Chapter 116: You Chase Me, I Chase You 5 (Extra 16)
The plan to murder Dr. Liang ended in failure.
First, there were no suitable tools for the job.
Second, they hadn’t gotten their hands on the USB drive.
Third, the story hadn’t yet reached its end.
Not one reason stemmed from friendship — in fact, it was precisely because they were close that the plan had seemed all the more reasonable to carry out immediately.
As an NPC, Liang Zhisheng’s role was to advance the plot and issue missions. He explained that he didn’t have much time left. He had injected himself with an early prototype of the antidote, which was the only reason he was still alive, but that prototype merely delayed the mutation. His body would never hold out until the final version of the antidote was developed.
Li Xu shook his head. “Guess we’ll have to finish him off after all.”
Liang Zhisheng nearly lost control of the NPC shell containing his real self. “Do you have some kind of obsession with this?”
Li Xu crossed his arms. “Then what do you suggest? You said it yourself—you can’t be saved.”
“In movies, keeping an infected person in the team is just asking for trouble,” Lai Yudong added, “Rather than letting you turn into a monster and die in humiliation, we might as well let you go out like a hero.”
Liang Zhisheng: “……”
The kids have grown up, and their wings have hardened.
[That’s some slick talking]
[He’s got a point. Can’t stand those bleeding hearts in zombie movies]
[Am I the only one who thinks 2 and 7 went too far? I’d hate to be their friend]
[It’s not even real—why so serious about a game]
[So tragic! Let me be their friend instead, I can handle the tears]
[Some people clearly don’t have friends…]
[Group fans, don’t stir the pot—707 isn’t for you to pick and choose]
After the commotion, the group headed to the laboratory to retrieve the USB drive. Their next step was to leave the research institute and return to the bus with it — that would count as mission complete.
But Liang Zhisheng couldn’t change his fate. He insisted on dying in the research institute.
“Please,” he said solemnly, “make sure you bring this hope back.”
The story seemed to be approaching its conclusion — yet Lai Yudong couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t that simple.
Not only was the plot progressing blandly, but the supposed “racing” element was practically nonexistent. From start to finish, he hadn’t really run much at all—it felt more like an immersive live-action drama. The only ones who probably got the full experience were Bai Su and Su Junzhe outside.
Also, what was the deal with the warehouse? Was it just for show?
Just as they were leaving, an unexpected turn of events occurred.
The walkie-talkie crackled to life.
“Uh-oh, I think I did something bad!” Su Junzhe’s bright, slightly breathless voice came through, the sound of panting faintly audible—it seemed he was speaking while running. “The warehouse was full of zombies! And I think I accidentally let them all out!”
[He’s in trouble, hahaha]
[Come on, Su’s too good-natured to mean harm]
[Moral of the story: don’t go opening random doors]
[Wait—is this the hidden route unlocking?]
—Of course.
Lai Yudong instinctively glanced at Liang Zhisheng, then pressed the walkie-talkie button. “Rough estimate—how many?”
“No idea, maybe a few dozen? Anyway, they’re all behind me now—at least twenty or thirty?” Su Junzhe added cheerfully, “Quite the spectacle, really.”
“Twenty or thirty?” Zhao Yifeng swayed weakly, already out of breath before he’d even started running. “Just eliminate me here and now. Doctor, how much longer until you mutate?”
Li Xu scoffed, unimpressed. “What’s there to be scared of? As long as you run faster than the fastest one, it doesn’t matter if there are a hundred.”
Expressionless, Zhao Yifeng clapped. “Well said. Your reward: go downstairs and draw their attention.”
“I’ll go then,” Li Xu said nonchalantly.
Lai Yudong, meanwhile, focused on the plot and questioned the logic. “Why were so many zombies locked in the warehouse? A normal person couldn’t have rounded up that many. Were you the one who did it?”
Before Liang Zhisheng could respond, Su Junzhe’s startled voice sounded again:
“Huh? The zombies stopped chasing me. They’re heading toward the research institute instead… That’s weird—was the door open?”
“No, that door requires a keycard to open.” Lai Yudong’s gaze locked onto Liang Zhisheng’s face, his tone shifting into the in-game persona. “Start talking, Dr. Shi.”
There had only ever been one living NPC mentioned so far—under normal circumstances, it was impossible for a new one to appear out of nowhere.
And this one’s identity was already steeped in suspicion.
“What a pity,” Liang Zhisheng lowered his head with a soft laugh. “I originally planned to release the zombies after you’d left, so you’d have no chance to escape. But since someone opened it early—well, no harm done.”
[Knew it—never trust a zombie scenario to stay peaceful]
[Wait, so Su didn’t actually mess things up? It didn’t matter whether he opened it or not?]
[Might actually be a good thing—early discovery means lower difficulty]
[If 1 hadn’t opened the warehouse, it would’ve triggered right after they exited the lab, giving them less time to flee]
[But now they’re trapped inside the research institute. Originally, they could’ve just made a run for it]
[Not necessarily—the doctor could’ve locked the main door to trap them, then released the zombies later for a “surprise.” Besides, even if they escaped, they’d still be surrounded outside]
[So that’s why things felt too calm before—this is the real setup]
[Zombie rule #1: never skip the horde]
Lai Yudong recalled his earlier conversation with Li Xu on the bus. “So, the antidote was just a decoy?”
