That afternoon’s classes went on as usual.
The only unusual thing was Yukino.
She was still acting a little strangely.
Still, she’d adjust eventually.
As for Adrian, nothing out of the ordinary happened.
School ended.
He headed home.
The moment he flopped onto the couch, he opened the group chat.
The chat was already exploding with messages.
March 7th: “Saeko, how are things over there?”
Saeko Busujima: “The school’s in complete chaos. I’ve teamed up with a few classmates, and we’re safe for the time being.”
Exusiai: “I think you should get away from the school. There are way too many people there.”
Saeko Busujima: “I agree. We’re already planning to leave. We’re also going to look for one of my friend’s parents.”
“…?”
Adrian frowned.
From the sound of it, something serious had happened in Saeko’s world.
Don’t tell me…
It’s a zombie outbreak?
Adrian: “@Saeko Busujima, what happened?”
Saeko Busujima: “Adrian, just like you guessed, a virus similar to a zombie infection has broken out. Humans are turning into ‘Dead.’ Thanks to your warning, I was at least somewhat prepared.”
Adrian: “…”
Well…
It actually was zombies.
Exusiai: “Adrian… don’t tell me you can see the future?”
Adrian: “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not a fortune teller. I can’t predict the future. I just happen to know a little information.”
Adrian: “Forget that for now. Saeko, if you need any help, just say the word. If it’s within my ability, I’ll help.”
March 7th: “That’s right! I can go buy another gun from Asta if we need one!”
Adrian: “March, thanks again for the gun. It’s been really useful.”
March 7th: “Hehe.”
Just as Adrian was about to ask for more details, the chat group’s system suddenly chimed in.
[The Apocalypse Chat Group has detected that member Saeko Busujima’s world has entered its future apocalypse. Activating: Apocalypse Companion Mode!] 🚨
[Apocalypse Companion]: Three-Person Team
[Duration]: 5 Days
[Participants]: Saeko Busujima, Adrian, Exusiai
[Objective]: Eliminate as many Dead as possible.
[Once Companion Mode begins, participants will be transported to Saeko Busujima’s world. Time in their original worlds will be frozen.] 🌀
Saeko Busujima: “This is…”
Exusiai: “Wait, does this mean I can actually go help Saeko?”
March 7th: “!!! That’s… amazing! Traveling between worlds! That’s even more incredible than the Astral Express crossing the stars!”
Aqua: “Huh?! Why wasn’t I picked? I’m a goddess! Fighting undead is literally my specialty!”
Adrian: “…”
A prompt appeared before him.
🕶️
[Travel to the other world now?]
Honestly…
Adrian hadn’t expected the Apocalypse Chat Group to have an ability like this.
This wasn’t just a chat platform anymore. This story is hosted at g.com.
It was more like…
A cross-world mutual aid system.
Adrian: “I’m heading over.”
Exusiai: “Woohoo! Then I’d better stock up on some more Originium rounds!”
Adrian accepted.
A pitch-black vortex appeared before him.
“A portal?”
“A dimensional gate?”
He stepped inside.
After a dizzying whirl of darkness…
The world brightened again.
When Adrian opened his eyes, he was no longer in his living room.
He looked around.
A rooftop.
Just then, another black portal opened nearby.
Out stepped a beautiful red-haired girl in a short, asymmetrical skirt.
She held a firearm resembling a Victor submachine gun in her right hand.
Or rather…
A gun from her world’s technology.
What stood out the most was the glowing halo floating above her head and the pair of crystalline wings of light behind her.
😇
“Hi there! You must be the boss?”
Exusiai smiled brightly and waved.
“…Boss?”
“Haha, force of habit. I take commissions all the time.” She scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
“Just call me Adrian.”
He offered his hand.
Exusiai shook it without hesitation.
“Exusiai.”
She immediately began sizing him up.
Up.
Down.
Left.
Right.
“Huh. No obvious features at all. Are you an Aegir?”
Adrian smiled wryly.
“I’m not an Aegir. Humans in most other worlds don’t look like the people from yours.”
“Or rather… in the eyes of humans from other worlds, the people in your world would probably be the unusual ones.”
“Like you. You look exactly like an angel.”
“Huh… what a weird setting.”
Exusiai scratched the back of her head again.
It felt strange.
But she accepted it surprisingly quickly.
They looked down over the campus from the rooftop.
“Whoa…”
The entire school had become a scene from hell.
Mindless Dead staggered everywhere.
🧟
Blood.
Shredded flesh.
Bodies.
Yet despite the horrific sight, Exusiai wasn’t frightened in the slightest.
If anything…
She looked excited.
“So, Adrian, should we ask Saeko where she is?”
“No need.”
“Follow me.”
Before Exusiai could react, Adrian rose straight into the air.
He was simply manipulating the wind.
With his Level 4 Vector Control combined with his Originium Arts, controlling vectors had become almost effortless.
⚡
Just as he was about to fly off, Exusiai hurriedly shouted,
“Wait, wait, wait!”
“Hm?”
He turned back in confusion.
She pointed at herself.
“I can’t fly!”
“…Huh?”
He stared at the little glowing wings behind her.
Only then did it hit him.
Right.
Exusiai wasn’t an actual angel.
She couldn’t fly.
“Ahem… then… should I carry you?” he asked awkwardly.
“Yes! Hurry!”
Her eyes sparkled as she nodded enthusiastically.
Adrian landed, scooped her up in a princess carry, and lifted her into his arms.
😳
She was surprisingly light.
And judging by her figure…
She was in pretty good shape, too.
Exusiai wrapped her arms around his neck without the slightest embarrassment.
Her face was full of anticipation.
“Let’s go.”
With Exusiai in his arms, Adrian soared into the sky.
“Woohoo! So this is what flying feels like? This is awesome! I love it! I’ve gotta take a picture!”🤩
Exusiai laughed excitedly the whole way.
Adrian couldn’t help but smile.
She really was the definition of an optimist.
“…..”