Part 51: The Pace of the Story...

Exchanged farewell words with Asuka.

After leaving "Masakaoka High School," I hurried straight toward Kodama.

...

You know what I mean?

………

……………………

…………………………

"Ah, senior. Welcome back!"

The gatekeeper, Asuka, waves her hands back and forth rapidly.

A careless ease, as if we hadn't just said goodbye an hour ago.

Well, uh... there was someone in trouble, so I brought them along.

"Hey, welcome back!"

The main gate swings wide open.

Following behind me, four families embraced each other tightly as they stepped into "Sakagahara High School."

"Thank you! You're such a kind and strong girl!"

"Oh, you're too kind~"

I flash them my brightest smile and wave goodbye.

They were all people who had been trapped in their homes, waiting to be rescued.

Holding out at home provides temporary safety, but that safety doesn't last long.

When escape routes are limited, if the house becomes surrounded by a horde of zombies, you'll be completely trapped.

That’s different if you’re living in an enormous mansion, though.

Having effortlessly wiped out the zombies with no real need for detailed description, I couldn't just leave them behind calling for help, so I ended up turning back to escort them to the safe zone—“Sakagura High School.”

—Congratulations! Your level has increased!

Not only did my level rise, but it was a double win as well.

"Thank you...! Thank you!"

With their words of gratitude behind them, I gathered my spirits and set off anew.

This time for sure, I’d find the way to Tachikawa...

A few minutes later.

"Y-you there! P-please, h-help meee!"

A group of about eight people, barricaded inside a small supermarket, had just begun screaming.

"………………"

*Zap! Zap! Zap!*

"Th-thanks... I'm saved..."

There's a safe spot a little further ahead.

"R-really? Please, take me there!"

Yes, of course.

And once again, a complete reversal.

"Oh my, not again?"

Asuka, even she was clearly showing a look of disbelief.

"Hi there, welcome back!"

— Congratulations! Your level has increased!

Yay!

Now then, this time for sure! Let's go!

"W-wait! Somebody help me!"

……Huh?

I just realized, but it seems quite a few people actually managed to survive after all.

This time, my house is surrounded by around twenty "zombies."

Facing that number, I advance without hesitation (omitted for brevity) and successfully rescue them.

However, when it comes specifically to zombies, the combination of and is incredibly powerful.

Even without any enchantments, I can take down zombies with ease, almost like I'm singing a tune while doing it.

Moreover, since I can dispatch zombies with minimal strikes, it's also good for my mental well-being—bonus added.

After all, zombies are corpses of humans, even if they're zombies. I don't really like making them look too gruesome; it's unsettling. Plus, their blood tends to splatter all over my clothes.

According to Kyoukou-san, some of the "zombies" seem to have grown stronger, but for now, they feel pretty much the same as before. At first, I was cautious, but it might have been unnecessary.

"A-ah, to take down a whole swarm like that in an instant! S-super impressive!"

"Ah, forget that kind of thing—please come to the 'Sakagahara High School' just a short distance from here. It's safe."

"Eh? Uh, y-yeah..."

Congratulations! Your level has increased!

"Phew..."

Just to summarize what's happened so far, from this morning onward:

Departed school → Found someone in need → Helped them → Returned to school in a flash → Departed again → Found someone in need → Helped them → Returned to school in a flash → Departed again → Found someone in need → Helped them → Returned to school in a flash ← Right here, right now

Seriously.

I'm in the middle of embarking on a brand-new adventure, and this is what I'm doing?

I'd like you to consider the pacing of the story.

"How about staying here for the night?"

Declining Asuka’s proposal with a smirk, the third departure begins.

I decided, come what may, to push forward no matter what.

Fortunate, or maybe I should say, well, you know...

After the third attempt, it seems we might finally be making steady progress.

Perhaps many people have survived in this area as well, but under the current circumstances, we can't go door to door calling out to them.

Let's limit rescues to only those currently facing immediate danger.

While fending off the "zombies" blocking our path, we continued walking for four hours.

It's about halfway through the entire journey.

In the twilight-drenched town, we decided to call it a day for today's journey.

A newly built, impressive station came into view, and I stopped in my tracks.

The station's name read, "Egota."

I recall it being a place known for a famous arts university—I saw it on Ado-Street Heaven.

Crossing my arms, I began evaluating the essentials for tonight's sleeping spot.

First, a bed.

Then, food.

Ideally, manga.

And perhaps some heating equipment.

And speaking of it, a bath.

Even for just one night, I won't settle for anything less.

After all, by this time tomorrow, I might be dead.