Doomsday Pillars

The 25 members of the Firebirds split into three groups and searched around the area on Kowloon's wharf. 

"Aren't we better off together?" asked Christina.

By scattering into three groups, this meant there would only be eight people in each. Facing hundreds or even thousands seemed too risky if they stick with this composition. Moreover, they were at the pier right next to the center of Hong Kong.

Maxine dispelled Christina's doubt by saying, "We'll be fine, Sis. This is the fourth time we've done this and if danger ever comes, we can do this..."

Maxine touched the bracelet she received from the Doomsday Pillar and Christina's bracelet shows a new message.

When they were in the Pillar, the bracelet only provided the Alpha Fenrir's position. But as it turned out, it could also be used as some sort of a radar between people who have it. 

"I'm a little bummed though why the cube didn't give us technology as good as a smartphone. Ahh, I miss holding a smartphone," Maxine said as she let out a sigh.

At least, they had figured out two functions of this bracelet. Apart from it working as a translator and access to all the Doomsday Pillar facilities, this bracelet could also act as a GPS.

"Oh, by the way, sis. We're able to check our personal status using the bracelet. Check this out!"

[Maxine]

[Female - 27 years]

[Earth realm level 4 - initial stage]

[Spirit of affinity found - Ground - initial stage]

[Spirit Talent - level B]

Maxine's bracelet showed a hologram, which she could show it to others. 

Upon reading it, Christina noticed something and blurted out, "Level 4?"

"Yes, sis. It's because of the spirit stones," Maxine answered. She then explained that consuming spirit stones would increase their level. However, after being upgraded to earth realm as well as stepping on level 3, the white spirit stones didn't seem to have an effect despite using a dozen of them. 

"Then how do you get to level 4?" Christina asked.

Maxine whipped out a slightly different spirit stone and proceeded to explain. "It's because of this, sis. these the yellow spirit stones that we sometimes get when we eliminate a black zombies."

Jennie then interrupted "It was Nam and his Triad members were the first ones who tried it and apparently, their guess was right. After entering the earth realm, the white ones don't do much anymore." Jannie added, "Actually, our mission this time isn't only to find food supplies for Hong Kong residents but also to find more yellow spirit stones."

In the previous challenge battle in the snow forest, Jennie felt helpless as she had seen her fellow sisters die. She felt she was too weak—no... they were too weak, to protect Christina. Therefore, since the last few days, Jennie had been searching for ways to improve their ability as a whole to increase their survivability in these end of times.

"Very well, I'll trust you," Christina replied with a smile.

They then proceeded to split into 3 groups and started scouting.

If one went up to a rooftop, one would know that as far as the eye could see, every street in the city of Hong Kong was filled with zombies. And within those zombies, it seemed the red zombies had evened out in numbers with the normal zombies. So, to prevent the horde from crowding in their locations, the Firebirds members only attacked with melee weapons.

SHHHTTT SPLAATT

The red zombies were torn apart by the Firebirds member's sword strike. After breaking through the mortal realm, their muscle strength, reaction speed and endurance increased. Small groups of 8 people could now fight dozens of red zombies easily. 

Christina didn't even have time to show her abilities at all.

3 hours had passed but apart from killing zombies, they didn't find much food. It had been 4 months since the plague started so most of the food stored had either gone moldy or had been plundered by other people. Still, they were able to gather some dry food, canned food, and some snacks from the vending machines. The three groups gathered three bags full of food.

Jennie touched the ring on her finger and all three bags disappeared. It was the storage ring being sold from the Doomsday Pillar's shop. It was really practical because they didn't have to carry large luggages anymore. 

"This is far from enough, but the sun is setting. We'll continue tomorrow and try the other side of the pier," Jennie exclaimed.

Maxine wanted to complain, which was evident by her crossed arms, because three bags of food were not enough considering the time they had spent, but she followed Jennie's order. Christina, on the other hand, always believed in Jennie's judgment. Her oldest sister spent a dozen years in the army after all..

As they were heading back toward their boat, gun fires resounded from the distance.

Tratatatatataat!

"Who'd be stupid to fight using firearms in the middle of a city like this!" exclaimed Maxine.

Hong Kong was one of the densest cities in the world, thus a lot of zombies also had risen here. Loud sounds could attract tens of thousands of zombies in no time.

