Episode 116: The Next Destination and Concerns

Leading the way while pushing Kōichi in his wheelchair, I steadily made my way through the station.

The members of this group were staring at us as if we were some strange sight.

"What the hell is that guy...? A cosplay?"

"Doing something like that in a situation like this... Seriously messed up..."

"But he's got weapons."

"Fake, probably. Something you'd find at Akihabara."

"J-Just don't make eye contact..."

Still, getting all the attention isn't something you get used to, is it.

"Whoa! It's the Rider! He's back!?!"

From among them, three kids burst out.

"Hello there, my fine three. I'm thinking of setting off from here now—what say you?"

"Yeah!""We did it!""Let's go, let's go~"

Seeing everyone follow without hesitation, the claim that they're attached to me isn't entirely exaggerated.

"Then, let's be off."

Without stopping, we head toward the Marunouchi Line platform.

"By the way, about the dog bite... What should we do about the food for the journey?"

Oh right, my backpack was stolen. Along with my trusted Nintendo DS.

It would be best if we could recover just the DS...

Oh well.

I was just starting to feel like I wanted a 3DS.

If we make it to the next station, there should still be unspoiled supplies left.

"...So we're not taking anything from here?"

"Yeah."

Honestly, I didn't want to hurt anyone else, nor get involved any further.

Even just a little while ago, after I'd knocked out two of them, I realized it.

There's really no comparing zombies to humans.

I think if I killed a human, I'd have nightmares that night.

I'd rather not have to deal with that.

I want to push everything that happened here into oblivion.

Including the incident with urinating, of course.

"That's the spirit, Dog Bite-sama!"

Eikichi looked at me with a somewhat satisfied expression.

Then, raising his voice proudly toward the group members,

"Everyone! If anyone among you wishes to join us, we welcome you gladly!"

This guy, who should've just stayed quiet, shouted loudly at the others in the group.

But no one responded.

"...Hmm. Strange. I thought everyone would gather together. Whoa..."

"Who'd trust their life to some weird cosplay guy, anyway?"

I said with a dry laugh,

"Wait."

A sharp voice stopped us in our tracks.

Turning around, I saw the group leader, Barcode Baldy.

"What is it?"

"Kotani-kun, are you serious?... You're saying you'd entrust your life to that odd man, not me?"

"Yeah, well..."

"Why? What's wrong with that? We've managed just fine so far, haven't we?"

"That was only your belief, Mr. Kida."

"If we wait another month... no, perhaps two months, help is bound to come. We should just stay here until then."

"...Mr. Kida. I fear help will never come. We must strive to survive on our own strength alone."

"But..."

Perhaps my words as a mere youth aren't worth listening to, but pushing unpleasant things out of sight won't help. You'll only end up paying a painful price for it eventually.

"You don't understand. This group—well, we're still able to live with some sense of culture. I know. There are other groups where things have become far worse."

Koichi narrowed his eyes, looking away from the barcode-haired man.

"Even so, we choose the path of traversing the wilderness—"

He thought it was a surprisingly slick parting line for a man who otherwise always came off as dull.

▼

During the journey, the "story" Koichi had shared about this group was simple.

In short, they had needed to draw a line between "companions" and "those who weren't."

Being deemed "not a proper being" meant such individuals were denied human rights.

And the first such "not a proper being" was none other than me.

Honestly, even I have to admit that was a rather unfortunate situation.

"So, did you... actually try the tasting?"

Koichi weakly shook his head side to side, his expression timid.

"No, I didn't. I wasn't allowed to partake in the tasting." The privilege of sampling was reserved only for those who had taken on heavier responsibilities, perhaps in an effort to strengthen the bonds among comrades."

"I see. I was actually wondering what it tasted like. Is it really similar to wild boar? Honestly, I've never even eaten wild boar myself."

"...That joke is frankly too distasteful, even for you."

"Is that so? I figured anything's fair game if it's an experience."

I deliberately acted smug and said that.

If Koichi had actually eaten it and was still lying about it...

Then perhaps saying something like that would ease his mind a little.

But judging by his tone, it seems he truly wasn't involved in the cannibalism.

Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, unnoticed by anyone.

Then I quickened my pace slightly.

