the beautiful woman's voice.

"Fortunately, I felt that regardless of the outcome, I needed to leave a little back-up plan in advance just in case."

She looked at the one-armed fellow.

"Our mission failed. You three go and receive your punishment from 'above' first."

"As for me... I will go and redeem myself. If I don't succeed, it won't be too late to receive my punishment then..."