Chapter 352: Fat Zombie

The strange occurrence happened shortly after passing through Omotesando.

That was around the time the outer wall of the Shibuya Station platform, left untouched during renovation work, came into view.

"...Mr. 'Nameless'."

"Yeah."

Ever since just a moment ago, I've been sensing the presence of the... "zombies."

Not some vague intuition, but rather a low, rumbling growl that seems to come from somewhere unpredictable, echoing from an unknown direction.

"I know this. It's the voices coming from underground. The sound echoes, so it seems to come from all around."

Come to think of it, there should be the Tokyo Metro Setagaya Line running beneath us.

"Probably the zombies, activated by the necromancer's influence, are making a ruckus."

"What do we do? We're already outside the range of the 'Parade' effect here."

"If we're not detected from this position, we'll be fine. Let's move quietly, keeping our voices down."

They had decided the group posed no real threat, having confirmed that the "zombies" underground were already blocked off by steel shutters, preventing any passage.

Those shutters aren't exactly reassuring when facing those aggressive "zombies," but as long as we don't provoke them unnecessarily, we should at least be able to buy some time before reaching the "door."

"Rustling over there. Rustling over here... It's a bit concerning, isn't it?"

"Be careful. They might have set something like a time bomb."

"A bomb... huh."

Well, it's not impossible.

There's no way we could predict the specifics of the enemy's abilities—any possibility is conceivable. All we can do is remain mentally prepared at all times.

At that moment, Shiba said,

"…Maybe we should get ready to run?"

"Yeah. We might have to abandon our weapons and supplies if necessary."

As the group passed beneath the elevated structure, a skyline of high-rise buildings came into view to their left.

After walking a short distance further... the iconic large outdoor video screen of Shibuya came into sight.

Normally, the space would make one's eyes flicker from advertisements reminiscent of the film *Blade Runner*, but now it was enveloped in silence.

"Beyond this point... is the 'door' leading to the real world?"

"Yes. Everyone, keep going. We're almost there."

"Thank goodness... I was worried for a moment..."

That voice carried genuine relief from the depths of their heart.

Still, of course, they couldn't afford to let their guard down.

It seemed to me that Hamada-san's true intention was... to inflict some kind of damage on Inu Oikun's psyche, rendering him utterly limp and helpless...

If that were the case, it would make sense for there to be one more trap or mechanism in place...

Just then.

I tripped with a soft thud, falling down like a baby.

"Uh... Anonymous-san?!"

It was Kou-kun, startled and calling out to me.

"What's wrong? You suddenly fell down like that..."

No, I'm fine.

I said that aloud, but there's a numb sensation around the front of my shin.

I had a bad feeling.

The spot where I feel it—probably where I kicked Mr. Hamada earlier.

Just to be safe, I attempt the [Healing Magic] on that area, but for some reason, the symptoms don't improve.

It wasn't so much that it was damaged, as if the left leg's nerves weren't receiving the signal to move.

"Wait... what? Wait, wait?"

"Anonymous... could it be that leg of yours, um..."

A growing certainty was forming: "Ah, this is it. It's starting."

This was probably a move set up by Hamada.

Whoa.

No way.

I've been outmaneuvered.

"Can you stand?"

"...Just one leg will do."

"If you need help, I can carry you."

"No, I'm fine. I'll manage."

Sweat glistened on my brow as I struggled to my feet.

If it comes to this... I must push through with sheer willpower and see everyone safely through.

Even if it means dying in the worst case.

That might have been the moment I made my resolve.

"Ugh... ugh, aahh..."

Wobbling unsteadily, a single "zombie" appeared before us.

Among the creatures we'd seen around here, this one was unusually intact—five limbs fully present—and it staggered toward us unsteadily.

"What the hell is that thing?"

One of the refugees lets out a laugh, somehow mocking.

No wonder. That specimen—was abnormally plump, far more so than anything we'd seen before.

"The subway's drainage system has failed. It'll flood quickly. If this is true of our world too, that creature must have been submerged for quite some time."

Hmm. So that's how it is.

Still standing on one leg, I reach into my pocket for the pocketknife.

It's a waste of magic power. Let me handle it.

And, Dog Biting-kun.

Without hesitation, he charges at the stout "zombie."

His silver-hued sword cleaves through the "zombie" in a sweeping slash.

"――Huh!?"

With a loud *pop*, the swollen abdomen, bloated like that of a hungry ghost, burst open.

At the same time, blood like mud splatters all around, as if a water balloon had burst.

"What's this...!?"

Fortuitously, only Dogbite was splattered with blood.

"Are you alright? Did you swallow any of it or anything?"

"No problem. This armor seems to be completely waterproof."

Even so, this incident was more than enough to signal an abnormal situation to us.

Still standing on one leg,

"Everyone... get ready to run,"

I ordered them.

Upon closer inspection, we realized there was a trap set by the "Undead Mage" in that area.

But it wasn't anything like the timed bomb we had imagined.

Instead, on the staircase leading underground—sealed off by a shutter—there was a single "zombie" clinging to the wall.

"Ghuh... ghuh... ghaa... bfu... uh..."

It snorted like a pig, resembling an older, fatter version of the plump zombie we'd seen earlier.

Its size was clearly at least three times, perhaps even four times that of an average human. There was no doubt it had a physique far beyond that of a normal person.

The creature was pressing its massive, mountain-like body against us from behind the shutter leading into the subway.

"…The thing that's been stirring around down there all this time—was it this one?"

Kitsunekou gasped, muttering under his breath.

'Ugh… g-go… ah…'

If this thing also had that same property—spreading blood everywhere—then the refugees were in serious danger.

Even if he covered his eyes and mouth, there'd be no avoiding infection if he got drenched in that much blood.

"G-go, go, go, go...!"

To make matters worse, a group of the bulky "zombies" from earlier was visible around him.

"This guy's... some kind of timed bomb, like a necromancer's trap."

犬咬くんが苦いものを口に含んだように言うと、ほぼ同時に、世界を引き裂くような金属の軋む音がして、シャッターがひしゃげました。

『ギイエアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアア！！』

私が叫びます。

「みんな、――死ぬ気で走って！」