40: The Mystery of Metal Zombie Evolution

Through his conversation with the Metal Zombie, Tian Ming had basically familiarized himself with the process of zombie mutation.

Their evolution pattern involved transforming themselves by ingesting matter, and evolving their intelligence by devouring dead companions or humans.

Although they were once human, the mutated zombies had no overlap with the memories of their former selves.

Tian Ming told the Shen Yi siblings that the so-called zombie virus might just be a carrier for evolutionary abilities. After infecting humans, it caused them to evolve into a new species.

However, the cost of this evolution was simply too great. Approximately 7 million people in Donghai City were infected with the virus, but only a few hundred evolved to the level of Metal Zombies. In the future, there might be a few more, and they might evolve to a higher level, but the numbers would be extremely small. Most people became fodder for evolution.

Although they looked the same, they were already different species. Just like humans versus zombies. No one would consider zombies as people. These intelligent zombies would also not consider uninfected humans as their own kind.

Although they had evolved intelligence, humans were merely brain-replenishing food in their eyes.

The speed of zombie evolution was much faster than human evolution. At the current rate, humans had no survival advantage whatsoever against these Metal Zombies.

"Boss, their evolution is related to your abilities, right? Otherwise, why could it establish a mind-like contract with you, but not with the rest of us?"

"My abilities come from gaia ultraman, and the source of these zombies' evolution is also the virus from gaia ultraman."

The siblings remained silent. They already had a guess: was the endpoint of zombie evolution to be like Tian Ming, capable of controlling all things?

Their hearts were filled with worry. If this were truly the case, then humanity would surely face extinction. Shen Yi looked at Tian Ming with a hint of inexplicable fear.

"Alright, you two, don't stand here anymore. Go attend to your own matters. I'll see how to deal with this zombie!" Tian Ming said to the siblings.

"Boss, I think it's better to keep him. You can communicate with him. If zombies attack here in the future, he can act as a bridge to negotiate with the intelligent zombies."

Tian Ming didn't want to keep a zombie by his side, but Shen Yi's consideration wasn't wrong.

"Shen Yuan, I've already gotten that server host. It's downstairs in your building and weighs over 100 kilograms. Have Doggo take a few people to help you connect the power and install it. See if it works, alright?"

Upon hearing that her long-awaited host was finally here, Shen Yuan excitedly said, "That's great! Thank you, Boss."

After the Shen Yi siblings left, Tian Ming turned his gaze to the Metal Zombie.

After weighing the pros and cons, Tian Ming ultimately decided to keep this Metal Zombie.

At least for now, he was the only zombie he could communicate with. Although there was a slight unstable factor, keeping him would be more beneficial than killing him.

"I won't kill you for now, but you must obey my commands. You can continue to evolve, but I hope you can remain rational and not harm the people in the Shelter."

"Master, please rest assured. After our mind contract is established, I dare not disobey any of your wishes."

"Then how do I know if you're lying?"

The Metal Zombie immediately prostrated itself and said, "In the world of zombies, there are no lies. With so many humans gathered here, my kind who have evolved to my level would all target this place for attack."

"Alright, you'd better be telling the truth about all of this. If you dare to deceive me, you know the consequences you'll face."

The Metal Zombie was filled with trepidation. The mind contract was established with Tian Ming out of utter helplessness. Now, he had completely become Tian Ming's servant.

The construction of the Shelter had entered the right track. Elder Mr. Yuan led a large group of people to start digging the foundations for the city wall. This was a massive project, and for these survivors, building the city wall was a top priority.

The Metal Zombie was assigned by Tian Ming to patrol outside the Shelter. Scattered ordinary zombies were no match for this Metal Zombie, who was quickly dispatched and then consumed by the Metal Zombie.

This was convenient; at least on the periphery, the Metal Zombie could establish a good defensive line. Tian Ming even had a bold idea: to enter the city and search for a large number of Metal Zombies.

If he forced these zombies to establish mind contracts with him, wouldn't he gain countless enforcers and free labor?

"Boss, the Materials Group has suffered heavy losses recently. Yesterday, two more brothers didn't return." Doggo's expression was grim. If this continued, the supply of materials within the Shelter would fall into a state of deficit.

After hearing Doggo's feedback, Tian Ming also frowned. He pondered for a moment, then slowly exhaled.

"I'll try. Let's see if I can get the Metal Zombie to help us collect materials."

Doggo was stunned upon hearing this. "Speaking of that zombie, he certainly won't harm the people within our Shelter. But Boss, I think this time the zombie should not be left outside for defense. Yesterday, our people discovered that he attacks survivors who come to join us. Of the three survivors who came yesterday, two were bitten to death by him. The remaining one also went insane!"

It seemed that keeping this thing by his side would lead to endless troubles. Even if he didn't attack the survivors who came to join them, those survivors wouldn't dare to easily come over to join if they saw a zombie existing on the periphery of the Shelter.

Tian Ming's heart stirred, and the Metal Zombie seemed to sense it. A few minutes later, he appeared before Tian Ming. Doggo looked at the Metal Zombie, feeling extremely wary, and took two steps back.

"You should go. Don't stay here. I heard from Doggo that you bit two people to death yesterday."

The Metal Zombie plopped down directly on his knees before Tian Ming.

"Master, I did not attack anyone within the Shelter. I dare not disobey your commands. I established a mind contract with you, and among my kind, I am a traitor. If you make me leave, I will surely be targeted by other Metal Zombies."

"Then I'll assign you to the Materials Group. You cannot attack humans. Can you do that? If you can, I won't make you leave. You need to lead the Materials Group into the city to collect materials and protect their safety," Tian Ming said.

Tian Ming considered this because the Metal Zombie could survive without eating people. Ingesting metal was enough; that metal would be activated inside the zombie's body. However, the evolution of intelligence required eating humans or devouring Metal Zombies of its own kind.

Tian Ming prohibiting the Metal Zombie from attacking humans was equivalent to restricting half of its evolutionary source. He wanted to see if the contract the Metal Zombie established with him truly had such a strong binding force.

The Metal Zombie agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Doggo, standing nearby, said warily, "Boss, if you do this, are you asking the brothers to go out and collect materials with a zombie?"

"He's strong in combat; he can protect you. Besides, he agreed. You arrange it and see which Materials Group dares to take him!"

Doggo pouted and muttered under his breath, "Damn it, Boss solving problems like this makes things really difficult for me."

Tian Ming turned back to the Metal Zombie and said, "Have Doggo take you to the Materials Group to get a set of clothes and cover your shiny golden body. Since you're willing to follow me, I won't mistreat you."