Chapter 28: The First Step of Temptation (Part One)

"Are you hurt?" Guo Lang stood behind Laura, his face full of concern.

Alice shook her head adorably. "No, it's just the blood of the zombies—and Old Vick's, too!"

"Vick? What happened to him?" Guo Lang's heart sank. Had they still not arrived in time?

"He got scratched. I disinfected the wound with alcohol and bandaged him up. He's lying in the basement..."

"Just scratched?" Relief washed over Guo Lang. He nodded. "Let's go see him." With that, Alice obediently led Guo Lang and her mother toward the basement.

Behind them, Thomas was startled by Guo Lang's reaction. He'd noticed that when Guo Lang heard the person they came to save was only scratched and not killed outright, he actually relaxed. To Thomas, this was inconceivable. They'd already confirmed in the military district that the monsters were infectious. After he and his company took down a stronghold, they lost nearly half their men, twenty of whom he had to personally shoot. In their experience, a scratch was as good as a death sentence, and often it fell to one's own comrades to finish the job. They'd rather their brothers died at the monsters' hands than by their own.

But Guo Lang's first response to the news of a scratch was relief? Could it be...? A thought flashed in Thomas's mind, and his breathing quickened.

"Boss!" Behind him, Kelly and the other quick-witted ones wore excited expressions, staring at Thomas expectantly, hoping he would take the lead.

"The main group stays outside on guard—keep out of sight and don't attract wandering zombies. You few, come down with me to check things out!"

"Yes, sir!" Kelly saluted, then hurried out to arrange the tasks. The remaining few were visibly excited—if their guess was right, that kid's medicine was worth a fortune!

In the basement, Guo Lang hurried to Old Vick's side. The old man's face was ashen, sweat beading on his brow. Though his wound was bandaged, it bled through, and a foul stench rose from it.

Already festering, though the wound was fresh? Guo Lang frowned, secretly grateful this time the enemy used a nematode-type virus—its neural destruction was slower. Had it been the prototype, Vick might have turned in a minute, making rescue near impossible.

"Sorry I'm late," Guo Lang said apologetically. He genuinely liked this well-mannered old man. In the two days they'd been together, Vick had never pried into his secrets or asked him to save relatives—he simply helped manage supplies and kept the place tidy.

This was a man of ambition and social grace. Guo Lang had learned through their conversations that Vick had once served as Director of the Federal Tax Bureau under the Treasury Department—a high-ranking position. The Secretary of the Treasury was second only to the Secretary of State in the presidential cabinet, and the departments under Treasury held real power. The Tax Bureau’s status was crucial in any nation; to reach its upper ranks required genuine talent, especially given the current state of the Federation's economy.

Right now, Guo Lang had no real power and little need for administrators, but he needed to plan for the future. Once he established a base, he’d need to build at least three Nightfall structures, and would have to use up his inferior medicines—those evolved would require caretakers. He’d need to gather refugees, organize production. Nightfall’s agricultural tech was top-tier; with ten elves farming, a thousand people could be fed if the land was well irrigated. Development would be rapid, and trusted administrators would be essential. Old Vick was already at the top of Guo Lang’s recruitment list.

Had he arrived any later, finding someone of such caliber in this chaos would have been nearly impossible.

"This was my fault," Vick said, remorseful. "I shouldn’t have ignored your advice and gone up to the roof to look around. Ended up spotted by zombies. Even though I managed to escape to the basement, I got surrounded. The security door held out for a long time, but if I hadn’t gone up there, nothing would’ve tried to break it down. I brought this on myself." He paused, looking pitifully at Guo Lang. "I know these monsters are infectious, right? I’m not long for this world. Before I go, could you do me a favor?"

Guo Lang was taken aback. "What is it?"

"When things settle down, if you ever pass by the South Continent, could you check on the Vandy Company—or a villa community called New Land?"

Guo Lang nodded understandingly. "Is this about the son Alice mentioned? Don’t worry, I—"

"Oh, no, no!" The old man shook his head, flustered. "Not my ungrateful son. There's an actress named Lune—I'm a huge fan, love her movies. If you happen to run into her, could you give her a hand, and maybe get her autograph? Burn a copy for me!"

Guo Lang was speechless.

See what I mean? Always respect your elders. They remember every slight, and you never know when they’ll help you out—or hold a grudge—when you least expect it.

He never realized the old man had this side to him. Was it the approach of death, or was his true nature surfacing? Guo Lang shook his head. "Well, let's leave that aside for now. As for your situation, I can handle it—but you'll need to sign a contract. You’ve seen it before. Are you interested?"

"Of course, of course!" Just moments ago, the old man had been on his last legs, but now he practically leapt up, grabbing Guo Lang's hand despite his wound. "I've been waiting for you to say that! I’m old, you know—don’t keep me hanging. I thought I’d never get the chance!"

"Ah, haha..." Guo Lang was at a loss for words.

"What contract?" asked Thomas and his group, who had followed them down, curiosity piqued. Laura was curious as well—she felt ever closer to the truth now. Judging by the situation, her daughter must have signed the same contract, and she was eager to learn more.

Yet she found it odd. In this world, did paper contracts even mean anything anymore? Even in the old days, a contract signed by a minor was basically useless.

Guo Lang smiled. "Trade secret. Would you mind stepping outside for a moment?"

But Thomas didn’t give in this time. He stepped forward. "We’d like to understand."

Guo Lang and Alice narrowed their eyes in unison, a flash of violet light passing through their gaze. The atmosphere grew tense; even wounded Old Vick instinctively shrank into a corner.

Not just Vick—Thomas and his group were also on edge. Guo Lang had just confirmed their suspicions: the gene serum he carried could not only enhance the human body, but cure the virus. As elite soldiers with some medical knowledge, they realized that if the serum could cure the virus, it could likely grant immunity too. This would be an evolutionary leap for survival.

Not just for the country, but for himself and his brothers, Thomas knew he had to push for it, even if it meant thickening his skin.

Seeing the hostility in Guo Lang’s eyes, Thomas raised his hands placatingly. "No need to be tense. We know the rules. You’ll notice only a few of us came down—that should show we mean no harm."

Indeed, with just the three of them in a cramped basement, they’d have little chance if Guo Lang and Alice decided to strike. But if they killed these men, there’d be no turning back with the soldiers above. Thomas was forcing Guo Lang to take a stand, but he’d shown his own sincerity.

"Well, you might get to see the contract," Guo Lang said with a smile. "But the scene may be a bit... unsettling. Hope you’re prepared!"

"Eh?" The group looked at each other, momentarily confused. What did he mean by that?