C2 Could It be That She Was the Female Lead?(1)

After dawn, the campus saw fewer mutated beasts roaming around, a relief to all who had survived.

Nighttime was dangerous, as groups of mutated mice, cats, and wild dogs took over the grounds.

The campus lay hauntingly silent, scattered with gnawed bones and tattered clothing.

Nearby places to find food and supplies had been scoured countless times, leaving everyone hesitant to venture further.

Initially, over thirty people had survived, but many became prey to the mutated beasts while searching for sustenance.

Had it not been for the provisions in the cafeteria and cold storage, the small group wouldn’t have lasted a year.

Still, they knew their stockpile would eventually run out, making daily forays for supplies necessary.

Even more mutated beasts roamed outside the campus, and those who dared to leave never returned.

Cut off from the world for over a year, the last news they'd heard was of a viral outbreak and a government in turmoil, urging people to stay indoors.

Thankfully, automated water and electricity systems were still operational, offering at least a modicum of comfort.

However, all communications were down, leaving them in the dark about the world beyond.

Speculations about the state of the government and hopes for rescue dominated daily conversations.

Once bustling with thousands of students and faculty, Sea River University now sheltered just over thirty survivors.

Dongfang Bai led the group to the administrative building, allocating responsibilities among team members.

Teams fanned out searching for supplies, with Dongfang Bai and Hsu Yuvran paired.

Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on their side that day. While rounding a corner, they caught the attention of a dozen mutated wild cats.

Seeing potential prey, the mutated wild cats pounced without hesitation.

Dongfang Bai's face turned somber. Raised in a family of martial artists, she had trained rigorously since childhood.

A single mutated beast would have been easy for her to handle.

Yet, encountering a pack of wild cats in broad daylight was disturbingly rare, and the sheer bad luck of it left her disgusted.

A surge of imminent danger washed over Dongfang Bai. The wild cats, now the size of full-grown Alaskan dogs, were far too agile and quick. Escaping them wasn't an option.

Their fangs and claws glinted menacingly, radiating a chilling and deadly aura that made the skin crawl.

Swiftly, Dongfang Bai moved to shield Hsu Yuvran. "When the fighting starts, make a break for the administration building. Use the terrain to your advantage," she urged in a low tone.

Stunned, Hsu Yuvran asked, "What about you?"

"I'll stay behind to hold them off. Otherwise, neither of us will make it. Talk about rotten luck," Dongfang Bai grimly decided. If it was possible to escape safely, who in their right mind would choose to stay behind and face these mutated beasts?

Facing the pack of wild cats, she knew she was outmatched.

Given their agility, there was no guarantee that Hsu Yuvran could outrun them either.

But if she stayed to delay the cats, his chances of surviving would be far better. ‌

The idea of leaving Hsu Yuvran behind to fend off the beasts was unthinkable.

The idea of leaving Hsu Yuvran to fend off the beasts was unthinkable. Besides, they had fought together for over a year. Hsu Yuvran had always been there, proving helpful, which made it impossible for her to consider sacrificing him.

"Are you trying to save me?" Hsu Yuvran teasingly asked.

Frustrated, Dongfang Bai snapped, "This isn't the time for jokes. Go, now!"

She couldn't believe he was still talking.

In her mind, Hsu Yuvran had always been the cautious type, more inclined to flee than fight.

His survival up to this point had often seemed more a result of caution than courage.

'Come to think of it, he's never actually abandoned us to save himself over the past year?" Dongfang Bai mused, reevaluating her previous judgment of Hsu Yuvran.

She had always pegged him as the type who would run first and ask questions later.

How strange...

But heroics at a time like this would only feed the mutated cats, accomplishing nothing.

With a wistful sigh, Hsu Yuvran finally said, "Ah, so you finally get it. You're just envious of my physique."

"Jealous of your physique?" Dongfang Bai burst into laughter, clearly exasperated. "My main concern right now is getting away from these feral cats. Run!"

By then, more than a dozen wild cats had surrounded them, sizing up their prey with caution.

"Do you think I can run from this?" Hsu Yuvran chuckled bitterly. "With my lack of athletic ability, I'm more suited to be cat food than to outrun them."

He thought about his pathetic escape skills and resolved, 'You've forced me into the role of a warrior.'

"Stay behind me," Dongfang Bai said nervously, eyeing the feral cats poised to attack. "We'll try to hold out as long as we can."

Dongfang Bai realized she had no choice but to use her unique ability, something she had never revealed to anyone before.

She wondered whether it would fend off the wild cats or perhaps even scare Hsu Yuvran.

Suddenly, a strong hand gripped her arm. Hsu Yuvran pulled her back and positioned himself in front of her.

"You've always protected me, Bai. Today, let me try to protect you," Hsu Yuvran said, feeling a mix of fear and eagerness at the thought of using his Awakening Skill.

'I can't keep letting a woman protect me,' he thought. 'Now's the perfect time to test my special skill.'

"As soon as the fight starts, I'll distract them. You run!" Hsu Yuvran whispered, giving Dongfang Bai a light, assuring smile.

Dongfang Bai was stunned by the charm and calmness of his smile.

Even in his disheveled state, he looked surprisingly handsome.

Alright,... A little too handsome...

"I won't leave," she said softly, biting her lip. "If we die, we die together."

"Alright," Hsu Yuvran said tersely, turning toward the restless wild cats. With newfound courage, he bellowed, "Attack!"

A large black shield instantly materialized in his left hand.

Sharp spikes shot out from the ground, impaling one of the cats in a flash.

Hsu Yuvran didn't hesitate. He went straight for the kill.

Less talk, more action—that was his mantra.

Both Dongfang Bai and the pack of wild cats were stunned by the sudden turn of events.