Chapter 177: The Dog Bite Decision

"Hey... you."

A voice calling out.

Turning around, and then... holding my breath.

Because I recognized that face.

"Man, you look awful. Did you get hurt?"

"Yeah, well... sort of..."

"Please tell me you weren't bitten by a 'zombie'?"

"N-no, that's not it. I just... tripped and fell..."

"Still, just make sure you tell me if you ever get bitten by a 'zombie.' If it's too late, it won't just be your problem, you know?"

"I understand."

Sweating inside, I turn away without a word.

Apparently, he didn't notice. Good thing I'd wrapped my face tightly in bandages just in case.

(Anyway, I need to get out of here as soon as possible.)

Just as I was thinking that,

"Hey."

Once again, I'm stopped by the same voice.

"If you're injured, go ahead and ask the 'senpai'... or, better yet, the 'Goddess.' She can heal you instantly with her magical power."

"...Got it."

"Just so you know, this isn't a joke. Are you serious? Magic really does exist in this world, you know? You're scared, right?"

"...Yes."

Speaking in a barely audible voice, he quickly left Lin Taro's (who had introduced himself by that name earlier) side.

(...Well, well.)

It seemed I'd managed to avoid detection after all.

So this place really is dangerous to linger in, huh.

I, Rengi Inugami, quickly made my way through the streets of Akihabara.

▼

In a room inside a derelict building several kilometers away.

"How was it, do you think?"

"Hardly any 'how' about it."

As I unwrapped the bandages, I said to my friend Kou—Kotani Kōichi.

"Could really be a 'paradise.' Even if the big boss is shady, it's still a great place."

"Hmm..."

It was true.

Especially the underground shelter where the locals lived—it was incredible.

It had taken on the air of a small hotel.

In that space, what we once called "civilization" was undeniably alive.

Plenty of water for all the refugees, and shower rooms.

Beds for everyone.

Stockpiles of food sufficient to sustain thousands of people for a year.

Even movies were shown at a dedicated theater at a fixed time each night.

Although this place had only been liberated for about a week, organized efforts by the refugees to improve their living conditions were already evident.

"Amazing... already to this extent."

"Yeah. Rumor has it these folks plan to strip the asphalt from the roads around here and go self-sufficient within half a year at the latest."

"Then... it seems Oota's information wasn't wrong after all."

"Looks like it."

Unable to contain themselves any longer, Hideo and Akari eagerly ask in unison.

"Akira! Akira—where's Akira? He was here, right?"

"Yeah... he was here."

One of the children they had been traveling with—Akira.

In truth, the only reason they were here at all was a thread-thin lead: a rumor they’d seen his figure somewhere in Akihabara.

"Akira… honestly, seems to be doing pretty well."

"Doing well…?"

"Yeah. There’s this guy over there called the 'King,' who’s been taking in orphans one by one. Akira’s taken his surname now—he’s known as Nakamichi Akira."

"Is that so..."

"I double-checked with him personally. He said, 'Everyone should come here as soon as possible.' He doesn't seem interested in going back."

With that, a subtle tension settled between us.

The leader, Hideo,

the sarcastic Akira,

the lone girl, Akari.

Now that we're here, the once-close trio is being forced to make a decision that will split them apart.

"To be honest, I think Hideo and Akari should stay behind in Akihabara."

I said those words with a heart wrenching pain inside.

"...What do we do?"

Hideo, Akari, and Kou remained silent, their expressions stiff.

Logically, there was only one course of action.

To join the Akihabara community.

But...

"...We can't take Dogbite-nii-chan with us, can we?"

"Yeah... I guess not."

I had just solidified my resolve on that decision.

"I have a mission I must fulfill. I can't afford to rest yet."

Then, the three of them spoke in unison.

"Then I'm coming too."

"Me too."

"Of course, I shall accompany you as well."

I looked away,

"……………………………………………………I see."

Honestly, their words made me happy.

Night.

The feel of the "zombie" I'd personally killed still lingered in my hands.

Their enraged groans were simply too terrifying to bear.

There are times when I suddenly feel like crying out like a baby.

At moments like those, how reassuring it is to have companions you can touch and hold.

Honestly, I no longer had the confidence to survive on my own.

"Yeah. Thank you."

I don't know if that choice was right.

But for me, it was salvation.

▼

On the rooftop of a dark building.

In that place, where the wind occasionally carried the groans of the "zombies."

I put on the hero's helmet all by myself.

In an instant, silver armor covered my entire body, and a crimson cloak billowed in the night sky.

— Hmm.

The voice coming from the helmet sounded listless.

"What's wrong?"

— Ah, well... I was just thinking I kinda messed up with that dog bite thing.

"What?"

— Honestly, maybe I should've stayed in Akihabara instead?

I let out a wry smile.

"What are you going on about now?"

— To reiterate, though... I'm not forcing anything, okay?

"You idiot. I still haven't repaid you, haven't I?"

— Hmm, hmm, hmm.

What's with the 'hmm, hmm, hmm'?

— But honestly, it's an obvious choice, isn't it? I mean, if it weren't for me, that dog bite would've killed me a hundred times over by now.

"Shut up."

But still, he's better off keeping it light like this.

"So, what now? Where do we go from here?"

"Yeah, I guess. Keeping up the level grind... that's getting kind of boring.

After a brief pause, Hikone said,

"Yeah. I think it's about time we start doing something else.

Oh.

Finally, a job other than just wandering around hunting enemy lifeforms.

First, let's head toward Chiba....There, we'll have you fight a certain villain.

"A villain?"

—That "Undead Summoner" job type, you know. If we eliminate them, the zombies' movements should be suppressed.

"I see."

So the next enemy is basically a player who can resurrect the dead.

—But before that... Let's make a small detour.

"A detour?"

—Yes. There's a certain woman who's scheduled to do us a favor.

Hm.

--Although we've made the dog bite endure so much hardship, perhaps we can let it have a little happiness if we go there.

Is that so.

"Then I'll expect it just enough to still be surprised."

At that moment, the sound of gunpowder exploding a few times echoed through the air.

Turning my gaze, I saw the dark night city illuminated by colorful lights.

--They're setting off fireworks again tonight. How beautiful.

Lately, it's always been like this. Like some theme park, suddenly lighting up fireworks at the same time every day.

Seems like they're desperate to make everyone believe, "This place is safe."

"…………Hmph."

I tossed my cloak sharply and turned my back on it.

I knew our battlefield wasn't here.

Let them bask in their victory's afterglow.

I, on the other hand, will save the world.