Skinwalker Belle – Chapter 35 – Tactical Deployment

The atmosphere in the cafeteria reminded Lin Fan of someone.

Zhou Ming.

The tool she’d used like a simp, who had disappeared for two whole days in pursuit of a non-existent “Scarface.”

Lin Fan lowered her gaze, taking a slow, deliberate bite of her meat bun to hide the calculating glint that flashed in her eyes.

Although she had been using him all along, she had to admit the purity of Zhou Ming’s feelings for “Liu Ruyan.”

That almost foolish loyalty and selfless desire to protect were truly precious in this dog-eat-dog world.

It would indeed be a loss if such a useful blade were to break.

“Lei-jie.” Lin Fan put down her bun, her voice perfectly soft and sweet, tinged with three parts worry and seven parts innocence. “Zhou Ming has been gone for so long. Do you think… he might be in danger?”

Lei Li, who was drinking instant coffee, paused, her brow furrowing.

“That kid is a bit impulsive.”

She mused, “But he’s skilled. He should be able to protect himself.”

Lin Fan bit her lip gently as if frightened by the answer, and a layer of moisture quickly welled up in her eyes.

“But it’s so dangerous outside, with so many zombies. What if…”

She didn’t finish, but her on-the-verge-of-tears expression was more devastating than any words.

“Don’t worry.” Lei Li’s heart softened as expected. She reached out and ruffled her hair, her tone much gentler. “Once we’ve cleared this building, I’ll send people out to look for him.”

The weight in Lin Fan’s heart lifted, but her face maintained a look of pure, harmless gratitude.

“Thank you, Lei-jie!”

She replied obediently, her mind already scheming.

If Zhou Ming was still alive, she could indeed recruit him after she replaced Lei Li.

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After all, a loyal, capable, and brainless tool was a rare find.

That morning, Lin Fan stayed in the infirmary to organize medical supplies.

The building’s power was out, and with no air conditioning, the thirty-plus degree temperature made the entire space feel like a giant steamer.

Even just sitting still, fine beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

During this time, a few people came to her for heatstroke and fever, and Lin Fan handled each case properly.

She took this opportunity to suggest to Lei Li that they must find a high-power generator as soon as possible, or non-combat casualties would only increase.

Lei Li agreed, promising to immediately arrange for a search party to go out for supplies after they cleared the fifth floor.

At ten in the morning, the entire second floor sprang into action, making final preparations for the upcoming battle.

The place had become a temporary armory.

Men sweated profusely in a corner, clanging away as they hammered sheet metal and wooden planks to make crude shields.

The women were quieter, sewing protective gear with thick needles, stitching pieces of scavenged thick leather onto critical areas of their clothing.

Lin Fan sat at the infirmary entrance, ostensibly counting gauze pads, but her gaze swept discreetly over every person.

Their will to fight was high, and after a few days of working together, they had developed a decent rapport.

Unfortunately, their equipment was abysmal.

Fire axes, machetes, and homemade spears made from sharpened steel pipes.

Such cold weapons were adequate for dealing with three or five lone zombies, but if they were surrounded, it would be a one-sided slaughter.

“Everyone, assemble!”

Lei Li’s resonant voice cut through the noise, echoing across the entire floor.

The crowd gathered quickly. Lin Fan also stood up at once, jogging to the back of the line like an obedient student.

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Lei Li stood before them all. At her feet lay a pile of more than a dozen compound bows and crossbows.

“We’ve scouted the situation on the fifth floor.”

“It’s an open-plan office area with a very wide field of view.”

“Based on our assessment, the number of zombies inside is between forty and fifty.”

A wave of suppressed gasps rippled through the crowd.

Facing forty to fifty zombies in a frontal assault at the same time would result in unimaginable casualties.

Although the first three floors had plenty of zombies, they weren’t in open spaces, allowing them to be cleared room by room.

“However, the open terrain is also to our advantage.” Lei Li’s voice was steady and powerful. She picked up a crossbow and weighed it in her hand as if it were a scepter, not a weapon.

“We can use ranged attacks.”

“These bows and crossbows are treasures we found on a previous supply run.”

Lin Fan’s eyes fell on the weapons, and her assessment of Lei Li rose another notch.

This woman was a born leader, always able to find the optimal solution in a desperate situation.

“The tactic is simple.” Lei Li pointed to a simple diagram hanging on the wall behind her.

“Step one, set up a defensive line at the stairwell, using desks and metal cabinets to build cover.”

“Step two, make noise to lure all the zombies into the kill zone at the stairwell.”

“Step three, the ranged team will use the terrain advantage to pick them off one by one.”

“Once we’ve cleared out the majority, we’ll charge in and finish off the rest.”

The tactic was clear and effective. Everyone understood, and the tense atmosphere eased considerably.

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“Ah Long, take ten men and build the defensive line. Make sure it’s solid!”

“Xiao Li, pick a few people who can shoot and form a ranged team!”

“Everyone else is responsible for logistical support and the subsequent cleanup!”

Lei Li’s commands were clear and swift, and everyone was assigned a specific task.

“Xiao Yao,” she finally looked at Lin Fan.

“You will hold the rear in the infirmary. Do not participate in the frontal assault.”

“If anyone is injured, you are responsible for providing immediate medical treatment.”

Lin Fan immediately flashed an obedient and determined smile.

“I understand, Lei-jie!”

“One last thing.” Lei Li took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over every face that followed her.

“For this operation, I will personally lead the charge.”

“If anything happens to me, command will be transferred to Ah Long.”

This statement was like a boulder dropped into water, and the crowd instantly erupted.

“Lei-jie, that’s too dangerous!”

“You’re our backbone! You must command from the rear!”

Lei Li simply waved her hand, silencing all attempts to persuade her.

“My mind is made up.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an authority that could not be questioned.

“As the leader, it is my responsibility to be at the very front.”

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Lin Fan stared at Lei Li’s resolute profile. The almost classical heroism in this woman was indeed astonishingly charismatic.

A pity.

Lin Fan sneered inwardly.

In the apocalypse, this righteousness and responsibility were precisely her most fatal weaknesses.

Sooner or later, she would die because of these qualities.

“You have one hour to prepare.” Lei Li raised her hand to look at her watch.

“Everyone, check your equipment and conserve your energy.”

“We move out at twelve o’clock sharp!”

The crowd dispersed, the air thick with the tension of an impending battle.

Lin Fan turned and walked back into the infirmary to prepare her own “battlefield.”

Bandages, disinfectant, hemostatic drugs…

She sorted all the items into categories, arranging them neatly.

Finally, from a medical kit, she took out several extra syringes of sedatives and carefully tucked them into the medical pouch at her waist.

If Lei Li were to be injured in battle…

These little things would come in very handy.

Through the infirmary window, Lin Fan gazed at the gloomy sky outside.

Her prey was also ready.

A bloody battle was about to begin.