-1025- Finally here

Saikai Academy, Infirmary.

At this moment, Rozen and his group all gathered here, crowding together.

"Look, this is the current situation."

Asagi manipulated her laptop with extremely smooth keystrokes, pointing to the screen that displayed the image. Everyone gathered around to see what was presented on the screen.

"This is... the Old Southeast Area?"

Seeing the image, Kojou was the first to express surprise.

Not only Kojou but everyone else also exchanged glances.

The so-called Old Southeast Area referred to the area located in the southeast direction of Itogami Island.

However, it was not a part of Itogami Island's territory but rather a man-made island block floating southeast of Itogami Island.

Originally an experimental artificial island, it was primarily used as a construction base for building Itogami Island itself. Most residents were directly involved in the construction of Itogami Island's urban design, construction workers, and their families.

Therefore, this area was once the center of Itogami Island until the completion of the four artificial islands in the east, west, south, and north. With the foundation stone gate centered, Itogami Island was formed as a whole, leading to a continuous decrease in population as people moved to the main island.

Compared to Itogami Island, the Old Southeast Area was smaller in size and its facilities were of a lower grade. The durability of the island's body was also nearing its end, and it had been designated as an abandoned zone to be demolished within a few years.

The residents on the island were expected to be relocated to Itogami Island, marking the decline of the artificial island.

To reach this Old Southeast Area, aside from using air and sea routes, one could only use the two connecting bridges between the area and Itogami Island.

Now, Rozen and his group saw the image of the current situation in the Old Southeast Area on the laptop.

It should have been taken from a helicopter, and Asagi used his skills to infiltrate the system of the Artificial Island Management Cooperative and retrieve this image.

Thus, everyone saw that there was a small-scale disturbance happening on the connecting bridges between Itogami Island and the Old Southeast Area.

Armored vehicles barricaded the bridge, completely blocking the bridge deck.

Many armed forces wearing protective suits against biochemical weapons held guns, standing guard with solemn expressions.

The scene seemed to completely isolate the Old Southeast Area, not allowing anyone to approach or even leave. Evidence of this was the armed forces with guns pointed not only towards Itogami Island but also towards the Old Southeast Area, creating a cruel atmosphere where anyone approaching would be ruthlessly shot on sight.

"This just happened last night."

Asagi continued to type on the keyboard, infiltrating the system of the Artificial Island Management Cooperative, continuously switching the images on the screen from various angles to show the current situation in the Old Southeast Area, while explaining.

"Last night, suspected cases of a new type of infection were found in the Old Southeast Area of the artificial island. Due to concerns about expanding infection, the Artificial Island Management Cooperative issued orders to prohibit all personnel from entering or leaving the Old Southeast Area until safety is ensured. Therefore, the connecting bridges were blocked, and all travel to the Old Southeast Area was not allowed. All ships passing through the Old Southeast Area were prohibited from docking, and island residents must undergo full-body inspections as directed by quarantine officials."

The screen then turned to the sea, showing many patrol boats and cruisers appearing on the sea between Itogami Island and the Old Southeast Area, maintaining strict vigilance.

"I also found out about this last night after hacking into the Management Cooperative's database and seeing all this."

Asagi didn't notice any wrongdoing in her actions, as if infiltrating the system of the Artificial Island Management Cooperative was as casual as visiting a neighbor, sending shivers down one's spine.

However, those familiar with Asagi know that this "Cyber Empress" often hacks into the database of the Artificial Island Management Cooperative to check various latest information about Itogami Island, such as where new cake shops are opening or which clothing stores have the latest products, acting without any restraint.

Unfortunately, the consequence of doing so is that Asagi often knows some secrets that outsiders don't know, including some political dark sides.

"Because of fears of causing panic, the Management Cooperative has not yet made this matter public, and the Old Southeast Area has been completely isolated from Itogami Island."

Asagi typed quickly on the keyboard, saying so.

"I couldn't help but hack into the surveillance cameras in the Old Southeast Area, and the result..."

Asagi pressed the Enter key, and the image on the laptop suddenly changed to the scene inside the Old Southeast Area.

"This is...!?"

Kojou took a sharp breath.

"Unbelievable..."

"Ugh..."

Nagisa and Avrora shivered at the sight.

Rozen stared at the screen of the laptop, seeing the scene inside the Old Southeast Area.

On the screen, numerous figures were wandering the streets.

They were a group of infected individuals turned into monsters.

Some wandered the streets, some curled up on the ground motionless, and some were even chasing a group of civilians frantically. In the despairing and fearful screams of the civilians, they pounced on them, biting their necks ruthlessly like mad beasts, causing blood to splatter.

The scene was like something out of a zombie apocalypse movie.

"Don't look, Nagisa, Avrora."

Rozen turned decisively, covering Nagisa and Avrora's eyes with his hand as if embracing them, shielding their eyes from the screen.

"Is... is that vampire infection?"

Nagisa obediently allowed Rozen to cover her eyes, but the scene just now seemed to have completely imprinted itself in her heart, making her voice extremely uneasy.

"Calamity..."

Avrora similarly allowed Rozen to cover her, even burying her head in Rozen's chest, trembling all over.

Surprisingly, Asagi remained unexpectedly calm.

"As you've seen, because of the appearance of the infection on Itogami Island, those guys up there are now very sensitive."

Asagi glanced somewhat dissatisfied at Rozen embracing the girls, while speaking.

"If there are any abnormal physical discomforts and they aren't properly treated, they might be considered to have contracted the infection. The Special District Security Team will probably immediately surround the entire Saikai Academy with assault rifles and isolate it from the outside world."

It was precisely because of this that Asagi wanted to inform Rozen and the others about this matter, so they could be more cautious.

"Although I don't want you to spread it casually to avoid causing chaos, if you feel uncomfortable anywhere, you must take it seriously, otherwise, it might be too late."

Asagi warned very seriously, causing everyone to fall into silence.

"How could this happen...?"

Kojou seemed a bit bewildered.

"This world really makes it impossible for people to feel at ease."

Motoki, who had been unusually quiet since earlier, also sighed.

Rozen continued to cover the girls' eyes, still staring at the screen in front of him, murmuring softly.

"So it's finally here..."