Once everyone was ready, Felix was the first to step out of the dorm. When Raze, Beatrix, and Liam followed, they immediately noticed how much more lively the hallways were compared to usual.
Students filled the corridors, all dressed in casual clothes. Most were chatting with friends, while a few quieter groups made their way toward the training area.
"Well, it looks like everyone's having a good time," Felix said.
"It's to be expected. It's the weekend," Raze replied.
The group made their way out of the academy and toward the front gates. As usual, several soldiers were stationed there, and around seven students stood nearby with their wristwatches held out, waiting to be scanned before exiting.
"Don't forget, curfew is still set at 9 p.m.," one of the soldiers reminded them.
The reinforced gates behind him slowly opened, allowing the seven students to pass through without issue.
After that, the soldiers turned their attention to Felix, Beatrix, Liam, and Raze, scanning each of their wristwatches.
"Be safe out there," the soldier scanning Raze's wristwatch said.
"Thanks, we will," Felix answered.
Once they were finally outside the gates, Felix paused, as if something had just occurred to him.
"The walk to the nearest city is going to take a while…"
Liam groaned. "Seriously? How long?" he asked.
Beatrix answered before Felix could. "Around an hour and a half."
Liam's eyes widened. He groaned again. "An hour and a half?! That's going to destroy my legs."
"Relax," Felix said. "It's not like you're going to die. Besides, the walk will be worth it."
Raze let out a sigh. "Well, the sooner we start walking, the sooner we'll get there."
Felix nodded. "At least Raze gets it."
They started walking not long after, the academy gates closing behind them.
The road stretched outward, quiet and open. The morning air was cool, the sky clear.
Before long, the academy was already fading behind them.
Liam sighed. "This is definitely going to suck."
Felix shrugged. "You say that now."
Raze kept moving, eyes forward. The distance didn't bother him. If anything, it gave him time to think.
They walked in steady silence for a while.
The path grew more worn the farther they went. A few transport vehicles passed them, heading toward the academy. The city was still far, but it was there.
Beatrix glanced ahead. "We're making good time."
Liam looked unconvinced. "That's what people say right before their legs give out."
Felix smirked. "You've still got plenty left."
Raze didn't slow. "We'll be there soon enough."
That earned him another groan from Liam.
After a while of walking, the group finally made it into the city.
Noises replaced the open road, voices overlapping one another.
Liam slowed slightly, his eyes shifting around. "Okay… yeah. This place is already way louder than I expected."
Felix looked far more relaxed. "That's how you know it's alive."
Raze kept walking, adjusting his pace just enough so the group stayed together. He noticed patrol units moving along the edges of the street, their eyes scanning the crowds.
Beatrix noticed too. "Security's tighter than usual."
Felix shrugged. "Cities are always busy on the weekends."
"That's not what I meant," she replied.
They passed several storefronts. Some were already open, while others were just beginning to lift their shutters. Vendors were setting up stalls, laying out wares with practiced movements. Nothing here felt rushed, but nothing felt idle either.
Liam exhaled. "I forgot how many people live here."
"Which is why we don't split up," Beatrix said.
Felix raised his hands. "Relax. No one's getting lost."
As they moved deeper into the city, the route they were on began to lead toward a market district. The smell of food became more noticeable, and Raze's stomach growled loud enough for the others to hear.
His face flushed in embarrassment.
Felix laughed. "Looks like someone's hungry already."
"Shut up…" Raze shot back.
That only made Felix laugh harder.
"I'm sure there's food nearby—and don't worry, I'll pay," Felix said, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Liam's eyes seemed to sparkle at the mention of food. "Wait, does that mean I can get anything I want?"
Felix nodded, then turned to Beatrix.
"I vote we eat first."
Beatrix sighed. "Of course you do."
Raze didn't disagree. He hadn't eaten anything that morning, and walking that far had done more than he expected.
Then he felt a familiar, sharp hunger twist in his stomach, and a message appeared in front of him.
[Your hunger grows.]
[You can no longer suppress your need for flesh.]
[Consume flesh to quench your hunger and maintain your regeneration.]
'Of course. It's already been two days,' Raze thought.
He activated the skill Flesh Bank.
