After smashing in Hisashi's head, a system notification echoed in Akuto's ears.
(Insert Rei's Image Here)
[Ding!~]
[Congratulations to the host for completing Main Quest 2: Within three months, kill as many zombies as possible.]
[Completion stage: First stage (killed 1 zombie)]
[Reward granted: Immortality (White)]
[Immortality (White): A beginner-level immortality. Even after losing limbs or vital organs, you can still function normally. However, destruction of the head will result in death.]
"Immortality similar to the zombies, huh?"
Akuto had long envied the Phoenix Clan's immortality. No matter the world, such a trait was a formidable ability.
...
"Let's go, Komuri, Miyamoto."
After killing Hisashi, Akuto passed by the two, unlocking the door that led from the rooftop to the main platform.
"Shu! What are you doing?" Rei asked in confusion.
"What am I doing? Obviously…" Akuto raised the bat again, smashing open another zombie's skull. "...eliminating evil for the people!"
Bang!~
Bang bang bang bang!!~
Under the bewildered gaze of Takashi and Rei, Akuto danced across the rooftop like a performer drenched in blood-rain.
One headless corpse after another collapsed. In moments, the rooftop fell silent.
"I'm leaving the rooftop. Miyamoto-san, Komuro-kun, if you also want to leave, follow behind me—don't stray."
From the distant, almost formal "Miyamoto-san," it was clear that before regaining his memories, Akuto hadn't been particularly close to Rei.
Still, after so many years of childhood bonds, he wouldn't abandon the two here.
But Takashi clearly didn't feel grateful.
"Shu, is this your true self hidden beneath your daily mask?"
"Slaughter, violence—is this what you pursue?"
"I know violence is necessary in the face of danger… but must you really kill every zombie you see?"
Because he had yet to face death directly, nor stained his hands with blood, Takashi was far more indecisive than in the original story.
No, to be precise—long ago, after realizing he couldn't even compare to Akuto, Takashi had already begun to waver.
Akuto cast him a glance.
Unlike Hisashi, he didn't want to kill Takashi.
At least not here. Not in front of Rei.
"Komuro-kun, do you know why you can stand here and lecture me?" Akuto smiled faintly.
"Because you're human—and my acquaintance. That's the only reason you can talk to me this way."
"If you dislike my methods, then act on your own. Handle zombies however you see fit."
"As for Miyamoto-san—if you wish to walk with me, then follow."
With that, Akuto turned toward the rooftop door.
...
"Wait! I'm coming!"
Rei glanced at the stunned Takashi, swallowed hard, then hurried to follow Akuto.
"Takashi! Sometimes, sacrifices like this are necessary!"
She gave him one last deep look, then quickly chased after Akuto.
At that moment—
"Kyaa!!!~"
Another scream pierced through the already chaotic campus.
"Hm? That voice—!"
Akuto's eyes narrowed. He knew that voice all too well!
It was… the school nurse who often treated his scrapes with medicinal alcohol—Shizuka Marikawa!
"Miyamoto-san, come. We're heading to the nurse's office."
Though he said this, Akuto didn't take Rei's hand—he simply let her trail after him.
Things obtained too easily aren't valued.
Like Takashi, Rei had yet to complete the shift from "ordinary student" to "survivor in a collapsing world."
Until Rei awakened, Akuto wouldn't grovel or force her to rely on him.
"Y-Yes! Coming!" Rei stammered.
Though his brutal head-crushing had terrified her—making her underwear damp—she knew clearly that staying near Akuto was the safest choice.
"Hm?"
Then a strange thought struck her.
Back when Hisashi died, she'd definitely lost control a little.
So why now… did her underwear feel utterly dry and comfortable?
...
And so, with Akuto carving a bloody path ahead and Rei hurrying behind, they reached the nurse's office at incredible speed.
As Akuto cut through more zombies, another system chime rang.
[Ding!~]
[Congratulations to the host for completing Main Quest 2: Within three months, kill as many zombies as possible.]
[Completion stage: Second stage (killed 100 zombies)]
[Reward granted: Immortality (Green)]
[Immortality (Green): Advanced immortality. Even if the head or heart is destroyed, life force persists for a long time. With timely treatment, the host can be fully revived.]
"Oh? So it's a progressive task, huh?"
For the first time, Akuto felt a surge of real motivation toward killing zombies.
(End of Chapter)
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