Back at the hospital…

A person stirred awake slowly.

"You trickster! I knew it! I fucking knew it!" 

"You looked like an old hag! How the fuck could you be a high school student?" Fang Yuan started shouting in exasperation as soon as he regained his consciousness.

He could not stand the sight of the smug smile on the woman's face. She had clearly been conning him from the beginning.

Alex's eyes twitched and her lips twisted into an ugly smile. "What the heck did you just say? I am an old hag?" She lifted her leg mercilessly and kicked the guy in his hip a few times, relieving all her frustrations.

"If you don't behave yourself, the next time I will be targeting your family jewels that are a few inches to the right. Understand?"

"Bitch! I was just fucking trying to help you. Why are you guys treating us like this?" 

He could see that both he and Geming were tightly bound with thick strong ropes which he couldn't even budge from.

"Heh." Alex grinned viciously. "What are you talking about, Pervert? Are you trying to put on a show for me? Did you really think I would fall for this gentleman's act?"

"What a joke!"

Alex squatted in front of the guy and lifted his chin with her dagger. "Tell me the truth."

"What truth?"

"Didn't you just come back because I mentioned the bunch of high school girls? What? Did you want to have illegal some fun now that there is no more law or rule?"

High school girls? Illegal fun? What is this lunatic talking about? Fang Yuan looked at the tigress in front of her and sighed tiredly. 

What was the point in even replying to this person? Was she ever going to believe anything he said?

He glared at her annoying face and then turned away. "Whatever. Do what you want and think what you want. I, Fang Yuan, will not beg for my life."

Alex glared at him back for a minute and then stood up after ignoring him. Qin Hua had given them a bundle of beast hide before leaving.

So apart from keeping an eye on these two scoundrels and a watch on the perimeter, she also had the responsibility to oversee the work getting done.

Qiang was handling all the details regarding this as he was already experienced in stitching the loincloth outfits. 

Though when compared to the loincloth outfits, using boa's skin and scales and other smaller beasts' hides was of a considerably higher difficulty.

Without their enhanced abilities, it would probably be impossible to even cut through the skin and hide. Even with their abilities, it took a lot of detail and hard work to bring out the shape and awkwardly fashioned outfit.

It also required a lot of concentration, mental effort, and continuous work.

But because of the recent developments, no one seemed to care about that and scrambled to do their best and contribute in one way or another to the group.

Lu Chen's ruthlessness had affected everyone a lot. Moreover, they also understood the importance of defense. So no one slacked. 

Even if they personally don't end up wearing a fancy vest made of the various hides, even if part of the group wears it, it still ensures a better outcome.

This sort of group mentality had already started to fester without anyone realizing it. Everyone had become a lot closer and were slowly getting used to working hard together.

Apart from the stitching group, the cooking group, one more group also patrolled the surroundings keeping a lookout. 

Xiao Ming headed this group and bravely took care of the couple of zombies they encountered. Her disappointment with the way she had lost control of herself when the insects had swarmed them still weighed heavily on her mind.

She also couldn't help but regret missing the chance to absorb the demonic core. So she kept constantly searching for another violet colored core. 

But, how could such a thing be easy to find? Xiao Ming didn't get too disheartened as she could feel herself becoming stronger the more she hunted these creatures.

She was distinctly aware that the monsters that she was so desperately searching for and killing were in fact once living breathing human beings but what could she do?

Everything had changed and if she did not adapt to this new world, she would only meet her demise!

Under Xiao Ming's influence, the other three with her also acted bravely and hunted the zombies with rabid enthusiasm. 

The positive feedback from absorbing mana cores was more than enough to keep them going. Every kill made them a little bit stronger than they were before.

After a while, there was a small rustling noise from the distance and the four of them immediately became alert. There was nothing visible just yet but a low tremor wave like a dull murmur traveled under their feet.

The four of them immediately backed away and changed their positions.

Xiao Ming by now had a bit more experience and she was aware of her own limits. Moreover, Alex had trusted her to scout the surroundings, so she didn't act hastily.

"You two. Go back inside and inform Alex immediately. We both will stay here and keep a watch. This might be a false alarm but it is better to be safe."

Xiao Ming gripped her dagger and stood her ground. 

She could hear her heart pounding loudly inside her chest and her nerves were slowly freezing up, but she was determined not to let things get to her this time.

The other two members of the team quickly dashed back and told Alex about it, who instantly stood up, letting all the materials in her lap fall down.

As soon as she heard tremors, the first thing that came to her mind was the boas but then she also remembered the centipede that she had just taken care of.

"Fuck. Fuck. What could it be?" She bit her nails nervously. "Without Lu Chen and Qin Hua, can we really handle it? What if there were more beasts this time?"

"Another centipede? Ahhh!" Xu Meilin blurted out. She was playing with the cat on the side and looked at her wearily. She had just now recovered and didn't even know how to respond.

She really didn't want to get burned all over again. She subconsciously touched her hands and face and hugged the cat even tighter. "Coco don't leave me."

"Alex, what is happening?"

"Are there more beasts outside?

"Aiooooo. What should we do now? What is going to happen to us?"

Everyone started panicking and Luo Zu was not helping. Moreover, Fang Yang and Geming had also gained their consciousness by now and looked at each other, amused by their captors' chaos.

Fang Yang, particularly, was very offended by the girl's obnoxious remarks and grinned at her misery. "Heh. What now, princess? How are you going to handle things?"

After everything was said and done, the two women who were seemingly stronger than the rest, along with the guy who looked frivolous, all seemed to be helpless.

It was only a matter of time before everything went to hell. Along with everyone else's panicked words and worried prayers, he as well threw some more oil into the fire and loudly laughed at Alex.

"Do you want me to help? Hmmm?"

Alex glared at the villain. She couldn't even think clearly. She finally couldn't take it and clutched her head and shouted. "SHUT UP! SHUT THE HELL UP!"

The hall instantly quieted down and no one dared to say anything. Only Alex spoke and her words were loud and clear.

"Everyone! Get the fuck up! Take out your daggers. This might be the last fight of your lives. So fight as your life depends on it!"

"AM I BEING FUCKING CLEAR?"

No one dared to answer her and they all only nodded quietly. However, her speech was very effective and there was a clear resolve in everyone's eyes and actions.

Fang Yuan frowned. In reality, he had nothing against these people but he hated how a random lunatic had swindled him when all he was trying to do was help.

"Such a potty mouth." He muttered under his breath and observed the woman's actions, no longer looking down on her.

While Fang Yuan angrily glared at Alex, Geming whispered to him from the side. "Yuan, I have a bad feeling."

Xu Meilin who was sitting near the two happened to hear this conversation and she chimed in abruptly. "You too? I also have a bad feeling!"

"Huh?" Both Geming and Fang Yuan looked at her in surprise. The young girl looked like a deer staring in headlights but at least she was talking to them like a normal person.

Geming quickly used this chance to talk to her. "Ya. Definitely, right? Can you untie me? I think several beasts are coming! You guys need all the help you can get!"