That 22: Buddha in Hell?

The pain lasted only an instant.

Next came a physiological revulsion, as if every inch of my body had been thoroughly licked.

I once encountered a pervert on a train.

The feeling now was like that nausea amplified by a hundredfold.

"——Gah!"

Fueled by hatred and despair, I felt as though I were on the verge of losing my mind.

I reflexively kicked the "zombie" away.

At the same time, the usual grand fanfare sounded.

— Congratulations! Achievement "Sacrifice" unlocked!

— Congratulations! Achievement "Disease Leading to Death" unlocked!

Not exactly something to celebrate.

— Choose your reward for achievement "Sacrifice."

"Shut up! Later! I don't care right now!"

I realized I was shouting.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

I ran off. My legs ache, but I can't just collapse here like this.

Ah, no, no. I don't want to die. I should've just stopped this from the start.

What kind of savior am I? In the end, I can't even protect myself, can I?

Please forgive my complaints.

Even I, known for my positive thinking, sometimes feel my spirit about to break.

Even as I dragged my feet, I kept running, and as I ran, I twisted the cap of the "Dokukeshi" I'd kept in my pocket.

Then I downed it in one gulp.

Damn.

Don't know why, but this thing is insanely good. Strawberry flavor.

I tossed the empty bottle aside.

Quickly checked the wound on my calf.

It’s pretty deep—got bit hard. I’d never want to see it again after seeing it once.

Stepping through the arched sign reading "Sakagahara Shopping District," I entered the shopping street.

I realized I’d have to change my original plan the moment I arrived here.

The bleeding was severe.

Honestly, it seemed unlikely I could escape the "zombie" at this rate.

I definitely needed to rest somewhere.

According to the skill description for "Natural Healing (Medium)," minor injuries would fully heal within a day.

Anyway, if I rest somewhere, I should be able to run again.

Somewhere... anywhere. A place to hide, somewhere I can escape the zombie pursuit.

...And then.

"Over here! Come over here!"

An elderly man several meters ahead is waving from a drugstore.

I recognized him. I sometimes shop at this neighborhood drugstore because sweets are cheaper than at the supermarket. He was the store manager.

We've never spoken before, but still, recognizing a familiar face is a relief.

"Hurry! Come on!"

Ah, this is what they mean by "a Buddha in hell."

Clutching my aching leg, I slide into the drugstore.

As soon as I stepped inside, the shopkeeper slammed the shutter shut with a clatter.

"Good, that's settled."

I collapsed right there, gasping to catch my breath.

"Th-thank goodness..."

"Yeah, yeah, you're safe now."

As he spoke, the man loosened his belt with a clatter.

"Uh, could I borrow some bandages for now?"

It was truly lucky that my escape led me to a pharmacy.

Fortunately, it seemed to have an abundance of bandages.

...Huh?

I almost missed it for a second—why did the man loosen his belt?

I mean, he looks like he's about to take off his pants, too.

...Wait?

"You got bitten, didn't you?"

"...ahh"

"Since you're not gonna survive anyway...right? You know, don't you? Right?"

I tilt my head.

"Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean..."

*Thud.*

I'll refrain from describing what suddenly flew out in front of me at that moment.

"...Huh? Aah?"

I genuinely couldn't believe my eyes.

"It'll be over soon...right?"

No way, man, you're kidding me wwww

Raped the moment we met wwww

No way, this is too much wwww

The old man lunged at me.

Even I, who usually pride myself on quick reflexes, couldn't keep up with this sudden escape from danger turning into an erotic manga scenario.

With a speed that surprised even me, I leapt back, creating some distance between us.

"It's okay... it's gonna be fine..."

Oh my. The old man—clearly not in his right mind.

I hadn't noticed until now, but he was gripping a knife in his hand.

"You can stab him once... it's fine..."

For some reason, I felt a pang of sadness.

We'd crossed paths a few times before, and he wasn't really a bad man.

If the world hadn't turned out this way, he might never have done anything wrong his whole life.

I drove the blade straight into his heart, though his focus was barely there at all.

"Gubu…!"

The old man's jersey turned a dark, filthy black from the blood spurting from his mouth.

Without resistance, barely even struggling, he breathed his last.

Upon closer inspection, there was a bite mark on his upper arm—clearly inflicted by a zombie.

Then came the familiar fanfare.

And,

—Congratulations! Your level has increased!

Another fanfare.

—Congratulations! Achievement "Murderer" unlocked!

That's it.

Nothing about this

is worth celebrating.