Reborn As A Doomsday Villainess-Chapter 144: You’re not special

"Meng Nian, you’ll come with me. You’ll have to skip breakfast I’m afraid."

Meng Nian nodded and stood up, he really didn’t have appetite for food this morning.

"Alright. If there’s an issue call me."

They took the elevator down, when they got there, Qingran stared at the blood patches on the ground silently before turning to the door.

Tap! Tap! She knocked "I’m coming in."

She keyed in the code and walked inside the suite. They were all gathered there, like they had been waiting for Qingran.

"Good morning to you all." Turning to Haru, she glanced at his ankle. "How are you feeling?"

Haru bowed slightly, he would have lost a part of him without her.

"I’m well. Thanks to you.."

Qingran smiled and nodded, stepping back. She began to address them, telling them the same rules she had told Meng Nian and the others.

"Until I’ve confirmed the whole hotel is free of zombies, please ensure you stay in your rooms. It would make my work easier."

They all nodded and Qingran turned to leave, they have enough food to eat for now. If they ran out she would start preparing rations.

Inside the elevator, the air felt too still, too clean for what waited above. She pressed the button for the 38th floor and leaned back against the panel, eyes narrowing.

"Meng Nian." she said, glancing at him as the doors slid shut. "Let me say the rules for surviving today."

He straightened, listening intently.

"Rule one: don’t act without orders. If you see a zombie, I’ll deal with it unless I tell you otherwise. Only strike when you’re certain you won’t get hurt or slow us down."

He nodded quickly. "Understood."

"Rule two: if we find survivors, don’t let your guard down. They could be infected. They could also be desperate and stupid. Don’t trust anyone until I’ve cleared them."

"Got it."

"Rule three," she said, her voice cool and final, "if I tell you to run, you run. Don’t ask questions. Don’t try to save me."

The elevator stopped.

"Even if you’re hurt?"

The question was soft. Too soft.

Qingran’s eyes met his. Her voice didn’t waver. "Even if."

The doors opened with a ding. The stench of rot hit them first, sharp and sour, like something had been left to fester in the walls.

She stepped out first, blades already in hand. "Let’s go."

They moved swiftly through the hallway. The floor was darker than the last time she passed through, maybe because the lights were finally giving up or maybe because the building itself was starting to rot from the inside out.

The first zombie stumbled out of a room near the end of the hall, half its face missing, blood dried to a crust around its jaw.

Qingran didn’t slow down. One flick of her wrist and the dagger pierced straight through its eye socket, dropping it instantly.

She stepped over the body, gesturing for Meng Nian to cover the right side.

They cleared the corridor room by room. By the time they reached the last suite, 12 zombies had fallen—some with broken necks, others charred to a crisp by Qingran’s flames. Her movements were efficient, practiced.

Each kill was silent and clean.

Behind a barricaded door on the far end of the hall, they found three survivors. Two girls and one man, crouched behind an overturned couch, holding improvised weapons and shaking.

When the door creaked open, one of the girls lunged at Qingran with a broken lamp. Qingran sidestepped her easily and raised a hand.

"Stop. We’re not infected."

"Prove it!" the man barked, his voice hoarse. "You could be lying. Everyone lies now!"

Qingran let the flames rise from her palm, the heat pulsing in the air. "If I was infected, you’d be dead already."

The girl who had attacked her dropped the lamp.

Meng Nian stepped forward. "We’re clearing this building. You’re lucky we found you. Come quietly or stay here and die. Up to you."

The three exchanged glances, their exhaustion obvious.

Finally, the man nodded. "Alright. We’ll come."

Qingran stepped aside. "Good. No sudden movements, and keep your hands where I can see them."

As they guided the survivors back toward the elevator, Meng Nian muttered under his breath, "Twelve zombies before breakfast. That’s a new record."

Qingran smirked faintly. "Don’t get cocky. Wait till you get to the normal rooms and kitchens."

".."

The survivors crouched together at the ends of the elevator. Qingran chuckled a bit and pressed the button back to the 39th floor.

"You’ll be given a suite in the 39th floor, which you’ll be sharing with 6 people. They are only 3 rooms in the suite so it’s 2 to a bed. Get used to sharing. You’re not special."

One of the girls, maybe eighteen shifted uncomfortably but said nothing.

They reached the suite, and Qingran keyed in the code. The door slid open.

The others inside looked up as they entered. Rina stood near the window, arms crossed, while Haru remained on the couch, foot propped up on a pillow. The others, two women and one young man sat quietly, eyes flicking toward the newcomers.

"New survivors" Qingran said simply. "Keep an eye on them."

She turned to Rina. "They’re your responsibility until further notice. Keep them in line. Give them the suite next door."

Rina’s gaze sharpened, but she nodded. "Understood."

Qingran glanced at the three newcomers one last time. "Follow the rules, don’t cause problems, and maybe you’ll live long enough to leave this place. For now, get some rest..take a shower, eat.."

She shut the door behind her as she stepped out, Meng Nian close behind.

They walked back to the elevator, the silence stretching again.

"I thought you were harsh back there," Meng Nian said quietly.

Qingran shrugged. "I’d rather be harsh than bury more people."

Meng Nian sighed, he guessed that was fine..if she was too nice they wouldn’t listen to her.

"Let’s go take care of the 37th floor, I want to get through as much as I can."