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Down the hallway, Saeko Busujima walked slowly down the stairs. A zombie lunged at her out of nowhere.
Her wooden sword cracked across its skull, sending it flying.
"This world's getting duller by the day. Hopefully the next one will be a little more fun."
On her shoulder, a tiny version of Venom popped into view, wearing a helpless little expression.
"Another world, huh? I wonder what that'll be like."
Saeko glanced at the creature, puzzled. He'd mentioned it before, more than once, but never given her details.
"I can't explain much," Venom said, smiling slyly, "but I can promise it'll give us everything we want."
Saeko raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then I'll look forward to it."
With that, she continued down the stairs, eyes sweeping over the corridors filled with staggering corpses.
"Looks like the infection's spreading fast," she muttered.
Even Venom looked surprised. "Faster than I thought. Guess we'll need to move quicker."
Saeko's brow furrowed. "Agreed. We can't afford to waste time."
"No problem."
Venom snapped his fingers.
In an instant, Saeko's clothes melted into living black liquid, sprouting into sharp spikes that shot out and pierced zombie skulls one after another.
In the blink of an eye, the entire corridor was cleared.
Stepping past the fallen bodies without hesitation, Saeko hurried toward the infirmary.
At the door, she spotted a small group of zombies shambling closer. She stepped forward, swung her wooden sword, and with the crash of breaking glass sent them tumbling from the second floor to the ground below.
She pushed the door open and strode inside.
Dr. Shizuka Marikawa stood at a counter, busy mixing medicine and muttering under her breath, completely unaware of the danger behind her.
One of her students—long since turned—was creeping up from behind.
Saeko darted forward, swung her blade, and dropped the creature instantly.
Shizuka spun at the noise of a body hitting the floor. She blinked in confusion when she saw the fallen student.
"What happened?" she asked, tilting her head like a curious child.
"Forget it. Just come with me," Saeko said sharply. Shizuka's airheaded behavior didn't surprise her anymore.
"Saeko-chan? You're here? And Venom too! Did you come to play with me?"
Only then did Shizuka notice them properly, even smiling at the little creature on Saeko's shoulder.
"Sensei, please—just follow us," Saeko pressed, her voice firm. Shizuka clearly hadn't grasped the situation.
"But I still have injured students to—oh, never mind." Shizuka glanced at the zombie corpse, then quickly nodded.
"Alright, let's go."
Saeko exhaled, relieved, and started leading her out. But just as they were leaving, Shizuka suddenly gasped.
"Wait! My medical kit!"
She darted back, grabbed the case from a nearby table, and slung it over her shoulder.
"There, all set."
With that, Saeko and Venom led Shizuka out of the infirmary, moving quickly toward their rendezvous point.
"Saeko, wait."
Venom's sudden words made her stop mid-step.
"Look behind you," he said.
She turned—and sighed. A few paces back, Shizuka was dragging her feet, strolling along at her usual unhurried pace.
Without a word, Saeko marched back, grabbed her arm, and yanked her into an empty classroom. She shut the door behind them with a quiet thud.
"....."