The van moved silently south.
Ren kept both hands on the wheel and watched the road dip between fields, storage sheds, and houses with broken gates.
The system stayed over his vision in thin lines.
— VEHICLE ROUTE: SOUTH — — CURRENT CREDIT BALANCE: 694 — — SPATIAL WAREHOUSE LOAD: 27% — — UNKNOWN THIRD SIGNAL: TRACKING — — SAFE WINDOW: PARTIAL — Partial was not enough to trust.
Sato sat in the passenger seat with the rifle across her lap.
She had stopped asking where Ren was going.
Shizuka sat behind him with the katana resting on her shoulder.
Her eyes stayed on the road, but every time Yuki leaned forward, her hand shifted.
Yuki had seven kiss points left.
She kept reminding Shizuka with that smug little smile.
Amamiya sat in the back with the toolbox and a bag of supplies between his knees.
Mizuno sat beside the injured civilian.
He looked much better now and had color in his face.
The injured civilian slept with his head against the van wall.
Ren drove past a row of shuttered shops.
A radio antenna stood on the roof of one building, bent but still there.
The van speakers crackled.
Ren looked at the dashboard.
The system opened before he touched anything.
— RADIO SIGNAL DETECTED — — SOURCE: EMERGENCY BROADCAST BAND — — SIGNAL QUALITY: POOR — — AUTO-TUNE AVAILABLE — The speaker hissed.
Then a voice came through.
Weak.Tired.Calm.
“Emergency broadcast continues.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed 1,842,000 reported collapse cases nationwide since the first event.
This figure includes medically reported sudden-collapse cases only.
Missing persons, conflict-related reports, traffic incidents, workplace incidents, and unverified field reports are not included in this figure.” Everyone listened.
Ren’s face did not change.
The number passed through him and became data.
The system opened.
— PUBLIC REPORTED COLLAPSE COUNT: 1,842,000 — — REPORTING BASIS: MEDICAL CONFIRMATION ONLY — — DATA RELIABILITY: INCOMPLETE — — PUBLIC PANIC INDEX: RISING — Sato looked at him.
“What?” “The official number is incomplete.” Mizuno said, “Official numbers always lag.” Ren kept driving.
The radio continued.
“Movement restrictions remain active in parts of Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
Riot activity has been confirmed near several food distribution points, warehouse districts, and emergency medical centers.
Citizens are advised to remain indoors and avoid gathering near supply convoys.” Yuki’s smile faded.
“People rioting for food.” Sato’s face stayed hard.
“That is where everything starts to go wrong.” Yuki did not answer.
The broadcast hissed.
Then returned.
“Major ports remain under restricted operation.
Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka, and Nagoya ports report severe cargo delay.
Multiple cargo vessels remain anchored offshore while awaiting clearance and escort.” Amamiya looked toward the window.
“Cargo stuck offshore is not good, supplies is already running low.” Sato nodded.
“Food.
Medicine.
Fuel.
Batteries.
Everything.” The broadcast continued.
“Domestic air travel remains limited.
Haneda, Narita, Kansai, Chubu, and Fukuoka airports report partial suspension of passenger operations.
Emergency flights, medical flights, and government-controlled transport remain priority.” A pause.
Then the voice lowered.
“Foreign naval presence has been confirmed in international waters off the coast of Japan.
A carrier strike group has anchored outside territorial waters.
Officials have declined to comment on its purpose.” No one spoke for two seconds.
Mizuno whispered, “That is not aid.” Sato said, “It is pressure.” Ren watched the map.
The black line under the road pulsed once.
The radio hissed again.
“International agencies are also investigating scattered reports of individuals displaying abnormal strength, abnormal recovery, unusual heat resistance, or resistance to injury after exposure to collapse zones.
Officials have urged the public not to spread unverified footage.” Yuki slowly looked at Ren.
Ren kept his eyes forward.
Shizuka saw it first.
Sato caught it a second later.
The system opened.
— AWAKENED INCIDENT REPORTS: GLOBAL — — PUBLIC CLASSIFICATION: UNVERIFIED — — ACTUAL PROBABILITY: RISING — — RECOMMENDATION: DO NOT DISCUSS — Ren agreed.
The radio cut to static.
Then music tried to play.
It failed.
The van filled with road noises again.
Sato looked forward.
“So it is not only here.” “No,” Ren said.
Yuki leaned back.
“More people are changing.” Ren did not answer.
Shizuka said, “Enough.” Yuki closed her mouth.
