“The stairwell is clear. I suggest you head down to the second floor immediately.”
“There’s a Licker on the second floor, but it’s far from the east stairwell where you are.”
After receiving Christine’s instructions, Li Yiming moved quickly.
He moved swiftly and silently, soon reaching the second floor without a sound.
Once there, he didn’t rush out right away.
Instead, he used the fire door as cover to observe the situation.
Outside the fire door, the restroom was on the left, and on the right was the ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department.
And Li Yiming’s destination was just beside the ENT department!
The distance wasn’t far, but the problem was—
In the hallway on the second floor, another Licker was feeding.
It crouched on the ground like a lion.
Underneath it was a dead zombie, pinned down.
The Licker was using its long, slender tongue to slurp the zombie’s brain matter.
It was just like sipping coconut water.
The Licker appeared very relaxed, clearly savoring the delicious nectar it had found.
“Christine, is there only this one Licker on the second floor?”
While observing the Licker, Li Yiming asked through his earpiece.
“Yes, only that one on the second floor. The others are all on the first floor.”
Christine gave a firm confirmation.
“Good.”
Li Yiming took a deep breath, then pressed close to the wall and silently moved toward the pediatrics clinic.
This Licker was facing away from him, still engrossed in feeding.
As long as it kept enjoying its meal and didn’t turn around…
Everything would be fine.
In the monitoring room—
Christine frowned as she watched Li Yiming’s bold move through the surveillance feed.
This guy is way too gutsy…
If the Licker turned around right now, it would be a huge problem.
Her hand clenched tightly around the mouse.
In her heart, she silently began to pray for Li Yiming.
And whether it was thanks to her prayers or not—
The Licker stayed completely immersed in its meal the entire time.
Li Yiming carefully and steadily reached the vicinity of the pediatrics clinic.
He was now very close to the suitcase on the ground!
Just as he was about to reach out for the suitcase—
Christine’s expression suddenly changed dramatically!
“Danger! Don’t grab it!”
“Hide now!”
Li Yiming’s hand froze instantly!
Even though the suitcase was just a few meters away—
He immediately leapt back, ducking behind the nurses’ station in the pediatric clinic!
He placed full trust in Christine’s warning.
And that trust helped him avoid a disaster.
The moment he dove behind the nurse’s station—
Another Licker climbed up from the first floor.
It was holding a zombie corpse in its mouth, the body already drained dry and maimed beyond recognition.
As soon as the new Licker arrived on the second floor, it locked eyes on the other Licker’s meal.
Li Yiming, hidden behind the nurse’s station—
Though he couldn’t see it, he could clearly hear the low, menacing growl of the second Licker.
Hearing the deep snarls of the two Lickers made Li Yiming’s heart race uncontrollably.
He didn’t know whether the newly arrived Licker had spotted him or not.
Just as he was about to lose his patience and peek out to take a look—
Christine’s voice brought him good news.
“Relax, they haven’t noticed you at all.”
“They’re growling because they’re fighting over food.”
Christine spoke calmly as she monitored the surveillance feed.
From her end, she could see it clearly:
The two Lickers were snarling and posturing at each other in a display of aggression over their meal.
Hearing her confirmation, Li Yiming finally felt a bit more at ease.
He sat quietly with his back against the nurse’s station, waiting to see how the confrontation between the two Lickers would play out.
He didn’t have to wait long.
One of the Lickers let out an angry roar from the hallway outside.
“ROAR!!!”
The second Licker went berserk as well.
Soon, Li Yiming could hear the violent sounds of the two monsters clashing!
Listening to the chaos erupting outside, Li Yiming pulled a chipped dagger from his pocket.
He extended it just beyond the nurse’s station and used its reflective surface to observe the fight.
Damn.
It was a bloody mess!
Li Yiming watched the reflection with fascination, clicking his tongue in amazement.
Just as he was enjoying the show—
The two Lickers, tangled in their brutal brawl, crashed through the second-floor guardrail glass and plummeted straight to the first floor!
BOOM!
The sound alone was enough to tell how hard they hit the ground.
“Damn, they’re tearing each other to shreds.”
Seeing the coast clear, Li Yiming immediately emerged from behind the nurse’s station!
The two Lickers fought, and he reaped the reward.
He casually walked out and picked up the suitcase lying quietly on the floor.
“This is perfect. Those two Lickers distracted all the others!”
Back at the monitors, Christine also chimed in with good news.
Li Yiming didn’t waste time.
He checked the suitcase — the antiviral serum was still inside.
Without hesitation, Li Yiming turned and began his return journey.
Just as he reached the third floor—
A sharp, screeching Licker roar rang out from the internal medicine department!
It must have noticed its companion was missing.
Too bad — it realized it too late!
Hearing the roar, Li Yiming showed no sign of panic on his face.
Calmly carrying the suitcase, he stepped back into the hallway of the internal medicine wing.
At the far end of the hallway stood a lone Licker.
Without hesitation, Li Yiming charged straight at it!
The Licker let out a furious battle cry as it spotted Li Yiming approaching.
It had already signaled for reinforcements from its companions.
In a matter of seconds, they would rush to its aid!
But unfortunately—
That help would never arrive.
Behind the Licker, a door slowly creaked open.
And right in front of it, Li Yiming was already upon it.
“Die!”
A red flash surged in Li Yiming’s eyes.
He blocked the Licker’s claw strike with one hand and smashed his fist into its chest!
BANG!!
The Licker’s ribcage caved in instantly!
Before it could even scream in pain—
A burst of freezing cold shot out from behind the door.
“Hurry, finish it!” Christine shouted, using her psychic ability to freeze the Licker’s neck.
Li Yiming didn’t hesitate.
He grabbed the Licker’s head with one hand and yanked it upward with all his strength!
Squelch!!
The Licker’s entire head, spinal cord still attached, was ripped clean from its body by Li Yiming!