Chapter 56: Travel Companions

As I spent time with Saya-chan, I realized it was already past noon.

Looks like I'm definitely going to need to stay overnight somewhere.

Still, I have to keep moving forward no matter what.

I quickly left the craft shop, a little flustered.

In the course of this one night, I'll quickly take care of the "zombies" gathering near the entrances and exits, then press on ahead.

"Fuhn foon, fufu foon♪"

I suddenly turned toward the source of the humming and saw Ayano-chan.

"Ah, are you planning to come along?"

Ayano-chan shook her head.

"Hmm? I'm just going the same way, that's all?"

"By the way, where are you headed?"

"Not anywhere in particular."

Not going anywhere?

Well, I was actually glad to have someone to talk to along the way, so it's not a problem.

We can even exchange information with each other.

Then, as we cleared out the horde of "zombies" one by one, we began walking along the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.

Since trains aren’t coming, it’s fine to walk along the tracks. There’s just one path—no risk of getting lost, so it’s easy and relaxed.

"……Ah."

Saya suddenly cries out after kicking aside a group of "zombies."

"I just leveled up. …Hmm, which skill should I take? Second one? No, maybe the third one’s better…♪"

It's kind of surreal, looking at it from the outside.

"Are you not taking the 'Hunger Resistance (Strong)' skill?"

"Hmm... actually, I think I'll go with that one."

"If you don't want to die from magic exhaustion..."

"Yeah, that's true... Alright! I'm a girl who learns from failure! Let's go with Hunger Resistance!"

It felt strange.

Talking with someone other than me about this peculiar power.

I guess it's only natural we're starting to feel like a team.

Something I've never been able to share with anyone before.

Seems like they feel the same way.

"Hey, hey! Did you see the 'zombie' I just knocked down!? That pose was insane!"

Before I knew it, I'd grown close to Ayano.

Though I do get the feeling this kid has some serious ethical issues.

Still, it's not entirely unwelcome to have someone I can count on. Yes.

▼

After walking along the tracks for about an hour.

"Hey, Nee-chan. Can we stop by Nerima for a bit?"

Saya suddenly says something like that.

"Sure, but why?"

"There's that woman who called you a villain—she's hiding at my place."

"My place?"

"I mean, it's not really a home. It's a supermarket, actually. Right under the railway overpass."

"Hmm... I imagine that person is already gone."

"Hmm. But still, you know. Besides, maybe the person I helped before has come back."

"I see."

I have a general understanding of what happened to Ayaka-chan.

It's said that there was a traitor among the people I rescued.

She seemed indifferent, but she must be deeply hurt inside... probably.

However, the refugees from "Sakagahara High" were all reasonable and very helpful.

Perhaps the place was relatively comfortable for her, too.

In high-stress environments, people can do anything unpredictable.

After getting off at Nerima Station, I peeked into the supermarket that Aina-chan had used as her base.

As expected, there was no one left inside.

"……………"

Aina-chan looked at the empty store, her expression like someone who had just swallowed bitter medicine.

I gently patted her head,

"It's okay. There must be people who survived somewhere."

I said, trying to comfort her.

"……mhm."

"Then, shall we go?"

Just as I said that,

a sudden tremor shook the area, and dust began to fall from the ceiling in clumps.

"Hm?"

"What's going on?"

We both tilted our heads in confusion.

When we stepped outside, a deafening cry echoed through the surroundings.

"Ani-chan, look! It's that thing!"

Saya's expression turned to shock.

What stood before us.

It was a giant tiger-like "monster," roughly the height of a second-floor building.

'——Gurrr! Grrrrrrrrr!'

...Huh?

After pigs, now a tiger?

Can't we have a bit more of a gradual progression?

It felt just like when we barely defeated the slime beast, only to immediately encounter a killer panther as our next opponent.

Not to mention, it's huge!

It's way too big!

Its head alone is as tall as my height!

『Grrrrr……』

The tiger-like "monster" glares at us with eyes so sharp it sends chills down our spines.

Just like a frog being stared down by a snake.

"Ne, nee-chan..."

"Ayaha-chan..."

We lock eyes, trembling.

"Let's run for our lives—eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

We bolt away like startled rabbits.

"GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

The tiger "monster" leaps forward, smashing through buildings with reckless abandon.

What's its goal?

Clearly, to snap us up like snack food—no hesitation, no mercy.

"Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Aaaaaah!"

"Impossible! Impossible! I can't do this! No, no, no, no!"

The escape sequence begins.