For once, she did not count.
The road bent toward a wider stretch lined with old warehouses and a large truck yard ahead.
The yard had fencing around it.
Metal sheets reinforced the gate.
Buses and trucks formed a wall around the front.
People stood on the roof of the office building.
Armed.
Not military.
Not police.
A painted board hung over the gate.
SOUTH GATE TC TEMPORARY COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTER Below that, smaller words.
TRADE.
REST.
FOLLOW THE RULES.
Ren slowed.
Sato raised the rifle slightly.
“Militia.” Mizuno leaned forward.
“Temporary Community Support Center.” “You know it?” “I heard rumors yesterday.
Civilians, ex-drivers, retired SDF, neighborhood watch.
They took over a truck center and turned it into a TC.” Amamiya stared through the window.
“Friendly?” Mizuno looked at the armed people on the roof.
“Depends what you bring.” Yuki smiled.
“I bring charm.” Shizuka said, “Leave it outside.” Yuki touched her chest.
“I will die.” Sato looked at Ren.
“What does the scan say?” The system opened.
— HUMAN SETTLEMENT DETECTED — — TYPE: MILITIA-OCCUPIED TEMPORARY COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTER — — ESTIMATED POPULATION: 86 — — ARMED PERSONNEL: 31 — — WHITE BAND PRESENCE: 0 — — SHIRAKAWA LINK: NOT DETECTED — — ANCHOR TRACE: LOW / ENVIRONMENTAL — — TRADE VALUE: HIGH — — REST VALUE: MODERATE — — THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE — Ren exhaled.
“Clean enough.” Sato looked at him.
“Enough?” “No white bands.
No Shirakawa link.” Mizuno looked like he wanted to ask.
Ren ignored it.
At the gate, three armed men stepped forward.
One held a shotgun.
Another had a hunting rifle.
The third carried an old police shield with a crack through the center.
A woman stood behind them with a clipboard.
She was not smiling.
The system tagged her first.
— SUBJECT: GATE LEAD — — WEAPON: HANDGUN — — HEART RATE: ELEVATED — — INTENT: SCREEN / PROTECT SETTLEMENT — — HOSTILITY: CONDITIONAL — Ren stopped the van ten meters from the gate and lowered the window.
The woman lifted one hand.
“Engine off.” Ren turned the van off.
The quiet became sharper.
“Hands visible.” Sato shifted.
Ren said, “Do it.” Sato looked at him.
Then placed her hands where the gate crew could see them.
Shizuka kept her hands visible too, but the katana remained resting on her shoulder.
Yuki raised both hands.
“I am harmless.” The gate woman’s eyes moved to Yuki.
Then away.
“Passengers?” Ren answered.
“Six mobile.
One injured.” “White bands?” “No.” “Bites?” “No.” “Fever?” Ren glanced at the sleeping civilian.
“No.” “Collapse symptoms?” “No.” The woman pointed to a painted board beside the gate.
“Rules.
Weapons visible.
No firing inside.
No stealing.
No fights.
No forced recruitment.
No white bands.
Food, batteries, ammo, medicine, or tools accepted for trade.
Sleeping space costs goods.
Medical help costs more.” Yuki whispered, “No stealing.” Shizuka looked at her.
Yuki sighed.
“I heard it.” The woman looked at Ren.
“You trading or begging?” Ren said, “Trading.” “Good.
Beggars sleep outside.” Sato’s jaw tightened.
Ren put one hand up before she spoke.
The woman saw it.
“Problem?” “No.” She gestured.
“After the gate opens, park at where they point.
Anybody else in the van?” “No.” “Any hidden weapons?” Ren paused.
Sato looked at him.
Yuki almost smiled.
Ren said, “Weapons are visible enough.” The woman stared.
Then laughed once.
“Honest.
Good.
Go in.” The gate opened.
The van rolled slowly into South Gate TC.
Inside, the truck yard had become a town made from rules and fear.
Cargo containers formed lanes.
Tarps covered sleeping areas.
A repair tent sat beside old loading docks.
A board listed prices in marker.
WATER FOOD BATTERY PACKS AMMO MEDICAL REST SPACE INFORMATION A second board showed warning notes.
TOKYO RIOTS SPREADING OSAKA PORT DELAY NAGOYA FOOD CONVOY ATTACKED TRADING FUEL FOR SUPPLIES ONLY WATCH FOR WHITE BANDS DO NOT TRAVEL SOUTH ALONE AFTER DARK Ren stopped the van where a man waved them in.
