Unable to speak

August 30

The authorities finally issued an official announcement. The mortality rate among people infected by the unknown virus carried by the rain was one hundred per cent.

The public was urged to remain indoors as much as possible and take every necessary precaution if going outside was unavoidable.

The announcement sent the country into chaos.

Terrified citizens rushed to stockpile food, medicine, and other necessities. Panic buying quickly spiralled out of control, forcing local authorities to step in and maintain order. By that afternoon, mandatory stay at home orders had been issued across the country.

Jack and his team also received a new notice from headquarters. They were instructed to assist the Melbourne authorities in maintaining public order if the situation required it.

August 31, morning.

Liam, who had been unconscious with a high fever for three days, finally woke up.

Just as in his previous life, he had awakened a purification ability.

Purification belonged to the support and healing category, although it wasn't as powerful as a pure healing ability. Because of that, many people considered it relatively useless, and it rarely attracted much attention.

Liam knew better.

Of all the supernatural abilities, purification was the only one capable of counteracting the zombie virus. It was also highly sensitive to changes in energy, making it far more valuable than most people realised.

There was another secret he had never revealed.

In his previous life, just before his ability core was forcibly extracted, Liam had suffered severe trauma from the drugs used on him. Under that extreme pressure, his purification ability had mutated and developed an additional property.

Back then, he had wanted to die. He had no intention of saving Chen Yue, so he never revealed the hidden attribute.

He had no idea whether Chen Yue, who had inherited his ability core, had ever discovered it.

“Purification is great. At least we'll have safer food than other people during the apocalypse. Didn't you say some people awaken psychic abilities? With you by my side, I won't be afraid.”

Jack pulled Liam into his arms as he spoke.

His own abilities were offensive in nature, which meant he would inevitably end up on the front lines, facing danger after danger. Liam's purification ability might seem weak to others, but Jack considered it surprisingly useful.

Liam smiled and nodded.

“Thanks, Jack.”

See? His boyfriend always knew how to comfort him. Just a few words from Jack, and Liam already felt like he could take on the world.

In his previous life, he had only used his ability to counteract Chen Yue's zombie virus. He had never had the opportunity to explore its other potential uses.

This time, things would be different.

Jack's expression grew serious.

“I'm being serious. Let me handle the outside world. You just need to support me from behind.”

“Alright.”

Liam nodded earnestly before adding, “Jack, I don't want to reveal my ability unless absolutely necessary. I'd rather use it discreetly to avoid attracting unnecessary trouble.”

Jack respected his decision.

“Understood. We'll keep it secret until there's a genuine need to reveal it.”

“Mm.”

After making sure Liam had eaten, Jack stood up.

“I should get going.”

He had a video call scheduled with Hannah and the other team members. He needed to make sure they were prepared for the possibility of things getting completely out of hand.

Their first priority was to protect themselves. If the authorities officially requested their assistance, they would respond only if they had the capacity to do so without putting themselves at unreasonable risk.

Following the stay at home order, the streets outside the hospitals had become eerily silent.

As evening approached, Jack received an official call requesting that he and his team report to a designated location for registration and precautionary arrangements.

He put on his protective suit and borrowed Liam's storage ring before leaving.

“The rain should stop on September 1. It won't take long for the dead to start coming back. After I finish registering tonight, I'll use the opportunity to charge all the rings. I probably won't be back until after midnight, so don't wait up for me. Eat properly, get some rest, and regain your strength.”

“Yeah, I know. Be careful.”

Liam was worried, but he didn't say anything more. Jack's job was unusual, and when the authorities called on him, refusing wasn't really an option.

After heading downstairs, Jack met up with Hannah. They drove separately to the registration location so they would be prepared to respond independently if anything unexpected happened.

Meanwhile, Liam stayed home and practised controlling his newly awakened ability.

Despite being unconscious with a high fever for three days, he woke up feeling surprisingly well. Other than some lingering drowsiness from hunger, he had no real discomfort.

His purification ability had even improved his overall physical condition, clearing up several minor health problems.

With proper training, he could strengthen his body, which would also help his ability develop.

After all, his powers were closely connected to the strength of his body and mind. The stronger he became, the faster his ability would grow.

Liam began testing the maximum range of his purification ability.

At present, it could reach only about three metres.

In his previous life, he had rarely been given the opportunity to train. Under the influence of drugs, his ability's range had eventually expanded to five hundred metres, and that was when he discovered its mutation.

Liam knew perfectly well that he wasn't as formidable as Jack. He needed to stay close to his boyfriend for protection, but he was still a young man standing around six feet tall, with a healthy body and plenty of energy.

It didn't sit right with him to let Jack protect him all the time.

In his previous life, he had died like a chained dog in a basement, leaving behind countless regrets.

This time, he would learn to protect himself.

…

Jack returned shortly before dawn.

The rain had finally stopped.

Liam, who had spent the entire night sleeping restlessly, finally relaxed when Jack came home. Knowing his boyfriend was safely back, he soon fell into a deep sleep.

Jack silenced both their phones.

By the time they woke up, the outside world had descended into hell.

Apart from Hannah and a few other team members, nobody contacted them. Even the company's headquarters and official communication groups had fallen silent.

The apocalypse had arrived.

Everyone was simply trying to survive.

News reports were flooded with accounts of dead people coming back as zombies and attacking the living. Those who were bitten often turned into zombies themselves shortly afterward.

Screams and chaos erupted from the streets below.

Jack walked to the window and pulled it open. What he saw made his expression darken.

An elderly man who had previously needed a walking stick had turned into a zombie. He was chasing his housekeeper, who was desperately trying to escape, and soon caught up with her, sinking his teeth into her.

Nearby, several other people were already fighting for their lives.

The apocalypse had truly begun.

Breakfast was simple: eggs on toast and milk.

After eating, Liam settled onto the sofa and scrolled through his phone while speaking almost absentmindedly.

“It's only the first day. Things won't really get out of hand until the end of the month. But in about two weeks, the water and electricity will be cut off. The military and government will prioritise rescuing schools, people with essential jobs or special status, and their families. After that, they'll start establishing survival bases…”

Jack listened quietly.

“By the middle of October, there'll be hailstorms, followed by a sharp temperature drop and snowfall. That's when the extreme cold will begin. A lot of people will die during that period. The freezing weather won't ease until the middle of March, when military rescue teams finally leave their bases to search for survivors.”

Liam paused to scroll through another news update before continuing.

“That means ordinary people without connections will have to rely on themselves and whatever limited assistance the local authorities can provide from now until next April.”

Jack glanced at him and casually asked, “Will they establish a base or shelter here?”

“Not in Melbourne itself. There'll be some in the suburbs of neighbouring cities…”

Liam answered without hesitation.

Then he suddenly realised what he had said and looked up.

An awkward smile appeared on his face.

“Uh… Jack…”

Jack walked over, sat beside him, and pulled him into his arms.

With a quiet sigh, he tapped the wedding band on his left ring finger.

“Liam, can you tell me the truth? How do you know all of this? I'd honestly rather you tell me you're psychic than keep insisting it was all just a dream.”

Everything was unfolding exactly as Liam had predicted.

The rain, the virus, the deaths, and now the zombies.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to believe that Liam had learned everything through ordinary dreams.

Liam lowered his eyes and fell silent.

He had been dropping hints here and there lately, hoping to find the right opportunity to tell Jack the truth.

But now that Jack had asked him directly, he suddenly found himself unable to speak.