Rika Minami rolled a beautiful set of eyes.
On a beauty like her the gesture looked inexplicably alluring.
"So, little brother Arthur, what exactly do you want to discuss with us?"
"Let me say this upfront, we are only ordinary SAT (Special Assault Team) members. Helping you fight against that Umbrella Corporation is simply out of the question, okay?"
Arthur glanced at her.
"Don't worry, I never expected you to do something like that."
Rika was so angry that her chest heaved up and down.
This kid is too annoying!
"I hope you can relay some intelligence to the higher-ups in your country."
Arthur slowed his speech, enunciating each word.
He created an atmosphere of tension, as if a great disaster was imminent.
"In the Umbrella Corporation's experimental plan, one month after the widespread virus experiment, the 'Total Cleansing' plan will be initiated."
"Can you guess what that is?"
Everyone looked at each other.
The answer was already obvious.
"Nuclear—strike?"
Arthur corrected.
"Not only that."
"In addition to nuclear strikes against zombies, there's another important weapon: high-altitude nuclear electromagnetic pulse bombs!"
Silence.
If nuclear bombs were for eliminating monsters like zombies...
Then what were electromagnetic pulse bombs for?
These would have no effect on zombies whatsoever. The only things that would be affected were the precise instruments of modern human society.
High-altitude nuclear explosions are also known as EMP attacks.
When a nuclear bomb explodes high in the atmosphere, gamma radiation strips electrons from atmospheric molecules, creating a Compton effect. These separated electrons are then captured by the Earth's magnetic field, generating a wide-ranging, diffuse electron pulse.
The result is fatal to electronic equipment. Any device with an electronic receiving mechanism will have all its circuit boards burned out after being hit by an electron pulse attack.
This, of course, includes all modern communication and networked devices.
Not to mention those.
Many things that are still usable now, like vehicles, boats, and so on, will become unusable.
Even the electronic sights in firearms, and countless modern industrial precision electronic products, will all be instantly scrapped!
Their already difficult survival in this post-apocalyptic world would become even worse!
Is this meant to isolate various citys and countries!?
Doesn't the Umbrella Corporation fear triggering a global nuclear war!?
"Thank you, Agent Arthur!"
The SAT captain, who had been silent until now, suddenly saluted and spoke with respect.
"The intelligence you've revealed is very important!"
"Since we can't contact the higher-ups remotely right now, I plan to lead my team out of here and head to headquarters to report the specific situation."
"If you are willing, please come with us to report."
"Afterward, I will apply to the higher-ups to help you extradite back to your country..."
Arthur shook his head.
"I still have friends here, and the people in this city also need someone to rescue them."
"But I don't have enough armed forces. Because this is a secret operation, I also don't have logistical support..."
The captain was silent for a moment.
"Although this is not within my authority..."
"However, I heard that there's a Self-Defense Force training camp stationed west of Tokonosu. After the dead... the zombie outbreak, I saw some troops evacuating from this city."
"There, perhaps, there might still be something left..."
"I didn't hear anything."
Arthur laughed inwardly.
The captain hesitated, then suddenly looked at Rika.
"Team member."
"It seems you have a friend among the civilians we took in just now, don't you?"
Rika didn't know why the topic suddenly shifted to her, but she still nodded.
The captain said with a stern face.
"These people without combat capability also need someone to protect them. We can't abandon them all and leave. So you stay and protect the people, can you do that?"
Rika seemed to understand.
"I... understand."
The captain and his team needed to break through countless zombies to deliver the intelligence. The dangers involved were unpredictable.
Having worked with them for so long, she had developed some feelings for them and naturally wanted to do her part.
However, Shizuka Marikawa's worrisome personality was indeed a problem.
And most importantly... she guessed the reason why the captain specifically asked her to stay.
There was no other way, indeed, she was the only one among them suitable...
Because Arthur's information had scared them badly, these few people quickly packed their weapons and luggage.
They set sail directly in the night.
Arthur, who was seeing them off from the shore, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
By now, everything he could do had been done.
For the rest of the time, there was only one thing he needed to do.
That was to rack up points!
Haha!
He actually revealed the location of the Self-Defense Force's camp?
Of course, Arthur knew about the existence of the Self-Defense Force!
In the first episode of the anime, there was a scene of Self-Defense Force fighter jets flying over Tokonosu, indicating that there was clearly a stationed base nearby!
And his purpose in wanting to connect with Rika Minami was precisely this!
The captain's words just now had made it clear.