“No,” Liang Zhisheng sighed. “The antidote is real, and the data is genuine. The zombies in the warehouse were the failed experimental subjects.”
He spoke with cold, unfeeling honesty:
“But I’m already infected. What use is the formula to me now? I won’t last long enough to see it completed. Since I can’t enjoy the fruits of my own work… I’ll take humanity’s last hope to the grave with me.”
“You’ve got no scientific spirit at all!” Li Xu snapped furiously. “Told you we should’ve just finished him off!”
Lai Yudong pressed on, unwilling to let it go. “Failed experiments? Don’t tell me you used live humans—”
“Don’t argue with him,” Zhao Yifeng cut in, pacing anxiously in circles. “It’s all just part of the story setup! Even if he says they were humans, no one actually dies. But if we don’t run now, we will get eliminated for real.”
Lai Yudong tilted his head. “Can zombies climb stairs?”
Zhao Yifeng: “…No idea, the staff didn’t say.”
“They can’t,” Liang Zhisheng offered helpfully.
[Yuzu: emotional but still rational, lmao]
[F-type: “You’ve lost your scientific spirit!” (immersed in the story)
T-type: “Run, you idiot!” (plot irrelevant)]
[Pretty sure only 4 and 6 are T-types in this group]
[Stop worrying about your loaf-shaped bodies]
Lai Yudong didn’t really understand the difference between T and F types; his thinking was simpler. They were guests on a variety show, after all—if they followed through every plot line, the audience would get to see a more complete story.
But Zhao Yifeng’s point also made sense—the show’s main focus was on racing and survival, not storytelling.
And even if something got skipped, post-production would surely fill in the gaps.
Once he’d sorted out his priorities, Lai Yudong and his two teammates left the lab. The second floor was an officially designated safe zone, while Liang Zhisheng, having fulfilled his purpose as an NPC, stayed where he was—awaiting the fate of turning into a zombie.
“Su Junzhe, where are you?” Lai Yudong immediately called out to the teammate who could coordinate with them from outside.
“I’m crouching near the security booth,” Su Junzhe replied.
“Is it safe?”
“More or less. Most of the zombies seem to have gotten some kind of signal and went inside. Only a few are still wandering around outside.”
“Go to the left side of the research institute’s main entrance. I’ll hand the USB drive to you,” Lai Yudong said rapidly but clearly, each word crisp and precise, his instructions leaving no room for confusion. “Once you’ve got it, head straight back to the bus. Don’t worry about us—you’re our backup plan.”
“Got it, I’m on my way now,” Su Junzhe replied without hesitation. He didn’t ask for details; his trust in his captain was absolute.
Likewise, Zhao Yifeng and Li Xu raised no objections. They followed closely behind their captain, like sailors chasing the only lighthouse on a dark sea.
[How are they even gonna hand it over?]
[Toss it down?]
[From the second floor? It’ll just break on impact, what are you thinking]
[Worth a shot though, never know haha]
Of course, Lai Yudong wasn’t the type to rely on low-probability miracles.
Following the layout he remembered, he turned a few corners and reached his destination—sure enough, the structure mirrored that of the first floor: another infirmary.
He yanked the white sheet off a hospital cot. After Qu Xincheng’s earlier “incident,” he made a point of checking under the bed for any overly dedicated NPCs. Whether due to luck or providence, it was empty.
“Using the bedsheet to wrap the USB?” Zhao Yifeng guessed as soon as he entered, already piecing together Lai Yudong’s plan.
“Yeah. It’ll soften the fall, and it’s big enough that it won’t get lost.”
Lai Yudong talked as he worked, folding the sheet several times to create padding thick enough to protect the drive, then tying two tight knots to keep it from coming loose.
Everything was ready—the USB was wrapped up tighter than a block of dynamite.
After confirming Su Junzhe’s position, they met across a floor’s distance. Just as the bundle was tossed out the second-floor window, Lai Yudong’s sharp eyes caught something moving behind him.
“Zombie behind you!” he shouted urgently.
“It’s fine!” Su Junzhe bent down, grabbed the bundle, and sprinted toward the bus like a flash of lightning, leaving the zombies far behind with effortless agility.
He even had the energy to wave cheerfully at his teammates upstairs. “I’m heading off first! You guys do your best to escape!”
Seeing Su Junzhe make it out safely, Lai Yudong crossed his index fingers in front of the camera, forming an X. “Throwing things from high places is dangerous—please don’t imitate this. Program effects only.”
“Does the second floor count as ‘high’?” Li Xu muttered.
“Anything above two meters does.”
“…Alright, that’s—very precise.”
“Thank you.”
—————————————————————
Author’s Note:
Character Animal Assignments (Official):
Su Junzhe — Fox
Lai Yudong — Deer
Mo Li — Butterfly
Zhao Yifeng — Snake
Qu Xincheng — Rabbit
Bai Xuanhe — Large Dog
Li Xu — Parrot
