Chapter 4
From behind, moving at an almost impossible speed, a creature tore through the burning buildings like a massive gorilla. The young soldiers around it exchanged tense, fearful glances. They were still just children, unprepared for the chaos surrounding them. Suddenly, an armored vehicle was pierced, flipping onto its roof, shaking violently as people collided inside. Blood splattered everywhere when one unlucky soldier had his chest impaled by an enormous, gnarled white hand. The hand was unnaturally long and rigid, each finger stretching thirty to forty centimeters, with joints like knotted wood and nails blackened as if unwashed for centuries.
Then came the sound of pounding on the roof of the vehicle—not just one, but all the vehicles around them. Hundreds of creatures clawed at the armor, trying to break in, hungry for the occupants inside. Inside, panic spread. Groups of students began crying, some fell to their knees pleading, "Please… don't eat me… I'm not even tasty." Others feigned death, but none remembered the weapons they carried; all they could do was shiver in fear. Qu huddled in a corner behind Mei and Hoshino, helpless and fragile like a child terrified of ghosts.
Suddenly, a calm, almost clinical voice cut through the cacophony outside as the pounding stopped.
Medical Officer:
> "Everyone, it's safe to exit… everything is under control now."
As the occupants tentatively moved toward the doors, their hands slick with sweat, a sinking realization struck them. If the organization had truly driven these creatures away, why hadn't any shots been fired? No gunfire, no explosions—only the sickening sounds of tearing flesh and despair from beyond the vehicle.
Soldier 1, terrified, stumbled backward while pleading:
> "Don't eat me… I'm not tasty!"
Other voices joined in, terrified cries overlapping with the sounds of movement outside. The people inside exchanged fearful glances, aware that something horrific awaited them beyond the doors, though none dared look. The creatures chewed relentlessly, the sound of bone and muscle tearing filling the air. Anyone who opened the door risked seeing their comrades' remains consumed by Hachishakusama.
Mei stirred quietly, gripping her M84 tightly, glancing at Hoshino. They shared a silent understanding. Hoshino silently nodded, switching her FN 2000 to automatic fire. Mei pressed herself to the floor, aiming her weapon forward, while Hoshino positioned herself at the door. Their hands were slick with sweat.
Hoshino:
> "One… two… three…"
In a coordinated explosion of violence, the door burst open, and bullets tore into the creature outside. Blood and tissue sprayed in all directions, covering the two young women. On the ground lay the remains of a 2.5-meter-tall creature, utterly destroyed, lifeless.
Looking around, their eyes narrowed. Every vehicle was soaked in blood and strewn with corpses. Some missing limbs, some decapitated, others gutted. The floor beneath them was slick with gore. Soldiers who looked outside could only shudder or faint; even witnessing from a distance, the horror was unbearable.
Then a low growl echoed. Another Hachishakusama emerged from behind. One soldier was seized, ripped apart, blood and organs splattering the remaining children, none of whom were true soldiers. Some vomited in terror. Mei's M84 barked, bullets exploding the creature's head in a shower of gore.
Behind them, the previously fallen corpses began to rise as zombies, their movements slow and awkward, crawling toward them. Hoshino calmly aimed her FN 2000, executing precise shots to the heads of approaching undead, treating them like swarming, mindless insects.
A sudden crackle from the student radio brought a new wave of fear. Every hand grasped the device as Lucas's serious voice pierced through the static.
Lucas:
> "I'm sorry… but unfortunately, your situation is critical. Hold your position as long as you can and await reinforcements. The attacker is Ayu, or Uta JP-725, 'The Book Controller.' Reinforcements will arrive as soon as possible."
As the message ended, Hoshino and Mei exchanged silent, tense glances. Weapons ready, hands slick with sweat, they nodded and split, moving like deadly arrows. Hoshino's precise fire decapitated the rising zombies, while Mei's bullets obliterated heads, each shot eliminating dozens. Their speed and reflexes left the surrounding students in awe, like seasoned soldiers among inexperienced recruits.
However, a shadow emerged from the skyscrapers ahead—a tall, ghostly figure with a pale face and distorted surroundings. Blood streamed as Slenderman approached, crushing everything in its path. Hoshino lunged to grab its hand, allowing Mei to fire into its shoulder, but the creature vanished, leaving only darkness behind. Exhausted, the two girls gasped for air.
Suddenly, the sound of countless rats scuttling erupted from the ruined buildings, swarming toward them. A single, soft, precise strike crushed the mass of rats, smoke and dust billowing as Sora's eerie, playful voice rang out.
Sora:
> "Oh… looks like we have a lot of meat tonight, doesn't it? Should be delicious… Bon appétit."
She bent over a corpse, dipping her gloved fingers into blood, savoring the sight with a smirk. Her playful, almost mocking tone carried a chill.
Elsewhere in Shibuya, gunfire roared. Some soldiers were exhausted and surrounded by zombies. Skyscrapers collapsed, crushing many of them. Survivors struggled with missing limbs and severe burns, despair in their eyes. Kenshin, badly burned, screamed desperately, the smell of charred flesh thick in the air.
Kenshin:
> "Elena… Dr. Elena… where are you?! Why did you abandon us? Alpha 7 is under your command! Where are you… the soldiers here have families!"
A sudden, devastating impact shattered his skull, brains splattering across the ground, leaving nothing but ruin.
Fifteen minutes later, only corpses remained. Blood, gore, and dismembered limbs littered the streets. Any who had tried to resist lay still, their blood and flesh forever part of the city's carnage.
In western Shibuya, black armored vehicles tore through the flames. Machine guns were ready to obliterate anything alive. The vehicles bore the logo of AEI—Anti-Evolution Investigation, piloted by agents prepared for the impending battlefield. A childlike, eerie voice crackled through the radio system.
???:
> "Moshi moshi… konnichiwa. Unfortunately, this is AEI. While you are not evolved humans… unfortunately… you are not Japanese either. According to Article 216, your penalty is death for violating Japanese sovereignty."
Lucas and Sora exchanged confused glances, a giant question mark hanging over their heads.
Lucas:
> "Did you hear that nonsense just now, Sora…?"
Sora, yawning, flicked her long hair away and smirked:
> "Just a butterfly fluttering by. Its wings will be torn soon, and… eaten by a predator. Probably painful."
She smiled sweetly, yet her words carried deadly intent.
Sora:
> "…Then we'll have a weak little butterfly… and we'll crush it, letting its blood and guts splatter everywhere… sounds fun, right?"
From afar, the roar of approaching armored vehicles filled the air, moving through smoke and ruined streets. Inside one vehicle sat a young girl with long, black hair streaked with white, porcelain skin, and piercing blue eyes. She giggled into her microphone.
Ayumi:
> "Too bad we're late… hmm… I wonder if I kill them all before their commander arrives… that would be fun, wouldn't it?"
The soldiers around her whispered, used to their idol's antics.
Whispering Soldier:
> "Damn, she's always like this… watching the enemies."
Another Soldier:
> "Yeah… we can't stop her. She's the commander of this mission."
[to be continued]