Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

At the entrance of the camp, two professionists were smoking and chatting, with survivors coming in and out of the camp gate periodically.

Everyone's mental state was much, much better than before.

Far away, an enormous gray figure was steadily drawing closer!

"Is that... Brother Wen Yu?" a gatekeeping professionist, who was the first to spot Cyclops's increasingly massive form, hesitantly said to the person beside him.

The other man rubbed his eyes vigorously, tossed away his cigarette, and excitedly declared, "It really is! You wait here. I'll go tell Brother Pengfei that our camp's hero is back!"

With that, he promptly hurried into the camp.

...

When Wen Yu reached the entrance of the settlement, Zang Pengfei and other high-ranking camp members had already received news of his return and had come out early to greet him. Behind Zang Pengfei, a large crowd of ordinary people was lined up, quietly watching Wen Yu under the supervision of the professionists.

"Hero! Hero! Hero..."

As Zang Pengfei raised his right fist high and powerfully shouted the word "hero," everyone in the camp slowly raised their right fists.

The shouts started low, then gradually swelled in volume until they thundered through the sky!

Everyone was loudly shouting the word "hero."

This was respect for the powerful expert, for Wen Yu, who had saved everyone in the camp.

Wen Yu saw the sincere respect from everyone, including Zang Pengfei and even Sun Aotian. His lips slowly curved into a faint smile.

They're really... a group of lovable people!

He waved his hand vigorously. As the cheering gradually died down, he walked straight to Zang Pengfei's side.

"How's the situation now?"

Zang Pengfei first turned to disperse the surrounding crowd, then replied with a smile, "The situation is excellent. After the Corpse King's death, the zombies lost all organization. Scattered zombies can't withstand the attacks from the professionists in the camp. This time, we not only recaptured Chaihe Town but also significantly improved the strength of all the professionists. Plus, the supplies in Chaihe Town are enough for us to live comfortably for a long time!"

"Hmm, find me a room first. I need to rest. Anything else can wait until I wake up."

"Alright, we've already prepared one for you. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Zang Pengfei smiled at Wen Yu and immediately led him into the camp.

The new camp was established in a residential complex. The surrounding walls were high, and Zang Pengfei and his men had erected barbed wire, creating a simple first line of defense.

Zang Pengfei led Wen Yu directly into a residential building, took out a set of keys, and opened an apartment on the top floor.

"Brother Wen Yu, from now on, this is your home. What do you think of the place your old brother here saved for you?"

Inside, Zang Pengfei had already had people clean the room thoroughly, and a faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the air.

The room was south-facing, and sunlight streamed directly through the window, casting a soft glow on the furniture. The bedding, furniture, and even the pots and pans—everything was new!

It was an ordinary two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment, but in this post-apocalyptic world, it was an exceptionally rare find.

Wen Yu nodded with satisfaction and said, "Thank you, Brother Pengfei. It's really nice. It feels like home."

Hearing Wen Yu's words, Zang Pengfei grinned broadly and said, "Brother Wen Yu, now you're just being modest! After all you've done for us, no reward would be too great."

"There's no need to say that. I just did what I had to do."

Killing the Corpse King, allowing Cyclops to undergo Evolution, and collecting points—those were my main goals.

Who knew that in other people's eyes, it would be seen completely differently? Wen Yu couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation at the "hero" title unexpectedly thrust upon him.

This was just a difference in perspective born from the disparity in power levels.

And now that things had come to this, Wen Yu certainly wasn't going to explain to anyone that he wasn't some hero.

Enjoying the treatment afforded to a person of high status? Wen Yu was definitely happy to oblige.

"Then, Brother Wen Yu, settle in here for now. When you wake up, just come downstairs and find me. I have some other matters I'd like to discuss with you."

Zang Pengfei spoke with some hesitation, clearly indicating there was a problem in the camp they couldn't resolve.

"We'll talk after I wake up," Wen Yu replied simply.

"Alright, then I'll take my leave."

Wen Yu nodded, watched Zang Pengfei leave, then sighed. Being a hero is such a hassle. It looks like more hard labor is coming my way.

After Cyclops's huge body laboriously squeezed through the reinforced security door, Wen Yu immediately locked it, then collapsed onto the bed in the master bedroom and fell fast asleep.

Although professionists had a decreasing need for sleep, good rest could still improve one's mental state and focus. Besides, in this damn apocalypse, what else was there to do in the camp besides sleep?

...

A mere four hours later, Wen Yu woke up.

His keen sense of smell caught the aroma of food, making his stomach rumble.

For the past few days, while he was out killing zombies, Wen Yu hadn't eaten anything decent. As for the high-energy food from the Exchange Stone Pillar, Wen Yu was loath to spend his points on it.

He nudged Cyclops with his foot. The creature was sprawled on the floor. This damn dog had eaten its fill—zombies, mutant beasts, all these things were food for Cyclops; the only difference was the taste.

Cyclops grunted twice, rolled over, its thick, sturdy tail sweeping against Wen Yu's leg, and then it fell asleep again.

Wen Yu chuckled, cursing lightly, "Damn it, you sure sleep soundly."

He then immediately left the room, heading in the direction of the fragrant aroma.

Downstairs, it was just mealtime.

Since the survivors had recaptured Chaihe Town, the food stored there was enough to sustain several hundred people. Meanwhile, Zang Pengfei had already organized people to start cultivating the wasteland.

If the current situation could be maintained, there was a high probability that everyone could continue to live and prosper on this land.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the true apocalypse; at best, it could only be considered its prelude!

When Wen Yu came downstairs, everyone present voluntarily stood up, smiling and greeting him.

Wen Yu didn't have the heart to remain aloof, so he forced a slight smile, all the while cursing inwardly, Fame, status... I'm really not used to this damn stuff!

Fortunately, Zang Pengfei appeared just in time to smooth things over, saving Wen Yu's face from an impending cramp.

"Come, Brother Wen Yu, over here! I'll have someone bring our food. We can eat and hold a meeting at the same time!"

Zang Pengfei grabbed Wen Yu's arm and led him directly into a small eatery within the residential complex.

"Perfect timing. All the camp managers are here. We'll have a meeting, and there are some matters we need your help with, Brother Wen Yu."