Chapter 7: Killing Zombies for Points? Yukino's Shop!
In the quiet, dusty corridor, Yukino came back to her senses. She looked at Ren's profile, her gaze a complex mix of fear, gratitude, and utter confusion. After a moment of hesitation, she still bravely asked, "That person…"
"Dead." Before she could finish, he had already answered, his voice calm and devoid of emotion.
"…" She pursed her lips, a storm of thoughts raging in her mind. Ren had killed that person for her; she couldn't let him bear the sole responsibility.
Gathering her courage, Yukino's expression became firm. "Ren-kun, I will bear the crime of murder. I won't let you go to jail."
"Thump!" Ren directly gave her a light knuckle rap on the head.
"Ow!" With a small whimper, Yukino covered her forehead with her right hand, looking up at him with teary, indignant eyes.
"Are you stupid? Where are the laws in this world?" he asked, his tone laced with exasperation. "Not to mention if he was scum or not, with his mental state, he would have died at the hands of zombies sooner or later. I just put him out of his misery."
Ren spoke with a cold, simple logic. He was a free-spirited person who didn't like to dwell on troublesome theories. Since there were no laws here and the other party was scum, then killing him was fine.
Too lazy to dwell on it, he stopped, raised his right hand, and gestured to Yukino. "I say, can you let go of my hand now?"
"Huh?" Yukino was startled. Only then did she realize that her small, trembling hand was intertwined with his, her fingers clutching his index finger tightly. She had been the one holding on!
"!!!" She quickly let go of his hand as if it were burning and put hers behind her back, her face flushing a deep crimson.
Ren glanced at her flushed earlobe out of the corner of his eye but didn't say anything. He simply continued forward.
Yukino pursed her lips and looked at her right hand. That reassuring warmth still lingered, a feeling that made her a little reluctant to have let go. She quickly shook off the chaotic thoughts and hurried to follow him.
After walking through an entire floor, she found it strange. There wasn't a single moving zombie.
As if sensing her confusion, Ren explained impatiently, "I searched three floors to find you. All the zombies here have been cleared by me."
Yukino followed him as they cleared another floor. She thought he was looking for the other players, but in reality, he was just farming points.
Suddenly, Ren thought of something and asked her, "Have you ever killed a zombie?"
She shook her head, her grip on the taped table leg tightening.
"Want to try?"
"Me?" Yukino pointed to herself, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and surprise.
"That's right. I feel that since it's a game, killing monsters should have rewards." He wanted to see what she, who didn't have the Chat Group, would gain.
Soon, they found a lone zombie. Ren raised his hand, and the liquid Five Thunder Rectification: Yin Thunder locked onto the zombie's limbs, pinning it to the wall.
"…" Even though she had seen him use this power several times, Yukino was still curious.
"Go on, try it." He handed a steel pipe to her.
"Okay." She gripped it tightly. She walked up to the zombie.
"Hiss… roar…" Its limbs were restrained, but its vicious head still thrashed, letting out a low, guttural roar.
Taking a deep breath, Yukino steeled her resolve. "Ha!" She forcefully plunged the pipe into the zombie's mouth, then pushed with all her might. Pfft! The steel pipe pierced through its head. She pulled it out with force. The zombie's head drooped, and its body fell to the ground. She had done it.
She excitedly turned around, and Ren smiled, giving her a thumbs-up. Receiving his praise, she felt an inexplicable joy. Holding the pipe, she walked up to him. She was momentarily lost in thought, and when she snapped back, a katana had appeared in her hand out of thin air.
Then, she organized her words. "After I killed it, the Doomsday Game prompted me that I had gained 1 doomsday point, and the shop function unlocked. Items can be exchanged. Currently, there are five options: food, water, a katana, a pistol, and bullets."
Ren pinched his chin. It was similar to a game shop.
"Ren-kun…"
"Just call me Ren."
"..." After a moment, her clear eyes flickered. "Okay… you can just call me Yukino too."
Clearing her throat, she continued, "Ren, you've killed so many. Don't you have points?"
He shook his head. "I'm a bit special." He did, but they were from the Chat Group. One point per zombie, now totaling 850, adding to his previous 500.
Yukino didn't think too much. He already possesses unique powers. It's probable he's treated specially.
Looking at the darkening sky, she suggested, "Shouldn't we find a place to rest? We still have 6 days left."
He had the same thought. As for where, he had already decided.
[Inorin Note:
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