Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

”Your state change is pretty quick. Others are either stuck in the grief of losing companions or are excitedly discussing how to deal with those bastards, and you’ve already started thinking about the zombie horde?”

Zhang Su asked in a teasing tone.

Wu Daqiang tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing an extremely forced smile: ”The deceased are gone. As combat personnel, we must look forward. This disaster ultimately stemmed from the zombies; if we don’t solve the root issue, the current safety is only temporary.”

As they spoke, the two arrived in front of the restroom.

The design of the restroom next to the playground has a very vintage feel, visibly from the last century. Nowadays, the sewage system is completely paralyzed. A three-wheeled cart and shovels are placed next to the restroom, no need for introductions to know what they’re for. Luckily, the temperature is low enough that the smell isn’t too strong...

Zhang Su took out a pack of cigarettes and handed one to Wu Daqiang, then lit one for himself, taking a puff and saying, ”What to do specifically depends on the news from the scouts. Alright, it’s stinky here, you should head back first.”

After speaking, he patted Wu Daqiang on the shoulder and walked into the restroom.

When he had fully turned the corner, subtitles appeared as expected in his mind, sticking to the principles, which made Zhang Su greatly relieved.

[Absorb and recruit all the forces of the North City Four Tigers within five days; each force joining Celestial Horse Island must comprise at least 80% of their members. Difficulty: A, completed.]

[Reward: Emotion Release Source]

???

”What the... What kind of abstract thing is this?”

Zhang Su looked at the subtitles gradually fading in his mind, his head felt like it was swelling, Emotion Release Source, sounds like some psychology term, vaguely exuding a cyberpunk flavor.

”Not feeling anything special, what is this thing used for—Emotion Release Source... Such a strange thing...”

Pondering, Zhang Su kept searching in his mind, still the same as before, no change, muttering to himself, ”Didn’t give me anything, what is this Emotion Release Source?”

Based on past experiences, he knew he’d need to figure it out gradually. This trip wasn’t entirely for the reward; to be honest, he had a bit of an urgent need.

After resolving it, he walked out of the restroom with a puzzled heart, seeing Wu Daqiang still waiting not far away, he went over.

”I know the way, you can head back first, no need to wait, it’s so cold.”

While talking to Wu Daqiang, Zhang Su noticed an interesting change.

Just coming out of the restroom, he clearly saw Wu Daqiang frowning slightly, his expression full of concern, but as he got closer, Wu Daqiang’s worried look gradually turned to one of confusion, like someone baffled by a long-standing problem, scratching his head.

”Qiangzi, what are you pondering at the bathroom door?”

Zhang Su was a bit startled and checked himself, could he have accidentally gotten something on him?

Wu Daqiang shook his head, full of bafflement: ”Still thinking about the zombie horde issue, how to resolve it, such a headache.”

???

Zhang Su raised an eyebrow. When exiting the restroom, Wu Daqiang was evidently worried, but now he’s deep in thought, did it change so fast?

Trying to show he cares about the camp’s safety?

Doesn’t make sense, finding solutions is caring about the camp, worrying is also a form of caring.

So...

A light bulb went off in Zhang Su’s mind, feeling like he grasped something, he took a deep breath of icy air, subdued the thoughts about the ”Emotion Release Source,” and flashed a bright smile, patting Wu Daqiang’s shoulder, ”Why overthink it, when soldiers come we counter with generals, when water floods we hold it with earth, we have so many elite fighters, why fear zombies?”

”Yeah.”

Wu Daqiang was momentarily dazed, the doubtful look gradually fading, then slowly revealing a smile, looking at Zhang Su and nodding vigorously: ”Right, Brother Su you’re right, what’s so scary about a zombie horde, we have guns, cannons, and warriors, hahaha, not scary at all!”

Zhang Su’s face was full of mixed expressions; he seemed to understand how to use the Emotion Release Source now!

To test it, he recalled the bloody, brutal scenes when members of the Civilization Guardian were killed by Bajiazi Village, and a faint sadness welled up in his heart, becoming increasingly intense.

Visibly, Wu Daqiang’s confident smile faded, his complexion changed from sunny to cloudy, his eyes slowly turning red.

”Hey, Qiangzi, you were just laughing so happily, why do you suddenly look like you’re about to cry?”

”It’s just... Brother Su, I was just thinking about the bleak future of humanity, and felt very sad, but it’s nothing.”

Wu Daqiang’s voice was sorrowful, wiping his slightly red eyes.

Zhang Su nodded silently; the purpose of the Emotion Release Source was becoming clearer.

As the name suggests, he had become the source of emotional release; various emotions would infect those around him—when he was happy, others would be happy; when he was sad, others would follow suit.

Emotions are contagious, but the reasons behind the emotions can vary from person to person. Just like earlier, Zhang Su was saddened by the thought of ten or so brothers of Civilization Guardian dying, while Wu Daqiang, impacted by emotion, was full of sorrow, but his reason was the perceived lack of hope for humanity’s future.

Those infected by emotion would self-generate a cause for the emotion!

This shows that it is only the emotion that gets transmitted, and not the thought itself, which aptly illustrates that joy and sorrow are not mutually communicable. Something that might seem sorrowful to one person could, with a change in person or perspective, even be a joyous occasion for someone else...

”Don’t worry, we humans will be victorious!”

Zhang Su encouraged Wu Daqiang, his heart filled with courage.