Chapter Thirty-Seven: Inside the Cabin

Because she had not received the initial reward from the Calamity Roulette, she possessed no special abilities. However, Chen Yi promised that when the Calamity Roulette appeared for the second time, he would help her secure a reward.

“There are quite a few tourists on this island, and to travel between islands, one needs boats,” he explained. “But after such a heavy rain, it’s uncertain whether they’re still usable.”

Chen Yi was answering Chu Yunxi’s earlier question when Hu Sanhan approached and asked, “Are you planning to check on the boats right now?”

Chen Yi nodded. “I’ll take a team to scout the situation first. Brother Hu, you stay here and guard the base.”

“Understood.” Hu Sanhan patted his chest, looking dependable.

After a moment of silence, Chen Yi turned to Hu Sanhan with a grave expression. “The zombies on the island might become active again, especially the newly emerged ones—they’ll be even harder to deal with. Don’t underestimate them.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Chen. I’ll handle things here,” Hu Sanhan replied, grinning with confidence. “You go ahead.”

Before setting out, Chen Yi gathered several team members, including a few he especially trusted from the combat squad. Lu Kai was among them, ready to provide support at any moment.

“Everyone, suit up with your protective gear and make sure your things are packed. No one gets left behind,” Chen Yi instructed from the assembly point.

“Got it, Boss Chen!”

“Finally some action. After all this time, my hands were starting to rust.”

“Let’s move!”

With a wave of his hand, Chen Yi led the team toward the port on the far side of the island.

The forest path after the rain was a muddy mess, every step sinking with a squelch. Dewdrops clung to the island’s foliage, scattering brilliant colors in the sunlight, while a gentle breeze stirred the fallen leaves.

“The port is just ahead. Stay alert,” Chen Yi ordered, stopping to scan their surroundings.

“Be careful. Who knows what’s on those ships,” he added, gesturing toward the two large vessels and instructing his team to split up and inspect them.

In the distance, one of the ships leaned at an angle, lifeless and swaying as if about to sink at any moment. The other, though somewhat battered, appeared largely intact.

“We’ll board the one that’s still seaworthy. It’ll save us time,” Chen Yi said, pointing at the vessel before them.

After confirming with his eyes that everything was in order, he was the first to climb the ladder dangling from the ship.

“Stay close, everyone. Don’t get separated,” he called back to the team. “There may still be plenty of zombies inside.”

The air in the cabin grew colder, or perhaps it was just nerves—the team members following behind could feel chills crawling up from their feet into their hearts. The dim light shone on the rusted metal walls, casting cold glimmers into the gloom.

The ship’s interior was deathly quiet, broken only by the heavy breathing of the team.

“Boss Chen, something feels off here. It’s like something’s lurking in the dark,” Lu Kai whispered behind him.

Chen Yi nodded. “You’re right. It’s too quiet... unnaturally so.”

His thoughts raced: either the potential zombie threat had been eliminated, or there were far more zombies here than they’d anticipated.

They pressed on until a faint glimmer flickered at the doorway ahead.

Chen Yi’s expression hardened. He raised a hand, signaling the team to halt.

“Lu Kai, you and a few others get ready. I’ll open the door.”

Lu Kai and the team moved into position, blades drawn with practiced ease, their movements betraying the muscle memory of countless battles with the undead.

Under Chen Yi’s command, they positioned themselves on either side of the door, ready for whatever might come.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Yi wrenched the door open.

A bloodcurdling roar suddenly echoed through the narrow corridor.

A pack of zombies, as if triggered into motion, burst from behind the door, lunging at the team. Their eyes blazed with a savage red light, drool dripping from their foul mouths.

“Attack!” Chen Yi ordered.

Lu Kai cleaved the skull of the first zombie with a single, clean stroke. “Quick and clean—don’t give them a chance to strike back!” he shouted.

“Understood!” the others responded, dispatching the zombies with precise blows to the head.

Blood spattered everywhere, and the air filled with a mingled stench of rot and gore.

Chen Yi circled around from the other side, confirming there were no further zombies lying in wait.

With the immediate threat neutralized, the team’s nerves relaxed—though Chen Yi’s brow remained deeply furrowed.

“Keep moving,” he commanded, taking the lead.

The group advanced steadily, carefully avoiding corpses and obstacles strewn across the floor. Some cabin doors stood open, others shut tight, each exuding an aura of latent danger.

“Could there be other survivors in these rooms?” one team member whispered, eyeing the closed doors.

“We can only hope,” another replied grimly—they’d much rather face survivors than more deadly zombies.

Just then, a rustling noise sounded not far ahead, like a small animal rummaging through trash.

“There’s movement up ahead,” Lu Kai said, frowning as he stopped.

Chen Yi signaled for silence and caution. The disturbance at the edge of their hearing grew clearer—it was definitely not just an animal.

“Weapons ready. Advance with care,” Chen Yi commanded, gripping his double-edged blade tightly and narrowing his eyes.

As they drew closer, the door ahead suddenly swung open and a blurred figure darted out.

Chen Yi’s eyes flashed—he swung both blades forward, swift as the wind, stopping just short of the figure’s throat.

The person froze in terror—a survivor.

“Don’t move!” Chen Yi barked, the blade quivering at the man’s Adam’s apple.

“H-help! Please, save me!” the man stammered, his voice trembling with irrepressible fear.

Chen Yi quickly scanned the area, saw no sign of zombies, and withdrew his weapon. “Who are you? Why are you here?” he demanded.

The man gathered a bit of composure and stammered, “I-I’m a crew member on this ship. We were attacked by zombies. I hid... They... they’re all dead!”

“All dead?” Lu Kai frowned, and anxiety flickered across the faces of the others.

“Yes... those monsters were too terrifying... we never stood a chance,” the crewman whimpered, his eyes wild with terror.

Chen Yi considered for a moment, deciding it was best to get more information before proceeding.

“Are there still zombies elsewhere on the ship?” he asked.

The crewman nodded. “Yes, there are. I think some crew members might still be alive, but they’re trapped in the lower decks.”

He pointed ahead. “There! Go that way—but it’s very dangerous.”