Fourth and Captain left the Lecture Hall 1, their hearts heavy with thoughts and a determination to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that had unfolded. As they made their way to the Medical Faculty canteen building, their minds were filled with questions about what had happened and where Gemini's friends had gone.

Upon reaching the canteen building, they were greeted by a sight that brought a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. A group of students must have take refuge there, barricading the doors and windows to keep the zombies at bay.

Captain turned to Fourth, and said with a smile, "Look, Fourth! There are survivors inside. Finally, some good news. Let's go there and greet them."

Fourth, however, hesitated and grabbed Captain's arm, urging caution. "Hold on, Captain! We need to be careful. It's best if we investigate first. We still don't know who they are."

Fourth lead Captain to a hiding spot behind a line of trees and looked out at the canteen building. They saw that there were groups of four to five male students with makeshift weapons taking turns to watch over the outside to protect them from zombies. Some groups even ventured further out of the area, Fourth didn't know where they were heading.

As they observed the scene unfolding before them, a flicker of unease danced in Fourth's eyes. He leaned closer to Captain, his voice barely a whisper. "That's strange."

Intrigued, Captain turned his attention to Fourth, his gaze searching for answers. "What is it? What do you find strange?"

Fourth's voice carried a tinge of concern as he replied, "Do you notice something peculiar? I don't see any female students among them. Where could they be?"

Captain scanned the area again, searching for a rational explanation for the odd scene. He opened his mouth, then shut it. He shook his head, his face showing disappointment. "You're right, Fourth," he admitted. "I don't see any female students either." He paused, as if expecting one to appear. "Maybe they are inside, taking shelter or resting." He sighed and met Fourth's eyes with a grim look. "Or it could be that these dangerous duties of guarding and exploring were given to the male students, to protect them from harm."

Fourth's frown deepened, his worry palpable. "I truly hope that's the case, Captain. But something doesn't sit right with me."

A sudden flash of memory jolted their minds, a vivid image burned into their memory. The horrifying sight of the young girl, Ploy, engulfed by flames in Lecture Hall 1 resurfaced, sending chills down their spines. Their hearts sank with the burden of unanswered questions and a nagging sense of dread, as they realized that danger could hide even among their own.

Captain turned to Fourth, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and caution. "What do you think we should do next?"

Fourth's mind already set on the course of action. "I believe we should follow one of the groups that venture further out would be our best bet. We need to uncover the truth, and those who venture out might have valuable insights or knowledge about what's really happening."

With a silent nod, Fourth and Captain cautiously emerged from their hiding spot behind the line of trees, their movements careful and discreet. They trailed behind one specific group, making sure to keep a safe distance as they ventured further from the Medical canteen building.

As they followed the group, bits of conversation drifted on the wind, allowing Fourth and Captain to hear parts of their discussion.

"We need to find more supplies. If we decided to continue our plan."

"I heard that the leader is trying to track down those runaway medical students?"

"He was enraged the last time. You remember what he did to Ai' Kong? He burned him to ashes in front of us."

The whispered exchanges only fueled Fourth and Captain's determination to uncover the truth. They knew that these survivors held the key to unlocking the mysteries of what had happened in the lecture hall  1 and what had happened to Gemini's friends.

As they were tailing the group, Fourth used his power and he could sense the impending danger ahead. He knew that the group was unknowingly walking right into the path of a group of around 20 zombies. He turned to Captain and whispered urgently, "They're about to walk into a swarm of zombies. I think we should help. It's our chance to gain their trust if we want to infiltrate their base."

Captain's worry deepened as he weighed the risks and potential consequences of intervening. But after a moment of contemplation, he realized the importance of gaining these students' trust. With a resolute nod, he conveyed his decision to Fourth. They silently moved closer, hiding behind debris and abandoned vehicles as the zombies closed in on the unsuspecting group.

The zombies launched their attack, descending upon the male students with relentless hunger and ferocity. Panic and fear quickly enveloped the survivors, their makeshift weapons clashing with the gnashing teeth and tearing claws of the undead. Fourth and Captain watched attentively, waiting for the opportune moment to intervene.