The system opened.
— SAFE ZONE: CONDITIONAL — — COMBAT RESTRICTION: HIGH — — TRADE OPPORTUNITY: HIGH — — REST OPPORTUNITY: MODERATE — — UNKNOWN THIRD SIGNAL: TRACKING — — PROXIMITY: OUTSIDE PERIMETER — Ren froze for one second.
The signal had stopped beyond the fence.
The system opened again.
— ENTRY: DELAYED — — REASON: UNKNOWN — — HUMAN DENSITY INTERFERENCE: POSSIBLE — — PERIMETER STATIC: POSSIBLE — — OBSERVATION CONTINUES — Then another line appeared.
— IT IS WAITING — It vanished.
— CORRECTION — — SIGNAL REMAINS STATIONARY — Ren hated that correction.
Yuki leaned near him.
“You saw something again.” “No.” “Eight.” Shizuka looked at her.
Yuki smiled.
“I had seven.
He said no earlier.
I am at eight.” Ren stepped out of the van.
“Everyone out.
Stay together.” The yard smelled of diesel, sweat, instant noodles, wet clothes, and fear.
A man with a yellow armband approached them.
SOUTH GATE TC was written in marker on the cloth.
“New entries pay inspection fee.” Sato frowned.
“Fee?” The man shrugged.
“Everybody needs to eat.” Ren asked, “What fee?” “Food, batteries, ammo, medicine, or tools.” Ren looked at the van.
He had enough.
But not for free.
“What does that get us?” “Parking.
One-hour trade access.
No medical.
No sleeping.” “Sleeping?” “Separate.” Yuki whispered, “Hospitality doesn’t exist anymore.” The man heard her.
“No.
Hospitality costs people more now.” Ren opened the van side door and pulled out two cheap battery packs and one cracked radio.
He had to make it look normal.
Small batches.
Never enough to show the warehouse.
The man looked at the cracked radio.
“Broken.” Ren said, “There is still parts.” The man looked at Amamiya.
Amamiya lifted the toolbox.
“Parts are still worth something.” The man nodded.
“Fine.” Sato leaned close to Ren.
“You are giving away broken junk now?” “It’s a cheap fee.” “For them?” “For us.” The man led them toward the trade area.
“Medical tent is there.
One basic treatment costs food or batteries.
Proper work costs ammo or medicine.” Mizuno helped the injured civilian forward.
Sato looked at Ren.
“We treat him?” Ren looked at the civilian.
“Yes.” Sato’s expression shifted.
“You sure?” He nodded.
Ren paid one ration pack, one battery pack, and a roll of medical tape.
The medic was a woman with tired eyes and clean hands.
Clean hands mattered now.
She took the injured civilian behind a curtain.
Mizuno stayed beside the opening.
Sato stayed near him.
Ren stepped back with Shizuka.
Yuki followed.
Amamiya went to the trade area and immediately looked unhappy.
“The prices here are insane.” A vendor behind the table looked at him.
“Outside is even worse.” Amamiya looked at Ren.
Ren checked the trade tables.
Water bottles.
Dried rice.
Instant noodles.
Old maps.
Powerbanks.
Batteries.
Flashlights.
Phone cables.
First aid.
Cloth.
Knives.
Ammunition, but not much.
9mm.
12 gauge.
Some 5.56.
No armor piercing ammo on the table.
Of course.
A sign above the ammo said: NO BULK SALES TRADE ONLY Ren looked at the ammo.
The vendor looked at him.
“You buying?” “Trading.” “What do you have?” Ren opened his bag and pulled out two radios, a bundle of mixed wires, one spare flashlight, and one pack of screws.
The vendor stared.
“You stripping houses for the wires?” Ren said, “No, just vehicles.” “Good.
Vehicles have better wire.” The system opened.
— TRADE VALUE ANALYSIS — — OFFERED ITEMS: LOW TO MODERATE — — REQUESTED ITEMS RECOMMENDED — — WATER / FOOD / MAP / 9MM STANDARD / BATTERIES — Ren picked up the local road map and opened it.
The paper was old, folded too many times, and marked with red pen.
The system opened.
— LOCAL MAP DETECTED — — ROUTE DATA AVAILABLE — — SCAN COMPLETE — — MAP MAKING UPDATED — — SOUTH ROUTES ADDED — — BLOCKED ROADS MARKED — — TC NOTES RECORDED — Ren folded the map and put it back where it had been.
