The father and daughter were about to be devoured alive, but that was prevented by Allen's intervention. However, the situation was complicated—before Allen stood a horde that had originally only numbered about fifty zombies, but it started to grow. This, even though many of them had already gone to the park.
The terrifying thing about the blind zombies wasn't just their overwhelming numbers, counted in the millions, but their strange ability to approach silently and gather rapidly.
"Where are all these zombies coming from?" Allen mocked while he was tearing off a zombie's head, but he already knew the answer.
Tokyo's population numbered in the tens of millions, so it wasn't that strange for thousands of them to appear out of nowhere.
Allen himself was already prepared for the possibility that one day he might find himself surrounded by a sea of creatures and have no choice but to flee—but that wouldn't be now.
Allen charged into the horde with force, killing ten before the father and daughter could even react.
The light of the street lamps was stained with the blood splattered by Allen's attacks.
Allen crushed a zombie's head with his pipe, cut another's head off with his knife, used the crossbow to pierce one zombie's eye, his fists broke jaws, and his kicks snapped necks.
Kenji and Alice stared in shock at the sight. Was it really possible for a human being to face a horde alone?
Despite his overwhelming performance the zombies just kept coming. Also, the man lying behind him was injured, so escaping wasn't an option.
"Please, take Alice with you."
"..." Allen killed another zombie, then turned toward the father, who now had the determined look of a man ready to die.
"Dad?!" Alice clung to her father, but he didn't look at her—instead, his eyes were fixed on Allen.
Allen understood. At this rate, he could only keep killing until he was eventually overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
Abandoning the father and saving only the daughter—that was the best option.
"I..."
Allen's phone rang, interrupting his words. Seeing who it was, he answered while kicking another zombie away.
"We understand your situation! Buy some time, we're on our way!" said Saya through the phone before hanging up. She didn't do it to be rude—she knew Allen didn't have the luxury to chat right now.
*Bang!*
A gunshot pierced through a zombie's head.
"Haha, it's true, I have good women watching my back", Allen smiled.
He'd been mentally prepared to protect the girls because of the danger zones—but he'd forgotten something important: they weren't weak!
....
....
Rei reloaded the semi-automatic rifle as sweat slid down her cheeks. She was on Rika's balcony, aiming at the horde. Allen had been forced to leave the rifle behind since it wouldn't fit in his inventory, and it had turned out to be the right call.
"Did I hit it?!"
Kyoko, beside her with binoculars, nodded. "Yes! That was amazing, Miyamoto-san!"
Rei smiled proudly and fired again, but this time she missed. The bullet hit a wall. She shot once more, hitting a zombie's body—but it didn't die and got back up.
"It's really hard!" Rei bit her lip.
"Don't worry, the goal is to draw the horde—and you're doing great!" Saya said with a proud smile as many zombies turned around toward Rika's house. "This will take some of the pressure off him."
In the garage, Shizuka and Rei climbed into the Humvee.
"How was this thing driven again? Ah, right, first..." Shizuka frowned, trying her best to remember how Rika had explained.
"Shizuka-sensei, are you sure you want to drive now?" Saeko asked, glancing at the nurse, whose cheeks were still a bit red—clearly, the alcohol hadn't fully worn off.
"I can, trust me~" declared Shizuka, patting her large chest, which bounced with the motion.
The vehicle roared to life as the garage door opened. The growl of the engine drew several zombies toward the entrance, but it was useless—Shizuka ran them over, sending them flying.
"I hope Rika-chan doesn't get mad about the dents and blood stains," the blonde said with a worried smile.
"I don't think that'll be a problem," Saeko replied.
The Humvee M1025 was a military armored vehicle with a V8 diesel engine, 4x4 traction, 190 horsepower, and weighing three tons—it was a beast that wouldn't be stopped, even if surrounded by zombies.
The common zombies could never scratch it.
"I hope so. Rika-chan is really kind, but she's scary when she's angry~"
"I see. In that case, let's leave Allen to deal with her," Saeko said with an amused smile. "He's good at handling troublesome women."
Saeko opened the top hatch to climb onto the roof.
Shizuka gave an awkward smile—Saeko Busujima was the very definition of a "troublesome woman," so her words carried weight.
Shizuka shook her head to focus and honked the Humvee's horn. It caught the attention of many zombies—but not enough. So, she touched it more and more.
The plan was simple: use the vehicle to draw in as many zombies as possible, circle around the block, and then pick up Allen.
Saeko stood on the roof, drawing her katana, ready to face the horde if needed—but it wasn't necessary. More than half the zombies were already following the Humvee.
"I won't let you carry all the burden alone," Saeko murmured.
She was still wearing the kitchen apron over her underwear, a sexy sight that contrasted sharply with her fierce eyes and warrior spirit.
From afar, seeing blood occasionally splatter where Allen fought, Saeko's body heated up—she longed to cut down everything that moved. She loved the feeling of slicing through bone and spilling blood. But more than that, she wanted to fight beside him.
