Qian Hui（shrink） inside the wardrobe, his back pressed against the wooden planks. Rain drummed against the corrugated metal roof above, masking the sounds of the outside world. Distant voices—human or undead—he couldn't quite parse. South Tingjian must be out here somewhere, he thought, clutching the injured green chili and mini cabbage tighter.
The chili's leaves brushed his palm, a silent plea for reassurance. Trust me, he whispered, though he knew plants didn't "trust"—they survived. Outside, the rain ceased. A lone zombie shuffled past, its rotting arm dangling uselessly. Qian Hui remained motionless, heart pounding until it vanished.
Dawn Breaks
By morning, Qian Hui's stomach growled. He split the last fruit with the plants, his share barely enough to stave off hunger. The chili devoured its portion greedily; the cabbage nibbled cautiously, its loyalty meter ticking to 50%.
Opening the game interface, he gasped at the Shop tab. Rows of items pulsed with neon hues: Medicine: Basic Healing Pill 50 Coins, Weapon Rusty Dagger Upgrade 200 Coins. His balance read 200 Coins—enough for a loaf of stale bread or a single pill.
"Use it on the chili," he urged himself, tossing the pill into the creature's gaping maw. It swallowed without protest, legs twitching faintly. Healing... happening, Qian Hui marveled, though the chili's wary stare betrayed no gratitude.
The Hunt
Game prompts guided him to a （Intermediate zombie）trapped in a vine's grip. Qian Hui hesitated—kill it or flee?—but hunger gnawed. With a trembling hand, he plunged the dagger into the zombie's skull. The creature collapsed, its crystalline core glowing faintly.
（Award issuance)!
Critical Strike Bonus!
His balance surged to 1,600 Coins. He pocketed the core, unaware of its purpose, and splurged on Water 100 Coins and Cracker 50 Coins.
Allies in the Shadows
A slender vine—Soft Vine | Lv. Low—snatched the cracker from his palm, wrapping itself around his wrist like a loyal pet. The cabbage burrowed into his pocket, content. The chili, still weak, slumped against his chest, its loyalty meter stubbornly at 5%.
"Why won't you trust me?" Qian Hui sighed, scratching its spiky head.
You're human, the chili seemed to reply, or worse.
The Trail of the Carnivore
Following the humans' instruments, Qian Hui stumbled toward the ruins. Among them, he glimpsed a familiar voice—South Tingjian's. His pulse spiked. Follow them, he urged the plants, "They might lead us to Xiao Zi."
The cabbage peeked out, eyes wide. "Danger," it hissed, pressing a leaf to his palm—a silent warning.
Qian Hui hesitated. Trust the plants or the voice in his mind? The game's arrow flickered—City Ruins. He followed.