Walking Dead: Unlock the Umbrella Corporation Hive Begins with Hunting Chapter 23 23: 23

Novel: Walking Dead: Unlock the Umbrella Corporation Hive Begins with Hunting Author: Wobbuffet Updated: Jun 16, 2026

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Now reading: Chapter 23 23: 23 from Walking Dead: Unlock the Umbrella Corporation Hive Begins with Hunting, a Action novel by Wobbuffet.

Nine o'clock at night. CDC, third-floor office.

Wu Fan leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose.

A personnel list lay spread across the desk—new arrivals from the mine.

He studied it again and again, considering how to distribute positions.

Rick Gris, forr deputy sheriff.

Shane Walsh, forr police officer.

rle Dixon, a forr criminal and troublemaker.

And Daryl Dixon—currently unassigned, still out hunting.

Almost everyone from the mine had arrived.

Wu Fan set the list down and looked out into the dark night beyond the window.

Far in the distance, toward Atlanta, faint flickers of light occasionally pierced the darkness—no one could tell whether they ca from survivors or the dead.

Rick, Shane, rle, Daryl…

All the key figures from the original world were now under his control.

The question was—how should they be used?

Promote them directly? Assign them leadership roles?

Wu Fan shook his head.

No.

They might be protagonists in the original story, but this was reality.

In the apocalypse, ability mattered more than identity. "Main characters" ant nothing if they couldn't perform.

His original team—Brock, Sandra, Marcus, and the others—had fought their way through blood and Walker hordes to secure the base. Giving newcors instant authority would only fracture morale.

They would be evaluated.

A competition would be held next week. Fair and open.

The capable would lead. The strong would earn their positions.

Decision made.

Knock, knock.

"Co in."

The door opened, and a faint fragrance drifted into the room.

Amy stood at the entrance.

Tonight, she was dressed differently.

A white V-neck dress hugged her figure, the hem stopping just above mid-thigh. Silver heels completed the look, and her hair fell loosely over her shoulders—soft, feminine, and far removed from the composed secretary she was during the day.

Wu Fan paused for a mont, then let out a light chuckle.

"I don't think this is the right place for a party, Miss Amy."

Amy walked in, heels clicking against the floor.

She stopped in front of the desk, placed her hands on it, and leaned forward slightly.

"Not a party," she said softly. "A private one. Just for the two of us."

Wu Fan's gaze moved briefly across her face, then lowered, then returned.

Without a word, he pressed a button on the player beside him.

Music filled the room—an eerie, elegant waltz.

Amy's eyes lit up.

"Oh my god… how did you get this?"

"Trade secret."

Wu Fan stood and extended a hand. "May I have this dance?"

Amy placed her hand in his.

They moved slowly through the office, turning in a quiet rhythm beneath the dim light and moonlight spilling through the window.

No ballroom. No crowd.

Only the soft sway of music and the silence of a collapsing world outside.

Amy leaned slightly against him.

"I never thought the end of the world could feel like this," she whispered.

Wu Fan didn't answer. He simply held her closer.

They turned.

Again.

And again.

Until the final note faded into silence.

Wu Fan looked down at her.

Amy looked up.

Sothing flickered in her eyes.

"About my reward…" she asked softly. "Can I collect it now?"

Wu Fan smiled faintly.

He lifted her into his arms.

They moved toward the inner room.

—

Morning ca quietly.

Sunlight slipped through the curtains, drawing a thin golden line across the floor.

Wu Fan opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling for a mont.

Then he shifted slightly and felt the soreness in his body.

He let out a faint, self-mocking smile.

Perhaps it was the pressure of survival. A month of constant tension—life and death hanging by a thread—had kept his mind stretched like a drawn bow.

Last night had simply been release.

A physical response to prolonged stress.

He glanced sideways.

Amy was still asleep.

The blanket had slipped, revealing bare shoulders and collarbone. Her brows were slightly furrowed, but her lips carried a faint smile—sothing peaceful in her expression.

Wu Fan quietly got up and went to the bathroom.

Hot water poured down over him, washing away the remnants of the night.

As he stood there, he replayed fragnts of the evening in his mind.

Flirtation. Teasing. Boldness.

He shook his head slightly.

Unexpected. Even he hadn't expected himself to act that way.

When he returned, Amy was still asleep.

He dressed in his suit, adjusted his tie, and stood by the bed for a mont.

Then he left quietly.

—

Back in the office, he had barely sat down when there was a knock.

"Co in."

Rick entered.

He paused slightly when he saw the empty room. "Sorry. I didn't see Amy outside, so I just ca in."

"It's fine," Wu Fan said. "She's off today."

Rick nodded with a knowing expression.

Wu Fan ignored it and gestured to the chair.

"Sit. How's your recovery?"

"Fully recovered," Rick said, stretching his shoulders. "Dr. Jenner says I'm in good condition. No lasting issues."

"That's good."

Rick leaned forward slightly, his tone turning serious.

"I ca here to join Umbrella Corporation officially."

Wu Fan studied him for a mont.

"You've thought it through?"

Rick nodded. "The outside world is chaos. Lori and Carl are here. It's safe. I want to stay and protect them. And Carl needs stability—education, structure. I heard the Hive has schools."

Silence lingered for a mont.

Then Wu Fan stood and extended his hand.

"Welco aboard, Rick."

Rick shook it firmly.

Wu Fan pulled open a drawer and placed a contract on the table.

"Read it. If there's no issue, sign it."

Rick skimd through it.

His expression tightened slightly at phrases like lifeti service, no betrayal, and violation subject to biological experintation.

But only for a mont.

He picked up the pen and signed.

Wu Fan collected the contract and locked it away.

"Next week," he said, "I'm holding a competition."

"A competition?"

"Yes." Wu Fan leaned back. "The organization is growing. I need squad leaders for rotation patrols. Positions will be earned, not given."

Rick nodded. "Fair enough."

He smiled lightly. "If soone calls you a ruthless boss behind your back, I'll be the first to shut them up."

Wu Fan chuckled.

Rick stood to leave.

At the door, he nearly bumped into a thin woman.

"Sorry!" Jackie quickly stepped aside.

Rick nodded and left.

Jackie stepped into the office, a little uneasy.

"Boss… you called for ?"

Wu Fan gestured for her to sit.

"I heard you worked in Atlanta's urban planning departnt."

Jackie nodded cautiously. "I did… but what use is that now? I can't exactly design traffic flow for walkers."

Wu Fan shook his head.

"No. Your skill is exactly what I need."

Jackie looked up.

Wu Fan walked to the window.

"Look outside."

She followed his gaze.

Overgrown grass. Wild shrubs. Untad land stretching beyond the fence.

"This isn't a shelter," Wu Fan said. "It's a foundation."

He turned back.

"I need you to turn this entire area into a fortress. Concrete walls—two ters high. Watchtowers every fifty ters. Defensive structures strong enough to stop walkers… and people."

Jackie's breathing tightened.

Wu Fan continued calmly.

"A dozen kiloters from here, Atlanta is still crawling with millions of walkers. They haven't spread out fully yet because there are still living humans keeping them occupied."

He paused.

"But once those humans are gone…"

He looked at her.

"They'll move."

Silence filled the room.

Jackie slowly clenched her fists.

"This will be the first line of defense," Wu Fan said quietly. "And the last."

Her resolve hardened.

"Boss," she said firmly, "I'll do it. I'll design the strongest fortress possible."

Wu Fan nodded. "Good. If you need anything, report directly to Sandra or ."

Jackie stood and left quickly, determination burning in her eyes.

The door closed.