10 Fated Meeting
A few undead growled at us from upstairs and rushed at us, or they tried to. They bumped into each other and tumbled down the stairs. Their graceless landing brought them right at our feet. Talk about being served on a platter!
Before they scrambled to their feet, Saeko and I acted. Our weapons found their marks in their rotting heads, swiftly silencing their groans. I have to admit, I loved decisive women like her. They stirred something inside me.
Killing more zombies, we made our way up the stairs. Some zombies tried to flank us from the ground but my spear took four heads with one sweeping arc. The unsurprisingly sharp and my growing strength made for an easy head-chopping time.
"Saeko, there." I pointed at the Faculty Room in the Administrator Building. It was on the second floor, close to the connecting walkways. Students, who dutifully listened to the announcement, were already crowded outside the Faculty Room. "Shall we take the car keys before going to the infirmary?"
All the car keys, at least from the staff, were stored in the Faculty room. Taking keys now would save us the hassle of making another trip to this area.
Saeko gave a nod of approval. "Good call, Genji-kun."
We made our way to the hallways connecting the Main Building and Administrator Building. The walkway connecting the buildings only had one zombie presence.
"Wakisaka-Sensei," Saeko whispered. "He used to teach us social studies in the second year. He is one of them now."
As she was explaining the mob teacher's background, I rushed to finish him off. A quick stab to the head and it was game over for the Sensei.
Saeko unsheathed her katana and put her left hand on her hips. "Genji-kun, why do I feel like I'm in a competition of 'Who will slay more zombies?' with you?"
It's because we're in one, Silly Lass.
"I'm dividing the PTSD between us. Though, I doubt I'll get stressed from killing zombies… or living."
I had grown numb to destroying people's lives. In the first place, they deserved it for trying to screw me over. Treat us with kindness and respect, we'll do the same. Treat us with enmity, we won't hesitate to cut you down — the Golden Rule had become the guiding principle of the Takamura clan.
"They are already dead. No need to be guilty about them," Saeko said with a smile. "Thanks for your concern, though. It makes me happy that Genji-kun is looking out for me under these horrible circumstances."
The door ahead of us suddenly slammed open. I didn't see zombies but some familiar faces on the other side. A trio of students led by a young brunette. She carried a weapon that could only be described as a makeshift spear — a long stick with a gnarly nail jammed at the end. She was followed by a black-haired student clutching a baseball bat and an unarmed teenager with gray hair. The protagonist Takashi, his buddy and his childhood friend.
Huh, wait a minute. Wasn't the zombie I just killed supposed to bite Takashi's friend? I had unintentionally saved the kid from death, closing the curtains on the romance set to blossom between Rei and Takashi after Hisashi's death.
Talk about unintentional cockblocking…
Takashi's sunken ship with Rei deserved a proper sendoff with an F.
On second thought, isn't it better? Takashi deserved someone better than the annoying, whiny bitch Rei. It's sad I wouldn't be able to see his story to the end. I had more important plans like — killing zombies, seducing Saeko, then killing more zombies. Their love triangle drama was at the bottom of my priorities.
"I know her," Saeko whispered. "She is Miyamoto Rei. We used to be classmates until she was held back a year. She is a second year now."
"I see."
Rei's eyes lit up at the sight of us. She lunged at Saeko. "Aren't you Busujima-Senpai, the Captain of Kendo Club?"
"It's good to see you safe," Saeko said. "Miyamoto-san, you don't have to call me Senpai."
Rei's eyes trembled as she turned her gaze, feigning ignorance to Saeko's request. "It's nothing."
Saeko and Rei used to be classmates until that scum Shido did Rei dirty and held her back a grade.
Hisashi pointed at the weapons in our hands. "Where did you get those from and why are they covered in blood?"
Rei's eyes suddenly turned sharp. "Did you kill someone?"
"They are mine," I answered. "Yes, Saeko and I killed over a dozen, which should be the least of your priority right now. Because zombies are everywhere."
"What?" Hisashi widened his eyes. "What is happening, Busujima-senpai? I thought it was a violence outbreak caused by gangs."
"We encountered the dead," Saeko replied. "And killed them… Genji-kun is right about zombies… or they resemble zombies. We don't know their true nature yet."
Hisashi and Rei were skeptical. Seemed like they hadn't encountered any zombies walking around the school.
Takashi narrowed his eyes and placed a hand on Hisashi's shoulder. "They might be right."
I stared at Takashi. "You don't wanna trust me? Fine. Just look behind you."
They all swung on their heels and gasped. A mature woman with reddish brown hair and curvaceous body approached us. Her mouth was open wide, showcasing teeth covered in blood. Her eyes were white, and one of her arms was missing from elbow.
The hot teacher wasn't alone. Three student zombies followed her, with more coming from the right around the hallway.
Rei gripped the spear and held it defensively. "Hayashi-sensei… She is the Ping Pong club's advisor. What happened to her…?"
Takashi clenched his fists, gripping with his new reality. "I saw her get attacked by the people at the gate. How is she walking like that… like she doesn't feel any pain. It's like…"
"She is a zombie," Hisashi finished Takashi's words and turned to us with a sharp gaze, taking a long breath. "It's dangerous. We have to leave as soon as possible."
