"Mrs. Takagi, are you okay?"
Under the harsh sunlight, a pair of golden eyes shone brilliantly.
Instinctively, Yuriko reached out, grabbing Nanashi's outstretched hand.
With a gentle pull, she was lifted effortlessly to her feet.
Such strength!
She was a fully grown adult, yet he helped her up without the slightest strain.
This young man was unbelievably powerful.
"Mom! Are you okay?"
Saya rushed forward, her face filled with concern.
"Saya… I'm fine. But… what is going on?"
"So, you all have superpowers…"
After hearing their explanation, Yuriko felt her entire worldview shatter.
She had never believed in the supernatural—
But after witnessing Nanashi's overwhelming power…
And the red-haired woman's halo-like wings…
There was no room for doubt.
"Mom, what happened here? Where's Dad?"
Saya hugged her mother tightly, her voice trembling with unease.
Yuriko's expression darkened.
"Our gathering place was overrun by the zombies… and Soichiro…"
She trailed off.
There was no need to say more.
The truth was painfully obvious.
"Dad…"
Tears welled in Saya's eyes. She buried her face in Yuriko's chest and sobbed uncontrollably.
Yuriko's own eyes glistened, but she forced herself to remain strong, gently patting her daughter's back in comfort.
No one dared to interrupt their moment of grief.
Rei and the others stood guard, weapons in hand, while Nanashi, Lemuel, and Saeko set out to clear the remaining zombies.
Everyone in the gathering place had already turned.
There was no struggle.
Just a simple cleanup.
When the three returned, the mother and daughter had composed themselves, their sorrow temporarily set aside.
As soon as Yuriko saw Nanashi, she stood up and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for looking after Saya all this time."
Nanashi waved dismissively.
"Now that this place is gone, do you have any plans? Lemuel and I don't have much time left."
Silence.
Everyone exchanged uncertain glances.
Where could they go?
All the safe havens had fallen.
Suddenly—
Da-da-da-da-da!
The sky trembled with the sound of spinning blades.
A helicopter!
Everyone turned their gaze upward.
A voice crackled through the speaker.
"There are survivors! Lower the altitude!"
A rope ladder dropped.
A woman descended—
Tall and well-built, her purple hair whipped by the powerful downdraft.
Dressed in a suit, wearing sunglasses—
She exuded an air of authority and strength.
When she removed her sunglasses—
"Rika!"
Shizuka's voice rang out in pure joy as she ran forward and threw herself into the woman's arms.
"I'm so glad you're okay!"
It was only then that everyone realized—
This was Rika Minami, Shizuka's close friend and the source of their weapons.
"We received reports of a massive wave of zombies here and came to investigate. I never expected to find you here, Shizuka."
A rare, relieved smile appeared on Rika's face.
Reunions like these were a miracle in a world consumed by death.
But before anyone could revel in the moment—
Nanashi, Saeko, and Lemuel froze.
A notification appeared before them.
[Doomsday Journey Complete!]
[Rewards will be distributed based on individual contributions!]
Nanashi: 75,000 Doomsday PointsLemuel: 15,000 Doomsday PointsSaeko: 15,000 Doomsday Points
[First Doomsday Expedition Bonus: Rewards Doubled!]
Nanashi: 150,000 Doomsday PointsLemuel: 30,000 Doomsday PointsSaeko: 30,000 Doomsday Points
[Countdown: 5 Seconds – Non-Native Participants Will Be Forcefully Returned]
[5, 4, 3…]
"Looks like it's time to say goodbye."
Nanashi's words shattered the momentary peace.
"Saeko, with Rika Minami here, you might have a better choice now. When I can, I Will return to your world and solve your problems."
"See you next time!" Lemuel grinned and waved.
Before anyone could react—
Both vanished into thin air.
"!!!!!!"
The group stood in stunned silence.
Rika, having never met the two, was the most shocked.
"Did… did they just disappear?! Am I seeing things?"
"I saw it too! Brother Nanashi and Big Sister Angel vanished in a flash!" Alice waved her arms wildly, as if trying to grasp the impossible.
Saya, Shizuka, and Rei all turned to Saeko.
Of everyone here, she was the most familiar with them.
Saeko had been momentarily dazed by the system's announcement—
But quickly regained her composure.
A small, knowing smile formed on her lips.
"They've left… but we'll meet again."
Rei bit her lip, hesitation and sadness flickering in her eyes.
"Will they really come back?"
Saeko noticed the unspoken emotions in Rei's expression—
And in Saya's and Shizuka's.
With a quiet confidence, she answered:
"Yes. We will meet again."