Chapter 176: The Battle Cry

Soon after, word spread throughout Akihabara that Ginko Nakamichi had died.

Result.

Six players remained in the area.

Yui-san, Ryuga-san, Ryugari-san, Kamata-san, "Gambler"-san... and me.

"What about the others?"

"It seems they fled from here."

"Fled?...Huh?"

"Once I became the 'King,' the subordinate relationship was dissolved. Everyone's free now."

Even so.

Just abandoning this place and leaving somewhere else... isn't that a bit heartless?

"……What about Kurokudo-san and the other allies?"

"Looks like it."

Enji gently shakes his head, looking somewhat desolate.

"Probably didn't want to tread the same path as his father. After all, our alliance was only meant to last until we broke free from the 'King's' rule."

Hmm.

That might be true, but ditching us once we're no longer useful—well, that's a bit cold...

I honestly thought someone like Kurokudo-san would stay behind.

"Such is the fear that 'King' as a job inspires."

"But..."

Being a "King" seems to be a job that only truly manifests its power when gaining experience points from subordinates, so currently, Enji-san is essentially in a state akin to a "naked king."

"But that's alright. If it means no one gets hurt..."

It does feel a bit regrettable to think that such a convenient ability can no longer be used. Then again, I can't exactly become subordinate myself, now can I?

Tricky situation, this one.

"In exchange, I've already prepared a secret underground space and built the best shelter I could possibly imagine. I'm really looking forward to showing it to you later."

Still, this chubby guy seems to be taking things in a positive direction.

I sincerely hope he becomes a good "king."

▼

Having decided to go our separate ways from Kamata-san and Ena-san for now, I'll start guiding anyone I spot, one after another.

Yugawa's prepared "evacuation site" was, remarkably, located beneath the residence of the "King."

Who would have thought they'd set up a safe house beneath the final dungeon? That person seems bolder than I expected.

While walking, lost in vague thoughts like that.

Woohoo! Senpai!

I ran into the energetic Tarou Hayashi.

Long time no see! How've you been?

that.

It's fine to say hello, but you're currently surrounded by about thirty "zombies," aren't you?

I'll help you for now.

"Wha—oh, no, it's fine, I'm used to it."

Ignore it and activate the Demon Transformation.

I'm getting somewhat used to the surge of magic.

Since I already have skills like Swordsmanship and other physical enhancement abilities activated, I shouldn’t accidentally turn the wrong target into minced meat...

I swiftly dispatch the horde of zombies entering my field of view, using delicate swordplay.

Every strike deals minimal damage.

Except for a slight cut on the head, the corpses pile up remarkably cleanly.

"Whoa, awesome! It's almost artistic! You're a zombie-slaying artist!"

"Ah, you're too kind."

I brush off Rintaro's praise (or so I assume).

"How far along is the plan?"

"I don't know! It's that old guy, Akira, giving the orders! He should be stationed near the station right now! So go ask him yourself!"

"Got it."

With that, I'll leave the cleanup of the minor zombies to Rintaro.

I dash through the autumn streets of Akihabara, where the groans of the dead echo around me.

▼

A few minutes later, perhaps.

Suddenly, a sharp jolt struck my forehead.

It felt like a bullet had pierced straight through my forehead.

"……What the hell?!"

Before me stood Oda-san.

He looked like he was the one who had just fired the shot.

"What the hell are you doing, you idiot?!"

Even my voice trembled with surprise, my accent slipping out in an uncharacteristic Kansai dialect.

"What's this? I thought you were some new kind of monster."

"Wait—confirm your target before you shoot!"

"Judging it safe. If it were an enemy, we should attack; if it's you, well, even if you're shot, you won't die anyway."

What a....

Before I could utter a word in protest,

"Anyway, the roadblock construction is going smoothly....A few people with odd abilities like you have helped out."

Looking over, I saw a pile of cars on the other side of the road.

Seems they've set up a makeshift barricade.

Who's helping out, I wonder? Probably Ryuga and Ryushou, maybe?

"Come on, go already. Leave the weaklings around here to us. You're meeting Akira, aren't you?"

"Right."

After parting from Oda, I quickly head toward Akira's location.

Then, I spot a makeshift command post in a slightly open area in front of Akihabara Station.

There, Akira and Sanae appear to be giving instructions through a walkie-talkie.

There were no security personnel on duty.

Probably, they decided that having Saena would be more than enough.

More zombies are coming in from outside than expected... I'd originally planned to make the Akihabara area our base, but this means we'll have to reduce the size of our safe zone.

Muttering to myself, I'm staring at a map of the Akihabara area.

There, the location intended to block zombie incursions with barricades was marked with a red "X."

"Please tell me the spot that's under pressure."

Upon asking, the two finally noticed me, their eyes widening slightly for a moment.

"...You're here."

"Yes."

"I heard the 'King's' dominion has vanished. Is he truly dead?"

"Yes."

"Is that so."

Aoi pointed at a spot on the map, as if confirming everything he needed to know, then said,

"Go there. That's the place currently overrun by the 'zombies' the most. Since you lured us into a death trap, you'll have to take responsibility."

"Hey now."

"Also, take this portable radio. I'll keep informing you of where to head next—go ahead and wreak havoc as much as you like."

Grateful for the precise instructions.

I use the demon's power to bounce through the sky like a grasshopper.

From the radio comes the voice:

"——Ah. There's this creepy, eyeglasses-wearing woman with something black like rock on her, and she's really unsettling, bouncing around like a grasshopper, really creepy, but she's not an enemy. She's unsettling, but she's on our side, so don't shoot her by mistake... Repeat: the creepy woman is not an enemy. Don't shoot her by mistake."

That was the voice of Akira.

...Lately, isn't the hostility toward my appearance kind of intense?

▼

After that, I turned into nothing but a machine, hacking through zombies one after another.

How many zombies did I kill that day...?

I'd counted past three thousand, but then stopped.

As the sun set,

and the world turned orange.

—You all did great!

Hayana, over the radio, forgot her usual line and said:

——The barricades are complete! The "zombies" that broke in have been mostly eradicated!...Not perfect yet, but... Akihabara has become our town!

At the same time,

Shouts of triumph echoed from all around the city.

It looked like a scene that would be remembered in human history...

After all, as far as we knew, this was the first time we'd ever engaged in such a large-scale collective battle against zombies.

True, we'd only managed to reclaim a few kilometers of the city, but...

To us, it still felt like a monumental step forward.

▼

For about two full days afterward, we devoted ourselves to clearing out the zombies within the barricade.

Finally, the long-awaited announcement flowed into the minds of every player present.

Congratulations! The safety of the Akihabara Station area has been secured!

Congratulations! You have received bonus experience points!

Congratulations! Your level has increased!

Congratulations………….