021, Qi Ran's Response!

Within three hours—the three hours following the apocalypse’s onset! Those who hadn’t made it onto the rankings simply couldn’t comprehend what Qi Ran was explaining. Yet Song Chen had already entered. Qi Ran decided to spare further words.

Song Chen nodded again and replied to Qi Ran, “Yes, I am the second-ranked tester to reach level one within the first three hours after the apocalypse began.”

Qi Ran was unsurprised by Song Chen’s answer. It had only been half an hour since she herself had reached level one. Given that Qi Ran had obtained an extraordinary SSS-grade talent, her performance this life far exceeded that of the top-ranked level one tester from the previous Blue Star era. Song Chen lagged only half an hour behind Qi Ran, ranking second—entirely reasonable.

Still, hearing the confirmation directly from Song Chen, Qi Ran could not help but reveal a relieved smile.

“That’s good! Song Chen, listen carefully. From now on, stay on the eighth floor and kill zombies relentlessly, racing against time!”

“I’m about to go to another place for a trial, and I’m not sure when I’ll return.”

“Remember, after six o’clock when darkness falls, your awakened talent will cause a high fever and severe weakness.”

“No matter how your level progresses, before total darkness at six, you must find a safe place to hide!”

Qi Ran’s words flew out rapidly.

Through the skull-shaped holes in her armor, Song Chen’s dark, profound eyes locked onto Qi Ran’s brown pupils without blinking. Yet he did not immediately agree. Instead, he suddenly spoke.

“Qi Ran, why are you telling me this?”

“Do you want me to risk my life, licking the edge of the blade to slaughter zombies, awaken my talent, and gain enough strength to protect your dear brother?”

“Is this the condition under which you help me awaken?”

His tone was laced with sarcasm.

It was no wonder Song Chen thought this way. Before the apocalypse, Qi Ran cared deeply for Qi Sheng, her half-brother. Having been close friends with Qi Sheng for nine years, Song Chen had witnessed Qi Ran’s tireless devotion. He knew well how profound her feelings for Qi Sheng were.

Yet even though Qi Sheng was nearby, having already ascended to the eighth floor before him, Qi Ran never revealed a hint of her identity to Qi Sheng. Instead, the moment she saw Song Chen, she grabbed him without hesitation and threw him into the pile of monsters.

His left hand was torn open, flesh shredded and blood soaking his sleeve. Qi Ran seemed not to notice at all, demanding only that he use his intact right hand to fiercely slaughter zombies.

And yet, he had obediently followed her orders until now.

Qi Ran’s commands were absolute.

...

Song Chen despised himself deeply. Yet in such dire circumstances, when Qi Ran sought him out, he had no choice but to comply. Even if he faced this situation ten thousand more times, he would make the same choice every time.

Of course, awakening a talent and gaining strength was undeniably beneficial to Song Chen.

Still, he harbored some faint suspicion about Qi Ran’s unexpected behavior.

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