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Inside the bloodstained academy, the surviving students peeked out from their hiding spots, watching the sudden arrival of this armed force with wide, fearful eyes. For the first time in what felt like forever, they let out a shaky sigh of relief.
As the last shots died down, over a hundred heavily armed operatives regrouped into formation. At their head, a man who looked every bit the hardened officer strode forward, rifle slung in his hands, a cruel glint in his eyes.
The students froze. None of them had ever faced a scene like this—so many soldiers, so much firepower. Their nerves frayed instantly, panic settling in.
And then something happened that none of them could have imagined.
"Boss, Third Extermination Squad reporting. Campus secured. Awaiting your orders."
The officer stopped in front of Saeko Busujima, saluting crisply before allowing a rare smile to creep across his otherwise savage face.
"Well done," Saeko replied with a nod. Her gaze flicked toward the dumbfounded students. "Take them back."
"Understood."
The officer turned to the group, lips curling in a thin smile. "A-Team, B-Team, C-Team—move!"
Thirty soldiers broke formation, spreading out until the students were surrounded on all sides.
Panic erupted immediately. The kids huddled together, trembling, whispering in confusion. None of them knew what these people wanted from them.
Two soldiers stepped aside, clearing a path. The officer walked forward at a measured pace, smiling now with almost grandfatherly warmth.
"Ladies, gentlemen," he said politely, "our boss has given the order. So please—come with us." His smile twisted into something darker. "Don't worry, we're very reasonable people… our bullets, though? Not so much."
The chilling click of rifles being loaded snapped through the air.
A few students' legs gave out completely. They crumpled onto the ground, too terrified to stand.
"Please, this way." The officer gestured smoothly. A truck rolled up, its back door swinging open.
But the kids didn't budge. They were too scared to move.
"Bang!"
A shot rang out, tearing into the ground right in front of them, spraying dirt.
"What the hell are you waiting for? Move!" the officer barked, handgun aimed straight at them, his expression feral.
Shaken to their core, the students finally shuffled toward the truck, step by unsteady step.
"Tch. Spoiled little brats," the officer muttered, shoving his pistol back into his belt. "Soft as hell."
A cough sounded from behind him.
He turned quickly, spotting Saya Takagi walking up with her usual composed air. His demeanor shifted instantly into something almost deferential.
"Miss Takagi, you came all the way out here? You should've let me handle this trivial matter."
Saya adjusted her glasses, her sharp gaze falling on the students being herded into the truck. "And how exactly were you planning to 'handle' them?"
"Same as always," the officer replied with a shrug. "We go by the boss's rules—those who stay are welcome. Those who leave, we don't stop."
"But given the situation…" Saya's voice carried an edge of cold logic. "If we let them go, they'll be zombie chow within the hour. And then they'll come back as part of the horde."
The officer scratched his chin, nodding grimly. "True enough. With the city already half overrun, it won't be long before it's completely gone. These kids don't stand a chance out there. If we let them go, they'll turn for sure."
"Then what do you think we should do?" Saya asked softly, watching him from behind the glare of her glasses.
He frowned. Saeko's orders weren't something he could ignore, but…
"Orders are orders," he muttered. "But if there's a way to stick to them while still… adjusting things a little…"
Saya Takagi spoke in a calm, almost indifferent tone. "Since it's Saeko-senpai's idea, of course we can't go against it. But as long as we don't break her rule… anything else is fair game."
"What do you mean by that?"
The squad captain frowned, confused by Saya's words.
"If they want to leave, not only should we not stop them… we should even give them a little send-off."
Saya smiled faintly and pushed up her glasses. Behind the lenses, her eyes gleamed sharply.
"I get it now," the captain said, realization dawning. A small, knowing smile tugged at his lips. "We'll make sure to treat them properly… and see them off."
He was satisfied. They weren't disobeying Saeko's orders, and at the same time, they were quietly solving a potential problem. A perfect little loophole.
"Saya-chan, what are you two whispering about?"
"....."