The vendor looked at him.
“You buying that?” “No.” “You opened it.” “I checked if it was useful.” “And?” “Not worth the price.” Yuki leaned closer.
“Isn’t that considered stealing?” Ren looked at her.
“No.” Yuki smiled.
“Nine.” Shizuka’s hand moved to the katana.
Yuki stepped back.
“What?
I counted properly.” Shizuka’s voice stayed flat.
“Count farther away.” Ren looked tired.
“It did not count.” Yuki smiled.
“It did.” Shizuka took one step closer.
“You can’t count if you can’t talk.” Yuki raised both hands.
“Saving my voice.” Ren pulled out cash next.
Old habit.
Normal world habit.
The vendor looked at the bills, then at him.
“Cash?” “Still good?” “For small things.” “What kind of small things?” “Candles.
Old clothes.
Cheap blankets.
Floor mat.” “Food?” “No.” “Ammo?” The vendor laughed once.
“No.” “Medicine?” “No.” Ren put the cash away.
Barely useful.
The system opened.
— XCHANGE CASH CONVERSION AVAILABLE — — INPUT DETECTED: JAPANESE YEN — — MARKET VALUE: COLLAPSING — — SYSTEM VALUE: LOW — — CONVERSION RATE: ¥1,000 = 1 CREDIT — Ren stared at the line.
Cash is not dead.
He closed the system and his eyes moved to the ammunition boxes.
“Armor-piercing?” The vendor’s face changed.
“Not on the table.” “Meaning?” “Meaning not for sale.” “Price?” “Expensive.” “How expensive?” “Five times standard.
More if ants keep getting harder.” Ren kept his face still.
Good.
Standard rounds had value.
Armor piercing rounds had more.
He traded two cracked radios, one bundle of mixed wires, one spare flashlight, and one pack of screws for four bottles of water, two packs of dried rice, one small battery pack, and one box of 9mm standard.
No need for the map.
He already took what he needed from it.
The vendor pushed the goods over.
“Fair trade.” Ren looked at the 9mm box.
“Fair enough.” The system opened.
— TRADE COMPLETE — — RECEIVED: WATER x4 — — RECEIVED: DRIED RICE x2 — — RECEIVED: SMALL BATTERY PACK x1 — — RECEIVED: 9MM STANDARD AMMUNITION x50 — — MAP DATA: UPDATED — — CASH VALUE: LOW — — ARMOR PIERCING MARKET VALUE: HIGH — Ren closed the system.
Later.
Yuki leaned beside him.
“You bargain like an old woman.” Ren said, “It’s either he took advantage of me or I take advantage of him.” The vendor laughed.
Shizuka looked at Yuki.
“You are too close.” Yuki stepped back one inch.
“Better?” “No.” Yuki sighed.
“Doesn’t count.” The vendor looked between them.
“Relationship trouble?” Ren and Shizuka said, “No,” at the same time.
Yuki’s eyes lit up.
“Ten.” Ren closed his eyes.
Shizuka’s hand moved to the katana again.
The vendor slowly pushed himself away.
“I am not involved.” Amamiya returned with a folded local map sheet.
“Good news.
South road still open.
Bad news.
People charge for information.” Sato came back from the medical tent.
“The civilian needs rest.
Fever risk, but it’s not a collapse case.” Ren looked at the tent.
“How long?” “Half a day would be better.” “No.” “One hour?” Ren looked around the yard.
The system opened.
— REST VALUE: HIGH — — PURSUIT RISK: MODERATE — — UNKNOWN THIRD SIGNAL: OUTSIDE PERIMETER — — SAFE REST WINDOW: 02:10:00 — “Two hours,” Ren said.
Mizuno limped over.
“He needs more than that.” “Then both of you stay.” Mizuno froze.
Sato looked at Ren.
Ren did not soften it.
“You are injured.
He is worse.
South Gate has walls, a medic, food, and people with guns.
The van does not.” Mizuno looked toward the medical tent.
“You want to leave us here.” “I want to leave you here alive.” Mizuno’s jaw tightened.
Then the injured civilian coughed behind the curtain.
Mizuno looked away.
Sato said, “We pay for their stay.” Ren nodded.
They paid with one battery pack, two ration packs, and one road flare bundle.
The medic gave them a numbered tag.
“Room C-4.
Storage room.
Two hours for you.
Medical hold for those two.” Mizuno looked at Sato.
“Go.
I’ll keep him alive.” Sato held his stare.
“You better.” Mizuno smiled weakly.
