Chapter One: The Beginning—A World Overrun by the Walking Dead
"Atlanta reports an incident similar to a rabid patient biting people. The CDC has begun to intervene..."
"Today in Raccoon City, the sun is shining brightly—a perfect day for tourism!"
"Can humans host fungi? Florida discovers the first fungus capable of inhabiting humans..."
"CEDA has gone to Georgia to tackle the epidemic. Some extremists claim that the only way to treat the infected is a bullet to the head..."
Li Changsheng tossed aside the dirty newspaper in his hand, frowning. “As expected, this is a multi-apocalypse world…”
The Walking Dead, Resident Evil, The Last of Us, Left 4 Dead…
Recalling the terror of being dominated by the Monkeys in Left 4 Dead, Li Changsheng shuddered.
Damn it, I can’t live outside the city any longer. I have to head for the CDC!
If only I’d never crossed over!
...
Li Changsheng was a transmigrator. Just a week ago, he’d been an ordinary office worker on Earth. One day, he overheard someone say that dump trucks could make people transmigrate.
Driven by curiosity, he visited a construction site after work. Who could have predicted a dozen dump trucks would come barreling toward him in a whirlwind of chaos?
When he came to, he was already in this world.
Perhaps he’d been hit pretty badly, because after transmigrating, he discovered that aside from himself, there were alternate versions of him transported to other worlds.
He shared a mysterious space with these counterparts—a space that worked both as a dimensional storage ring and a consciousness hub, allowing him and his other selves to meet and communicate.
Yet each time he entered, a chill crept over him.
No wonder—the two counterparts present were both monsters.
One was the G-creature from the Resident Evil universe, the other a Voidwalker from World of Warcraft.
Both were thoroughly terrifying...
Checking the time, he realized the meeting with his counterparts was in half an hour. Rising, he left his tent, planning to freshen up by the lake at the foot of the hill.
On the way, he passed a camp filled with people of all ages—this was where Shaun, Lori, and their group had set up.
Like them, he’d fled Atlanta. The difference was, he’d driven out a week ago, while they’d survived here for two months.
At first, Li Changsheng wanted to blend in with them, but his English was poor, barely enough for simple conversation.
Moreover, Ed and a few others in the camp were openly hostile toward Asians. Li Changsheng saw no reason to invite trouble, so he pitched his tent atop the hill.
Even if walkers came, they’d reach the camp below first.
After spending some time by the lakeside and filling his bucket, he started back.
On the way, a woman brushed past him.
She wore white leggings, accentuating her long, shapely legs. Her pink blouse was stained with traces of mud, making her fair skin stand out even more.
It was Amy, a woman who, in the story, only survived a few episodes before being bitten by a zombie.
The two were barely acquainted. Li Changsheng greeted her in passing and continued on.
Amy hesitated, then called out, kindly warning, “Hey, just so you know—I heard Ed say he’s coming to ‘borrow’ some supplies from you.”
Though she didn’t know him well and found Li Changsheng a bit of a loner, she appreciated that he never caused trouble.
By contrast, she despised the lazy, freeloading Ed.
Borrow? Ed had asked him for supplies several times, all politely refused.
Apparently, Ed was running out of patience and ready to take them by force.
Li Changsheng shook his head, thanked Amy, and went on his way.
He considered warning her to remain vigilant at night, but Amy had already walked off—and besides, most would dismiss such alarmist talk. So he let it go.
...
Back in his tent, Li Changsheng closed his eyes and let his consciousness sink into the mysterious space.
The space was over four hundred square meters, encircled by an energy barrier that repelled any approaching consciousness.
Ruins and broken walls surrounded a dilapidated tower at the center, resembling an unfinished building from his previous life.
Inside was a makeshift stone table, where Li Xiao-G was lounging.
This was his G-virus alternate from the Resident Evil world—a name Li Changsheng had given him.
Seeing Li Changsheng arrive, Li Xiao-G raised his right claw in greeting.
He’d already transformed into a G-creature, a far cry from his human form—swollen purple-red muscles, hands mutated into massive claws, and a basketball-sized eye protruding from his chest.
Truly terrifying...
Li Changsheng took a deep breath and asked, “How are things on your end?”
The giant eye on Li Xiao-G’s chest blinked as he replied, “Not bad. I’m well fed and housed. Dr. William treats me well…”
Li Changsheng was speechless. After several meetings, he knew by now that Li Xiao-G was lazy to the core. Glancing around and seeing no sign of the other counterpart, he asked, “Is it just you? Where’s Li Xiao-Void?”
Li Xiao-G pointed up at the sky with a claw.
High above, a blue, distorted figure floated—its body twisted and wreathed in dark energy, exuding a sense of evil and corruption.
Li Changsheng was unfazed. He called up, “What are you doing up there? Get down here for the meeting.”
“Oh,” came the eerie response from Li Xiao-Void.
Goosebumps prickled Li Changsheng’s skin.
Gathered around the table, Li Changsheng got straight to the point, looking at Li Xiao-G: “Did you finish preparing the G-creature serum?”
Though they couldn’t share abilities, they could transfer items from their worlds into this space.
After their last meeting, Li Xiao-G had set to work making a special G-creature serum for him.
“Just finished,” Li Xiao-G said, indicating the table.
A rudimentary syringe lay there, filled with a vivid blue liquid.
Li Changsheng picked it up, inspecting it closely. “It’s so crude… Are you sure this will turn me into a G-creature?”
“Of course! I’ve run hundreds of secret tests using your tissue samples. This will give you G-creature powers without turning you into a monster like me,” Li Xiao-G replied confidently.
Li Changsheng nodded, then asked, “Any side effects?”
“Two—but nothing fatal.
First, you’ll have stronger urges. You know, the G-creature’s primary drive is reproduction.
Second, your evolution will be unstable. After injection, you’ll reach G1 level, but further evolution depends on what you absorb next…”
Li Changsheng fell silent, recalling how William in Resident Evil mutated into G5 after becoming a G-creature.
If evolution failed, would he become a monster?
Still, turning into a monster was better than becoming a walker.
That thought brought him some comfort. Looking at Li Xiao-G, he said, “Thanks. I’ll go back and inject it now. Be careful on your end—if things go bad, just escape.”
Li Xiao-G shrugged. “Don’t worry about me. I’m treated well here—no work, free room and board. The food’s a bit rough, though—fed virus creatures every day…”
He’d perfectly fused with the G-virus, becoming a flawless G1 being. Dr. William treated him better than his own wife.
Li Changsheng chuckled. “Alright, I’ll stash some supplies in the space for you to take as you like.”
He turned to Li Xiao-Void, who had remained silent, and asked, “How about you? Have you infiltrated human society?”
“Just got summoned by a female sorceress. I’m secretly learning skills,” Li Xiao-Void replied in a detached tone.
Li Changsheng nodded. “Hurry up and learn the Summoning Ritual skill. That way, we can summon each other across worlds.”
Li Xiao-Void nodded in agreement.
“Oh, and once you’ve learned it, don’t summon me if there’s danger—summon Li Xiao-G instead. In my current state, I’d just be ‘imprisoned’ with you two!”
Both counterparts rolled their eyes.
Li Changsheng spread his hands. “What can I do? I’m not like you two.”
The other two retorted in unison, “How are you different…”
Li Changsheng replied coolly, “I have no shame…”
...
Exiting the mysterious space, Li Changsheng looked at the syringe in his hand, unable to suppress his excitement.
The G-creature serum—finally his!