...
"Mmm, Rika, thank goodness you're okay! Where are you now?"
Nearby, Shizuka Marikawa held a phone she'd taken from a zombie, using the zombie's face to unlock it. While the phone still had battery, she called her best friend. After several failed attempts to dial the number correctly, she finally succeeded in reaching Minami Rika.
As soon as the call connected, Shizuka excitedly asked, "Rika? You're alive? That's amazing! Where are you—"
On the other end, Minami Rika was equally thrilled to hear her best friend's voice. She hadn't expected her airheaded, scatterbrained friend to survive. And judging by Shizuka's energetic tone, she seemed safe—probably thanks to someone's help.
But then—
"Hmph, Rika, I asked first, so you should answer my question first."
Before Rika could continue analyzing, Shizuka's voice cut in.
But…
Was that really the point here?
Could Shizuka even grasp the point?
Hearing Shizuka's words, an inexplicable irritation flared in Rika's heart. But remembering her friend's personality, the anger dissipated as quickly as it had appeared, like water dousing a flame.
Whatever, why bother arguing with an idiot?
Rika soothed herself this way.
After calming down, she spoke into the phone, "Alright, I'm at the airport right now. No matter where you are, stay hidden. Once I'm done here, I'll come find you."
Focused entirely on the call, Rika didn't notice the black portal that flashed by, nor how her surroundings had completely transformed.
"Rika!!!"
Shizuka, spotting Rika suddenly appearing right in front of her, lunged forward with an excited hug.
Huh???
Why does Shizuka's voice sound so close?
Rika was puzzled by the proximity of the voice—until Shizuka barreled into her, nearly knocking her off balance.
That impact, that reckless energy, that loud voice…
There was no doubt about it. The person hugging her from behind was her ditzy best friend, Shizuka Marikawa.
And aside from her, no one else had such… impressive assets.
But…
Rika's face twisted in confusion. What's going on?
How did Shizuka find me so suddenly? Or…
As she pondered, Rika glanced around and realized with a start that she was now in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by strangers staring at her.
"What's happening, Shizuka?"
Only then did Rika snap out of her daze.
Supernatural phenomena—
In the past, she would never have believed in such things. But now, with zombies roaming the world, reality had already crumbled.
Having rebuilt her worldview once, Rika's adaptability was now remarkably strong.
So whether it was supernatural events or even an alien invasion, Rika would accept it without batting an eye.
"Here's what happened…"
Shizuka explained everything that had occurred during this time.
"I see…"
After listening, Rika gave her best friend a complicated look.
You just sold yourself out like that? And now, it seems you're planning to drag me down with you?
"Sigh…"
Rika sighed helplessly, but she didn't realize that, deep down, she felt little resistance to the idea of submitting to Wu Tong.
In fact, Rika had no objections at all.
After all, when she thought about it, Wu Tong was her savior—the one who'd rescued her from the meat grinder that was the airport.
And from Shizuka's account, this savior of hers wasn't just powerful; his influence and appearance were top-tier as well.
With his supernatural abilities, Wu Tong undoubtedly met her criteria for a partner:
Stronger than me, or capable of conquering me.
In that case, yielding to him wasn't something she couldn't accept.
Wait, I'm actually older than him, so this isn't a bad deal at all.
Without realizing it, Rika had already rationalized the situation for herself.
Thus, she smoothly accepted Wu Tong's invitation and joined his team.
The Next Day
Fujimi Academy (Private).
"Ready? We're leaving the academy today."
After sending everyone else back, Wu Tong addressed the remaining members.
Seeing their nods of agreement, he declared, "Let's go."
...
Whoosh— Whoosh— Whoosh—
The sound of blades slicing through the air echoed as Saeko Busujima, wielding a katana, carved through the horde of zombies.
Before her, the zombies fell like wheat under a scythe, powerless against her onslaught.
"Careful, Saeko!"
Beside Wu Tong, Rika, who was observing the area through her sniper scope, suddenly tensed and quickly spoke into the walkie-talkie.
Alert!!!
Hearing Rika's warning through her earpiece, Saeko immediately heightened her guard.
Though they'd only worked together for a few hours, Saeko and Rika had already developed strong tactical coordination.
While they couldn't read each other's minds, understanding basic signals was effortless.
Focusing her enhanced senses—a boon of her supernatural abilities—Saeko instantly recognized the approaching danger.
Retreat!!!
Without hesitation, Saeko turned and dashed toward the black misty domain behind her, ignoring the snarling roars of the zombies.
Once inside the Nether Soul's Wraith Domain, she glanced back at the horizon.
As expected, a massive zombie horde surged from the distant skyline like demons crawling from hell, charging toward Wu Tong's group.
Yet no one panicked.
Just another routine wave—
As the horde closed in, the Nether Soul waved a hand, unleashing countless wraiths from the Banner of the Human Sovereign. The spectral army clashed with the zombies in a frenzied battle.
"Another horde? These things are getting cheap," Saeko remarked dryly, watching the spectacle with the same boredom as someone witnessing a rerun.
...
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(End of Chapter)