Just as the group's hope began to fade, their weapons worn and their energy dwindling, Fourth and Captain sprang into action. Fourth discreetly tapped into his hidden power, enhancing his speed and strength. He used his sharpened senses to battle the creatures, guiding Captain's movements and protecting his flank. Together, they swiftly defeated numerous zombies, injecting a much-needed boost to the exhausted students.

The male students, initially taken aback by the sudden assistance, quickly realized that Fourth and Captain were on their side. Their eyes widened with surprise and relief as they fought shoulder to shoulder, their combined strength revitalizing their determination. The survivors fought with renewed energy, encouraged by the knowledge that they had allies in this struggle.

Amidst the chaos, Fourth and Captain took note of the survivors' reactions, looking for signs of trust or suspicion. They observed the group's leader, a burly student with a stern expression, as he fought fiercely and directed his fellow classmates. His eyes locked with Fourth's briefly, a flicker of recognition passing between them.

As the battle raged on, the combined efforts of Fourth, Captain, and the male students pushed back the zombie horde. The survivors began to gain the upper hand, slowly but surely reclaiming their ground.

When the danger had passed, the survivors regrouped, breathing hard and checking the damage of the fight. The group's leader walked up to Fourth and Captain, his eyes steady.

"You two saved our lives," he said, his voice laced with gratitude. "I'm Bang, an Engineer students, the leader of this group. Who are you?"

Fourth approached them calmly, speaking in a friendly and honest voice. "My name is Fourth, and this is my friend Captain. We're students from Musical Faculty. We were out looking for supplies when we saw you in trouble with the zombies. We couldn't just stand by and watch, so we came to help."

Bang nodded, his expression cautious. He looked at Fourth and Captain, trying to gauge their intentions. He asked, "Are there only you two? How have you been surviving on your own?"

Fourth nodded, his eyes sincere. He said, "Yes, there only the two of us. We've been scavenging for food and water, hiding from zombies. We've been through a lot, but we've managed to stay alive."

Captain chimed in, he asked, "We're looking for a safe place to stay, a group of people we can trust. Can we join yours?"

Bang's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed. He said, "We do have a base, but you're better off looking for another group. Our Leader is very strict and selective about who he lets in."

As Bang was speaking, another member of his group approached them. He was a young man with a scarred face and a nervous smile. He blurted out to Bang, "Hey, Bang, didn't the Leader say we have to bring any survivors we find back to the camp?"

Bang glared at him, his voice low and angry. He said, "Shut up, you idiot. Don't you know how to keep your mouth shut?"

He turned to Fourth and Captain, his expression apologetic. He said, "Sorry about that. He's new here. He's clueless."

Fourth noticed a flicker of disgust in Bang's eyes when he mentioned the Leader, and it instantly piqued his interest. Something wasn't right. It was as if the mere mention of the Leader seemed to trigger a wave of negative energy in Bang's body. The way he reacted made it clear to Fourth that this so call "Leader" didn't command respect or admiration from everyone. In fact, the Leader seemed more like a tyrant, someone who misused their power and had sinister intentions.

It was like a light bulb going off in his mind. Bang's hesitation to let them join wasn't just about caution or suspicion; it was an act of protection. Bang wanted to shield them from the clutches of a leader who seemed to be not good as a person.

Sadly, Fourth had to decline Bang's kind intention. He had a different plan in mind. He needed to infiltrate the base to uncover the truth about what had happened to Gemini's friends. He said, "Bang, I appreciate your concern, but we have no other option. We've been on the move for too long, and we're low on resources. We need a place to stay, even if it's temporary."

Fourth looked at Captain, who quickly nodded in agreement. He said, "Please, Bang, we're begging you. We have nowhere else to go."

Bang sighed, his expression conflicted. He said, "Fine, fine. I'll take you to the camp, but don't say I didn't warn you. You might regret this decision later."

He then looked at Fourth, his eyes serious. He said, "But there's one thing you have to do first. You have to disguise yourself. You're too handsome for your own good."

Fourth blinked, surprised by the compliment and the request. He said, "What do you mean?"

Bang said, "The Leader has a...unique interest in pretty boys." He stopped and gave Fourth a grim look. "He likes to collect them and keep them as his personal toys. If he sees you, he'll definitely want you for himself, and he won't take no for an answer."

