49: The mutated form has awakened, ushering in a new chapter.

Chapter 51: Mutant Suddenly Appears in the Old City, crystal core Awakening Starts a New Chapter

The countdown to the appearance of the Mutated Zombie had only three days left.

The central army led by Lin Zhou had already pushed forward to the Department Store in the center of the Old City. The zombie density in this area far exceeded the periphery, and their behavior patterns were strange—they no longer wandered aimlessly but stood in groups guarding the entrance of the Department Store, letting out low growls from their throats as if they were guarding something.

"All personnel on alert, Scout Soldiers move in for close-range reconnaissance!" Lin Zhou ordered in a deep voice, raising his binoculars to look at the glass curtain wall of the building.

Three dark shadows crept silently, hugging the base of the wall as they felt their way to the entrance. Just then, a roar different from that of ordinary zombies suddenly erupted from inside the Department Store. The sound was thicker, more penetrating, and it caused the surrounding zombies to instantly become agitated.

The next second, a figure significantly more robust than an ordinary zombie crashed through the glass curtain wall and rushed out.

【Level 1 Mutated Zombie · Power Colonist】

- Physical Characteristics: Nearly two meters tall, dark gray skin covered in a layer of jagged bone armor, arms as thick as iron, nails sharp as knives; deformed head, eyes cloudy yet able to lock onto moving targets, mouth torn to the earlobes, revealing a mouth full of serrated fangs.

- Ability Settings: Strength is 3 times that of an ordinary zombie, capable of easily flipping light vehicles; the bone armor can resist direct hits from rifle bullets, but the abdomen is its weak point, lacking bone armor coverage and having thin flesh; speed is slightly slower than an adult male, incapable of jumping, and its weight causes heavy footsteps when moving; no virus transmission capability, only injures people through physical attacks.

- Core Characteristics: 30% probability of yielding a Level 1 Crystal Core. The crystal core is dark gray and contains weak evolutionary energy. After humans absorb it, there is a chance to awaken special abilities and become Awakened Ones, with random awakening directions (Strength, Speed, Perception, etc.); individuals without a crystal core can have their bone armor material extracted to manufacture defensive equipment.

- Flaws and Limitations: Afraid of strong light and high temperatures; continuous exposure to fire will cause it to fall into a brief state of paralysis; cannot run for long periods, must stop to rest within three minutes, otherwise cracks will appear in the bone armor.

The appearance of this Power Colonist instantly sent the surrounding ordinary zombies into a frenzy. They roared and followed behind the Power Colonist, charging fiercely toward the Scout Soldiers.

"Retreat!" the Scout Soldier captain barked. The three of them immediately turned and retreated, while the Power Colonist pursued them relentlessly, its heavy footsteps making the ground tremble slightly.

"Machine Gunners in position, seal off the street! Grenadiers aim for the Power Colonist's abdomen!" Lin Zhou's orders were issued instantly.

The Machine Gunners, who had already occupied the high buildings on both sides, immediately pulled their triggers. Dense bullets poured down like rain, and ordinary zombies fell in swathes. The Power Colonist, relying on its bone armor to withstand the bullets, continued to charge toward the troops, though its speed slowed down significantly.

"Grenades fire!"

More than ten Grenadiers fired simultaneously. Grenades trailing exhaust flames smashed accurately into the Power Colonist's abdomen.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions rang out one after another. Blood blossoms instantly erupted from the Power Colonist's abdomen, and dark green body fluid splashed everywhere. It let out a roar of pain, its body staggering back a few steps, but the murderous light in its eyes grew even more intense.

"Engineering Corps! Flame throwers ready!" Lin Zhou shouted.

The Engineering Corps following at the rear of the troops had already temporarily modified the High-energy Decomposers into simple flame throwers. They immediately stepped forward carrying the equipment and sprayed raging flames at the Power Colonist.

The high-temperature flames instantly enveloped the Power Colonist's body. The bone armor on its body began to make sizzling sounds, its surface turning black and cracking at a speed visible to the naked eye. The Power Colonist roared in pain, struggling wildly in the flames, but fell into a paralyzed state due to the high-temperature burning.

