The Next Day.

The weather was clear, with the sun just rising in the sky. In West City Zone, the traces of survivor activity had decreased. Since the events of yesterday and Waldo’s warning, almost all survivors had remained in their temporary shelters. Some had even decided to leave West City Zone.

On this sunny morning, the sun’s rays baked the earth. In the central area of West City Zone, the air was filled with various foul odors. In this region, there was a large number of Level 2 zombies. The quantity of Level 3 zombies was also significant. On average, for every thirty zombies, one was a Level 3 zombie.

And at this moment, Waldo, who had turned invisible, appeared here. He looked at the zombies in this area, his face slightly changing. There were no ordinary zombies here; at the very least, they were all Level 2 zombies. What was even more terrifying was the high proportion of Level 3 zombies!

At this moment, Waldo was extremely shocked. Just a week ago, Level 3 zombies accounted for only one-thousandth of the total zombie population. And now, in the city center, the proportion of Level 3 zombies was as high as one-thirtieth!

This is too terrifying! There must be a reason for such abnormality! Waldo thought. This kind of change was too significant; it didn’t seem like a result of normal zombie evolution. He strongly suspected that something had happened in the city center recently, which aligned with his earlier speculations.

Soon, Waldo entered the area with the densest concentration of zombies, where the proportion of Level 3 zombies was the highest. It was a large building.

Waldo was currently in stealth mode. His Level 2 ability, Invisibility, not only made him completely invisible but also masked his body’s heat and breath fluctuations. He didn’t have to worry about zombies detecting him, not even the higher-level ones.

Quickly, Waldo delved deeper into the building.

Soon, Waldo ventured deeper into the building.

Upon entering, Waldo realized that this building was not a commercial skyscraper but rather a gigantic laboratory. Once inside, for some reason, he started to feel very uncomfortable. That’s because in this area, there was an eerie and unsettling presence, a sensation he had never encountered before.

What was this presence that made him feel so uneasy? Waldo’s expression grew grim. It seemed like his speculations were about to become reality; something dreadful had indeed happened here, and there might be a terrifying entity lurking.

Normally, with his powers, he was nearly invincible. Even a Level 4 zombie wouldn’t pose much of a threat to him. However, this strange presence was no less formidable than a Level 4 zombie. If not less, then what was it?

A Level 5 zombie!

Waldo couldn’t be sure if he could handle a Level 5 zombie. Currently, his intuition told him that he wasn’t ready to face a Level 5 zombie. He hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should proceed further into the unknown.

The thought of a Level 5 zombie filled him with dread, and he wasn’t eager to engage it just yet. However, after brief contemplation, he reached a decision. He would investigate and see what this Level 5 zombie looked like. If possible, he might even test its strength.

He had confidence in his Level 2 ability, Invisibility, which made him completely invisible and undetectable by zombies. He also had the option to teleport away if needed.

With determination, Waldo set off. Soon, on the 20th floor in one of the laboratories, he made a discovery. Outside the door, he could sense the distinct and overpowering odor of decay that zombies emitted. Simultaneously, there was another highly peculiar presence that felt incredibly oppressive.

Even survivors with slightly weaker constitutions would likely feel their legs go weak if they appeared here. Now faced with a closed door, Waldo pondered how to enter.

As he contemplated how to proceed and explore further, something happened.

Thump, thump, thump.

The heavy footsteps echoed through the area. Waldo quickly turned to look and saw a sturdy silver-colored zombie approaching. Behind it trailed a group of zombies larger in size than typical Level 3 zombies. These Level 3 zombies seemed like the silver zombie’s bodyguards.

It was a Level 4 zombie!

Waldo’s heart skipped a beat. He had heard descriptions of Level 4 zombies before, and he quickly recognized it. Indeed, Level 4 zombies were vastly different from Level 3 ones. They likely possessed intelligence not far off from that of a regular person. Most importantly, their strength was on a completely different level compared to Level 3 zombies.

He and the Level 4 zombie were very close, but Waldo remained invisible, confident that he couldn’t be detected. As the Level 4 zombie approached, Waldo promptly stepped aside to let it pass.

The Level 4 zombie pushed open the door and entered the room. Waldo followed suit and blended in. Inside, he discovered that there were already five zombies present, making it a total of six. Among these six zombies, five were Level 4 zombies.

However, the five silver zombies, which could send shivers down the spines of countless Level 3 zombies, were now standing cautiously before the last zombie.

This particular zombie was nearly the same size as the Level 4 zombies but was entirely crimson-red in color. Its entire body was crimson-red, including its eyes, which seemed to burn like twin flames.

At a single glance, it was evident that its eyes were blazing with two fiery orbs.

Others would only need to glance at it and feel as though their bodies and souls were about to ignite in flames! The moment Waldo saw this zombie, his scalp tingled, and a chilling sensation rushed up from the soles of his feet. He was no match for it, not against this Level 5 zombie!

Waldo had never faced it directly, but his instincts were screaming at him that he was not this Level 5 zombie’s match.

"Unless I break through to level 60, there might be a chance," Waldo thought to himself.

However, in the next moment, his eyelids twitched uncontrollably. A foreboding feeling washed over him, and he saw the Level 5 zombie lord turn its gaze in his direction. Waldo’s heart pounded. Had it noticed him?

But he was overthinking it. The Level 5 zombie might have only sensed that something had invaded its territory, without necessarily detecting Waldo as an individual.

Roar!

The Level 5 zombie let out a furious roar. Its deafening howl echoed through the surroundings.