The sun wasn't shining.
It was bleeding.
Kenji led the group through the shattered gates of Kyosei High and into the world beyond—only to realize the school had been a coffin, yes, but the city? It was the funeral pyre.
Flames licked up the side of apartment buildings. Sirens howled in the distance—then cut off with bone-chilling finality. The stench of burning rubber, rotting flesh, and charred dreams hit them in a wave. The sky was sickly orange, painted by ash and sorrow.
Rei Kanzaki pulled her lab coat tighter around her, shielding her face. "The infection's not just local. This is everywhere."
Tetsuo's grip tightened around the bat. "No one's coming."
Akane sniffed, eyes puffy from silent tears. "She just wanted to see her brother again…"
They hadn't spoken much since Sayaka. No one had the words. Kenji could still feel the tremble in her fingers before he ended her. Still hear the wet thud. Still see the flicker of relief in her eyes.
[System Notification]
Trauma Registered. Emotional Strain Detected. Processing...
New Passive Skill Unlocked: Cold Mercy – No EXP loss from mercy kills. Increases team loyalty.
Sin's voice slid into his ear like velvet laced with razors.
"Nice. Cold, brutal… hot, honestly. You're turning into a real apocalypse daddy."
"Not the time," Kenji growled.
They moved through the city's edge like ghosts—sticking to alleys, stepping over collapsed civilians, ducking behind rusted cars. The silence was never truly silent. Somewhere, something always screamed.
And then they saw her.
Or rather, heard her.
"Back off, you undead pricks!"
They turned toward the source of the voice—a convenience store halfway buried in rubble, its front glass shattered. A woman stood atop the counter, swinging a broken mop like a spear. Her long red hair was tied up in a messy bun. Blood ran down one leg. And her tank top was soaked with sweat, clinging to her curves like it owed her rent.
"Holy shit," Tetsuo whispered. "Is that…?"
Kenji's breath caught.
[MILF Detected – Akari Senzaki]
Age: 36
Occupation: Firefighter
Survivability: High
System Sync: Compatible – Initiating Link…
Lust Affinity: 72%
Current Status: Injured but Alive
Sin moaned. "Muscles, fire, attitude—10/10 would let her resuscitate me."
Kenji didn't wait. He charged.
Two infected lunged at the woman's legs. Before they could bite, Kenji vaulted over the wrecked door and slammed his crowbar into one of their skulls. The other turned—and Akari caved its face in with the mop handle.
She looked at him, panting, face smeared with ash. "You here to flirt or fight?"
Kenji grinned. "Why not both?"
She smirked. "Cute. Help me barricade this place, pretty boy."
The team moved fast, sealing the doors with shelves and crates. Once inside, Akari finally slumped against a cooler.
"You're hurt," Rei said, crouching to examine the leg.
Akari waved her off. "Scraped it saving a dumbass kid. He didn't make it. Not many people do these days."
Kenji stared. This woman wasn't just hot—she was strong, level-headed, and already battle-tested.
"So," she said, catching her breath. "You got a name?"
"Kenji."
She looked him over, like measuring a man's weight in fire. "Well, Kenji... if you're leading this little crew, color me impressed."
Akane's brow twitched.
Rei narrowed her eyes.
Tetsuo kept his mouth shut, probably terrified she'd bench press him.
[System Update]
Party Member Recruited: Akari Senzaki (MILF-Class Survivor)
+12 Team Morale
+8 Combat Bonus in Urban Environments
Kenji looked out through the cracks in the boards. Night was falling. And with it, a deeper, hungrier silence.
"Let's rest here," he said. "Tomorrow, we find shelter. And answers."
Akari popped open a still-cold can of energy drink, sipping without breaking eye contact. "And maybe find out what's really going on, huh?"
Kenji nodded.
He didn't say it aloud, but the truth was clear.
This wasn't survival anymore.
It was war.