Captain's expression immediately contorted into a mask of worry upon hearing Bang's unsettling words. Anxiety etched lines across his forehead as he grappled with the gravity of the situation. Meanwhile, Fourth, standing next to him, did not seem to care, his face calm and cool. He asked Bang in a relaxed way, "So how do I disguise myself?"

Bang's eyes darted from Captain's fretful face to Fourth's composed demeanor. He paused for a moment, carefully considering his response before finally speaking. "To blend in, you must present yourself as anything but desirable," he advised, his voice tinged with urgency. "Mess up your hair, smudge dirt across your face, wear worn out clothing. In short, anything that lowers your appeal."

Fourth listened carefully, taking in every detail with strong resolve. With a firm nod, he said, "Okay, I'll do it."

Fourth followed Bang's instructions meticulously, deliberately ruining his hair, smearing dirt across his face, and donning torn and tattered clothing. He felt Captain's worried gaze on him as he altered his appearance, silently wondering how far they would go to uncover the truth.

Bang examined Fourth after he had finished and frowned. Fourth still retained some of his handsome features, despite his attempts to look like a ragged survivor. Bang told him to do more, such as adding bruises and blood stains to his skin and clothes. He also instructed him to act more timid and fearful, to blend in with the crowd. He made Fourth degrade his appearance until he was satisfied.

Bang and his group then escorted Fourth and Captain to the camp located at the Medical Canteen building. They saw wary glances from the other men guarding the area, suspicion in their eyes as they looked at the newcomers. Bang's presence gave some reassurance, but Fourth sensed the tension that was in the air.

Bang then led them to a common room for newcomers. He said that Fourth and Captain had to wait here for a while for the final check up before they could move freely. Fourth looked around and verified his suspicion. He asked Bang before he left, "Hey, Bang, apart from some newcomers like us in the room, why are there no female students anywhere else?"

Bang's face darkened, as if he was reminded of something unpleasant. He looked at the only girl in the common room, held his anger and simply said, "You'll find out soon enough."

He turned to leave, but then stopped and looked back at them. He said, "Listen, I knew you guys had other intentions but I couldn't help you. The Leader has eyes and ears everywhere."

He lowered his voice and said, "Just try to stay out of trouble, okay? And don't trust anyone here. They're all either brainwashed or scared of the Leader. He's a madman, a monster."

Fourth nodded to Bang, grateful for his warning. He watched him leave, then turned to Captain.  They exchanged glances, silently acknowledging what to do at the moment. Their eyes scanned the room, looking at the newcomers.

Among them, Fourth noticed a pretty female student, her face etched with worry. Her eyes darted nervously around the room as she realized the only girl here, her body tense and on edge. Sensing her unease, Fourth decided to approach her, hoping to gather more information.

He sat down next to her and smiled warmly. "Hi, I'm Fourth, a Musical Faculty student. What's your name?"

The young woman seemed startled by Fourth's approach but quickly regained her composure. She answered, her voice laced with nervousness, "I'm Lisa, an Economics student. It's nice to meet you, Fourth."

"Lisa, do you happen to know a student named Nook? She's also an Economics student like you." Fourth asked casually, trying to befriend her. He noticed that she looked about the same age as Nook, and wondered if they were friends.

Lisa's eyes widened in shock. "Nook? Oh, yes! She's my friend. We've been in the same classes for a while now. Why do you ask? Have you met her?"

"Yes, I have met Nook," Fourth replied, his voice gentle. He tried to explain without revealing too much, "She had to seek refuge somewhere else. I know she's safe. You don't have to worry."

Fourth and Lisa were about to continue their conversation, when the door of the common room suddenly opened. Three adult men with scarred faces like street thugs entered the room. They looked around, their eyes cold and menacing.

"Well, well, what do we have here?", One of them spotted Lisa and his eyes lit up with a malicious grin. His voice carried a certain level of lust,  "A pretty little lady like you shouldn't be in a place like this. You should be with someone who knows how to appreciate your beauty."

Lisa's body stiffened, her eyes widening in fear as she instinctively moved closer to Fourth, seeking comfort and protection. 

One of the other men followed Prat's gaze and snickered. He seemed to share his lustful thoughts. However, the middle one who seemed to be the leader of the three, frowned and said, "Stop it, Prat. You know what Leo said. He doesn't want any females in our group. He thinks they're weak, useless and it's a waste of valuable supplies to keep them. We have to get rid of her." 

