Frieren and her apprentice were occupied with their "important" matters, Maylen found herself embroiled in her own adventure.
The bus they were traveling in began to slow, gradually grinding to a halt.
Shizuka, her face pressed against the steering wheel, lamented with a sigh,
"Well, shoot! Out of gas…"
Everyone froze, their gazes fixed on Maylen, awaiting her reaction.
The Dark Goddess, as if oblivious to the palpable tension, languidly stretched, working out the stiffness in her muscles. Without haste, she approached the exit and flung the doors open.
"Ah! My back is killing me! One can't sit for so long; it's a direct path to sciatica! I urgently require a spa to soak my weary bones!" she declared with feigned distress, eliciting nothing more than nervous twitches from the others.
A spa? Seriously? Where did she imagine they'd find one in this chaos and ruin?
"Oh-ho-ho! Would you look at that! We've drifted right up to a five-star, all-inclusive resort! Perhaps they have a spa?" Maylen chirped with mock innocence, her face illuminated by a contrived radiance as she glanced at the towering hotel nearby.
What a coincidence: this was precisely where they ran out of gas…
Could it be fate?
The others exchanged eloquent glances, each bearing the same unspoken question.
Suddenly, Kohta's stomach emitted a traitorous rumble, causing him to flush with embarrassment — the hunger was unbearable.
This sound served as a trigger: the others' stomachs promptly responded, reminding them of how long it had been since they last ate.
Hungry gazes surreptitiously followed Maylen's retreating figure, then turned, filled with hope, toward the hotel.
There might be food there…
Perhaps they should flee from her while she wasn't watching, but they no longer had the strength.
And what guarantee was there that they would find food and safe haven somewhere else, rather than becoming someone else's dinner?
Therefore, with heavy hearts and keeping a respectful distance, they trailed after the madwoman.
The group of survivors began to survey their surroundings: destruction and disorder reigned.
Trash was scattered everywhere — from newspapers and glass to beverage cans. Numerous wrecked cars had collided, their interiors still containing corpses trapped by the twisted metal. The heads of the dead turned toward them, jaws clacking. One zombie had lost half its body; it lay flat on the ground, reaching out a hand toward the group, dragging its entrails along.
Saya paled, feeling nauseous and on the verge of vomiting, but the treacherous rumble of her stomach persisted — there was simply nothing to expel!
Her head swam, black spots dancing before her eyes: she desperately needed to eat something, or she would simply lose consciousness!
Fortunately, the path to the hotel proved relatively safe. Inside, they were met by zombies clad in staff uniforms, but, to everyone's surprise, they displayed no aggression. One of them was even holding a tray with cocktails.
Maylen, without hesitation, snatched the nearest glass, took a sip, and immediately spat out the contents with disgust.
"Ugh, what swill!" She flung the tray away, and it crashed loudly against the porcelain tile floor.
Everyone flinched, but the goddess couldn't care less. She continued onward, and the zombies merely groaned, tilting their heads. As the group passed by, one of the undead turned, and Takashi, yielding to instinct, cracked its skull open with his bat. Rei, grabbing his arm, whispered,
"Let's go! We can't linger!"
The boy nodded in agreement, and they hurried after the others.
The hotel corridors were permeated with the sickening odor of rotting flesh and congealed blood — the stench was unbearable!
And it was no wonder: gnawed bodies were strewn everywhere; the walls, floor, and even the ceiling were generously splattered with blood.
A veritable slaughter had clearly taken place here!
Having navigated this ghastly labyrinth, the group found themselves in a distant wing of the building and involuntarily paused in astonishment: it was much cleaner here, and the nauseating odor had virtually disappeared.
The corridors looked more or less decent, without any signs of destruction or blood.
They ascended to the twentieth floor — a feat that inspired awe in those present.
Although climbing the stairs had been difficult, Maylen had somehow used the elevator.
What if a crowd of zombies was waiting on the floor by the exit?