“Yes, ma’am.” Yuki took the tag.
“Do we get beds?” The medic looked at her.
“Mats.” “Luxury.” They moved through the yard.
People watched them.
Ren watched back.
The system marked too many things.
— HUMAN STRESS: HIGH — — FOOD SUPPLY: LIMITED — — INTERNAL CONFLICT RISK: MODERATE — — ARMED GROUP DISCIPLINE: VARIABLE — — WHITE BAND PRESENCE: 0 — — HIDDEN WEAPONS: MANY — South Gate was not safe.
It was controlled by rules, once that breaks, it will be chaos.
That was still better than the road.
A small crowd stood near a radio table where someone had rigged speakers from car parts.
The news broadcast played again, clearer this time.
“Public order alerts remain active in several districts.
Local authorities report crowd violence near ration queues in eastern Tokyo and northern Osaka.
Several regional ports report stalled unloading due to staffing collapse and security concerns.
Cargo ships remain delayed offshore.” A man near the table spat.
“Security concerns.
They mean people are stealing food.” Another man said, “Let them steal.
My brother’s kids have not eaten since yesterday.” A woman snapped, “Then steal from the government, not us.” The air tightened.
A TC guard hit a metal pole with a baton.
“No arguments here.” The argument died.
Not because the guard calmed them down because the guard had friends.
The broadcast continued.
“Overseas, authorities in South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and parts of the United States have reported similar collapse cases.
Footage of alleged abnormal survivors remains unverified.
Officials continue to advise against spreading panic.” Ren kept walking.
Awakened.
Spread out.
The storage room C-4 sat behind stacked drink crates.
It had six floor mats, two folded blankets, and a battery lamp hanging from a hook.
No window.
One door.
Sato checked the corners.
Shizuka checked under the mats.
Yuki checked the latch.
Amamiya dropped onto the nearest mat.
“If something is under this, I no longer care.” Sato looked at him.
“Are you that tired?” “I have been tired since the first ant.” Ren placed the bag beside the wall and sat near it.
Shizuka sat on his left.
Yuki looked at his right.
Shizuka looked at Yuki.
Yuki sat across from him instead.
“Peace talks,” Yuki said.
“No one is negotiating,” Shizuka said.
Yuki smiled.
“Not yet.” Ren leaned back against the wall.
His body understood he had stopped.
Pain arrived all at once.
Shoulder.
Ribs.
Thigh.
Hands.
Head.
The system opened.
— REST WINDOW ACTIVE — — INJURY RECOVERY OPPORTUNITY — — RECOMMENDATION: MEDICAL PATCH / WATER / SLEEP — — PARTY STATUS DISPLAY AVAILABLE — Ren frowned.
Party status.
That was new.
The system opened.
— PARTY STATUS SUMMARY — — REN KURONO: FATIGUE HIGH / INJURY MODERATE — — SHIZUKA: FATIGUE MODERATE / COMBAT READINESS HIGH — — SATO: FATIGUE HIGH / TRUST IN REN INCREASING — — YUKI: FATIGUE LOW / ATTACHMENT ESCALATING — — AMAMIYA: FATIGUE HIGH / COMPLAINT OUTPUT STABLE — Ren stared at the line about Amamiya.
Complaint output stable.
The system had made a joke.
Or something close to one.
Another line appeared.
— HUMOR ATTEMPT DETECTED — — EFFECTIVENESS UNKNOWN — Ren closed his eyes.
The system was learning too fast.
Yuki tilted her head.
“You smiled.” “No.” “Eleven.” Ren opened one eye.
“Stop.” “That was not no.” Shizuka said, “Stop.” Yuki sighed.
“Fine.” Then she looked at Ren again.
“Are you hurt?” “No.” Shizuka immediately looked at him.
Sato too.
Yuki smiled.
“Twelve.” Ren stared.
“You used that on purpose.” “You lied on purpose.” Shizuka reached toward his shoulder.
Ren tried to move away.
Her hand stopped him.
“Let me see.” “I’m fine.” “No.” Yuki lifted a finger.
Shizuka looked at her.
Yuki slowly lowered the finger.
“Does not count unless Ren says it.
I remember.” Shizuka checked Ren’s shoulder through his jacket.
Her fingers were careful.
Too careful.
That hurt more than if she pressed hard.
Sato tossed a medical patch over.
“Use it.” Ren caught it.
“I don’t need it.” Sato stared.
Ren sighed and opened the pack.