It was a strange sensation—a need that had been born within her. Killing in front of him, being seen while fighting for him, being praised for her skill by him, having him admire her strength... these things had become an addiction for Saeko. Of course, just watching him fight was a pleasure in itself. The sight of Allen drenched in blood was mesmerizing to her—to the point where her breathing grew heavy just imagining it.
"Ah~"
It was fortunate no one was seeing her like this right now, or they'd be terrified—except Allen, who was already used to crazy women.
....
Allen smiled when he heard the Humvee's horn after Saya's call.
"They're a brave bunch. I can't let them outshine me."
Allen's smile turned dangerous as he looked at the zombies.
With the brutality of a maniac and the precision of a surgeon, Allen smashed zombie head after zombie head—but this time, not aimlessly. Each time he killed one, he threw it toward the entrance. After repeating this a dozen times, he managed to create a small blockade that would buy them a few minutes.
Allen turned toward Alice and Kenji and approached. Seeing the deep wound in the man's abdomen, he immediately knew he wouldn't survive unless taken to a hospital.
Allen's medical supplies were limited—using one on a stranger was something he wouldn't do. Not out of lack of will, but because he couldn't afford to be that generous.
'Helping them survive this long was already more than a good person would have done.'
With teary eyes, Alice looked up at Allen. "Brother?"
Allen gently patted her head. "Don't worry, this is simple for me."
He knelt down. Despite what he'd just thought, letting a father die in front of his daughter wasn't something he could allow.
Allen reached into his pocket and pulled out the First Aid Spray. Just as he was about to use it, Kenji stopped him.
"Don't waste it. That won't work on me. This is the price we pay for our sins."
"Huh? What did you just say?" Allen's eyes widened before frowning. "How do you know about this? No, who are you?"
Kenji smiled weakly, his voice fading. "I know you have many questions, but I don't have time to answer them. Go to Shibuya... if you wish to know the truth."
"..."
Kenji handed the metal case to Allen. "I feel... this belongs to you. Haha, perhaps it was fate that brought me here for this reason."
"What are you talking about?" Allen shook his head. He'd only arrived in this world a couple of days ago. It was true his identity here was fabricated, but it should've been something simple—what sense would it make to go this far beyond that?
"The young man, I know I don't deserve it, but could you take care of Alice?" Kenji looked at him firmly, yet pleadingly. "Please!"
"No! I don't want to!" Meanwhile, Alice was crying and clinging to the man.
Allen stayed silent. A child was a heavy burden, not only because she was another mouth to feed but also because she required far more care than anyone else.
It was cruel, but in the apocalypse, the elderly, the sick, and even children were often left to their fate. As the silence stretched, the zombies began to climb over the corpses that blocked the entrance. Kenji was also growing weaker, to the point where his eyelids could no longer stay open.
Allen sighed. "I understand... I promise you."
"Thank you," Kenji smiled peacefully before hugging his daughter with the last of his strength. "Alice, listen to me. Daddy can't go with you, but you'll be fine. Obey this big brother. Be brave, I know you are."
"No!" Alice clung tightly to her father's clothes.
Kenji gave Allen a meaningful look. Allen nodded and lifted Alice onto his shoulder despite her cries, also grabbing the metal case.
The man watched his daughter being taken away. That worry had been the only thing keeping him alive. So, he closed his eyes in peace.
'Don't worry, dear… our daughter will be fine.'
Allen jumped and stood atop the wall. On the other side, a mass of zombies gathered. Alice seemed to understand the situation and stopped crying out loud.
'Just like her father said, she's a brave girl.'
Allen was about to walk along the wall to get away from the horde when the roar of an engine reached his ears.
"Over here! Allen-kun!" Shizuka shouted from the window.
At the same time, a girl jumped into the horde with a katana. In just a few swift moves, several zombies were cut down, clearing a spot for Allen. He laughed and leapt into that opening, landing back-to-back with Saeko.
"Really, there wasn't any clothing that fit you?"
Surely, Shizuka was a big-breasted woman, but there wasn't a massive difference compared to Saeko. Plus, Rika's clothes could have fit her too—judging by her photos, their proportions were similar.
"I didn't have time to change, and besides, I prefer sleeping with little clothing" Saeko smiled mischievously.
"Thanks for the info," Allen laughed, then kicked a zombie away and put Alice in the vehicle, tossing the metal case inside as well.
Allen didn't dare use his inventory at that moment; the mystery surrounding that container made him cautious.
"Saeko, we're leaving!" Allen ordered the girl who kept cutting zombies.
She looked reluctant but eventually obeyed. Allen shook his head and sat in the passenger seat.
"Shizuka, we'll circle the block, then pick up Saya, Rei, and Kyoko. We need to get back to the shelter as soon as possible."
"Okay~" Shizuka nodded and hit the gas.
Saeko climbed down from the roof and looked at Alice, who was curled up in a corner. Feeling pity, she gently stroked the girl's head, causing her to finally break into tears—it wasn't surprising, after all, she had just lost her father.
After circling the block, the three girls were ready at the entrance, though oddly, none of them was wearing decent clothes.
