Still…
If she had to cut down the undead with her own sword…
There was still a trace of hesitation in her eyes.
Adrian noticed immediately.
He got straight to the point.
“You’re afraid of the desire inside yourself, aren’t you?”
“Hm? Adrian… you…”
Saeko Busujima looked at him in surprise.
He saw right through me?
“Your eyes are full of confusion,” he said calmly.
“You’re hesitating.”
“…”
Saeko lowered her head in silence.
Her expression was hidden from both of them.
Exusiai had no idea what was going on, but she wisely stayed quiet.
A long moment passed.
Then Saeko slowly raised her head.
Her slightly crimson eyes met Adrian’s clear golden gaze.
Parting her lips, she quietly began telling her story.
“When I was in middle school, a pervert tried to assault me on my way home.”
“I happened to be carrying a wooden sword. I deliberately let him get close before striking him. I shattered his leg and shoulder. Looking back, I definitely used excessive force.”
“Considering the situation, though… a middle school girl defending herself against an attacker… the police didn’t pursue the matter. They simply drove me home.”
“I know exactly what I did.”
“I did it on purpose.”
“After that incident… I realized something terrifying.”
“I have an unusually strong tendency toward violence.”
“When I was beating that man… I felt happy.”
“I was excited.”
“There’s a darkness inside me that I can’t forgive.” 😔
She raised both hands before her.
Her eyes were filled with sorrow.
“Can someone like me… really be called normal?”
After listening quietly, Adrian answered in an even tone.
“Saeko, you don’t need to blame yourself like that.”
“Your personality is part of who you are. Don’t let your nature control you. Learn to control it yourself.” 🧠
As he spoke, he placed the katana into her hands.
His expression was solemn.
“There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the act of cutting down your enemies.”
“As long as you know who your enemies are, use your sword to protect yourself and your friends. Swing it to kill those who threaten them. Even if that means embracing violence, so what?”
“Besides…”
“This world has already become the apocalypse.”
Exusiai scratched her head awkwardly.
“I don’t really know how to explain stuff like this.” She laughed.
“I like shooting people with my guns too.” Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Then her usual playful smile disappeared.
Her eyes became sharp, steady, and unwavering.
“But my guns will never be pointed at my friends.” 😉
“Swing your blade at your enemies…”
Those words echoed over and over in Saeko’s mind.
After a while…
She tightened her grip around the katana’s hilt and slowly lifted her head.
The crimson in her eyes burned even brighter.
But the confusion that had clouded them was gone.
✨
“I understand now.”
“My nature is part of who I am.”
“I have to accept myself.”
“…Thank you.”
Having cast aside her doubts…
Saeko’s attacks became far more decisive.
Every slash…
Every strike…
Existed for a single purpose.
A clean kill.
There was no need for Adrian to worry about Exusiai.
She was incredibly agile.
She could leap onto rooftops with ease.
Even getting surrounded by the undead didn’t faze her.
Saeko wasn’t much of a concern either.
Most of the undead she fought were stragglers that Adrian had intentionally left behind after clearing the area, making things much safer for her.
As for Adrian himself…
Things were even easier.
He stomped hard on the ground.
The earth erupted violently.
🌋
Jagged stone spikes burst upward, impaling swathes of undead, while others were swallowed beneath collapsing soil.
Countless shattered rocks then shot through the air like arrows, piercing zombie after zombie.
Against creatures like these…
He didn’t even need to defend himself.
The reflective barrier that automatically formed around his body prevented any undead from getting close.
Combined with his Palm Thunder…
He slaughtered the horde without holding anything back.
By the time half the day had passed…
Everything around them except the roads had been almost completely demolished.
“Adrian’s fighting style is ridiculously destructive.”
For once, Exusiai and Saeko were in perfect agreement.
As night fell…
The three of them returned to Rei’s teacher, Rika Minami’s house.
The moment they stepped inside, Saya Takagi couldn’t help asking,
Saeko wiped the sweat from her body with a towel and smiled.
“You should probably ask Adrian.”
He shrugged.
“I just cleared out the undead nearby.”
Then he glanced at the dining table.
“Oh? Dinner’s already ready?”
The table was packed with food.
The electricity and water were still running for now.
“Just a second! One last dish!”
Rei Miyamoto leaned halfway out of the kitchen, wearing an apron.
Shizuka Marikawa was helping her.
“There was still plenty of food left in this house,” Rei explained.
“It’ll just go to waste otherwise. Since we’re leaving in a couple of days, we figured we might as well use it.”
“We’re really grateful for everything you, Exusiai, Saeko, and Adrian have done. We couldn’t help much, so… at least let us cook you a proper meal.”
“Sounds good,” Adrian nodded.
“Leaving in a couple of days?”
He looked toward Saya.
“Did you finally get in touch with your parents?”
Saeko had immediately caught that important detail.
Saya beamed.
“Yep! My father has established a survivor settlement. They just need a few days to get things organized. Once it’s stabilized, it’ll be much safer for us to head over.” 🤩
Safer…
Adrian wasn’t sure how that settlement would end up.
If he remembered correctly…
It probably wouldn’t survive.
😰
“The last dish is done! Everyone, wash your hands. Time to eat!”
The final plate was brought to the table.
Rei seemed to be in much better spirits than before.
After dinner…
Everyone took turns showering.
There were only two bedrooms.
Because of her halo, and since she still wasn’t very familiar with everyone else, Exusiai was given a room to herself.
The other four girls squeezed into the second bedroom.
As for Adrian…
He slept on the living room sofa.
The nearby undead had already been almost completely wiped out by the three of them.
There were no real safety concerns anymore.
For the first time in a while…
They could all sleep peacefully.
😴
“…..”