The stairs were not safe either, but they were at least in control of the situation and were moving cautiously.
Besides, they had long lost sight of Maylen.
As soon as they lost her, the corpses came to life and became less "docile" - they had to clear them. In fairness, there were fewer dead people in the way, and the group coped without any problems, but hunger made itself felt.
The view from the broken windows, where the wind howled, bringing with it coolness and the smell of burning, captivated and simultaneously horrified those who looked: the city below lay in ruins, engulfed in chaos and destruction.
No one wanted to waste time contemplating the depressing landscapes, and soon they found a relatively clean room — a stark contrast to the rest of the hotel.
The group involuntarily froze in amazement: Maylen, in a flirtatious swimsuit, was already lounging on a chaise lounge, languidly sipping a cocktail and snacking on fresh fruit. Sunglasses adorned her face, and her skin glowed with sunscreen. Nearby, a pool of crystal-clear water rippled, a bar offered drinks, and, judging by appearances, there was a dining room.
Everyone was used to the antics of the Dark Goddess and, paying no attention, headed to the dining room in search of food.
Opening the storerooms, their eyes lit up: there was an abundance of food and drinks!
Everyone rushed to the food, grabbing chairs and settling at the table.
But Saeko froze. There was no place left for her.
She stood, looking at the group, her heart aching with mixed feelings — resentment, loneliness, guilt.
Everyone turned to her, and their faces expressed a complex mixture of emotions. Kohta lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. Saya narrowed her eyes, silently condemning her. Takashi looked guilty, but said nothing. Rei, concealing her dark joy, simply shrugged. Shizuka, feeling guilty, wanted to get up, but Saya stopped her with a glance, and the blonde lowered her head.
Saeko stood in confusion, and Maylen, tearing herself away from her cocktail, raised her sunglasses with a mischievous grin, watching the scene.
***
Saeko felt detached from the group.
It would have been logical to value the swordswoman, whose skills made her indispensable on the front lines, but human emotions often incite ill-considered actions.
The group treated her with wariness and mistrust, even though she was not at fault. The others simply did not believe it.
With a grim expression, Saeko took a tray and sat at another table, completely alone and isolated.
Everyone else began to eat—the food proved surprisingly delicious—but during the meal, each person felt an awkward weight on their soul.
They sat with sullen expressions, not uttering a word, just like Saeko, who merely poked at her plate, occasionally picking at something and swallowing.
Maylen, on the other hand, was clearly pleased—and why wouldn't she be?
The further Saeko was from the group, the closer she was to Maylen herself.
She would only need to give the swordswoman a slight nudge, freeing her from the invisible shackles she had forged for herself, and finally unleash her dark side, making her completely free.
Maylen would be there, accepting her with open arms, and then they would engage in passionate, steamy sex!
And next—pink Saya: she would soon realize the utter hopelessness of this world, but first, Maylen would give her hope, bring her to her parents, where the girl would feel safe and believe in a bright future. And then simply crush it—and Saya would have no choice but to crawl on her knees, "begging" for salvation!
Then Maylen would take her in too, engaging in fabulous sex!
Yes, everything was going according to Maylen's small plan—not for 10,000 years in the future, but definitely for the near future!
Let Ainz and Demiurge play their games, where one portrays a "wise" ruler, and the other, a "foolish" subordinate!
Meanwhile, the group began to discuss further plans, while blaming Maylen for all their troubles. Their words reached the goddess, and her patience snapped.
With a loud scraping of the chair, she abruptly stood, causing everyone to freeze. Hearts skipped a beat, and souls sank to their heels.
"Hah, what an ungrateful lot you are! Forever whining and blaming everyone for your problems!" Maylen erupted angrily. "Fine, you want it that way? I'm leaving! Survive as you see fit! Ciao!"
Her body began to dissolve into thin air, leaving behind only a faint glow. The group stood stunned.
Are we… free?
