The scene that was being displayed was a bit blurry and seemed to be from ground-level, making it hard to see clearly. No danger was apparent, but as soon as the crowd heard the word "zombie," they immediately knew it was the pre-scene CG of a survival game set in the apocalypse.
This was undoubtedly a rescue-type shooting game.
The young man might be a companion or a key NPC!
After all, if the player modeled him to look this good, not many would risk taking him on an adventure.
As the drone rose higher, overlooking the entire land, the screen's imagery became more disturbing.
Everything was a sea of red, filled with pain and wails. Terrifying figures roamed the streets, searching for surviving humans.
Once they found someone, they would eagerly pounce and devour them alive.
Even through the screen, everyone could feel the despair and oppression, almost making it hard to breathe.
Everyone was stunned; this was too realistic, wasn't it?
Shouldn't they blur it out a bit?
Could a game that was both violent and compromised everyone's phones and computers really have been released?
Wait! Wasn't this terrain actually from City A!?
People who had been to City A or were from City A recognized the terrain in the footage.
Was this game really using actual terrain for its game scenarios!? How did they achieve 100% accuracy?
Was this... really just a game CG?
In a university dorm, someone swallowed nervously, turning to the person sitting behind him. "Lao Si, you're from City A, right? Isn't this too realistic?"
The person called Lao Si stared at the screen on the computer, biting his lip tightly. His voice was hoarse. "My family hasn't been in contact for several days now."
"I've been trying to reach them, but not a single call has gone through."
Others in the dorm were so scared they dropped things beside them, stuttering as they spoke. "You mean... this might not be a game, it's real!?"
The person next to them couldn't believe it. "But, but how is that possible?"
"Apocalypse and zombies... aren't they only in movies?"
***
Ruan Qing had no idea what kind of reaction his words would provoke. He pursed his lips, his calm and indifferent eyes carrying a hint of compassion, making people feel uneasy.
"In just a few days, out of eight million lives, perhaps less than two million remain."
"Even those who survive are left with despair, pain, and struggle."
"Some are even numb."
A bitter smile flickered at the corner of Ruan Qing's mouth. "This isn't the worst part, because at least some are still desperately trying to survive."
"Yet there are those intent on depriving even that."
Ruan Qing's voice was soft, tinged with a hint of helplessness. "In three days, this island will be bombed."
"Along with over eight million people in City A, they will all rest together at the bottom of the sea."
After finishing, Ruan Qing took a deep breath, looked into the camera with seriousness and plea in his eyes. "I implore everyone, give the survivors in City A a chance, a chance to live."
"To prevent City A from being bombed."
Ruan Qing bowed towards the camera after speaking, then raised his head to continue earnestly. "I know this request is audacious."
"The rate of zombie evolution is rapid, and they are gradually gaining consciousness. In about five days, zombies might be able to swim from the sea to the opposite shore, putting the entire world in danger."
"But I still want to request everyone to give all the people in City A a chance. I will work on developing serum and antidotes against zombies within three days. If I succeed, I plead not to bomb this island."
"Because the zombies will no longer pose a threat to everyone."
Ruan Qing paused, then earnestly cautioned, "I know the signals have been restored, but please do not come for rescue until I succeed."
"Without serum against the zombie virus and specialized weapons, coming here would be futile, and there's even a possibility of carrying the virus back to the mainland."
"If I fail..."
Ruan Qing paused, showing a faint yet resolute smile to the camera, a smile that was determined enough to bring tears to those who watched him. "Then bomb it."
Because behind this decision lay the fate of millions, all destined to perish along with the island.
No less than a brutal war.
Even more cruel than a brutal war, because this time, no one would survive.
Sacrificing the people of a city to save the world was undeniably cruel, but it's the most rational decision.
Absolute rationality had always been ruthless.
After Ruan Qing finished speaking, he uploaded the list he had hacked from the Eternal Life Laboratory system onto the internet.
The list contained detailed information about the Eternal Life Laboratory, including everyone involved in the project and the researchers conducting the experiments.
There was even a list of individuals who had become experimental subjects.
However, unlike the previous list, the experimental subjects were not given their own names but were identified by numbers. Only by looking at their photos could one vaguely recognize who they were.
After uploading the information, Ruan Qing paid no further attention to the camera, leaving it to those who saw it to take action.
He began studying his own blood.
Three days was too short, so urgent that even using all twenty-four hours each day felt insufficient.
Ruan Qing remained focused, ignoring his own wounds and conducting his experiments earnestly.
He drew blood without hesitation, continuing to draw more once the first batch was used up, disregarding his own health and the paleness of his face.
Though Ruan Qing paid no attention to the camera, it remained on, pointing toward one of the experimental stations.
Most of the time, his figure could be seen, and his actions could be vaguely discerned.
However, non-experts couldn't understand what he was doing; the only clear action was his blood drawing.
Many who watched felt pain, grimacing as if it were their own blood being drawn.
When Ruan Qing hacked the communication satellite, he did not avoid City A, so naturally, the signal in City A was restored.
Many people witnessed everything Ruan Qing had described.
Countless individuals wept bitterly. For these few days, it felt like they were living in hell, devoid of any hope.
There was no rescue, no way to contact anyone, just zombies preying on them and various forms of human cruelty.
As if the whole world had abandoned them.
They hadn't expected that while they were unaware, someone was working hard for their survival.
Jiang Shuyu also witnessed this scene. She had thought the young man had died in the Eternal Life Laboratory, but she didn't expect him to escape.
And to achieve this extent.
Jiang Shuyu couldn't hold back her tears as she hugged the little girl. It was truly wonderful that he was okay.
The little girl patted Jiang Shuyu's back awkwardly, clumsily comforting her, "Sister, don't cry, don't cry."
Ten minutes had already passed, and everyone's phones and computers were now operational.
Upon realizing this, everyone immediately opened their social media apps to communicate with people they knew.
However, they discovered that everyone was facing the same situation.
If a few ordinary people's phones were hacked, it wouldn't be enough to cause widespread panic, but clearly, everyone's phones had been compromised.
It wasn't just phones either; even computers and billboards were affected—this was clearly criminal activity.
It couldn't be for publicity purposes; this was definitely not a game promotion.
Was it a hacker's prank? That was the initial reaction of most people.
Once their phones were operational, everyone immediately called people in City A.
Some phones rang with no answer, while others went straight to voicemail.
Only a few phones were able to connect.
Yet the conversation was exactly as described in the video, and someone even sent a video confirming it.
It was only then that everyone realized that this was all true—City A was indeed overrun with zombies, and even survival seemed like a luxury.
yess go ruan qing!! tell them the truth!
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