“Well then.”
Yoan slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again. His deep, ocean blue gaze blazed with determination.
Seeing that look, I clenched my fists, too.
“Let’s go.”
Today, we were breaking out of this first isolated zone after taking down every zombie in the area.
“Oh, hold up now… reckon I near forgot. Sorry, folks, but give me just a tick.”
Just as we’d all steeled our nerves and were about to march forth dramatically, Grandpa Jeremy stopped us in our tracks.
He rushed back inside and reappeared carrying a heap of stuff.
When he dropped the worn leather bag at his feet, it landed with a solid thunk that made its contents obvious.
“Mm-hmm, knew somethin’ felt off… completely forgot all about this, I did.”
The bag was full of protective gear, cobbled together to minimize bites during zombie attacks.
“Didn’t have much time, so I cobbled these together best I could. Ain’t exactly featherlight, but they’ll do. Used whatever bits and bobs I had lyin’ around.”
“Wait, when did you make all this...?” Rob exclaimed. “Gramps, you’re seriously talented.”
“’Course I am. Been wranglin’ metal longer than you’ve been walkin’, I reckon.”
“The fit is incredible. I can move just fine in this.”
Rob had already strapped on the arm, leg, and shoulder pieces and looked genuinely impressed.
There were seven full sets.
I held up the one meant for me, peering at it like it might sprout legs and walk off.
“Me too?”
“What’s the matter, don’t want it? I’d feel right bad leavin’ you outta the bunch.”
It’s not like I was some kid who’d get all sulky about being excluded.
Still, this felt more like a team uniform than real armor.
Honestly, I didn’t need it. To move fast and protect everyone, it was better to stay light.
“I’ll just… take the thought.”
“Who said you get to decide?”
Before I knew it, Yoan had finished putting on his gear and grabbed mine, helpfully starting to strap me in.
“I’m fine, though.”
I mean, a zombie biting yours truly? It’d just leave teeth marks.
This stuff would only slow me down.
Then Yoan poked me dead center in the chest.
“Did you already forget? You’re not invincible. We’ve had this conversation a dozen times. Why won’t you listen? What do I have to do here? Are you trying to provoke me? If not, how about you try convincing me?”
Wow. Such a nag…
“I’ll wear it.”
Right. Now that I thought about it, zombie bites and scratches weren’t the only danger.
People had been attacked by mutant creatures, poisoned by weird toxins…
It was strange that I’d detoxed and woken up just fine without medicine, but still.
Better safe than mutated.
Not that I was giving in because Yoan had a point. Obviously.
“That’s right. Good girl.” He patted my head—purely out of habit—then turned to scan the group. “Anything else?”
“No, my lord,” Rob answered, stepping forward.
“Good. Now we’re really going.”
With Yoan in the lead, we left the monastery that had been our temporary shelter.
We kept formation and traveled a fair distance.
The sun was unusually bright, and aside from the odd zombie shambling around, it was almost peaceful.
Normally, zombies were less aggressive during the day, making daylight a relatively safe window.
But even so...
“Hmm. Isn’t it quieter than usual? Something feels weird... or is that just me?”
Rob glanced around anxiously, eyes sweeping the surroundings.
For once, I was on the same page. Something was off.
I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but it felt like the calm before the storm.
Our enemy is Aria.
And who knew what kinds of mutant horrors she’d brought with her?
“Yoan. Trap installation… perfect?”
We’d already set up several of Kira’s traps in the area.
It was our strategy for thinning out their numbers before close combat.
“Installation was perfect, but something’s different. They’re not triggering.”
In fact, every trap we’d checked on the way here had been untouched—clean as a whistle.
Zombies weren’t exactly brilliant. They couldn’t avoid traps on their own.
And we’d placed them correctly.
Which meant...
What if we’re the ones who walked into Aria’s trap?
We’d planned to lure them. But if they were the ones luring us, we needed a new plan. Fast.
“Rob. Let’s do a final check. You set traps in this area, right? Go inspect them.”
“Yes, my lord.” Rob darted off and returned not long after. “Yep. Still clean. This sure is weird.”
