Chapter 33 - A False Death

Getting straight into, Hayato and I had the same opinion...we needed to test the waters of where each other stood. Swinging at one another our fists connected and caused the ground around to spiderweb from the impacts. Stumbling away from us, the others watched us exchange a blistering amount of blows with each other. In terms of brute strength I could easily kill Hayato, but he certainly held the high ground in technique. Given his position as a Legendary Master I wasn't surprised or disheartened in the least by this, if anything this gave me the perfect opportunity to hone my martial arts to even higher degree. Every seconds I spent fighting him improved my control and understanding of my techniques so it was a valuable learning experience.

Watching the impacts pop up all around us, the other masters and students were in utter shock. They knew Victor was powerful given what they had seen up till now, but to match Hayato in combat was something else. Hayato could have survived by himself yet he chose to stay, and protect the people here. The Masters knew that he could crush hundreds of the undead alone if he didn't need to worry about others around him, and they had assumed Victor was the same. Seeing neither of them breaking a sweat sent a shiver down their spines.

'They are even holding back...', they thought realizing that neither of us were sweating.

"I hope you are ready old man!", I shouted.

"Haha, same to you Young Man!", he laughed enjoying himself.

"Atatatatatatatatata!! Ho wata!", I yelled unleashing the Hundred Crack Fist technique on him.

I made sure to not hit any critical pressure points as I wasn't really trying to kill him. Since he didn't quite grasp what Hokuto Shinken was, I couldn't blame him for not taking me more seriously. That said, when my punch were no longer something he could counter and he felt me narrowly missing his pressure points he understood how dangerous the style was.

'Who would teach a child such a deadly technique!?', Hayato thought, 'This isn't a technique that should be passed down, I am happy he understands that.'

Taking some distance from him to let him snap back to reality, he spoke up first."

"Where did you learn that?", he asked.

"I am self-taught, I have read many ancient text and learned from them. This style is called Hokuto Shinken,", I told him, "I found several manuscripts in the Library of Congress."

"The Big Dipper God Fist...I have vaguely heard of that.", Kensei said, "It is supposed to be an extinct line of martial arts if I remember correctly."

"A master of this style is only permitted to teach 1 pupil, and 1 pupil only. I assume you can understand why Hayato.", I stated, "If more than that were to learn this style, it would be incredibly problematic."

"I do...that is a fearsome style indeed. We would appreciate if you don't teach anyone it, someone could become a mass murderer with it.", Hayato told me.

"Is it really that powerful?", Mui asked.

"If he didn't purposefully miss my pressure points, I would be dead right now.", Hayato said, "I take it all of your martials are equally as deadly?"

"They are, but they rely on technique and Ki control. None of the others rely on pressure points all that much. I integrated it as it made disabling opponents very easy.", I answered.

"Self-taught and adapting...very astonishing.", Hayato praised, "If you are going to show your hand, so will I!! HAHA!!"

Knowing he was going to use his Kazoe Nukite to try to break through my technique, I was about to show him that it wouldn't be that easy. Waiting for him to come at me, it wasn't more than a second later before his barrage of fists came raining down. Taking the kiddy gloves off, he wasn't holding anything back. Using the Instant Movement technique from Bang, I effortless weaved through the blows like he was standing still. Waiting for the precise moment he went to use that technique, I let him taste the Dragon Attacks Tiger technique. Hitting a series of pressure points, Hayato stopped moving.

Trying to say something but unable too, he fell to the ground like he was dead. Standing their with jaws on the ground, everyone was in utter disbelief I had put him down so easily. Telling them he was in a false state of death, I assured them he would come out of it in a few hours. Giving them a smile I asked who wanted to go next, to which I was told no one wanted too.

"Oh come on", I sighed, "Fine, how about weapons training then?"

"That works.", Maya said stepping up, "What will you use?"

"My practice sword.", I said walking over to my crate to pull out my standard long sword, "My preference is European styles of swordplay. I hope that works for you."

"Fine by me.", she replied sheathing her sword for a quick draw.

For the next hour or so she and I trained our sword skills. Living up to the impression I had of her, her skills were the real deal. In all honesty, she could probably give Saeko a run for her money in how skilled she is with a Katana. Thanks to being in this world her chances of dying the same way she did in the series was non-existent. I would ensure she would live a long happy life by my side, assuming I won her affection.

"You are just as skilled with a sword as you are in martial arts.", Maya said taking my hand as I helped her to her feet, "It's amazing that a boy a year younger than me is able to defeat me so easily."

"It wasn't easy.", I chuckled.

As the two of were talking about places each of us could improve, Souichiro watching us with an irritated look. Having seen how strong Maya was prior to our encounter, he was smitten with her much to Aya's dismay as she wanted his attention. Offering him a towel to dry his sweat, she then gave him some water which he thanked her for.

"Come on man, I think it's pretty clear Maya is interested in him.", Bob told his friend, "I wouldn't push too hard, you don't want to push him."