"What's wrong...?"

"Wait a moment."

I had to take down the five or so "zombies" blocking my path.

"National Diet Building Station" was drawing near.

Indeed, the area around the station was teeming with "zombies."

Dispatching the five swiftly, I confirmed the path ahead with my enhanced vision.

The number was... not much different from when we were at "Akasaka-mitsuke Station."

About dozens of them, perhaps.

"I'll go take care of some exercise. Once I'm done, it'll be lunchtime—your long-awaited break."

"Indeed. I'm counting on you."

"By the way, where do you think we should head next?"

I intended to leave the navigation to Kyoichi.

After spending the past few months in seclusion, I wasn't quite sure how things had changed around here.

"There is one route I'd like to propose... After continuing straight to Ikebukuro, perhaps we should head toward Kagakyo from there."

"Kagakyo?"

"Hmm. According to rumors, there's an ideal haven there."

"An ideal haven, huh?"

"They say there's a solid barricade and ample supplies, and everyone there lives happily—making Gunpla, playing trading card games, and enjoying themselves."

What's that supposed to be? Lying through your teeth.

"Though the path is extremely dangerous and nearly impossible for ordinary people to reach, it shouldn't be impossible if you have Dog Bite's strength."

"Alright then. Let's do it."

▼

After clearing out most of the zombies at the "National Diet Building Front Station," we decided to eat a meal using snack foods we found in the station's convenience store.

"Can I eat as much as I want? Seriously, seriously? Awesome!"

Children giggling uncontrollably, surrounded by zombie corpses.

The homeless-looking old man remained unconscious, but thanks to the medicine’s effect, his complexion had noticeably improved.

—Hey, can I get your attention for a second?

At that moment, Hikone called out to her.

“What is it?”

—There’s something I’d like you to keep in mind as we continue forward.

Mouthful of the delicious chocolate confection, "Kinako no Yama" (the "Takokake no Sato" faction is its eternal rival),

"Keep going?"

—We're heading toward Ikebukuro, right like this.

"Anything wrong with that?"

—Yeah. There's someone I'd rather not encounter, to be honest...

"You mentioned something earlier about 'players,' right? You mean that guy?"

—That's right....To be honest, I'm not the only one who can use strange powers.

"I kind of sensed that from the flow of the conversation..."

—— It's helpful that you understand so quickly. Anyway, there are plenty of opponents ahead of you that you wouldn't stand a chance against at your current level. There are a few "players" who might help us, but generally, it's safer to assume most "players" are enemies.

"Ah. So there are a few allies, after all."

There is one. I don't know why, but there's someone who's always helping us—a guy with the job "Dark Knight."

A Dark Knight, huh.

He’ll probably spend one-eighth of his maximum HP to attack all enemies at once.

That's why, unless it's the "Dark Knight," anything that acts weird—like using strange magic or becoming ridiculously strong, beyond human limits—should basically be considered an enemy. If you run into something like that, just take off your helmet and pretend to be a regular person. Remember that.

"Got it... but why do you hate you so much?"

"I don't know. I just woke up one day and found myself surrounded on all sides."

"Really have no idea at all?"

I don't know, but it feels like someone's pulling the strings behind the scenes.

"Who?"

Probably a woman named Renkai Hibana.

She shoved the last piece of "Kinakono-yama" into her mouth,

"A cute name, isn't it? Pretty? A beauty?"

"So what if she's beautiful?"

"The rule that pretty girls become allies, not enemies."

Even if you stand face to face with her and still say the same thing, you'd have some real guts. That girl's a real monster—her abilities, her personality, both are terrifying.

"Hmm."

The tone in Hikone's voice was unusually heavy.

That woman, Hakuha or whatever her name was, must've really scared her.

Perhaps sensing my thoughts,

"Well, as long as you're careful, you'll be fine. Cheer up, now!"

Trying to regain her spirits, 光音 spoke with a bright, energetic voice.

"That's right. After all, I'm the most energetic dead person in the world."

——Well, sure!

Though the future was uncertain, I remained optimistic.

No matter what terrible things might happen from now on,

as long as I had my companions and the power of the "Hero," we'd somehow get through it.

That's what I believed.