Reborn As A Doomsday Villainess-Chapter 159 - 17 people successfully rescued

When they reached the infirmary entrance, they stopped behind a crumbling pillar.

The main door was ajar, but it did not look broken. Which meant someone had left it like that.

But there was a problem.

Three zombies loitered near the door, one of them repeatedly thumping against it with dull persistence.

The others wandered nearby, their heads jerking slightly whenever the wind carried a sound.

"Too close" Yu Song whispered. "We can’t sneak past them."

"I’ll draw them off.." Qingran said, crouching. "Tianming, when they follow me, you go in first. Check for survivors or infected inside. Yu Song, back him up. If there’s danger, fall back immediately."

She didn’t wait for protests. With a sharp exhale, she flicked a shard of stone across the courtyard. It clattered against metal, drawing all three heads sharply to the right.

Before they could fully react, Qingran launched.

Her body blurred as she darted out from cover. The azure flame in her palm flared just enough to light her presence, but not enough to torch the area.

"Hey, roaches.." she snapped. "Over here."

The effect was immediate. The infected turned toward her with low groans, their limbs jerking into motion.

She took off around the corner, the zombies lurching after her, leaving the infirmary door unguarded.

Xu Tianming didn’t hesitate. He moved fast, shoving the door open and sweeping the reception area with his bat raised.

"Clear.." he whispered.

Yu Song followed, pressing in behind him. The air inside was thick with dust and antiseptic.

The infirmary looked like it had been raided overturned chairs, shattered equipment, dried blood on the walls. frёeωebɳovel.com

They stepped around an overturned gurney and reached the hallway that led to the storage room.

"Help.." a voice croaked from within.

Xu Tianming sprinted the last few steps and knocked rapidly on the storeroom door.

"It’s me, Xu Tianming! We’re here to get you out!"

Locks unlatched behind the metal door, and it cracked open just wide enough for a tear-streaked face to peek through.

"Senior!"

The door swung wide.

Inside were at least ten people. A mixture of students and staff including the school nurse and a younger teacher. They looked gaunt, their eyes hollow, but their expressions lit up when they saw him.

"We thought no one would come.." someone whispered. "We thought we’d been forgotten."

"We could have been, if not for our helper. She’s not here at them moment" Xu Tianming said, his voice rough.

"Let’s get you out."

By the time Qingran returned, the hallway was already alive with murmurs. She glanced over the crowd and narrowed her eyes.

Thirteen in total, more than they could ferry back in one trip.

"I’ll stay behind with Yu Song," Xu Tianming offered without prompting. "You take the first batch."

Qingran blinked. "You sure? Let me check on Meng Nian to know if he’s close."

He nodded. "I promised to help. I’ll keep them safe until you come back."

Qingran studied him for a beat, then nodded. Switching on the comms, she spoke quietly.

"Hey Meng Nian, you on your way back?"

[Yes. Actually I’ve already arrived. Packing at the moment.]

"Alright. Just stay there, we’ll meet you there."

[Got it.]

She turned to the group. "Those who can’t walk easily, raise your hand. The hotel is safe, it’s secured and has food. The rest of you that can walk, stay with Xu Tianming and Yu Song."

One of the injured students, a girl with a twisted ankle reached out and grasped her sleeve. "You’ll protect us, right?"

Qingran picked her up, placing her on her back. "Yes. So just stay quiet, I’ll appreciate that."

There was only 3 injured people, which they all carried on their back.

So far they had managed to rescue. 17 people successfully and if they added this 13, it would be 30.

"Everyone please keep quiet. You’re almost close to safety."

The air was tense as they moved out.

Qingran led the way, steps light despite the weight on her back. The girl clung tightly, her breath shallow against Qingran’s shoulder.

The other two injured survivors were carried by Xu Tianming and Yu Song who still had enough strength to move steadily.

Behind them, the remaining eight moved quietly in a close line, their heads low, eyes darting to every shadow.

No one dared to speak.

She guided them along the same path they’d used to enter, skirting past the administration block, through the overgrown maintenance trail, and back toward the broken fence line.

Her insight continued to mark safe paths, glowing faintly in her vision. Without it, she might’ve missed the distant shape of a stray infected wandering near the chemistry wing.

They paused, ducking low behind a collapsed shed as the creature limped past, completely unaware.

Qingran waited until it was out of sight, then waved them for them to move forward.

It was slow progress, but steady. Every rustle of leaves or creak of movement made their hearts lurch, but the zombies didn’t stir again.

By the time they reached the outer fence, Qingran could see the familiar flash of Meng Nian’s vehicle parked across the street. He was already out, eyes scanning for them.

His face eased with visible relief when he saw her.

"Got them.." she whispered when they met near the car. "Thirteen. Three injured."

Meng Nian opened the car doors, helping the first two climb in while Qingran gently set the girl down.

The student turned toward her as she adjusted the seatbelt. "Thank you," she murmured.

Qingran only nodded. "Get some rest. You’re safe now."

Everyone slowly got into car, it was a tight fit but at least no one was left behind.

Qingran sighed, she knew very well that she could only relax when she made sure everyone was safe and sound.

Compared to yesterday the rescue mission had been relatively easy, tomorrow they would come again to rescue the ones that can.

"Lingquan what’s the survivor count in the school? We have to finish off there as fast as we can and then move on to the hospital."