"Grrr...", Souichiro complained, "I know you are right, but it isn't that easy."

"Come on man, don't go pissing with him. You already got your ass handed to you once, don't do it again.", Bob said, "You got someone that wants to get you know more, why don't you give her a chance? I mean honestly, you guys some kind of bond because you guys are in perfect sync."

Looking back at Aya, Souichiro did acknowledge there was something there. She had gone out of her way to help get him and Bob out of school when everything went to hell. He remembered how hard everyone had to fight to get out of there because by the time they realized what was going on the entire school yard was full of those things. Aya had shielded him more times than he could count, and it annoyed the hell out of him that he was so weak and needed the protection.

'Maybe that's my problem...I need to train harder.', he thought looking at Victor, 'I didn't want to ask those Ryōzanpaku people, I have seen how torturous their training is. Kenichi is always left sprawled out on the ground gasping for air, and that was just not my style.'

Getting up he walked over to see Victor about getting some training. Seeing him come over, Maya said she would take the same shift as me and left to shower. Renka said she'd do the same as she dashed past me to shower. Chasing after her, Mui wasn't going to take her loss during training sitting down and wanted to go again. Turning to Souichiro, I asked him what was up. Letting me know he wanted some training, I was impressed that he attempted he needed help without me needing to kick his ass.

"Sure, I will train you.", I stated, "I will teach you Krav Maga, that should be right up your alley."

"I will take your word for it, I am used to street fighting.", he admitted.

"That's exactly what Krav Maga was made for. It's meant for close quarter combat, and is really good for fighting opponents with weapons.", I told him.

"Sweet, when do we start?", he asked.

"We can train after breakfast tomorrow, you already had a good work out tonight.", I chuckled, "Aya and Bob are more than welcome to join us if they want."

"...why Aya?", he questioned.

"I have been watching you too, you share some sort of sixth sense. Whether you like it or not, she has shown she is worthy partner in the field.", I told him.

"I mean-"

"Souichiro, you will need someone to watch your back with those things out there. You aren't like me, you don't have skin that they can't bite through. Bob has Chiaki watching his back with her pistol and spear, you have Aya who would happily lay her life down to protect you.", I informed him, "I understand you may not have the same feelings she has, but you can agree that she wouldn't abandon you or betray you."

"Yeah...I do agree with that.", he admitted.

"Chiaki can join in, and you four can form the basis for your own team.", I said with a smile, "Show me you can think with a level head under pressure, and I will give you missions to put your skills to the test."

"I like the sound of that!", he laughed, "Come on Bob, let's hit the showers!"

"Haha.", Bob snickered, "See you in the morning Victor."

Thanking me for the offering to train them, the two women agreed to it as it would help them support their men better. Nodding my head, I turned my attention to Hayato who was waking up from being in his false death state. Judging by his expression he had a livid out of body experience, and had seen some things.

"Everything okay?", I asked, "Sorry about doing that, but you weren't really training at that level."

"I apologize, it's not often I get to fight someone at my level.", he said, "That move...it was quite something. It was like I was here, but I couldn't interact with anyone."

"An out of body experience, it was because your body thought it was dead when it really wasn't. Only your sense of hearing was still working so the world around you was being seen in a completely different light.", I chuckled.

"That would explain a lot...while I was laying there, I heard a lot of digging under the ground in that direction.", he said pointing outside the fort, "I suggest we send a team to investigate."

"I can take care of it, I can leave you gentlemen to hold the fort down while I am away.", I said.

Getting my Doomslayer armor on, I loaded up my shotgun, rifle, war axe, and sword before heading out in the direction Hayato pointed out. Leaping over the wall, I took off at a brisk pace of around 100mph away from the fort. Using the mini map to guide me to where the nearby hot spot was, I came over a ridge to find a massive open grave where the dead were lay in pills.

'This smell...this is terrible.', I thought, "Midna, will this cause problems with the ground water?"

Noticing that she wasn't coming out, I asked her louder through the telepathic link.

"Shut up, I can hear you!!", she retorted, "I am not coming out anywhere near all those rotting corpses!! I can smell them in your shadow, and I already want to throw up!! Do something about that damn smell!!"

Opening my inventory I pulled out several hundred pounds of Lime power to cover the corpses with to kill the smell and bacteria along with increase the decomposition speed. After spreading the Lime over the burial site the smell started to dissipate as the Lime did it's job. Once the smell was all but gone, Midna came out hacking up a lung from the residual smell in the air.

"To answer your question, there isn't any ground water in this area. They used water purification to clean the salt water.", she said.

"Where did all these bodies come from?", I asked.

"The Ridden are...were making a nest. You have seen to it that they won't be nesting here.", she stated, "All of these corpses were from the servicemen and the locals that weren't able to hold out for your arrival."

"Disgusting...", I complained.

"You and I agree on that.", she admitted, "It's a good thing you put a stop too this."