Jennie thought about the situation and felt this was odd. This city had been riddled with zombies for nearly 4 months. So, it wasn't very likely that there would still be people living in these areas. Could it be Nam's group who was firing? No, she abandoned that thought since the Triad didn't favor using firearms.

While Jennie was contemplating, however, Christina had already run toward the sound.

"Christina! Wait!" Jennie said as she ran to help Christina. She then came to a realization as she looked at Christina's back. Christina was right. Right now, there were people who were in need of help. This is a priority".

25 Firebirds also followed Christina. In order to quickly avoid all the zombies on the streets and alleyways, Christina went to a rooftop of a nearby house and started hopping on top of buildings to another. She wouldn't have dared to do this before, but this time, she could feel her body was as light as the wind.

Jennie, Maxine, and the other Firebird members, unwilling to fall behind, followed her hopping through the roofs while killing all the red zombies who chased after them.

A few moments later, they arrived atop a three-story building next to Kowloon Park Mall.

"Over there!" exclaimed Christina, pointing to a mall with thousands of zombies gathering.

The zombies were flooding into the mall but Christina and the Firebirds could clearly hear the rattling of the firearms inside the building. 

TRATATATAT TRATATATATA

Jennie pulled the long rifle from her back and looked into its scope. 

"That's the Hong Kong army uniform!"

It truly was suspicious. The Hong Kong army had already been given the order to move to Hong Kong Island, how come there would still be some here and alive. 

Jennie adjusted her scope and scouted outside the mall; she saw at least a dozen soldiers were fighting outside, but couldn't tell how many were inside. She looked around further and noticed the smoke billowing from the distance. The horde was coming and there were at least a dozen black zombies in it.

Christina stared at Jennie and Jennie nodded back. Jennie knew there was no way Christina would just hang around.

"My suggestion.. Get in and get out as fast as we can!" Jennie said

"Let's go! Sister Christina finally has a chance to draw her new sword," said Maxine, pulling out her iron rods.

Twenty-five female fighters jumped from the top of the multi-story building and landed on the street before charging straight for the mall's entrance. They had to rush and save the troops inside before the zombie horde arrived.

Most of the Firebirds fighters used swords as their main weapon, some though wielded spears but only Maxine brandished clubs.

Thousands of zombies were blocking their way, but they cut through a straight line as if the zombies weren't bothering them a bit. Christina led the vanguard and swung her sword left and right, not stopping even for a moment. 

SWISSSHH SWISSSHH!!

Like a hot blade against a butter, the dozens of zombies who had been felled by Christina seemed to have burnt marks. In less than a minute, they had made it to the front of the building.

ROOOAARRRR ROOOAARR ROAAARRR

The roar of the black zombies. Three black zombies blocking the way... 

"AARRRGGGHHH!!! HELP!!!"

Christina felt doubtful if they could face three at the same time even though she could tell she was much stronger than before. The black zombie was still oozing out an incredible feeling of intimidation before her. She decided to be careful while fighting these three black zombies. If this had happened before they had entered the Doomsday Pillar, she would have most likely asked her sisters to escape.

Her train of thought, however, was put to a pause when Maxine stood in front of her. "Sis, you go check inside. Leave these three monsters to us."

Christina was about to say something, but Maxine had already darted forward. 

Maxine placed all her on the two iron clubs behind her and jumped to the one in the middle.

BAMMMM!!!

The black zombie slammed to the floor with its head cracked open!

BAAAMM!! BAAAMM!!! BAAMMM!!

Maxine then made three more swings and the monster got stuck on the ground. Every attack Maxine had made carried a weight enough to make the monster scream in pain.

Christina stood in amazement as she watched Maxine wipe the floor against the black zombies. Jennie then pulled her to cross the empty pathway and headed straight into the hallway passing through a group of tired soldiers.

ROOOAAARRR !!

Apparently there is another black zombie roaming inside. Looking around, the giant zombie had slaughtered a dozen people in the mall atrium.

The mutilated bodies of soldiers were all over the places.

The black zombie's arms were in the form of sharp swords. And in that moment they had arrived, it had just stabbed another person.

Christina and Jennie immediately recognized the person.

The dying man was none other than Colonel Chan. The supreme leader of the Hong Kong army who had stolen Christina's ship a week ago.

"Why is he here?" Christina muttered.