[Skill: Flesh Bank activated.]
A familiar sensation slid down his throat and settled into his stomach.
[6 kg of 10 kg remaining.]
Looking at the remaining amount, it meant that in six more days, he would need to refill his Flesh Bank—and that meant killing an animal.
Felix then led the group and stopped at one of the nearby stalls. Steam rose from the metal surface as food was flipped and plated with quick, practiced motions.
Felix ordered first, barely hesitating.
"Get whatever you want," he said, waving a hand. "I've got it."
Liam didn't need to be told twice.
Raze scanned the menu and decided to go with something simple.
'I haven't eaten a cheese burger in a while. I might as well go with that.'
After everyone had chosen their order, Beatrix had found a spot off to the side, away from the main foot traffic.
They sat down at a table.
Liam took his first bite and froze. Then his eyes widened.
"…Okay. Yeah. This was worth the walk."
Felix grinned. "Told you."
Beatrix ate more slowly, her attention drifting between the crowd and the nearby streets.
She didn't say anything, but she hadn't fully relaxed either.
Raze finished his food quietly.
Felix stretched once they were done. "Alright. Since we're already here—"
Liam groaned. "What now?"
"There's an arcade not far from here," Felix said. "I passed it on the way in."
Liam's head snapped up. "An arcade?"
Felix nodded. "You in?"
Liam was already standing. "Why are we still talking?"
Beatrix hesitated. "As long as we don't lose track of time."
"We won't," Felix said easily.
Raze shrugged. "Time to play some games then."
The arcade wasn't hard to find. Bright lights spilled out onto the street, music and noise bleeding into the open air. Inside, it was crowded but not overwhelming. Machines lined the walls, screens flashing, sounds overlapping in chaotic rhythm.
Once they were inside Felix gestured for the others to follow him.
He weaved past machines and clusters of people like he already knew where he was going.
"Trust me," he said over his shoulder. "This one's good."
They stopped near the back of the arcade, where a larger machine sat apart from the others. The screen stretched wide, darkened city streets displayed across it. On the side of the cabinet, a digital bow rested in its slot, cables running down into the base.
Zombies shuffled across the demo screen.
Liam blinked. "…Is that a bow?"
Felix grinned. "Yep."
Above the screen, a warning flashed in bold red letters.
[DIFFICULTY: EXTREME]
Below it, smaller text scrolled by.
Winner receives a prize.
Liam looked to the side.
A giant plush sat on a raised shelf beside the machine, almost comically large. Soft. Bright. Impossible to miss.
"…No way," Liam said. "That thing's huge."
Felix crossed his arms. "Single run. Highest score wins."
Beatrix narrowed her eyes slightly. "Extreme difficulty?"
Felix shrugged. "That's what makes it fun."
Raze stepped closer, eyes scanning the screen as another wave of zombies flooded in on the demo. Targets moved fast. Too fast for casual play.
"Looks unfair," he said.
Felix smirked. "Exactly."
Liam cracked his knuckles. "I call first."
Felix stepped back slightly. "Nah. Ladies go first."
Liam clicked his tongue. "Fine."
Beatrix looked at him. "You're serious?"
Felix nodded. "Extreme difficulty. Might as well start strong."
She hesitated for a moment, then reached for the bow. It was heavier than it looked, the grip cool against her palm. The screen shifted the moment she lifted it, the demo cutting out as the environment locked into place.
The city streets on the screen darkened.
Zombies began to emerge almost immediately.
Beatrix's expression sharpened. She drew back the bowstring and released. An arrow flew cleanly, striking one of the targets square in the head. Another followed right after.
Liam leaned forward. "Okay… I see you."
Felix crossed his arms, watching closely. "Accuracy bonus. Nice."
Raze stayed quiet, eyes fixed on the screen.
Beatrix wasn't rushing. She adjusted, timed each shot, and adapted as the targets moved.
And while Felix and Raze focused on the screen in front of them, neither noticed the hand slowly creeping up behind Liam.
Liam heard a faint whisper, barely audible beneath the noise.
"You look lost."
Before he could react, a hand clamped over his mouth. Another gripped his arm tightly, yanking him backward without a sound.
He heard a door open.
Then darkness swallowed his vision.