Chapter 339: They
"What the hell are these guys...!?"
Hostility surged violently.
They were coming closer.
As a girl, she couldn't help but feel instinctive fear toward this situation.
Encountering such a scenario wasn't something you'd easily run into, even during battles with "players." Humans tended to be far more cautious with their lives, and when engaging in close combat, both sides usually had a firm resolve beforehand.
How about these "zombies" in contrast?
They appear utterly defenseless, as if that very lack of defense is their sole strategy.
"Giiii, aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Even their scream-like battle cry, everything about them—
the twisted expression, as though in agony—
all seem deliberately staged, as if orchestrated by a single intention.
If I were to describe it in one word—perhaps "rage" would be the best term.
The swarm of "zombies" lunges forward, one attacking Nanami, three targeting Ran.
"——eek"
Ran, who should have been thoroughly skilled at slaying "zombies," hesitated, taking a few steps back.
No wonder. The creatures before her were nothing like anything they'd faced before.
——What should I do!? Should I use that (・)m(・)a(・)g(・)i(・)c(・)...!?
いや。まだダメだ。まだ、賭に出ていいタイミングではない。
――なら……ッ！
我ながら判断は早かった。いったん落ち着いて、《口笛》を使う。
ピィ――――――――――――――――――――――ッ！ と、涼やかな音が辺りに響き渡った。
《口笛》は、音を聴いた”敵性生命体”の注意をこちらに向けるスキルだ。
音を聴いた三匹のうち、二匹がこちらに軌道変更。
――よしッ。
Perhaps now I’ve done something a little more like a proper older sister.
All that remains is to finish off the ones drawn toward me.
First, Nanami swings the metal bat down on the head of the one that reached here the fastest.
Normally, with the enhanced strength of a “player,” that alone would be enough to shatter the skull—yet…
—…Hard!?
The head of the “zombie” dressed like a salaryman feels as though it’s made of stone.
The "zombie," unflinching, shoved Nanami down and lunged to bite her left shoulder.
A foul breath hit her nose. Startled, she instinctively dropped the metal bat.
"Damn it!"
In the chaos, she drew a knife from her waist holster and thrust it toward the creature's left eye. The blow must have reached the brain, for the first "zombie" immediately stopped moving.
Of course, the danger wasn't over yet. Nanami felt something sticky clinging to her left leg and shuddered all over. Looking down, she saw the "zombie" woman with dyed golden hair biting into her leg.
"Yaaah!"
Instinctively, Nanami kicked it away.
Frantically checking the wound, she was relieved to find that thanks to the benefits of Skin Reinforcement, her flesh hadn't been torn apart.
Relief lasted only an instant before anger at having risked her life flooded Nanami's heart.
She quickly drew her handgun—having practiced seriously enough in the "Kingdom"—and shot the blonde woman, the "Zombie," in the ear.
"——Huh, now!"
First, she rose to her feet and regained her stance.
Then, brandishing the metal bat once more, she plunged it into the chest of another "Zombie" that had been trying to pounce on her.
Their movements were straight and linear, like missiles. If she stayed calm and observed carefully, she could anticipate their motions.
Nanami continued, striking the dazed creature's head repeatedly—once, twice, three times.
Even though the skull felt rigid and hard, a steady rhythm made it manageable.
By the time she landed her fifth strike, the third "Zombie" had stopped moving.
"Huff, huff, huff, huff..."
While regaining her breath, she quickly glanced toward Lan.
There she was—
"Ugh, gurgle……"
overcome by one of the attackers and drenched in black, mud-like substance oozing from its mouth, her face covered in it.
"What the hell—"
Nanami's eyes widened in shock.
"What the hell are you doing, you bastard!?"
Never in her life had she felt such intense murderous intent.
Nanami slammed the metal bat into the zombie's temple as it loomed over Ran, then fired three shots from her handgun into its wobbling head.
—Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it...!
She wiped the blood from Ran's face with the sleeve of her jacket.
What's with the panic, huh?
Couldn't you handle one creature on your own, at least?
Such complaints, however, didn't come out.
The dead walk. Just that alone was terrifying enough, yet they came running.
It was understandable that a girl around middle school age would be bewildered.
"I'm sorry... sorry... Nanami-san..."
"Shut up! Did you drink their blood!?"
There was no need to ask. The filth splattered across her face had already entered her eyes.
--Damn it... I'm still here...!
Nanami pressed the handgun against Ran's throat,
Stay calm! It's not scary! I'll bring you back for sure! So relax—turn off all defensive skills!
Ran nodded slightly.
After waiting just a few seconds, Nanami scratches a part of Ran's skin. A mark remains. Having confirmed that, she stops.
Pull the trigger.
A bang, then the sound of gunpowder exploding in the palm of his hand—bullet piercing through the skull.
From then on, Lan became motionless.
Just seconds ago, she had been chatting normally, laughing like usual.
In her mind, a carefree fanfare echoed loudly.
—Congratulations! Achievement "Beheading" unlocked!
"Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah..."
Unable to think, she paused briefly, catching her breath.
She didn't understand what had just happened to those... "zombies."
But one thing was certain—her upcoming tasks had just become much more troublesome.