CHAPTER 23

Niikaz and her team crouched behind the front wall of a nearby house, hiding from the undead milling aimlessly in the street. The zombies stood as if frozen, jaws slack and eyes vacant, yet poised to snap at any sign of movement. Their ears seemed to twitch, waiting for the faintest sound to guide them to their next meal. Blood and torn flesh lay scattered around, a grim testament to the chaos that erupted when the outbreak began.

Niikaz and the others took a quick breather, eyeing their destination-the tallest building in the area, looming directly ahead. However, reaching it would not be simple. Nearly a hundred undead prowled near the main entrance, creating a formidable blockade.

"My house is in that building," Kazu pointed out, his index finger trembling as he directed it at the towering structure.

"On which floor?" Niikaz asked.

"The seventh," Kazu replied, his voice low.

A hologram map materialized in Niikaz's view as she mentally commanded her system to focus on the building's seventh floor. She scanned for any signs of life, but her frown deepened. There was no indication of survivors. Still, she withheld this information from Kazu, clinging to a small hope that they might still find someone there.

"How do we get through all of that?" Naomi whispered, glancing nervously at the sea of undead blocking their path.

"Kill them on sight," Niikaz replied flatly.

"Eh!" Naomi and the others recoiled in surprise.

"Niikaz, there's way too many of them! How-" Kazu protested.

"Are your weapons just for decoration? Don't underestimate my creations," Niikaz shot back.

"There's a difference between being reckless and being smart," Kazu muttered, feeling a headache already setting in.

"We'll make it through. Naomi's barrier will keep you safe, right? Unless you have a better plan." Niikaz sighed inwardly, wanting to jump straight into the fray. (I just want to fight.)

"How about we distract them with noise, like when we escaped from school?" Takuzo suggested, sensing her eagerness.

*Can't they read the mood right now?* Niikaz thought, frowning. But an idea sparked.

"Fine, I'll handle it. Move out when I give my signal" She stepped out from behind the wall, ready to move before Kazu could stop her.

"What does she mean by 'signal'?" Yamada asked, bewildered. While Kazu stands like a stone with arm still in mid-air pointing towards Niikaz. He went back to reality after hearing screaming.

Niikaz's piercing scream cut through the air, echoing across the street. The undead immediately turned, shambling toward her with unsettling focus. She had effectively made herself bait.

"That idiot! She's getting an earful later. Let's go!" Kazu grumbled, leading the others into the building.

"Kazu, is she going to be okay? There's too many of them!" Yamada asked, visibly worried.

"She'll be fine. Niikaz is stronger than she looks," Kazu replied firmly. He trusted her, having already witnessed her abilities in action.

Once she saw her team make it inside safely, Niikaz stopped, letting the undead draw closer. Her bright blue eyes glowed as she faced them with a wicked smile, her hands radiating with power. Her stare left the undead more confused than her. She pounced, moving with lethal precision.

---

Meanwhile, Kazu and the others made their way to the lobby.

"Should we take the stairs or the elevator?" Yamada asked, glancing around nervously.

"We'll use the elevator to save time and energy. We need to reach the seventh floor before nightfall," Kazu answered. They approached the elevator cautiously, weapons ready.

The elevator doors slid open, and five undead lurched out. Naomi's barrier protected Kazu from an immediate bite as Takuzo, Naomi, and Yamada quickly sprang into action, taking down the undead with calculated shots. Kazu aimed his weapon at the zombie pinning him down and pulled the trigger, piercing its skull. He breathed heavily, the weight of survival pressing on him.

"Kazu, are you okay?" Yamada asked, extending a hand to pull him up.

"Y-yeah. Thanks." Kazu's voice was shaky.

( I gotta be focus, don't rush) He stabilise his breath. Knowing that his house is near makes him rush too much and almost got bitten.

They entered the elevator, and Kazu pressed the button for the seventh floor. "Keep your weapons ready."

As the doors opened, the undead in the hallway reacted to the noise, lumbering toward them. Naomi maintained the barrier, and they fired on the advancing zombies, their specialized weapons tearing through the creatures. In the chaos, Takuzo yelled triumphantly, "Haha, die!"

"This weapon is amazing! I don't even have to reload," Yamada exclaimed.

"It looks clear! Let's go!" Kazu urged, leading them down the corridor. They noticed the undead seemed to gather mainly around the elevator area.

(The people here must have fought to escape, but it was hopeless with undead swarming every floor.) Kazu's expression darkened as he prayed silently for his family's safety. At the end of the hall, he raised his hand, signaling the others to stop as he peeked around the corner.

Three zombies stood swaying nearby, their heads tilted upward in eerie stillness. Kazu nodded to Takuzo, silently indicating it was safe to move forward.

On a count of three, they turned the corner, ready to shoot.

"Yo! You guys made it up here already?" Niikaz's voice caught them off guard. She stood in the hallway, her left hand resting a machine gun casually on her shoulder. Three more undead lay lifeless at her feet.

"Why are you here already?!" Kazu exclaimed, stunned.

She rolled her eyes, gesturing toward a rope tied to the railing. "What did you think?"