"Riflemen, concentrate fire on the abdominal weak point!"

Hundreds of Riflemen aimed simultaneously, their bullets shooting toward the wound in the Power Colonist's abdomen like meteors. Blood gushed out, and the Power Colonist's roars grew weaker and weaker until it finally collapsed heavily to the ground. Its body twitched a few times before it went completely still.

The Engineering Corps immediately stepped forward and used specialized tools to cut open the Power Colonist's cranial cavity. A dark gray crystal core the size of a pigeon egg lay quietly inside, emitting a faint halo.

System Prompt: Killed Level 1 Mutated Zombie · Power Colonist ×1, obtained Level 1 Crystal Core ×1, energy points +10,000, resource points +5,000, unlocked [Bone Armor Material Recycling Technology], [Crystal Core Awakening Adaptation Plan]!

"A crystal core! There really is a crystal core!" an Engineering Corps soldier shouted excitedly, running to Lin Zhou with the crystal core held high.

Lin Zhou took the crystal core, feeling a hint of warmth from his fingertips. A sharp light flashed in his eyes as he ordered in a deep voice: "Immediately send the crystal core back to the Dawn City Scientific Research Zone and start the awakening experiments! Also, recycle all bone armor materials and research bone armor-type bulletproof vests and helmets!"

He paused, looked at the commanders behind him, and added: "From today onwards, the entire army's organization is clearly defined—every Dawn City will be standardly equipped with 1,000 defensive troops, relying on automated defense systems to garrison the city; offensive forces must not be fewer than 1,500 people and must be equipped with Awakened One vanguards, heavy firepower squads, and Engineering Corps detachments before they can execute cross-regional clearing missions!"

The commanders received the orders in unison, their hearts already clear that the appearance of this crystal core would completely change the landscape of humanity's fight against zombies.

The surrounding ordinary zombies, having lost the leadership of the Power Colonist, instantly fell into chaos. Lin Zhou seized the opportunity and ordered the entire army to charge.

Riflemen, Machine Gunners, and Grenadiers fought in coordination, while the Engineering Corps cleared the battlefield while recycling the Power Colonist's bone armor materials and zombie remains. The battle lasted for an hour, and the zombies in the center of the Old City were completely wiped out. The Engineering Corps also rescued over thirty trapped survivors from several hidden basements.

Meanwhile, in Dawn City, Hope School welcomed its first batch of new students. Over a hundred children wearing uniform simple school clothes sat in brand-new classrooms, following their teachers in reading lessons aloud. The clear sound of reading drifted through the windows toward the distant horizon. In the temporary laboratory of the Scientific Research Zone, several survivor scientists were gathered around that Level 1 Crystal Core, nervously adjusting the awakening adaptation equipment.

After the battle ended, Lin Zhou stood on the ruins of the Department Store, watching the busy figures of the Engineering Corps dismantling buildings and recycling supplies, his mind filled with swirling thoughts. He knew that this Power Colonist was just the beginning and that stronger Mutants would appear in the future. However, the appearance of the crystal core gave humanity the possibility of evolution, and the research and development of new weapons and equipment would become the foundation for humanity's counterattack.

"Pass down the orders," Lin Zhou turned around, his voice firm and powerful. "First, the Scientific Research Zone is to push forward crystal core awakening experiments and bone armor equipment research at full speed, prioritizing bone armor defensive gear for the defensive troops. Second, expand the offensive forces to 1,500 people and screen elite soldiers to participate in the first batch of crystal core awakening tests. Third, accelerate the speed of resource recovery and survivor rescue throughout the county to prepare for the construction and garrisoning of the next Dawn City!"

"Yes!" The commanders' shouts shook the sky.

As the sun set, its afterglow spilled over the ruins of the Old City and onto the rooftop of Hope School in Dawn City. Lin Zhou looked into the distance, tightly clutching a new weapon research blueprint in his hand, which was marked with terms like "Bone Armor Heavy Machine Gun" and "Crystal Energy Detector."

He knew that the awakening and counterattack of humanity had only just begun.