"What do you mean?", I asked.

"This place would have made an Abomination, that's where the Irregular Zombies that Umbrella can't control start coming from.", Midna stated.

"What...", I sighed.

"You didn't think this would be that easy did you?", she giggled.

"I thought taking out Raccoon City would end this.", I said.

"It will, at least the ones they are making anyways. You didn't specifically say the apocalypse would end after all.", she laughed.

"I am about to freaking Yeet you into the Pacific.", I growled.

"You wouldn't harm little old me.", she said.

Firmly grabbing her, she looked at my twitching smile as her own smile faded.

"First I find out it's not just Resident Evil and HOTD, and now you are telling me there are going to be feral zombies.", I stated, "Since you don't want to tell me important things like that, why don't you go for a swim!"

"WAIT!!!", she shrieked, "Alright I will talk, just don't-"

"YEET!!!", I shout throwing her far out to sea.

'Not telling me important things like that is how people get killed!! Places like this are probably common all over the place now, and that means Abominations everywhere.', I thought, 'This changes my plans now...I am going to have to use that Ki Awakening manuscript I found to force people to awaken Ki. It's my best option to help protect my group from the worms. Everyone else will have to wait for a serum from the Black Label team, better take some samples.'

I had the Black Label team working on making a Super Soldier serum, so adding something for the worms wouldn't be that out of the way. Hopefully they could do both, but I would have too see. Watching a soaking wet Midna come flying back to me, she wore a look of frustration and anger. Seeing the look put a smile on my face as she enjoyed making my life difficult for no reason.

"I hate you.", she complained.

"Don't hide things from me, and we won't have a problem.", I retorted.

"You are a serious buzz kill.", she sighed, "You know how boring it is having to just follow you in your shadow all the time?"

"I am open to suggestions for things to have you do.", I said as I finished off the few Ridden that were in the area.

"Hmm...well could I maybe read some of the stuff in your inventory?", she asked, "It's better than just sitting there."

"Yeah, that's fine just don't damage them.", I stated giving her a stack of books.

"Hehe, you gave me the good stuff! Manga and comics!!", she giggled diving into my shadow with them.

Shaking my head as I walked into the ruins of what once was a city. The zombies and Ridden had all but destroyed this place leaving it in a terrible state. Zooming the map in while I did some patrolling, I noticed that there were people still managing to survive here. I hadn't noticed them as the nest had made the entire area red when I was zoomed out. Approaching what was once a bakery, I opened the front door and went to the back to find a few families cowering in the back.

"Hello?", I said in English as I couldn't see their faces well.

"Are you one of the soldiers from the base?!", they replied getting up from their seats.

"No, the bases in the area are abandoned. My group took over one of the empty bases, and are living there now. Are you the families of those troops?", I questioned.

Watching the despair come over their faces, I realized that they were families of the troops stationed at the nearby base. Looking at the little kids, the women, and the few men that were here I felt anger boiling my heart. They had been abandoned like me, it made sick to think they could just turn their backs so easily.

"Midna, did the troops just abandon their families?", I asked.

"Yes, they were given orders to retreat immediately. In fact, they left the night before Z-Day.", she told me, "There were some that weren't happy about it, but they were executed and tossed into the ocean. Your father was the one that ordered their retreat, and told them to leave their families behind."

"I...see...", I growled, "Just another reason to make him eat his own asshole!!"

Telling them to come with me, I said I would get them to safety. Nodding their heads, the hurriedly accepted the offer not wanting to stay here any longer. They had been at ground zero for the Ridden's appearance, and would have likely been died in a day or two when their supplies ran out. Taking point, I told them to stay behind me and not wander off. No matter what they saw or heard they had to stay behind me.

"Is there something out here?", they asked.

"The zombies will use sounds and half dead people to lure you into traps. Don't fall for them, I can't guarantee your safety if you leave my side.", I told them.

Staying within five feet of me as we made our way back to the base, Hayato and the other Masters were waiting at the gate for me. Having sense my return they were waiting in case they needed to assist me with a horde or something. Seeing the weary faces with me, their expressions softened as they motioned for them to hurry over. One of the children took the motion literally and took off running.

Noticing movement on my mini map, a nearby Ridden seemed sense the movement and was making a beeline for us. Not seeing anything above ground, I knew it was underground. Taking off at a dead sprint, I grab the child and threw her to Hayato. Looking at me in shock, no one knew why I had done that till a Hag burst out of the ground next to me. Seeing the Ridden leap out of the ground, the child screamed in realization that she had almost been eaten.

Turning to follow the sound I grabbed the Hag, and took it to the ground. Telling the group to get inside now, they made a beeline for the gate. Jamming my shotgun in the Hag's mouth, I fired two rounds into it's head killing it instantly. Getting up to my feet, I saw several more Hag's coming towards us underground. Reloading the shotgun, I cracked my knuckles.

"It's time to Rip and Tear!!", I said as I pulled my sword out.