"Huh. I expected you justice-minded types to lecture me for killing living people." The young were powerless; the old, jaded. In any era, it was always the students who charged forward as righteous heroes—only to be used as pawns and scapegoats.
"Even I... can't pity someone who shot me." Hisashi, still leading on his motorcycle, chuckled dryly. Truly a good guy—taking point even after being gunned down.
"Ahem. Let's just pretend this never happened."
"...That's just self-delusion." Kohta's jab was aimed at Rei (cop's daughter), though he approved of Liz's actions more than she did. Not out of morality—just pent-up violence.
Thus, the incident concluded with:
Liz/Hisashi snacking to heal.
Kohta looting the thugs' guns (dream come true).
Zero team drama. Too anticlimactic?
But this was realistic. The apocalypse eroded morals. Besides, their journey had been oddly heroic:
Saving civilians from zombies.
Driving off raiders.
Putting down psychotic murderers (breakdowns from the chaos).
Had they been heading toward safety, not away, they'd have a train of followers by now.
Regardless—they arrived.
Yet...
"This is... bad." They'd imagined cops in riot gear, holding the station as a safe zone. Instead? Overrun. Bloodier than the school.
Police cars had formed a barricade, but the horde had breached it. Panic likely doomed any counterattack. Or maybe a bitten civilian had hidden their infection? Or a grieving family refused to abandon a turned loved one?
"Good news: The cops evacuated." A spray-painted sign read: "Cross the bridge for medical checks & shelter."
"Bad news: Many zombies are in uniform."
Rei had come for her father. What if he was among them?
"...Rei."
"I-It's fine, Hisashi. Dad's a high-ranking officer... He wouldn't be on the frontlines." (She didn't know even the U.S. president had been bitten—no one was safe without Liz's system.)
"Your call." Liz wouldn't judge.
"...!"
Rei gripped her spear.
Iron-Clad Recklessness
"BEHOLD! SPIN ATTACK!"
With no gear, Liz had played it safe (block-spamming terrain kills). Now, decked in iron, he charged into hordes. A gamer's universal impulse.
Why not?
Offense: First hit staggers, second kills (though Saya one-shot everything).
Defense: He could tank zombies for 30 seconds.
Healing: One bento = full HP.
"Kendo-wise... that form's atrocious." Saya smirked, bisecting three zombies in one stroke.
"Tch. If not for 'game balance,' I'd hop worlds and return as this planet's sword god." Progression mattered—to Liz, at least.
"Wait. You can leave anytime?" Saya had assumed Liz could only toggle between worlds (tree/pond hub ↔ here). His staying overnight had implied limits...
"Yeah? Just 'pray'—focus hard on the destination."
"...Can we come?"
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"Technically, yes. But if you're asking for a safe-world evacuation—hard pass."
"I'm just curious about other worlds." (*And her father. And... *that boy**.) "Why refuse?"
"Why should I?" If this were a game, a prompt would pop up:
[Affection insufficient. Saya Route: LOCKED.]
"You enjoyed the motorcycle ride. Isn't that reason enough?"
"Needs... more."
"You're a difficult man."
"Takes one to know one~~"