Chapter 87: Mining Truck

Rebuilding Civilization

Who is Gao Tianhao? Those who know him might say he is the president of Deep Blue Corporation. Yet, in the shadows, Gao Tianhao bears another name known only to a select few: Blood Fox.

If Wu Donglin were to hear this name, he would be utterly shocked, for online, Blood Fox is a notorious moniker—one synonymous with brutality, with the pleasure of slaughtering “humans.” In the digital world, Blood Fox’s reputation precedes him; not just domestically, but even among the international elite, Blood Fox commands respect, or at least fear, for his relentless and merciless invasions and destruction.

But who could imagine that such a frenzied, bloodthirsty figure would be the president of a multinational corporation like Deep Blue? And, on the surface, a refined, gentle, and successful businessman?

At this moment, Gao Tianhao’s eyes are bloodshot, his mouth forming a silent snarl, as his ten fingers fly across the keyboard with astonishing speed, almost leaving phantom afterimages. In this age of advanced technology, few people still type manually; voice input is the norm, automatically correcting errors based on context. The sight of someone like Gao Tianhao inputting with a keyboard is almost anachronistic.

Yet only Gao Tianhao knows the truth: this laptop has been specially modified. Beneath its solid exterior lie components far more sophisticated than anything available on the market. Its performance is unrivaled. Gao Tianhao’s reputation as Blood Fox is not unfounded—he is not one for mercy, though he conceals it well. If it weren’t for the dire circumstances, he would never reveal such wildness.

Soon, the monitor floods with lines of data cascading like a waterfall. Each line is marked with a number, from 1 all the way to 811.

After the torrent of data, the screen shifts to a three-dimensional display of Skyward City’s elevated highway. Cars are arrayed along the road, each topped with a numbered label from 1 to 811. The heavy road-clearing machine is marked with a blood-red fox head, its position mingled near the front of the convoy.

The entire caravan has nearly halted, the only movement coming from panicked survivors firing frantically, trying to keep the zombies at bay, ten meters from their convoy.

Among the vehicles designated as B-level, the newly arrived T989 mining truck would, if not for Gao Tianhao’s influence, be rated higher—at A-level. In sheer size, the T989 is a colossus, standing 0.7 meters taller and 1.2 meters wider than the heavy road-clearing machine, with an imposing width of 7.2 meters. Equipped with the most advanced diesel engine, its power matches the road-clearing machine in every respect.

This giant, with a carrying capacity of 380 tons, is only a medium member among the T-series mining trucks. The even more formidable T1077 model stands at an unbelievable 11 meters tall, 10 meters wide, powered by four diesel engines and twelve massive tires, each 4.83 meters in diameter. Its own weight is 410 tons, and it can carry up to 580 tons, operating only on specially constructed roads. Before the apocalypse, it was the mainstay of major mining companies.

The T989, too, has twelve-wheel drive. Although it weighs 220 tons, the distribution means each tire bears only about 18 tons. This relatively light load allows it, when empty, to traverse most roads, including the elevated highway today.

The T989 mining truck has also been modified. A row of giant ground blades is installed along the front, connected to the axles. During its transformation, chain drives were linked to the engine. Whenever needed, the chains can engage with the engine’s gears, activating the blades and turning the vehicle into a terrifying meat grinder. Mounted on its massive body, like the road-clearing machine, are ten gun positions, currently firing wildly.

If relying solely on the T989’s capabilities, breaking through the zombie horde would not be impossible, given its powerful engine. Yet its position is just ahead of the road-clearing machine, blocked by dozens of vehicles, rendering it immobile, forced to halt with the convoy.

Gao Tianhao smirked coldly as he gazed at the blue number 17 representing the T989 mining truck on the display. He murmured, “A tiger always remains a tiger, only its claws are hidden for now.” With a swift click on the blue 17, the screen shifted again, presenting a row of functions before him. He activated one with a cold smile. Instantly, the T989 mining truck, previously motionless on the screen, roared to life at Gao Tianhao’s command, unleashing its full engine power.

The owner of the T989 mining truck, Luo Yunfei, a driver for the Skyward City Mining Company, was working a night shift when the XR virus outbreak struck. Thanks to his robust constitution, he survived. Four-fifths of the miners became mindless zombies. After the initial panic, Luo Yunfei rallied the remaining survivors, used explosives from the warehouse, and managed to clear the zombies from the mine.

With the mine’s food stores, the surviving dozens endured. Upon confirming the outside world had become an ocean of zombies, they were forced to stay, struggling to survive. Three years of agonizing hardship followed, until their food was depleted, forcing them to leave. The T989, capable of traveling ordinary roads, became their chosen mode of escape. They filled it with tons of diesel and began their quest for human bases and safe havens.

Thanks to this giant, they managed to cross many zombie-infested regions almost unscathed, ultimately reaching the Skyward Base. Hunting expeditions were inevitable for confident survivors like Luo Yunfei and his companions. Yet, barely on their third such mission, they found themselves in this terrifying predicament—something they had never anticipated.

At this moment, Luo Yunfei, behind the wheel of the T989 mining truck, clenched his teeth at the stalled convoy. Were it not for the fact that these people were fellow survivors, he would have crushed the ant-like sedans before him, broken through the dense zombie horde, and escaped. After all, this was not Luo Yunfei’s first time facing such masses of zombies; fear no longer dwelled in his heart.

As Luo Yunfei wrestled with his thoughts, the engine’s sound suddenly changed, the throttle leaping from its previous level to maximum. Before Luo Yunfei could react, the whole vehicle shuddered—he didn’t need to guess; the blades installed at the front had been engaged with the engine, spinning furiously.

Luo Yunfei was stunned. He hadn’t activated any of these functions—how had they started on their own?

While he was still trying to comprehend, the T989 mining truck shifted into gear and, driven by its immense power, smashed straight into the car ahead. The giant blades, spinning at high speed, shredded the upper part of the car. The four occupants inside, engaged in shooting, were torn apart along with the metal, mingling into a spray of blood.