They hadn't fully grasped what had happened, but, not seeing Maylen, they exhaled in relief. The tension eased, bodies relaxed, and tentative smiles appeared on their faces. It was as if a heavy stone had fallen from their shoulders, and they could finally breathe freely.
Saeko also exhaled, a slight smile touching her lips, which she immediately hid behind her hand. Assuming a serious expression, she stood up and approached the group. Everyone became wary again, but the swordswoman unexpectedly bowed deeply.
"I apologize," she said sincerely. "I didn't mean any harm. It's all because of her… I was like I was under hypnosis."
Her guilty tone caused the group's faces to soften. Saya, adjusting her glasses, sighed and replied in a slightly pompous, but warm voice:
"I think that 'woman' was really influencing us badly. I accept your apology."
The others nodded, their gazes warming. Shizuka, beaming a dazzling smile, clapped her hands:
"That's just wonderful! Since we've made up, let's have a drink and eat properly!" She grabbed a can of beer, downed half of it in one gulp, and, with a flushed face, exhaled contentedly.
Her reddened face evoked smiles and laughter from the others. Saeko also smiled slightly, feeling a warmth in her chest.
It was nice to be back in the group.
She sat down at the table, where a lively conversation resumed.
In a pleasant atmosphere, over casual conversation, they decided to explore the surrounding area after dinner.
The view from the window indicated that the day was coming to an end; the sun was setting below the horizon, painting the sky in crimson and scarlet hues.
They began to prepare for sleep, barricading the exit.
Having found several free rooms and a change of clothes (mostly staff items—shirts, pants, and t-shirts), everyone went to the bathroom to wash off the sweat and unpleasant odor.
After pleasant water procedures and relaxation, the soul finally found peace.
Everyone fell asleep, having pleasant dreams.
***
Waking up was clearly difficult for the group: the unfamiliar ceiling of a house that wasn't their own was enough to remind them that they were still in hell and that none of this had been a dream.
After getting ready and grabbing a hasty breakfast, the group gathered gloomily, trying to devise their next course of action.
Takashi was the first to break the oppressive silence:
"Yesterday, when I looked out the window, I think I saw the Takagi estate."
Saya perked up, a spark of hope igniting in her eyes.
"I hope you're not mistaken, Takashi…" She abruptly stood up from the table. "Show me where you saw the estate from."
Takashi nodded, and the entire group, clearing a path through the zombie bodies, followed him. After removing the barricade and simultaneously clearing the corridors of any passing corpses, they saw the same view of the city, but this time the Takagi estate was practically within reach.
However, they needed to find a way to cross the river. Their gaze turned to the bridge, which was clearly destroyed, and the water flowing nearby was not shallow. This involuntarily elicited sighs from everyone.
"Um… there's something I need to mention…" Kohta hesitated, drawing everyone's attention. Nervously adjusting his glasses, he mumbled something indistinct.
"What is it, Kohta?! Stop mumbling!" Saya snapped раздражённо, losing her patience.
Stuttering, Kohta mentioned a shop selling inflatable boats nearby. The group's eyes lit up, and they rushed to gather their belongings.
As the group prepared, another group of survivors was making their way toward the hotel. There were about ten of them, and they all clearly had a thuggish appearance: numerous tattoos on their bodies, dressed in white shirts and black suits that were already worn and stained with blood.
"Hey, Takeda! Get your ass moving! You're slow as a snail, for God's sake!"
"Ha! I'm on my last legs here!"
"Damn you, you weakling! I knew you weren't cut out for the gang, but Sakamoto insisted you'd fit right in!"
The two men began to argue, glaring at each other menacingly, but they involuntarily froze when someone else raised his voice.
"Shut up, you dogs! Do you want to die?! If so, go somewhere else to scream! Or shut up right now before I put a bullet in your thick skulls. Got it?!" growled a man in his thirties, with slicked-back hair.
