Chapter 4

"No! That's impossible!"

Winston pushed me away like a madman, muttering,

"You're lying to me."

"You're scared I'll be like you in the last life, gaining the attention of all the powerful people, scared I'll get my revenge on you later!"

Winston's eyes were filled with madness and desire. "If it can only heal myself, how could you have been so valued by so many people in the last life?"

He pointed a finger at me.

"Matthew, do you really think I'm as stupid as I was in our last life?"

"This time, you're destined to be beneath my feet."

The madness on Winston's face vanished, replaced by a confident, determined smile.

He turned and walked away decisively, though his steps weren't as steady as he pretended.

He was probably half-believing, half-doubting. But it didn't matter. No matter how much he talked tough, facts were facts.

In the last life, after multiple attempts, when I discovered my ability could only heal myself, it hit me like a bolt from the blue.

The people who had been friendly to me suddenly changed their tune.

Bianca herself pointed a gun at my head, still smiling gently. "How will you compensate us for the price we've paid?"

"It looks like you'll just have to repay us with your body."

That chilling gaze and tone, I could never forget.

No one came to save me then. I had to endure it, all alone.

This life, Winston made his own choice.

He only saw my superficial glory, ignoring the dirty scars hidden behind power.

Those who wish to wear the crown, must bear its weight.

This time, I was never going down that path again.

My eyes hardened with determination, and I stepped forward.

Over the next few days, I continued fighting on the front lines.

Every time I fought tooth and nail, bathed in blood, I could feel the power within me growing stronger.

Winston's gaze grew darker, more twisted, with each passing day.

After one zombie-killing spree, I returned to the supermarket.

What greeted me was everyone's suspicious, disgusted stares.

Winston's triumphant expression was mixed in among them.

Bianca spoke calmly. "Someone said they saw you get bitten."

"You have two choices: either leave now, or let everyone check you for bite marks."

In that instant, the black maw of a gun barrel seemed to point straight at me again.

Someone in the crowd jeered, "He needs to be checked in front of everyone! Otherwise, I won't trust it!"

Disgusting jeers erupted, quickly followed by a chorus of agreement.

"Don't let him leave! What if he gets revenge later? Hold him down and strip him naked for inspection!"

I lowered my eyes. This was the true nature of humanity in the apocalypse, easily swayed by the slightest provocation.

Winston's eyes welled up with fake tears, and his voice quavered. "This is for everyone's safety, Matthew! Look at what's happening! Don't let your stupid pride get us all killed!"

The atmosphere instantly reached a fever pitch.

The crowd screamed, a frenzied roar, treating me like a prize they were destined to claim.

I quietly took a few steps back, only to find myself completely surrounded.

I frowned. This was bad.

My brain raced, searching for an escape: rush the fuel stash and threaten them with my remaining power; or make a desperate break for it, stunning the guards at the guards at the door and trying to sprint out...

No matter what, I wasn't going to let them walk all over me this time.

Making up my mind, I lifted my eyes.

Just then, a gunshot cracked.

Followed by the dull thud of someone hitting the ground.

"Murder! Someone got killed!"