“Fine.” Yuki smiled softly.
“No kiss point.
I am being kind.” Amamiya lay back on the mat.
“I am impressed by your restraint and terrified by your limits.” Yuki gave him a bright smile.
“Thank you.” “That was not praise.” “I accept it.” Ren put the medical patch over his shoulder.
Cold spread under the adhesive.
The system opened.
— MEDICAL SUPPORT APPLIED — — PAIN REDUCTION: PARTIAL — — MOBILITY RECOVERY: IMPROVING — — USER COMPLIANCE: DELAYED — Then another line appeared.
— HE IS DIFFICULT — It vanished.
— CORRECTION — — USER RESISTANCE TO CARE: HIGH — Ren covered his eyes with one hand.
Shizuka saw his reaction.
“What did it say?” “Nothing.” Yuki leaned forward.
“It insulted you.” Ren looked at her.
“How would you know?” “Your face.” Sato sat near the door.
“If the system starts insulting him, I want transcripts.” “No,” Ren said.
Yuki smiled.
“Thirteen.” Ren glared at her.
She leaned back, satisfied.
The room settled.
The battery lamp hummed softly.
Outside the door, people walked past.
Someone argued over rice.
Someone laughed too loudly.
A child cried and stopped after a woman whispered something.
South Gate TC lived by trade, rules, and fear.
Ren opened the system again, slower this time.
Cash first.
He counted it quietly.
His money.
Shizuka’s money.
Together, about three hundred thousand yen.
A number that used to matter more.
The system opened.
— XCHANGE CASH CONVERSION AVAILABLE — — INPUT DETECTED: JAPANESE YEN — — MARKET VALUE: COLLAPSING — — SYSTEM VALUE: LOW — — CONVERSION RATE: ¥1,000 = 1 CREDIT — Ren did not convert all of it.
Cash still worked for small things here.
Barely.
He selected two hundred thousand yen.
— CASH CONVERSION SELECTED — — INPUT: ¥200,000 — — OUTPUT: 200 CREDITS — — CONFIRM?
— Ren confirmed.
— CONVERSION COMPLETE — — CREDIT GAINED: +200 — — CURRENT CREDIT BALANCE: 894 — He folded the remaining cash and kept it.
Old money is almost dead.
Then he selected the 9mm standard rounds.
Not all.
Only ten.
— AMMO CONVERSION AVAILABLE — — 9MM STANDARD TO 9MM ARMOR PIERCING — — COST: 2 CREDITS PER ROUND — — OUTPUT SELECTED: 10 ROUNDS — — TOTAL COST: 20 CREDITS — — CONFIRM?
— Ren confirmed.
— CONVERSION COMPLETE — — 9MM ARMOR PIERCING: +10 — — 9MM STANDARD: -10 — — CURRENT CREDIT BALANCE: 874 — He wrapped the ten AP rounds in cloth.
A useful trick became dangerous if people saw the shape of it.
Disassembly items waited.
Blueprint library waited.
Skill stars waited.
The damaged anchor module waited at the edge.
He almost selected it.
Then the system spoke first.
— WARNING — — ANCHOR MODULE DISASSEMBLY MAY TRIGGER SIGNAL RESPONSE — — CURRENT LOCATION: HUMAN SETTLEMENT — — RECOMMENDATION: DELAY — Ren let his hand fall away from the bag.
It had warned him before he made the mistake.
He whispered, “Later.” The system answered.
— I AGREE — It vanished.
— CORRECTION — — DELAY CONFIRMED — Ren opened his eyes.
Shizuka was watching him.
She knew.
Not what he saw but enough to understand.
Yuki lay back on the opposite mat, hands behind her head.
“I am saving points for later.” Shizuka said, “Save them forever.” “No.” Ren closed his eyes too late.
Yuki sat up.
“Doesn’t count.
But I liked it.” Shizuka stared at Ren like the fault belonged to him.
Ren whispered, “I did not say it.” Yuki smiled.
“But you wanted to.” Sato groaned from the door.
Before leaving, Ren returned to the trade area with Shizuka beside him.
Yuki tried to follow.
Shizuka looked at her.
“No.” Yuki smiled.
“Doesn’t count.” Ren placed the cloth bundle on the ammo table.
The vendor opened it.
His face changed.
“Where did you get these?” “Found them.” “Bullshit.” “Do you want them or not?” The vendor looked around, then lowered his voice.
“Ten rounds only?” “That is what I am selling.” “9mm AP.” “Yes.” “Trade?” “Standard 9mm.
