Chapter Six: A Hero (?) Comes to the Rescue

“Why not just kill these things? Both Saeko and Koji, you’re so strong—shouldn’t it be easy for you?” Dr. Shizuka Marikawa voiced her confusion as they walked; not one corpse had been dispatched along their route.

“If we tried to take out every one we met, we’d be bogged down, forced to destroy each of their heads individually. That would mean getting surrounded, and their grip strength is terrifying—once you’re caught, it’s almost impossible to break free. It’s like death has stripped away all their human limitations. Not unlike a certain zombie movie,” Koji muttered that last part under his breath.

“You’ve thought this through,” Shizuka remarked in surprise—perhaps she hadn’t expected such intelligence from Koji. Saeko gave him an approving look, and Shiki’s expression revealed a trace of agreement.

The group moved in orderly fashion, reaching the covered walkway between the classroom buildings.

“Oh, really now…” As the script demanded, Shizuka was meant to trip here. Sure enough, she caught her foot on the mat at the walkway’s entrance and collapsed to her knees.

“Oh, here it comes!” Having read the script, Koji felt his blood boil with anticipation.

“That outfit isn’t made for running,” Saeko said, approaching the kneeling nurse. She knelt (much to Koji’s regret—no glimpse of the goddess’s undergarments), and, from the left, tore open Shizuka’s skirt, exposing her purple lace panties. Koji, eyes fixed, covered his nose; having seen the true lingerie of a mature beauty, he felt he could die without regret. Ishii, fellow virgin, was less shameless, his gaze darting uncertainly.

Shiki glanced aside, her eyes settling on Shizuka’s chest. Don’t cry, Shiki—flat is your destiny (smack…).

“That’s designer!” Shizuka protested.

“Ha…” Saeko sighed, standing up. “Which is more important, clothes or your life?”

“They’re both important!” Shizuka pouted like a child.

“Koji, you’ll buy me a new one, won’t you?” She looked at Koji expectantly.

“No problem, leave it to me,” Koji promised, knowing that every store in the city was now ownerless.

Clang! A sudden commotion erupted upstairs.

“The office?” Saeko glanced overhead. “Let’s check it out.” She looked to the others. All agreed. “Let’s go.”

Looks like it’s time to reunite with the main characters, Koji thought. I wonder how many players are left. Lost in thought, he drifted ahead of the group; the others, seeing this, picked up the pace. Wait, do you even know the way? The office is in the building across the way! Just go upstairs and run toward the noise. …Never mind, let’s just ignore him—our thought processes don’t resonate.

“Stay away, don’t come any closer!” A girl with pink hair (such anime colors defy logic) had fallen to the floor, hurling trophies and certificates at the corpse advancing on her—something Koji had long wanted to try himself. The dead, unfazed, lunged for her.

Koji reached the office doorway just in time to see this. In one swift, practiced motion, he hurled the mop handle like a javelin. The pink-haired girl watched in shock as the corpse before her was impaled straight through the head by the flying staff, flung aside, and drenched her in blood.

“Are you alright?” Koji rushed over, pulled out the makeshift spear (calling it a mop handle just didn’t do it justice), kicked the unlucky corpse aside, wiped her face with his sleeve, and then turned to face the next wave, asking the question.

Koji felt a chill—what if he’d missed? Killing a cute girl would be a crime, with a sentence of life-long virginity (the ultimate penalty).

The others arrived just then. Shiki, cool as ever, took position at Koji’s side. Soon, Takashi Komuro, the protagonist, appeared—baseball bat in hand, swinging at the undead. Rei Miyamoto, true to her marksmanship club background, struck only vital points. Hirano, out of ammunition for his homemade nail gun, could only watch helplessly.

Saeko leapt into action, dispatching three corpses in quick succession. In moments, the office was cleared.

But wait—who was that older man in a student uniform? Not a character from the original plot; perhaps a player? Best not approach him—observe first.

“Takagi…” Hirano tried to comfort Saya, but was lost for words—only to be bowled over by Shizuka’s ample chest as she ran up (if only…).

“Saya, are you okay?” Rei knelt beside Takagi Saya.

“Rei…” Saya whimpered.

“Everyone knows Dr. Marikawa. These two are Koji Sato and Shiki Ryougi. I’m Saeko Busujima, third-year, class A,” Saeko introduced herself once things calmed down.

“Ishii Shiki, second-year,” Ishii piped up, feeling overlooked.

“Takashi Komuro, second-year, class B,” came the protagonist’s reply as he locked the walkway doors.

“You’re Busujima-senpai, the national kendo champion from last year! I’m Rei Miyamoto, marksmanship club,” Rei said, standing and turning.

“Uh, I’m Hirano Kouta, second-year, class B,” the military otaku stammered, blushing.

“I’m Saburo Watanabe. Pleased to meet you,” the older man smiled—a smile made slightly menacing by his sideburns.

“Likewise,” Saeko replied, deploying her signature lady’s smile. Hirano sighed in admiration, and even Watanabe seemed smitten.

“What’s with all this blushing?” Saya, regaining her composure, stood up, annoyed. “Senpai? Miyamoto flunked a year—she’s the same age as you.”

“That’s uncalled for, Saya,” Takashi admonished her.

“Don’t underestimate me! I’m a genius! I can do anything if I set my mind to it!” Saya retorted, her gaze wild, on the verge of hysteria. “I… I…”

“That’s enough.” Unable to bear it, Koji stepped forward, resting his hands on Saya’s shoulders.

Saya, stunned, turned her head toward a nearby mirror, seeing her blood-stained reflection. “So dirty… Mom will have to take this to the cleaners,” she murmured. Suddenly, she realized the man reflected beside her was the one who’d just saved her.

She turned, met Koji’s eyes—then threw herself into his arms, sobbing openly.

With resolute willpower (or something like it), Koji ignored the softness pressed against his chest and, full of pity for the crying girl, wrapped his free arm around her.

“Player 73950’s quest list has been updated. Please check,” the mechanical voice intoned.

While Saya wept into his shirt, Koji quietly opened his quest list.

Quest List: Number of quests: 3

Main Quest: Phase One: After the corpse outbreak, rendezvous with main character “Takashi Komuro” within ten hours. Only players who complete Phase One will unlock subsequent main quests. Reward for completion: 1 LP; failure: minus 1 LP. (Status: Completed) Reward granted.

As only two players remain in this game instance, and both have completed the first phase, Phase Two now begins: Accompany the main characters to the school bus and escape the school. Only players who complete Phase Two will unlock subsequent main quests. Reward for completion: 2 LP; failure: minus 2 LP. If “Takashi Komuro” or “Shizuka Marikawa” dies or is infected, the quest fails. (Status: Incomplete)

Side Quests: Omitted (let’s not pad the word count).