247: Industrial University

Located in the northern district of Hongdu, the XXX Industrial University was once a fairly renowned engineering institution in the province.

Today, the former halls of academia are shrouded in silence and chaos; the campus is overgrown with weeds, the buildings are mottled, and only a few reinforced dormitory buildings show any signs of human activity.

In a room within one of the men's dormitories, the windows have been sealed shut with wooden planks and iron bars, leaving only a few narrow slits for observation.

Hundreds of haggard, shabbily dressed students sit huddled together, the air filled with the smell of sweat, mold, and a faint aura called "Hope."

The student leader is Private First Class, formerly of Xijiang Armed Police Mobile Detachment, a university student who returned to campus after being discharged from the military.

He has a straight posture, and even in this environment, he maintains the tenacious demeanor peculiar to a soldier.

He lowers his voice, yet his tone is full of strength as he waves his fist forcefully: "Students! Hang in there a little longer! I have received confirmed news that the troops are about to break through! Once our main force arrives, those arrogant and shameless guys will see their good days come to an end! Not a single one of them will get away!"

His words are like a stone thrown into a still lake, immediately causing ripples of excitement among the students.

A pale girl wearing glasses speaks up timidly, her eyes filled with longing: "Senior, are... are you telling the truth? When... when exactly will the troops arrive?"

Her words voice the inner thoughts of everyone, and pairs of exhausted yet expectant eyes turn in unison to look at Private First Class, formerly of Xijiang Armed Police Mobile Detachment.

Private First Class, formerly of Xijiang Armed Police Mobile Detachment takes a deep breath, as if to convey more confidence; he claps his hands to signal everyone to be quiet, then says in a tone that sounds almost like an oath: "Students! It is absolutely true! Just a moment ago, through the radio we managed to keep, we received an announcement released by the National Government to the whole country! Our heroic troops of Xijiang Province—the Red Alert Legion—have assembled an army of over sixty thousand and are advancing toward our Hongdu from four directions! The liberation of Hongdu is just around the corner!"

"Great! We've finally waited for it!"

"The Red Alert Legion! I've heard of them; they are incredibly powerful!"

"Wuwu... we are finally saved..."

Long-suppressed emotions erupt instantly, and excited murmurs, agitated discussions, and the sobbing of girls crying tears of joy echo in the cramped space.

This news is like sunlight piercing through thick, dark clouds, lighting up the fire of hope that had almost been extinguished in everyone's hearts.

And Private First Class, formerly of Xijiang Armed Police Mobile Detachment, this veteran student, relying on his superior skills and courage after the apocalypse, also successfully awakened, becoming an Evolver possessed by a Fire Wolf.

He resolutely organized a group of students with backbone and occupied a resource point.

In this surviving university, two groups have formed, engaging in a cruel and intense struggle for survival.

"Those bastards! They were lording it over us at our school even before the apocalypse! After the apocalypse, they went even further, hoarding food and bullying men and women! They really deserve to die!"

A scrawny boy says through gritted teeth, his knuckles turning white as he clenches his fists, his eyes filled with hatred.

"Everyone, don't be afraid! Stay vigilant and hold this place!"

Private First Class, formerly of Xijiang Armed Police Mobile Detachment waves his fist again, his gaze sweeping over every young yet determined face, "Justice may be late, but it will never be absent! These scumbags will soon face the judgment they deserve before the people's army! We must trust the troops!"