Batteries.
Medical tape.
Dried food.
One working powerbank.” The vendor stared at him.
“For ten rounds?” “Ten AP rounds.” “You know how much you are asking?” Ren looked at the ammo table.
“I know how much you will sell them for.” The vendor’s smile faded.
Ren kept his voice low.
“I am not desperate.” The vendor looked at Shizuka’s katana.
Then at the cloth bundle.
“Fine.
One box of standard 9mm, two battery packs, medical tape, dried food, and one powerbank.” “Two boxes of standard 9mm.” The vendor’s eyes narrowed.
“Pushing.” “Keeping it fair.” The vendor looked around once, then took the cloth bundle.
“Fine.
Two boxes.
But if you find more, you come to me first.” Ren took the supplies.
“No promises.” The system opened.
— TRADE COMPLETE — — SOLD: 9MM ARMOR PIERCING x10 — — RECEIVED: 9MM STANDARD AMMUNITION x100 — — RECEIVED: SMALL BATTERY PACK x2 — — RECEIVED: MEDICAL TAPE x1 — — RECEIVED: DRIED FOOD x1 — — RECEIVED: WORKING POWERBANK x1 — — TRADE VALUE: HIGH — — WARNING: REPEATED TRADE MAY ATTRACT ATTENTION — Ren closed the window.
He already knew.
The two-hour rest did not last two hours.
Nothing good did.
After forty minutes, a bell rang outside.
Once.
Twice.
Then a voice shouted through the yard.
“North gate movement.
Everyone stay inside.
Trade area closed.” Sato stood at once.
Shizuka rose with the katana.
Ren grabbed the bag.
The system opened.
— PERIMETER ALERT — — DIRECTION: NORTH — — UNKNOWN THIRD SIGNAL: STATIONARY — — CREATURE PRESENCE: LOW — — HUMAN MOVEMENT: MULTIPLE — — WHITE BAND DETECTED: 0 — — THREAT CLASSIFICATION: UNCLEAR — Ren moved to the door.
Sato blocked him with one arm.
“We paid to rest.” “The alarm means danger.” Yuki popped up behind them.
“Agreed.” Shizuka said, “No.” Yuki pointed at Ren.
“He thought it.” Ren did not deny it.
Sato opened the door a crack.
The yard outside had shifted.
TC guards moved to the northern fence.
Traders quickly packed their goods while the radio kept playing under the noise.
Ren stepped out.
South Gate’s north gate faced the road they had come from.
Beyond the fence, ten people walked slowly toward the barricade.
Hands raised.
No white bands.
Some were injured.
Some carrying bags.
One young man near the front had blood on his shirt and light flickering faintly around his fingers.
Not electricity.
Not fire.
Something between.
The system opened.
— AWAKENED INDIVIDUAL DETECTED — — OUTPUT TYPE: UNKNOWN — — STABILITY: LOW — — HOSTILITY: LOW — — FEAR: HIGH — Ren stopped.
Shizuka stopped with him.
Sato whispered, “What is it?” Ren looked at the young man’s shaking hands.
“Awakened.” Yuki’s smile vanished.
Amamiya muttered, “Like the news.” The TC guards at the gate shouted.
“Hands up.
No sudden movement.” The young man cried, “I can’t stop it.” Light flickered harder.
People behind him backed away.
The guards raised their guns.
Ren’s map flashed yellow.
Not red.
Yellow.
The system opened.
— RECOMMENDATION: DO NOT ENGAGE — — OBSERVE — — PUBLIC AWAKENED INTERACTION: VALUABLE — The young man dropped to his knees.
The light around his hands flickered out.
Then came back weaker.
The gate woman from earlier stepped forward with a shield raised.
“Breathe.
Hands on the ground.
Slowly.” He obeyed.
The light faded.
Ren exhaled slowly.
South Gate opened the outer lane and brought them in one by one.
The system marked the young man again.
— AWAKENED INCIDENT CONFIRMED — — PUBLIC SPREAD PROBABILITY: HIGH — — SYSTEM COMPARISON: INSUFFICIENT — Then another line appeared.
— HE IS NOT LIKE US — It vanished.
— CORRECTION — — SUBJECT FUNCTION DIFFERS FROM USER SYSTEM ACCESS — Ren stared.
Us.
Again.
Not we this time.
Us.
Shizuka leaned close.
“What?” Ren looked at the young man being led inside.
“Nothing good.” The bell stopped.