There wasn't a trace of compassion on his face, and he was clutching a pistol in his hand. This instantly cooled the arguers' ardor. They muttered something under their breath, gripping their bats and crowbars, and chose not to argue with the elder.
Takeshi Mori was annoyed, angry, and just wanted to eat and get laid!
He was already fed up with all of this—this damn apocalypse!
It had all started normally: his group was collecting debts, and it was a normal day. Nothing foreshadowed trouble. But then this madness began!
People started eating each other as if they were the greatest delicacy in the world, and that was clearly terrible!
Mori didn't like problems and always tried to keep everything under control. He had plans for the future, he was practically on the verge of becoming someone important in the gang, with only a few years left for career advancement—but then this started!
When the first dead man appeared, it didn't particularly frighten Mori: his first thought was that it was just another drunk he'd accidentally had to take out.
Shrugging, he was already preparing to call his people when a horde of corpses appeared before his eyes. Involuntarily dropping the phone, Mori ran as fast as he could, while his group was in a panic, and only a few people ultimately survived alongside him. Now they've been wandering back and forth for hours—or days?—just trying not to die!
But still, Mori had a plan: his gang's hotel, where weapons were stored—and only he knew exactly where.
That was the only goal at the moment.
Mori adjusted his long, slicked-back hair, narrowed his eyes—and now the entrance to the hotel was visible, but there were also plenty of corpses nearby.
Then he ordered his men to enter through the back entrance. They went in, closed the doors, and sighed in relief.
With a tired gaze, Takeshi looked over his few men who had survived alongside him: there were only ten of them, including him. Not much, but even that was support.
Then Mori said:
"Alright, guys. I understand that everyone is tired, but bear with it a little longer. Soon we'll be able to rest, finally eat, gather weapons, and enjoy the apocalypse to our hearts' content!"
"YES!" everyone said in unison, and a malicious smile formed on their lips.
Yes, they had already realized that they were on their own, and of course, they would try to contact their main gang and people if possible.
But for now?
They wanted to enjoy the freedom and the chaos that was going on around them to the fullest—to start letting loose and finally release all the pent-up frustration, but only after they were rested, fed, and fully armed.
Mori shared their enthusiasm: he himself was eager to start simply committing lawlessness and, perhaps, find other people to take power into his own hands!
***
Gathering their belongings, the group of high school students, led by Takashi, hurried to leave the ill-fated hotel, dreaming of reaching the boat shop and crossing the river to the Takagi estate.
Descending the stairs, they crept along, half-bent, silently eliminating zombies.
At the same time, another group, led by Mori, was ascending towards them. Their goal was the weapons storage on the top floor.
And then, when both groups were halfway up the stairs, the inevitable collision occurred, causing everyone to freeze in stunned silence.
The students' eyes widened – they didn't know how to react, nor did the thugs.
But Mori was the first to recover, pointing his gun at Takashi's forehead.
In an instant, Takashi was terrified, breaking out in a cold sweat and trembling. He involuntarily dropped his bat, which clattered down the stairs with a loud noise.
The other thugs, snapping out of their stupor, grinned. They saw a bevy of beautiful girls behind the boy, and their spirits visibly lifted. Mori himself grinned maliciously and nodded his head to the side, as if ordering them to move back.
Takashi and his group, never taking their eyes off the gun barrel, slowly retreated into a more spacious area where they could at least maneuver somewhat.
Komuro, Rei, Saeko, Kohta, Saya, and Shizuka stared nervously at Takeshi Mori's group, who was clearly delighted by this chance encounter. His men, in turn, held their melee weapons and cast lustful glances at the girls, licking their lips slightly.
"…Well, what an unexpected meeting, don't you think?" Mori said with a malicious tone, occasionally casting searching glances at Saya.
At first, he didn't immediately recognize her, but in an instant, recognition flashed in his eyes.
"Well, well! It's Saya Takagi herself! Now, this I call a pleasant turn of events!"
