Chapter 31

According to the latest statistics from 2046, Melbourne's population was around 7.3 million. After the apocalypse, 90% of the people instantly turned into zombies due to the infection of the straight death virus, leaving about 700,000 survivors.

Nearly eight months after the apocalypse, how many of these 700,000 survivors would still be left? No one knew.

"… We were once divine beings, ethereal and light, but now, in our dire straits, we have fallen into this hell, where death and all kinds of disasters have befallen humanity, and we have lost our Eden…"

"… Although darkness has driven away all our light, and endless misery has devoured our joy, because we still possess an indomitable will and spirit, we have finally waited for the great one to appear and restore this paradise for us…"

In the dark room, Will gently turned the outdated radio, and the radio, filled with electronic noise, broadcasted a passionate recitation.

"It's 'Paradise Lost,' the great poem written by Milton in the 16th century."

Will spoke softly. This poem, timeless and ever-renewed, seemed to match the current apocalypse perfectly, making Will somewhat lost in thought.

A companion whispered beside him, "What should we do? Should we go to the Paradise Lost mentioned in the broadcast? It's in the apartment by the Clear Water River, which is six streets away from here."

"What do you think?"

Will countered, "If we don't go there, how long can we last? The zombies are becoming more terrifying, faster, and stronger. We can't hold out much longer."

"I heard that in Sydney, the government has re-established a defense line centered around the Garden Island Naval Base, setting up a forward base. Perhaps we can go there."

Someone suggested.

"Don't be ridiculous. How can we get to Sydney, by car or on foot? Over 800 kilometers, it's enough to bury all our hopes."

Will firmly rejected the idea.

"Alright, no more nonsense. I've made my decision. I will go to Paradise Lost. As for whether you want to go, it's up to you."

"Will, even if we go there, what difference will it make? It might just be a trap. Even if they can provide food and shelter, how long can it last, one day, two days? In the end, we still have to act on our own. Besides, who knows if the people in the broadcast really have food? They might just be trying to lure us there, then plunder us, or even…"

The person couldn't finish, but everyone understood his meaning.

"I only know that this Paradise Lost is different from the so-called safe zones we've found before. At least, we need to be well-fed to have the strength to recite 'Paradise Lost.'"

Will's words made the others momentarily stunned, but upon careful thought, they found Will's reasoning sound.

Art is something you can only appreciate when you're well-fed. The robust voice reciting the poem at least indicated that the broadcaster had ample food.

Thinking about this, the others couldn't help but feel a bit excited.

Not just Will, as the broadcast spread, all the survivors in Melbourne who could receive it were somewhat moved, with the goal being the apartment by the Clear Water River, the legendary Paradise Lost.

"Why did things turn out this way?"

The red mutant parrot was somewhat unhappy. In just a week, the entire apartment by the Clear Water River had changed. Many more people had gathered there, over 200 survivors, ever since a certain bastard found the radio and broadcasted daily, drawing many survivors.

The increase in survivors meant a large daily need for food, water, and various other things. However, this wasn't what troubled the red mutant parrot. As long as Li Mu gave the order, the zombies under his control would continuously empty nearby supermarkets and deliver the supplies to the door.

Although many people were now speculating that the mysterious Mr. Li controlled a well-trained secret force, no one felt fear; instead, they felt more at ease.

This was because the apartment by the Clear Water River, now called Paradise Lost by the survivors, indeed had ample food and the ability to shelter the survivors.

What troubled the red mutant parrot was that with the increase in survivors, it had to maintain a foolish appearance for longer periods, making its life less interesting.

More amusingly, among the survivors who had just been fed, many, confident in their looks, were scheming to climb into Li Mu's bed.

This was perhaps the red mutant parrot's only source of entertainment in this dull life.

If they knew that the Li Mu they wanted to offer themselves to was actually a zombie, the king of all the zombies in the city, they would be speechless.

The red mutant parrot thought with a bit of malice, looking at Annie. This stupid woman had gone too far, breaking too many of Li Mu's romantic opportunities, and the red mutant parrot saw no hope of escaping this miserable situation.

Thinking of this, the red mutant parrot couldn't help but look at Li Mu, who, wearing sunglasses, sat quietly among the people, seemingly no different from other humans.

But the red mutant parrot knew this was just an illusion. Behind the sunglasses and the black coat, there was a king who could rule the apocalypse and the zombies, yet this king now only wanted to be human.

It was truly incomprehensible to the red mutant parrot.

Even with its ability to read minds, it couldn't understand what Li Mu was thinking.

Clearly a zombie, why did he still retain a human heart?

Was it because he was once human, or because of the beautiful woman in the pendant's projection, to whom he had made a promise, vowing to return to her through mountains of corpses and rivers of blood, even from the depths of hell?

"I can't understand it!"

The red mutant parrot shook its head in frustration, looking out the window. For humans, this was the apocalypse, but for it, it was true freedom. Now, it could only obediently be a pet, standing on Li Mu's shoulder, listening to the maddening praise from everyone.

The room was lively, with everyone seemingly intimate, wanting to speak with Li Mu. Although most knew that Li Mu had never spoken, a slight nod from him was enough to make them feel happy.

Feeling that his status in this Paradise Lost was different from others.

"Why don't we have a ball? A ball to make us forget the apocalypse, forget the pain, and revel in joy."

Someone suddenly suggested.

Everyone immediately fell silent, looking at Li Mu.

Li Mu's face was expressionless, his eyes hidden behind the black sunglasses, and no one could read his thoughts.

"Foolish humans. Just out of hell, and you're ready to celebrate? Hmph, Your Majesty, don't agree to them."

The red mutant parrot sneered, whispering in Li Mu's ear.

Li Mu slowly nodded, and the red mutant parrot looked defeated, finding Li Mu utterly unreasonable. Clearly, zombies were his kind, yet he preferred to be close to these damned humans, even agreeing to such unreasonable requests. Was it just because they were human?

"Then… Mr. Li agrees to this proposal?"

Seeing Li Mu nod, the woman who suggested it said with surprise.

Li Mu nodded again, his face expressionless, watching the crowd in the room cheer. The excitement was so close, yet it seemed so distant.

Since the ball was decided, it was naturally left to Annie and the red mutant parrot to organize. Li Mu sat quietly in his room, gently touching the pendant on his chest. In the blue projection, the melody continued, and a smile suddenly appeared on Li Mu's lips.

The joy was so palpable that even Annie could feel it. The red mutant parrot sighed, knowing that Li Mu must feel he was integrating into human society, getting closer to the woman in the projection, but he didn't consider that from the day he became a zombie, they might never be close again.

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