After the zombie outbreak, the Self-Defense Force had probably also suffered attacks.
Although they eventually evacuated, they likely suffered heavy losses.
And with a crippled army, how could they possibly take all the firearms and equipment from the military camp?
From the captain's tone, it seemed there was still a lot left there.
However, from his standpoint, it was impossible to directly provide state-owned firearms to a foreigner, especially since Arthur's identity was that of a mysterious agent?
Who knew what he would do with so many weapons!
But the captain trusted his judgment.
He didn't fully believe Arthur's claim that he was going to rescue others.
However, according to the information obtained from Tajima's report, in Shizuka Marikawa's account, it seemed that Arthur indeed harbored some kind of hatred towards those zombies.
Even in a safe shelter, he would go out every day to hunt zombies.
He would only return at night, covered in blood and utterly exhausted.
If it was for killing zombies, then he didn't mind lending him those weapons.
After all, if there was one less zombie,
it was possible that one more person would survive.
Rika Minami didn't know what Arthur was thinking at the moment, but she suddenly felt that this young boy had suddenly become more like a man.
Tajima's teasing words to her on the rooftop earlier suddenly flashed before her eyes.
Now that her teammates had left, good men were becoming increasingly scarce.
If this little guy performed well later, then perhaps she wouldn't be entirely unwilling to settle for him?
By the way, had Shizuka already made her move?
"Arthur, it's getting late. Go back and get some rest."
"Or…" she added with a teasing smile,"does the little guy want to sleep with big sister?"
Arthur glanced at her curvaceous figure, then calmly shook his head.
"Maybe later."
"Oh? I see."
He paused, then added,
"From now on, just call me Blank."
"My friends don't know who I really am. And don't tell them about any of that either, I don't want them worrying about me."
"Hmph… hmm~"
Rika Minami looked pleasantly surprised.
"I didn't expect you to be such a thoughtful little man," she teased softly.
"Big sister is starting to like you even more." She leaned in, hooking an arm around his neck and whispering into his ear.
"I'll let you in on a secret. That base is actually a training camp, and there's a hidden backup armory inside. Unless it's wartime, it's practically never opened — so everything in there should still be intact."
"Of course, that warehouse has extremely thorough security measures. For outsiders, breaking through the main entrance to get weapons would be basically impossible."
Arthur hadn't expected news like that.
"You mean…"
He turned to look at her, but their faces were too close, and he accidentally felt something soft brush against his cheek.
Rika Minami showed not the slightest hint of embarrassment. Instead, she smiled brightly.
"I mean… I once took part in a sniping competition there."
"And a certain second-generation who had a crush on me just had to give me a private tour of the place."
"And then…"
She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping.
"Unfortunately, I accidentally saw the password to the main door. So…"
She tilted her head, eyes glinting with mischief.
"How about my little agent brother gives big sister a kiss…"
"…and big sister takes you inside for a little look around?"
Who does she think I am? A principled young man would never do something like that… just like my mother always said, men really do need to be careful with women these days. That's why my answer is obviously—
"Fine."
Arthur gave her no time to react.
He reached straight for her waist, gripping her at the side and pulling her toward him. Lowering his head, he pressed his lips against hers, a rough, decisive kiss, utterly unlike the gentle girl caught in his arms.
Her cheeks instantly burned as she placed her hands against Arthur's chest, trying to push him away, yet unable to summon any real strength, as if she were Superman, and that kiss her kryptonite.
She felt his tongue slip into her mouth, leaving her no chance to refuse, tangling with hers as a fierce struggle for dominance began. It ended in Arthur's favor, his greater experience overwhelming her. Her legs weakened, and he didn't allow her to pull away or even catch her breath, as his other hand rise to hold her in place by neck…
To her, those two minutes felt like the longest of her life.
When Arthur finally pulled back, he ignored the stunned Rika Minami, who had sunk to the ground, and strode toward his residence, his voice carried by the evening breeze.
"That was just the first installment."
"The rest will be settled later."
Rika struggled to catch her breath and regain her strength. Watching Arthur walk away, she shouted:
"Ah!"
"You little brat!!"
"That was my first kiss!!!"
---
Yesterday, the number of Power Stones the book received finally placed it among the top 200 ranked books, landing at position 189. I'd like to thank not only those who made this possible by giving their Power Stones, but also everyone who's been commenting and leaving reviews on the book. That really motivates me to keep posting chapters every single day.
I hope you enjoy today's chapter, and also the extra one I'll be posting later today as a thank-you.
See ya!