Saya was instantly infuriated by his words and involuntarily blurted out,
"Who are you?! I don't know you! And besides, do you know who my father is?!"
She looked at them with a threatening glare, which triggered a fit of laughter from Mori's gang. The leader himself wiped away a tear from his eye with a crooked grin.
"Of course, you don't know us, after all, it's not fitting for a princess to pay attention to mere servants, is it?" he said with a sneer, waving the pistol in his hand.
Saya's face relaxed slightly, and she said more confidently,
"Since you are subordinates of my father, you should help us get out of here and reach my estate!"
The others, watching this interaction, relaxed slightly – it seemed the situation was under Takagi's control. But Mori's next words clearly shattered all hope.
"Oh, you are quite right, Princess Takagi, but just…" The smile that had been small before suddenly widened, becoming more like a snarl. "Your father isn't here. But we are, right?"
As soon as he said that, the thugs around them began to slowly advance towards them. Tension flared instantly: Kohta clutched his "nail gun" tightly, and Saeko gripped her bokken firmly.
But when Mori pointed the pistol at them, everyone froze – something clenched in their stomachs, and they were truly frightened.
Saeko was the first to decide to act, moving lightning-fast towards them. Takashi called after her,
"Wait!"
But Saeko didn't listen and continued to move directly towards Mori. He lazily kept her in his sights, slightly shifted the barrel down towards her legs, and pulled the trigger.
A loud gunshot rang out, but there was no hit – the swordswoman, with superhuman reflexes, dodged the bullet, which elicited a whistle from one of Mori's group.
The shooter himself didn't panic: the closer Saeko got, the fewer chances she had, and it wasn't worth wasting bullets.
Seeing an opportunity, Kohta also decided to act, preparing his "nail gun," and Takashi grabbed a stick from Saya – he himself had dropped his bat – and moved forward to help Saeko.
But when she was already too close to Mori and was about to strike, a thug with a lazy smile stood in her way: he also had a bokken.
He struck first – their wooden swords clashed, shocking Saeko. Her blow was blocked inches from Mori's face, who, without changing his expression, pulled the trigger – a shot rang out.
"Aaa!" the violet-haired swordswoman screamed sharply from the sharp pain in her leg, gritting her teeth.
She tried to move on, but the man with the wooden sword standing in front of her – Sakamoto – smirked, struck a few blows, and hit her arms, knocking the bokken out of her hands. He pointed the tip of his sword at her chin.
Takashi momentarily lost concentration, seeing what had happened to Saeko. Instincts screamed of approaching death. The gun barrel was pointed directly at him.
But help arrived in time. Kohta fired his "gun" and hit Mori in the hand, eliciting an angry yell:
"You bastard!"
The nail pierced through his hand, causing blood to flow, but he didn't drop the gun. Pointing it at Takashi, he fired – the boy managed to react so that the bullet didn't hit his chest, but it grazed his side.
Komuro clutched his wound and fell to his side with Rei shouting:
"No! TAKASHI!"
Rei was in a panic and horror, involuntarily covering her head with her hands. Shizuka flinched, Kohta was confused, Saya was no better.
Saeko, wounded in the leg, knelt on one knee, leaning her hands on a bokken picked up nearby, and stared angrily at the man standing in front of her with a malicious grin.
"Damn it, DAMN IT! What the hell is wrong with you, you bastards!? Did you feel like heroes or something?" Mori shouted angrily, trying to remove the nail from his palm.
With great effort, he was able to pull it out – blood flowed freely. One of the thugs tore off part of his shirt and helped bandage the hand. Mori stared at them with a cold gaze, but his eyes betrayed deep malice.
"I wanted to do this the easy way… but now?" He looked at his men, and they instantly understood everything, beginning to surround the students in a ring.
They huddled in the center, Takashi was still holding his side, trying to stem the blood. Rei was nearby, looking at the bandits angrily; Shizuka was trying to treat his wound. Saeko, limping, joined them.
Mori was already preparing the "stage" for them.