"Allen!" Rei shouted as she climbed into the front seat, sitting on Allen's right leg.
"...?" Allen raised an eyebrow at her actions but didn't stop her. He had already openly declared his interest in her.
"Miyamoto Rei, are you really doing this?!" Saya gritted her teeth. Though she also wanted to do the same, her pride wouldn't allow it.
Rei stuck her tongue out mockingly. "Shut up, Tsundere. There's no room in the back!"
Originally, this Humvee was made for four people, but now there were seven, including Alice, so this was actually a smart way to save space.
"You're right~" Saeko said as she sat on Allen's other leg.
"Saeko?"
"Can't I?" Saeko asked with a pitiful tone—no one would have guessed this was the same girl who'd been decapitating zombies moments ago with a smile.
Allen was speechless and just shrugged. It wasn't like he minded having two beauties sitting on him.
The rest of the women saw Allen not complaining and could only swallow their jealousy.
The Humvee roared, but Allen stopped Shizuka and opened the door.
"What's wrong?" Shizuka asked.
Allen whistled, and a small dog ran toward the vehicle. He picked it up before closing the door.
Allen laughed. "You're lucky, buddy."
"Bark!"
"Now let's go," Allen said as the girls smiled. Even Alice looked at the puppy with bright eyes. Allen saw this in the rearview mirror and winked at Saya.
Saya sighed and handed the puppy to Alice.
"Alice, can you take care of this brave little friend?"
Alice was stunned for a moment but then nodded. "Leave it to me, big brother!"
Allen's expression softened, though his suspicions about this world grew stronger. By this point, he was almost certain someone had caused this apocalypse.
'Doesn't matter, I'll think about that later. The important thing is getting back before some mutant kills them.'
Allen had no idea what had happened at the shelter. By that time, phone networks and the internet were malfunctioning, and signals often dropped.
In fact, Saya had tried calling Allen several times, but only then had the call gone through.
....
(Hours earlier)
At the shelter, the atmosphere was tense after Allen left. Some students had begun to show hostility, though none dared provoke Hirano—not just because he was trusted by Allen, but because he'd proven to be terrifying on his own.
"I already told you it's stupid!" Imamura growled at Takashi.
Hisashi crossed his arms. "So, you're going to abandon your family?"
"Kuh, I didn't say that… but think about it!" Imamura gestured around the shelter. "This place is big, strong, and stocked with food. Why would we need to leave?!"
Takashi walked past Imamura, bumping his shoulder. "We're not asking you to come. You can stay here alone. I'm going to find my mom!"
"Tsk, you're all crazy!"
The tension between the students—especially Korokami and Imamura on one side, and Takashi and Hisashi on the other—was rising. Some refused to leave the shelter but didn't want to stay alone either, so they tried to convince others to remain. Imamura had a point; the shelter was a good place to stay. However, everyone there still had families.
They had parents, siblings, aunts, grandparents, cousins—wouldn't it be better to take advantage of having Allen on their side, a man practically capable of cutting through hordes of zombies?
This might be their only chance to see their loved ones again. With that thought, everyone hesitated. Meanwhile, Shido watched the whole situation with cold eyes.
'If I were the leader, this wouldn't be happening!' Shido clenched his teeth. 'It's all Allen Walker's fault!'
Shido's anger grew by the second. Allen had humiliated him publicly, just to build his harem and leave. Wouldn't it have been better to leave the rest of the group to him instead?
He turned his gaze toward Kawamoto and Taniuchi, then to Yuuki Miku, who was staring out the window as if waiting for someone to return. She was a peculiar girl—a beautiful gal with orange hair and amber eyes. She had a bad reputation at school, but Shido had never actually seen her flirting with any guys, so he wasn't sure if the rumors were true or just malicious gossip.
'Rumors or not, she's the most beautiful girl after that bastard's harem!' Shido licked his lips and approached Yuuki with a smile.
"Miku-san, you seem worried?"
"Shido…" Yuuki frowned. "Don't waste your breath. I know exactly what kind of bastard you are."
Shido trembled, holding back his anger. After his façade had been shattered, it was difficult to earn anyone's trust again.
"Don't worry, I know my place. I just thought you looked worried, that's all."
Yuuki scoffed and looked back out the window. "I know what you're trying. You think that just because people say I'm a slut, you can walk up to me and I'll open my legs for you with a few words."
Shido couldn't take it anymore and dropped his fake smile. "Courtesy really isn't appreciated anymore, huh? But here's some advice—give up. Whether those rumors about you are true or not, Allen Walker is surrounded by women far more beautiful than you. What chance do you think—"
Before Shido could finish, Yuuki kicked him right in the balls, knocking him to the floor.
"Ugh!"
"You're a pig, Shido!" Yuuki spat on him and turned to leave. However, she only managed a couple of steps before lowering her head. Deep down, she knew Shido was right. People saw her as a slut, and whether it was true or not, that wouldn't change.
"Was it impossible from the start?" Yuuki smiled bitterly, unaware that a pair of inhuman eyes were watching her from outside the shelter.
====
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