34 Inescapable

The Aberrants surrounded the entire staff room but wouldn't dare approach the group. Those who attempted it shook their heads in utter frustration as the repellant affected them. Despite the fact that they were upgrades compared to normal infected, the Aberrants were still severely affected by Amaya's Canary abilities.

"What do we do now? We're surrounded. They cut off our exits." Sano questioned the obvious, subconsciously grabbing his younger sister by the arm and placing her behind him. Yoshiyuki also backed away, covering Kazuichi's blind spot while they kept their guard up. her behind him.

As of now, the Aberrants had no plans about approaching them, but it's only a matter of time before they mustered their courage to do so. Kazuichi and the others could tell since they could somehow sense the intent of the infected, being infected themselves.

Kazuichi's gaze landed on Amaya, then back to the group of Aberrants, who seemed to stagger forward and backward. Amaya's unique trait of being a canary was working. Nevertheless, the Aberrants were trying to force their mind into subjection to their will instead of Amaya's.

Together, the group staggered forward, aiming for the entrance of the mall since that was their only known way out. They held their breath, fearing that the Aberrants would suddenly lash out at them. To their relief, the Aberrants were cooperative, and they, too, staggered with them, keeping their distance thanks to Amaya, whos pretty effective.

Some of the Aberrants were running out of patience, evident from their growls while they tried to go nearer. However, they would shake their heads in annoyance since Amaya subconsciously pushed them away.

"It's my first time seeing them act like that. What's going on?" Sano asked in wonderment as he pressed his body closer toward Kazuichi. The group did the same, thinking that it was Kazuichi who was keeping the Aberrants at bay all this time.

"What are you doing? Thanks to this little girl here, the Aberrants can't approach us. She's a Canary." Kazuichi explained. holding onto Amaya's hand tightly since she was their only lifeline.

Meanwhile, Amaya was too afraid to move as well, and she held onto Kazuichi's hand as tightly as she could. She imagined herself being taken away by the gargantuan Aberrants, and the mere notion scared the living daylights out of her. Right now, Kazuichi was her only assurance, and she stuck close to that assurance.

The Aberrants grew more agitated as they continued pushing themselves way beyond their limits. As time passed, they grew more immune to the lingering scent or some form of force that kept them at bay. Amaya's Canary effects were wearing out, and the Aberrants pushed closer and closer in hopes that they could get one of them. They reached out their hands, barely grabbing either Sano or Lina since they were way behind the clump.

"We're almost there. As soon as we reach the entrance, we'll make a run for it. All right? We'll run in different directions and meet up someplace safe." Kazuichi instructed. Well, he doesn't have any plans to regroup with everyone since he wants to get back to his place as soon as possible. Hence he didn't give a specific location when he gave out the instructions.

"Scarlet Blood Stronghold. If we ever get separated, let's meet at Scarlet Blood. I'm sure they'll help us." Sano was the most level-headed in the party. As such, he managed to blurt out a place that all of them were aware of.

In response, all of them nodded. Even Kazuichi, who wanted to separate from the group and return home, nodded.

It was a painstaking journey to the entrance of the dilapidated mall. Fortunately, they managed to reach it, and Kazuichi prompted Amaya to walk forward, so the Aberrants blocking the entrance would go out of the way. Filled with uncertainty, Amaya proceeded to trudge frontwards, clutching Kazuichi's hand as if her very life depended on it.

With bated breaths, she pulled Kazuichi, leading all of them outside. For some reason, she remembered her older sister's words the moment her foot stepped outside. 'Don't let your guard down, even at the last moments, okay? Never ever let your guard down.' She could hear her sister speaking in her mind.

GRAB!

As soon as she exited the abandoned mall, Amaya felt a jolt, and she inadvertently let go of Kazuichi's hand. Her head instinctively turned around, and she watched as Kazuichi got dragged inside the mall.

Apparently, one of the Aberrants managed to overcome Amaya's repellant capabilities, and he grabbed Kazuichi before retreating. In the panic that ensued, Sano and the others got out without a second thought. Only after a couple of seconds did they realize their grave mistakes.

The four of them watched in horror as Kazuichi was dragged deeper into the mall. As if on cue, the Aberrant blocked the entrance to the abandoned mall, some grunting at the group while they glanced back from time to time.

"Aghk~!" Kazuichi interjected as he was hit on the back. When he turned around, he realized that one of the Aberrants had struck him with its deformed hand. He screamed in pain.

Gritting his teeth, he faced the entrance of the abandoned mall, barely making out the four figures lingering outside. He screamed at the top of his lungs. "Scarlet Blood Stronghold! Meet me there! Sano, keep Amaya safe!"

Another Aberrant grabbed Kazuichi by the ankle, hurling him to the far end of the abandoned mall. Another 'aghk' came out of Kazuichi's mouth as he hit the wall with a thud. His body jolted from the pain, and his mind drifted into unconsciousness. Nevertheless, he tried to stand up, hoping he could at least defend himself until he sees an opening. He was backed into a corner with nothing but himself to defend against the overpowered Aberrants.

Akin to a gorilla, the nearest Aberrant jumped upward with its arms on top of his head. The moment he went down, he slammed his fist on Kazuichi's back, cleanly knocking him unconscious.