Takashi also gave me a serious look. "We need to check up on our parents. Will you come with us?"
Saeko gripped her katana, pondering something. If I had to take a guess, she was thinking about having these three join us. I gently patted her back, which raised a small moan out of her.
"Don't touch me out of nowhere," she whispered with a shuddering breath, her face carrying the slightest hints of a blush. "You were saying something?"
…I take back everything. She wasn't having conflicting thoughts. No, this damn lass was just horny after killing zombies. Her back was so sensitive that a simple touch made her moan! Jeez, stop getting wet from killing.
"Nothing. Let's kill them and do our job."
"W-Wait!" Rei held my arm, stopping me midway. "Come with us. We'll leave the school through the admin office. You know, it's really dangerous here."
I frowned. "Saeko and I aren't leaving the school right now."
I wasn't a fan of her character but I was being reasonable by keeping to myself. She just had to go out of her way to stop me. Annoying.
She released my arm and turned to Hisashi. He gave Rei the 'wait and watch' gesture.
Tossing them at the back of my mind, I went ahead to support Saeko. Can't let her take away my Soul XP, now can I?
I stabbed three times, my spear flicking to three heads with almost no zero delay. The triple kill boosted my confidence. I was physically exhausted from all the battles until now but I didn't lose any momentum. I was crazily swinging my spear around, having more fun than I had after losing my virginity.
Killing these mindless flesh-eaters was fun.
Saeko and I wiped the dozen-plus horde in less than a minute, leaving the trio astonished.
I, of course, didn't pay them any attention and admired Saeko. She had her head lowered, her purple bangs covering her eyes. A thin smile played at her hips.
Is it weird to say that she is the most beautiful when she makes that expression?
At her core, she might hate her sadism but she couldn't resist the pleasure gained in the heat of the moment. Her condition is like a drug addict who wants to stop taking doses but can't resist the temptation of having more.
Saeko raised her gaze to me and assumed a serious expression. "Genji-kun, let's proceed to the infirmary."
"Alright." I glanced at Takashi. "I'll see you around."
He and Hisashi had to get some experience before joining me. I wouldn't babysit them while they moped and shed tears at the first time they killed a zombie.
Before leaving, I captured the trio's status.
[Takashi Komuro (High school student)
Titles - Childhood Sweetheart, Frustratingly Passive for a Man, Kind of a Pervert, Member of Rooftop Squad, Most C-Grade Student, Greenhat Owner
HP: 29/30 (Healthy)
Stamina: 24/30
(Base Attributes)
Strength: 9
Stamina: 10
Dexterity: 9
Toughness: 10
(Special Attributes)
Charisma: 10
Intelligence: 11
Wisdom: 11
Energy: 0
(Innate Skills)
//Blessing of the Main Character (D) - As one of the many main characters of her verse, Takashi Komuro is blessed with a high chance of surviving a crisis.//
//A Rough Diamond (B) - Unpolished but inherently priceless, Takashi's potential is raw and unrefined, yet brimming with untapped brilliance. With every challenge faced, Takashi will chip away at the coarse exterior and grow spontaneously.//
(Acquired Talents)
//Batsman (E) - He is swinging with enough force to bash skulls! Each rank adds +1 to his Dexterity and Strength attributes.//]
Takashi's titles almost made me laugh. This confirmed my theory of titles being a part of others' perception. His Innate Skill is decent on its own, but a great combo when paired with his plot armor. Every time he survived, he'd come out stronger.
Next up was Rei.
[Rei Miyamoto (High school student)
Titles - Childhood Sweetheart, Victim, Assistant Inspector's Hot Daughter, Spear Chick
HP: 21/21 (Healthy)
Stamina: 18/24
(Base Attributes)
Strength: 9
Stamina: 8
Dexterity: 9
Toughness: 7
(Special Attributes)
Charisma: 14
Intelligence: 9
Wisdom: 8
Energy: 0
(Innate Skills)
//Blessing of the Main Character (D)//
(Acquired Talents)
//Spearman (E)//
Her status wasn't as impressive, then again, she wasn't impressive herself. Yes, I disliked people like her, regardless of their gender.
[Hisashi Igou (High school student)
Titles - Little Athlete, Mommy's Favorite Son, Top Student, Loyalist
HP: 27/27 (Healthy)
Stamina: 31/36
(Base Attributes)
Strength: 10
Stamina: 12
Dexterity: 10
Toughness: 9
(Special Attributes)
Charisma: 13
Intelligence: 14
Wisdom: 14
Energy: 0
(Innate Skills)
//Cursed Friend (S) - Zombification progresses rapidly. As a zombie, Hisashi will resurrect, unless killed by his friend 'Takashi Komuro.'//
(Acquired Talents)
//Swimmer (E) - He can navigate water with the ease of a duckling. His movement may not make waves just yet, but they're strong enough to keep him afloat and his head well above the waterline. Each rank adds +1 to his Dexterity and Stamina attributes.//]
Oof. My boy Hisashi would quite literally become immortal as a zombie. For the sake of plot! Also, he didn't have the plot armor skill because he was meant to die in the first episode.
This is the fate of being the protagonist's friend in a zombie story.