“Ha. Can’t be helped. Everyone stay sharp. Looks like we’re about to have ourselves a real fight.”
This was our first time dealing with a proper zombie horde. Everyone looked a bit pale.
“They’re more sensitive to sound than sight. So we’ll throw some noise decoys behind the pathway to pull them in… then blow them sky-high.”
“Whew.”
Someone let out a shaky breath. Could’ve been anyone.
“I’ll say it again: blood splatter won’t infect you. Even if you get scratched, cut away the area within a minute and you’ll be fine. But bites? Fatal. Avoid those at all costs. Don’t worry about anything else. Just survive.”
“Right! Sasha will… protect everyone!”
“No, Sasha. Protect yourself first. The rest comes after.”
“Tch. Always picking… on me.”
I tried to back him up, and I still got scolded. So unfair.
I was pouting when I heard something—soft but sharp.
I turned. The sound was flitting from direction to direction.
“Yoan. I think… we’re surrounded.”
Yoan gave a crooked smile. “They’re moving in formation. Lovely. Is this that zombie’s doing too?”
“Probably.”
“This time, I’m definitely capturing it. And making it wish it was dead.” The expression on his face turned downright villainous. “Kira. Now’s the time.”
“Yes, my lord!”
“If you miss, we die.”
“W-w-why would you say that?! Now I’m even more nervous!”
Kira raised his trembling hands and squeezed his eyes shut.
“How are you going to throw anything with your eyes closed?”
“Eek!”
Yoan’s sarcasm—deadlier than any zombie—snapped Kira’s eyes wide open. He bit his lip and moved his hands.
KABOOM! BOOM!
The bomb orbs flew in sequence, triggering a chain reaction. Thick black smoke curled up from several spots.
Kreeeehk!
They were just decoys, but they weren’t exactly harmless.
The unlucky few who’d been lurking nearby got caught and screeched in agony.
“Keheheh! Dumb zombies! How do you like the taste of my artistic masterpiece!”
Kira, who’d been a shivering mess two minutes ago, was now cackling like a mad scientist, hurling bombs with wild glee.
KABOOM!
Massive flames erupted in sequence—bigger and brighter than before.
“Now this is what you call an artistic explosion! Ahahaha!”
GRAAAHHH!
And just like that, the real wave came pouring in.
Close combat was now unavoidable.
“Good. Thanks to Kira, there’s way fewer of them. Let’s finish this fast.”
Having said his piece, Yoan shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
Right. Looking at them, there were only about... two hundred left.
Apparently, this was “way fewer.” Gotta admire the optimism.
I blinked at the horde, then at Yoan’s shrinking silhouette.
“Let’s go together!”
He’d made all those noble declarations about watching each other’s backs...
But who’s watching his? How can I just stand here when he’s like this?
“Wait, Yoan!”
I'll be the one to protect you.
***
“I told you... not to... follow me,” Yoan panted, delivering a powerful swing with his sword.
This zombie wouldn’t listen to a word he said.
He’d clearly told her to prioritize her own safety. Only help others if she had energy to spare.
But she’d charged in anyway, playing meat shield again.
“Hyaaah!”
At first glance, it looked like she was fearlessly crushing the charging zombies with her brass-knuckled fists.
In truth, she was terrified—flailing wildly and hitting whatever got close.
“Sasha! Sasha! Be careful, you’re going to hurt me at this rate!”
“Waaahhh!”
Which meant Yoan had to dodge her, too.
“Damn it.”
He gritted his teeth and concentrated. There were more of them than expected.
A glance back showed the rest of the team barely holding out.
“Yoan!”
Just then, Sasha pushed him aside and bisected a zombie that had lunged for him.
“Huhhh... b-blood!”
She looked more horrified than anyone, frantically wiping her hands and glaring at him.
“Get it… together! You crazy?”
“Me? Crazy?”
“Yeah, stupid! Tons of zombies! You’ll die!”
In his entire life, Yoan could count on one hand the number of people who’d scolded him like this. It suddenly reminded him of his late mother.
Yoan smiled.
“Sorry… I’ll focus. It’d be inconvenient to die here.”
Especially when so many were counting on him.