Chapter 32: Midnight Snack Time
Late at night, past midnight.
Akagake High School is wrapped in silence.
Even lighting a candle felt too risky.
No one had explicitly said so.
It was simply because “zombies” were drawn to light and sound.
Therefore, as living beings, we had to hold our breath.
To avoid catching the eye of those shuffling corpses, even for a moment.
A sudden rustle.
After sleeping for a few hours, I woke up exactly on schedule, as if timed to the minute.
"…………"
Without uttering a single word or making any unnecessary noise,
I quietly picked up my sword and flashlight, then left the classroom.
I passed through the hallway, silent as a breath, descended the stairs, and climbed over the barricade.
Gently opening a first-floor window, I stepped outside, followed the wall along the building, and made my way to the main gate.
I didn’t cross the sports field to avoid being seen by the lookout on the rooftop—Tanakacchi, who was keeping watch.
Arriving at the main gate, I climbed the iron gate without hesitation using the ladder and stepped onto the road.
There was no sign of a “zombie.”
I walked cautiously along the road.
A full moon hung high above my head.
The road, paved and illuminated by moonlight, seemed easy to walk on.
Along the way,
"Oh... oh my god..."
A "zombie" standing still with a melancholy air was discovered.
Since it's such a nice opportunity, let's do a little experiment.
I hold my breath and approach the "zombie."
Lily, Lily Lily.
'……………………………V…?'
As expected.
Zombies seem to have worse night vision compared to humans.
However, they become more sensitive to light and sound as a result.
As long as I don't turn on the light or make noise, I shouldn't have to worry much about being attacked...
『VAARRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!』
Uwah.
Did I get too bold and get too close?
Yeah, getting within five meters is definitely too close.
I quickly put some distance between myself and that "zombie."
Then,
"——《Fire Magic III》"
I cast the newly learned spell (name not yet set).
But,
"Yeeh... yeeh...?...Wait?"
Nothing's happening...?
I figured that since Fire Magic II, Fireball, had quite a bit of power, Fire Magic III must be some flashy spell. But I'm left utterly disappointed.
"Hm? Hnnn?"
No. Actually, something was happening—just not clearly visible.
In the darkness, it looked like some mysterious liquid was shooting out from the tips of my index and middle fingers.
What is this? Are you telling me I just summoned a magical sweat or something?
Could it be I accidentally picked up《Water Magic I》by mistake? No, no. But I did just say《Fire Magic III》，didn't I?
I don't get it, but I'll hold off on figuring it out for now.
Reluctantly, I switch to my next move.
"——Fireball"
At the same time, a blazing fireball erupts from my palm.
"Gotcha!"
I hurl the fireball at the zombie shuffling toward me.
The flames spread slowly across his clothes.
『Ooh... ogo, oooohhh...』
The zombie flinches for just a moment, but his advance doesn't stop.
Hmm.
As expected.
I guess a Fireball spell really isn't enough to take down these things.
"Thank you so much—my gratitude is pouring down like a torrential rain!"
I muttered to myself and severed the top half of the "zombie's" head.
Looking at it now, the sword my grandfather left me really was an incredibly powerful weapon.
Having finished the experiment, I hurried forward.
I didn’t come all this way just to test out magic.
It’s only a ten-minute walk from school.
There, there’s a supermarket chain known as “Captain.”
“…………huhuhu”
I stood before the building, wearing a creepy smile one would never see on a shoujo manga heroine.
‘VooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…’
Around the building, a dozen or so “zombies” stood in place.
Once, “Captain” had drawn in a great number of “zombies,” but now the craze has long passed. Their numbers have dwindled considerably.
I could take them on one by one, but I decided to try a different approach.
"――Fireball"
I conjured a fireball in the palm of my hand.
Then I hurled it toward the day after tomorrow.
"Oooooooh……"
"Kooooooh……"
"Oooooooh……"
A few of the "zombies" left Captain's side, drawn by the light.
Following them, the rest of the "zombies" disappeared as well.
Only one "zombie" remained.
Must be the kind that doesn't understand the atmosphere.
I sneak up behind that "zombie" and finish it silently.
Now there are no more "zombies" before "Captain."
I step through the half-open automatic door and close it behind me, just to be safe. It was a bit tricky since the power was off.
Looking back and scanning the store, there were five or six more "zombies" that had somehow slipped in.
"Get out of my way."
Sorry for the crude language.
But I was already nearing my limit.
What kind of limit?
Of course,
—gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle.
...Ah, my stomach answered on its own.
That's right.
Since last night, I'd been suffering from a hunger so intense it was threatening to make me lose my mind.
Of course, I get a normal school meal like everyone else. In fact, thanks to Rika-chan's careful management of the food supplies, I even receive more than the average student.
But.
That's not enough. Not even a bit.
I know it's insane to plunge into a deadly situation just to endure the unbearable.
I still hope you can understand.
Throughout history, humanity has continued to fight in order to avoid starvation.
その時の私は、原始の時代に立ち返っていたのです。
それでも、学校の食料庫を襲わなかった点に文明人の片鱗を見ていただきたい。
「うふ。うふふふふ。うっふっふっふっふ……」
笑うという行為は本来攻撃的なものであり 獣が牙をむく行為が原点だそうですが。
『うぉおおおおおおおおおおおおっ……』
数匹の“ゾンビ”が、自分たちの縄張りに現れた闖入者に気が付きます。
I slowly raised my sword.
Of course, to completely eradicate the demons who had sneaked into paradise.
"Mu-zan, mu-zan♪"
Singing in a delicate, shivering voice that even I found eerie.
The massacre began.