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Jack spoke with an easy smile, as if the situation were nothing more than a casual misunderstanding.
"The way you're speaking makes it sound unpleasant," he said lightly. "But how could I possibly deceive Claire?"
Before the tension could thicken further, a familiar voice echoed from the stairway above, clear and anxious.
"Jack, Jack—where are you?"
The sound carried through the underground space, cutting straight through the confrontation.
Chris's body stiffened. The instant he heard that voice, his eyes lit up with unmistakable excitement.
"Claire!"
Footsteps followed quickly. Claire descended the stairs, one hand brushing the railing as if she were afraid Jack might disappear again. When she spotted him, relief and joy flashed across her face.
"There you are," she said, hurrying toward him. "I've been looking for you everywhere."
"Claire." Chris stepped forward, his voice trembling despite his attempt to sound calm.
Claire's gaze shifted. She noticed the man standing behind the iron bars and frowned slightly, studying his face as if searching for something familiar.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Chris's chest tightened.
"I'm Chris," he said firmly. "Your elder brother, Claire."
"My elder brother?" Claire's brows knitted together. She turned almost instinctively toward Jack, her eyes questioning, seeking reassurance. "Jack, is what he said true?"
At this moment, her trust rested entirely on Jack's words.
Chris stared straight at Jack, his voice edged with restrained fury.
"Boy, tell her the truth. Tell her I'm her elder brother."
Jack raised an eyebrow, his expression calm, almost amused.
"You're talking so arrogantly—it's quite frightening," he said lazily. "But unfortunately, honesty isn't my strong suit."
He turned to Claire.
"Claire, actually, he isn't your elder brother."
"Hateful!" Chris roared, slamming his fist into the iron bars. The clang echoed sharply in the confined space.
Jack's denial came too smoothly, without the slightest hesitation.
"Jack is definitely right," Claire said coolly. She looked at Chris with indifference. "I don't know you at all. Yet you want to pretend to be my elder brother?"
Alice rubbed her temple, speechless.
"I don't think he's necessarily lying," she muttered. "He might really be your elder brother."
"Might?" Claire turned toward Alice, her tone calm but firm. "Can you give me a definite answer?"
Chris's gaze hardened. Rage surged through his eyes as he stared at Jack.
"Boy, I swear I'll kill you."
Jack glanced sideways at Alice, smiling faintly.
"Those words—I've heard them many times. Alice, you say them to me often too."
"Snort." Alice turned her face away coldly, irritation clear.
Jack chuckled.
"Alright, alright. I was just joking—lightening the atmosphere."
Then his tone shifted slightly.
"Claire, he really is your elder brother."
"What?" Claire stared at him, shock flickering across her face.
Chris exhaled slowly, a stiff smile forming.
"I've decided not to kill you—for now."
"Are you really my elder brother?" Claire asked hesitantly, doubt and hope intertwined.
Chris nodded without hesitation.
"Absolutely. Claire, we haven't seen each other for many years."
"Elder brother…" Claire murmured, testing the word as if it belonged to someone else. "I believe you. But I've lost my memory."
Chris's expression softened.
"It doesn't matter. You'll remember everything eventually."
His eyes then shifted to Jack.
"And what exactly is your relationship with this boy?"
Claire glanced at Jack unconsciously. A faint smile curved at the corner of her lips.
Chris noticed it immediately.
"Claire, you lost your memory and believe he's your husband. But I never received any wedding invitation."
Jack answered smoothly, without pause.
"We sent one. But with the virus outbreak, maybe you never received it. After all, you were in the military. You and Claire hadn't met for years."
Claire nodded thoughtfully.
"That makes sense. Chris, if you really are my elder brother, you should trust my choice. I believe Jack is—"
Alice pressed her palm to her forehead.
"This level of brainwashing is already serious."
Chris nodded slowly, suppressing his anger.
"I understand. Boy, I'll trust you for now. But if you dare do anything to harm Claire, you know the consequences."
"Hehe," Jack laughed lightly. "You almost scared me."
"Then can you let me out now?" Chris asked calmly.
"Why was he locked up here?" Alice asked, turning to Luther.
Luther shook his head.
"I'm not entirely sure. When we hid here seeking refuge, he was already locked inside."
"Why didn't you release him?" Claire frowned. "He's my elder brother."
Luther shook his head again.
"This man is dangerous. He claimed he knew a way to escape, but never proved it. I wasn't foolish enough to let him out."
Chris spoke steadily, forcing down his irritation.
"We received orders from higher authority to release prisoners. We needed manpower to fight zombies on the streets. But during the transfer, prisoners overran us. When I woke up, the army was gone—and I was locked here."
Jack smiled faintly.
"That sounds like a carefully crafted story."
"I'm not a prisoner," Chris said firmly. "I shouldn't be here. Let me out. I know how to leave this place."
Claire turned toward Jack.
"Jack."
"I know," Jack said calmly. "I planned to let him out."
Luther stepped forward quickly.
"You can't. He's too dangerous."
Jack's lips curved upward.
"Luther, have you ever seen someone more dangerous than me?"
Luther froze. After a moment, he stepped aside.
"No."
"Good."
As Jack approached the iron cage, he paused suddenly.
"You should step back," he said.
"Why?" Luther asked.
"I might hurt you by accident."
Chris scoffed.
"Boy, I'm not that fragile. Who do you think you are to injure me?"
"I warned you," Jack said calmly. "Whether you listen is your problem."
In the next instant—
Bang!
Jack kicked the iron gate with terrifying force. The specially reinforced door tore loose and slammed straight into Chris's body.
"Ah—!"
Chris was sent flying backward, crashing violently into the iron rods behind him.
Luther's eyes widened.
What kind of monstrous strength is this…?
Chris coughed violently, blood splattering the floor. He struggled to stand.
"Boy… you almost killed me."
"I warned you," Jack shrugged. "You didn't listen. Why blame me?"
Chris endured the pain and staggered forward, standing in front of Jack.
"You're very strong."
"That's a fact," Jack replied without modesty.
Chris moved past him and stopped in front of Claire.
"Claire."
"I still don't remember you," Claire said softly.
"What way do you have to get us out of here?" Luther asked. "We released you—now show us."
Chris smiled confidently.
"Come with me."
They followed him into the courtyard.
Beyond the massive iron gate, countless zombies crowded together, roaring endlessly, their hands clawing through the bars. The stench of decay flooded the air.
In the distance, a gigantic mutated zombie dragged a massive iron axe across the ground, sparks flying as it scraped forward—each step shaking the earth as it slowly approached the gate.
The atmosphere grew heavy and suffocating.
Something disastrous was about to begin.