Trade did not resume.
South Gate had seen something it could not price yet.
The woman watching the gate looked across the yard and saw Ren watching.
For a second, their eyes met.
She knew he had understood too much.
Ren turned away first.
“Back to the van.” Sato looked at him.
“We are leaving?” “Before they start asking people what they are.” Yuki looked toward the awakened young man.
“Will they hurt him?” Ren looked at South Gate’s armed guards.
“Depends how scared they get.” They reached the van.
Ren loaded the last trade goods into the warehouse in small batches.
Not too obvious.
Food.
Water.
9mm.
Battery packs.
Medical tape.
Dried food.
Working powerbank.
Cloth wrap.
A cheap blanket.
The system marked everything.
— SUPPLY STATUS IMPROVED — — REST INTERRUPTED — — TRADE VALUE: SATISFACTORY — — UNKNOWN THIRD SIGNAL: OUTSIDE PERIMETER — — STATUS: WAITING — Ren started the van.
The motor hummed.
Sato moved toward the passenger seat.
Yuki lifted one hand.
“I can drive.” Everyone looked at her.
Amamiya blinked.
“You can drive?” Yuki smiled.
“I can steal cars.
Driving them is the easy part.” Sato looked at Ren.
“I can drive too.” Ren kept one hand on the wheel.
“I know.” Yuki leaned closer.
“You are hurt.
Let me drive.” Ren looked at her through the mirror.
“Whats the catch?” Yuki’s smile widened.
“One kiss point per kilometer.” “No.” “Fourteen.” Shizuka’s hand moved to the katana.
Yuki quickly added, “Fine.
Flat rate.” “No.” “Fifteen.” Ren closed his eyes once.
Sato rubbed her forehead.
“You are making him pay for rest?” “I am offering premium service.” Shizuka’s voice went cold.
“You are offering trouble.” Yuki pointed at the driver seat.
“He needs to stop using that shoulder.” Ren did not answer.
That was the problem.
She was right.
Sato saw it too.
“She has a point.” Yuki looked proud.
Sato added, “Not the kiss point.
The shoulder.” Yuki sighed.
Ren stepped out of the driver seat.
“Ten minutes.” Yuki slid behind the wheel before he finished speaking.
“Twenty minutes.” “Ten.” “Fifteen.” “No.” “Sixteen.” Shizuka leaned forward.
“Drive.” Yuki straightened.
“Yes, sword wife.” Shizuka smiled.
Yuki’s hands tightened on the wheel.
“Respectfully.” Ren moved to the rear seat, near the bag.
Shizuka sat beside him at once.
Sato took the passenger seat.
Amamiya buckled himself in.
“I trust the ants more than her growth.” Yuki adjusted the mirror until she could see Ren.
Ren noticed.
“Watch the road.” “I can do both.” “No.” “Seventeen.” Sato looked out through the windshield.
“They will not stay peaceful.” Ren looked back at South Gate TC as the gate opened.
“No.” Yuki opened her mouth.
Shizuka’s katana shifted.
Yuki closed it.
“Fine.
That one was serious.” The unknown third signal waited outside the settlement.
Still.
Patient.
The van rolled out of South Gate TC and back onto the south road.
Yuki drove smoother than Ren expected.
Too smooth.
Sato noticed too.
“You have done this before.” Yuki smiled.
“Legally?” “No.” “Then no.” Amamiya muttered, “At least she is honest.” Behind them, the Temporary Community Support Center closed its gate.
Ahead, the road bent toward deeper Izu.
The radio hissed, then caught one last line.
“Authorities continue to urge citizens to report sudden-collapse cases through official channels.
Current confirmed national total remains 1,842,000 reported cases.” Yuki kept driving.
Ren watched the road from the rear seat.
The system opened.
— PUBLIC COUNT UNCHANGED — — REPORTING INTERVAL ACTIVE — — CURRENT CREDIT BALANCE: 874 — — USER STABILITY PROTECTION ENABLED — Then one final line appeared.
— I WILL FILTER WHAT YOU DO NOT NEED — It vanished.
— CORRECTION — — INFORMATION FILTER ACTIVE — Ren’s grip tightened.
Shizuka saw.
She did not ask.
That was kindness.
Or fear.
The south road stretched ahead.
They had traded.
They had rested.
They had seen another awakened person.
South Gate had given them supplies, a warning, and one more reason to leave before walls became cages.
And outside every fence, under every road, something kept waiting for them to move.
Chapter 24 ~ End.