Prat pouted and said, "But Leng, can't we have some fun with her first? She looks so sweet and innocent. It would be a waste to just throw her away."

Fourth looked at Captain and they silently nodded. If that bastard Prat dared to move closer to Lisa, they would drop their disguise and stand up to protect her. For just a couple of minutes, they had had enough of these disgusting human beings. As they were about to do so, a sudden loud voice demanded Prat to stop.

"You better stop, Prat!" Bang's voice rang out as he burst into the room. He must have anticipated this when he saw Lisa earlier, Fourth realized. That explained why he was still able to sense his aura all along, Bang actually never left.

Prat turned towards Bang with annoyance written all over his face. "What's your problem, Bang? Can't you see we're just having a little fun here?"

Bang's voice turned cold and stern as he stood his ground. "I said stop. She's under my protection, and no one touches her without my permission. I will escort her out of our camp."

Leng, the apparent leader of the three men, stepped forward with a scowl. "Bang, you're not in charge here. Don't forget your place. We only answer to Leo. To him, females are trash, what's wrong if Prat wants to toy with her then toss her aside. This is a new world and Leo is our ruler."

Bang's expression hardened, his eyes blazing with defiance. "Leo's orders are not law. We are all humans here, and we should treat each other with respect. I won't let you harm her."

The tension in the room escalated, and Captain were ready to intervene and helped Bang if things turned violent while Fourth was expecting something. Right at this moment, the door swung open once again, revealing a new group of men lead by a figure that silenced the room.

"Khun Pha," Leng and his subordinates chorused in unison, their voices filled with fear. They immediately straightened their postures, waied and lowered their heads towards the young man named Pha.

Fourth took a quick glance at Pha and noticed he was a handsome young student. But he couldn't compare to Gemini, his boyfriend, who was more attracting in every way possible. He had fair skin, dark hair, and piercing eyes that seemed to disdain everyone. Fourth wondered why this slender and frail boy inspired fear in everyone. Then he suddenly recalled that Leo, the leader, according to Bang, had a special interest for pretty boys. He must be his latest favorite toy, and that's why everyone steered clear of him.

Pha looked around the room with a bored expression, his eyes landing on Lisa who was trembling in fear. He smirked and said, "So this is all the commotion about? What do you want to do with her?"

Leng and Prat exchanged glances, then Prat spoke up. "We thought we could have some fun with her, Khun Pha. You know, relieve some stress. "

Pha nodded, as if he approved of their plan, "Well, if that's what you wish to do, go ahead." His words hung in the air, a malevolent acceptance of their intentions. "But remember," he added with a evil grin, "dispose of her as Leo has ordered once you're done."

Bang's face turned pale, his eyes widening. He couldn't believe that Pha would agree to such a cruel and disgusting thing. He shouted, "No! You can't do that! She doesn't deserve this!"

Pha turned his cold eyes towards Bang, his voice dripping with contempt. He said, "Shut up, Bang. Don't think I'll always let you off the hook for defying me, just because we are childhood friends. If you interfere, I'll make sure Leo knows about it. And you know what he does to those who disobey him."

Bang clenched his fists, his eyes burning with anger and defiance. He said, "If Gemini was here, he would not allow this. He would never let you harm an innocent girl like Lisa. He would stand up to Leo and his gang, and he would protect us all."

Fourth was surprised as Bang mentioned his boyfriend's name. He wondered how Bang knew Gemini, and what kind of relationship they had. 

Pha snarled, his face contorted with loathing and jealousy. He said, "Gemini? Don't you dare speak that name. That bastard is already dead."

Pha moved closer to Bang and whispered in a malicious tone, "And even if he was still alive, I would make him suffer and beg Leo to give him a gruesome death."

The silence in the common room was tense. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts, except for Fourth. His eyes glinted faintly with an ethereal light, glowing halos dancing around his irises as he glared at Pha and plotted how to make him pay dearly. No one spoke ill of his beloved boyfriend and expected to be shown mercy in return.

---- New chapter 🥳. It's a bit longer than usual. Hope every like it. Don't forget to vote everyone🥰----