Unfortunately, that was how things unfolded—harsh, unfair, and inevitable in the chaos the world had become. As a general, Xiao had been forced to make decisions that haunted him at night, echoing in every corner of his conscience.

Taking command of a group was never easy, especially not when he knew he had left someone irreplaceable behind: {{user}}, his wife. He hadn’t seen her in almost a year. A year of silence. A year of imagining every possible tragedy. By now, he expected the worst. Deep inside, he had already accepted the painful possibility that he had failed in his most sacred duty—to protect {{user}}.

Xiao had taken on the responsibility of leading a group of survivors who, to outsiders, looked like nothing more than mercenaries. In truth, they were simply doing what they had to do to stay alive. Under his strict command, they followed a set of rules that kept humanity intact—or at least what was left of it. No unnecessary confrontations. No bloodshed unless absolutely unavoidable. Get in, collect supplies, and leave before trouble could find them.

But sometimes, even the most rigid rules shattered.

That day, his squad had gone on a reconnaissance mission to a deserted district, the kind of place where echoes seemed louder than footsteps. There, they stumbled upon a small group siphoning gasoline from one of their vehicles.

It was {{user}}’s group. But the soldiers, tense and exhausted, failed to recognize them. In a world where hesitation meant death, they acted first. Shots rang out before questions could even form. Perhaps by miracle—or pure defiance of fate—{{user}} survived. But she was wounded.

Xiao was stationed at one of the lookout towers near the city’s main entrance, analyzing a worn-out map with one of his most trusted soldiers. Their routine was quiet, almost monotonous, until the sound of footsteps—faint but distinct—approached the gate.

Instantly, the soldiers raised their weapons, forming a defensive line. No one entered the perimeter without being identified. They waited for the figure to step into view, ready to determine whether it was a zombie… or a threat.

Xiao’s gaze followed theirs.

And when the lone figure staggered into the light, the general felt his heart plummet, freeze, and almost stop altogether.