"What was… that just now?"
Seeing Yukino unharmed, Aiden's taut body finally uncoiled.
Thinking back to that shot,
it felt like something beyond him had taken the reins—everything under perfect control.
A kind of "flow" state.
In that state, time seemed to vanish and his potential spiked.
He tried to call it back, but it was like grasping fog—gone when chased.
"What is this… don't tell me it's the prelude to some gene lock awakening?"
On the other side,
as Yukino instinctively bent to pick up the scroll,
a system prompt flashed.
…
[Item Acquired: Arc Lightning Arrow Scroll]
[Type]: One-time learning scroll
[Rarity]: Common
[Effect]: Allows the player to learn the magic Arc Lightning Arrow.
[Notes]: Typical entry requires 1–3 days; basic mastery around 7 days.
[Magic — Arc Lightning Arrow]: Channel mana; open your palm; aim straight ahead; consume ~50% Stamina and 30% MP to fire a lightning-charged arrow that deals magic damage.
[Additional]: Chance to inflict Paralysis and Scorch.
…
No time to study it, though.
Aiden's gunshot had pulled every zombie on the top floor.
A dense, black surge, like a scene ripped from a zombie flick, came roaring in.
"Don't forget how I taught you—safety off, then shoot!"
For someone who'd never handled a firearm, a real gun didn't magically mean stable shooting.
Panic flickered across Yukino's delicate face
as the horde howled and pressed like a black tide.
She fumbled out her Beretta M9, flipped the safety, and started firing.
She didn't know guns—but she was sharp.
She'd watched Aiden pick his kit and mirrored him, choosing the same sidearm.
Bang bang bang!!!
Gunfire rolled without pause.
Aiden's expression stayed flinty as he shouldered the AK-105 and opened up.
In this situation, neither the Colt Python nor the Beretta beat a rifle.
Under crushing fire, nothing got close before dropping.
Ten minutes later,
it was over.
The corridor
was carpeted with mangled bodies.
Limbs and filth splattered everywhere,
ceilings, floor, and walls painted in a reeking, abstract massacre.
Even Aiden felt his stomach pitch.
"—hurk…"
Behind him came Yukino's retching.
He popped the AK-105's magazine—one round left.
He remembered his platoon leader's lesson: never run your mag dry. A full mag never does you wrong.
Sometimes a standoff comes down to the last round.
Clack.
Fresh rounds seated.
He turned and looked at the girl, pale and braced against the wall. "Better?"
"…Mm."
Yukino considered herself brave—
certainly braver than those who refused to leave the classroom—
but the scene had slammed her mind and body hard.
"Deep breaths. Picture something that makes you happy."
Aiden stood by, quiet.
Gradually her breathing evened out.
"Thank you." Yukino patted her chest, gratitude glinting in her eyes.
Aiden knew the thanks covered the present—and the shot that had saved her.
He nodded, about to enter the principal's office—
when Yukino offered a snowy-white hand.
Resting on her palm: the light-brown oiled scroll.
"For you. It dropped off that zombie. Looks special."
He really hadn't noticed.
He'd been all target, no loot.
He took the scroll; the coarse paper rasped his fingers, pale blue lightning sigils curling across its skin.
The system prompt popped in his view.
Two seconds of thought, then he met Yukino's eyes. "Good work."
Yukino blinked, then nodded like it was only natural. "Of course I'm excellent."
She never faked humility.
Since she was little, she'd been a beautiful, brilliant girl—top results in study and everything else—
and for it, isolated and envied, her own nature leaving her with few friends.
In that moment,
something subtle shifted between them—
the first thread of trust woven into a partnership born only of survival.
The principal's door was locked.
Aiden levered twice with the kukri—click—and the core gave.
Inside was tidier than expected.
In a corner, an unopened 12-liter jug of mineral water.
Beside it, a towering snack cabinet stuffed with classic American junk food.
A thick cashmere rug sprawled in the center,
and a broad, imposing desk set atop it.
Judging by the setup, this principal spent long hours here—paperwork and afternoon tea both.
"I'll pack the food!"
Yukino volunteered, a rare spark of excitement on her face.
Risking their lives this long had finally paid—
supplies.
Rationed right, it looked like a week's worth for two.
(Counting the classroom? Twenty mouths would burn it in a day.)
With Yukino packing, Aiden had a free hand.
Opposite the desk stood a lavish rosewood bookcase,
crammed with titles that ate a third of the room.
Mostly education texts—
fitting for an educator.
His fingertips slid along the spines and stopped at Educational Psychology.
Thicker than the rest, edge worn as if often read.
He tugged—
click—
the case shifted, revealing a hidden compartment.
Inside the dark niche sat three items:
a deep-blue glass tube,
a neat label reading Stamina Potion on its side,
a matte-black grenade launcher,
and six gleaming metal grenades.
(End of Chapter)
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