Episode 333: No more room in hell.

Shouting, "Sorry! I'm late—I had to use the bathroom!"

a silver-armored figure charged into the west area on the third floor.

"…Did you just run? Weirdo."

"Yeah, that's Dog Bite, isn't it?"

Yeah, probably.

At first glance, it's hard to tell friend from foe, but the design strongly resembles a superhero—definitely the kind of look that screams "hero on the side of justice."

Seeing Mayi looking slightly worried as she watched the man leave,

"What should we do? Should we still follow him?"

"Let's not. Nanami said she'd only buy time. This is a life that can't be revived... we must prioritize the refugees."

"But..."

I hadn't known about Nanami's unborn child.

Just now, after hearing the details from Mayi, I felt a bit conflicted.

"It's fine. She herself said it was okay."

"But just because she said that doesn't mean I understand her true feelings."

I don't understand Nanami's thoughts at all.

Yet I fully recognize that one's words aren't always a true reflection of their innermost feelings.

Then Mayi let out a soft sigh and said,

"That's why... I have to do what needs to be done, as soon as possible. I'm serious now."

She shifted slightly on the spot, raising her knives in both hands.

By the time I instinctively braced myself, Mayi had already finished her work, severing the heads of the "zombies" within ten meters of us one after another.

"Whoa!?"

That wasn't human movement at all. It wasn't some cheap trick like hypnosis or super speed—clearly, she was using some kind of skill.

"Ah, dū, torowa… you know, like that."

With a spring, she used the railing as a foothold and darted around the open-concept floor, shooting down several drones drifting aimlessly in midair.

I watched it all with the same awe one might feel watching Son Goku in battle from the sidelines, as if I were a Z Warrior.

The movement—clearly a combination of Speed V and Lightning Fast—was impressive, to say the least.

I have a bad feeling about this.

If I end up opposing Shizukawa Reika in the future, I might have to fight her too—she's part of the Undying Force.

In that case... probably no one else but me can defeat her.

"Alright, that's it!"

"Good job."

"It seems Hashida's not even paying attention to the drone. Easy win!"

落下したドローンをのぞきこむと、火炎放射に使うためのガソリンが漏れ出ているのが見えます。

”ゾンビ”たちにもその一部がかかっているのを見かけて、

「――《火球》をえいっ」

私はそこに《火系魔法Ⅱ》をぽいっと投げ込んでみました。

『ごおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおッ』

A few of the "zombies" cried out in anguish as they burned, flames spreading rapidly across the lower floor in an instant.

Though not an intense fire, it slowly and thoroughly roasted the "zombies," with the flames leaping from one "zombie" to another, drawn by the light.

It was, in every sense, exactly what people imagine when they picture hell.

"‘Hell is fully booked. The dead overflow and walk the earth,’ as they say."

"Yeah…."

The light attracts those 'zombies' like moths.

I just hope this buys us a little time.

First, I tie back my hair with rubber, drape a skull-patterned scarf over my mouth, and put on goggles.

Then, I pull out the multi-tool knife I’ve been keeping in my pocket, and carefully extract the blade section—about 8 centimeters long.

Noticing this, Mayi quickly climbed onto the railing like a monkey,

"Are you really going to fight with that? Not for opening cans, right?"

"Yeah."

"Shall I lend you my short sword?"

"No, thank you. This is enough."

In fact, this seems to be just the right amount for the situation.

I take a slight deep breath and focus a little more intently on the knife.

Please don't let this get too bad, I silently pray.

After silently wishing for the best, I activated *Hissatsu Ken V*.

The blade of the short knife immediately began to glow silver.

I tested it by swiftly flicking my wrist toward the escalator connecting the first and second floors.

What happened was astonishing.

The silver light shot forth from the tip of the knife like bullets, rapidly generating a violent whirlwind that poured down onto the escalator.

Even now, the escalator still operating to carry the "zombies" upstairs twisted grotesquely, as if caught in a tornado, instantly rendering it useless.

Repeating the same action three more times, I completely destroyed all the escalators in the atrium, preventing the "zombies" from climbing any further.

"Yep. Power's just right."

This is my first time trying it, but I guess the effectiveness really depends on the sharpness of the blade.

With my grandfather's inherited sword, I could easily carve a massive hole through the mall's walls—this "Fatal Sword V"—but with this knife, I should be able to fight while minimizing damage to the building.

"Then, let's quickly take care of these 'zombies' around here."

"Uh-huh."

From here on, it's a race against time.

We had to eliminate the endless supply of "zombies" while cornering Mr. Hamada.

In the process, block off all the entry points the "zombies" are using throughout the building, and destroy any traps that Hashida has set up—methodically cornering Hashida like checkmating a king in shogi, then eliminating him.

The entry route for the remaining "zombies" is...

"Probably the emergency stairs and two escalators on the east and west sides."

"Then let's split up. I'll take the east. You, 'Nameless' girl, take the west."

"Got it!"

At that moment, the sound of an engine driving from below reached their ears.

Not just one or two—several vehicles seemed to be moving.

Likely the sound of five or six cars approaching, and then, with a jarring, violent impact, the corridor trembled slightly.

"Hmm?"

Looking down, I saw several trucks entering, splattering the newly built marble floor with "zombie" blood.

"——Ohhh?"

And from the entrance these trucks had opened, more "zombies" poured in like a swarm.

Hmm.

They’ve noticed our movement and sent reinforcements.

...Looks like we’d better hurry.

I hurried toward the western area, as if being chased by a landslide of "zombies" pouring into the mall.