2. Checking Abilities (2)
by Shini
Carefully.
Step by step.
Leaning against the right wall, I peered outside.
A long stretch of road.
Cars lined up on the street.
No signs of life.
Slowly peeling myself from the wall, I took cautious steps forward.
The view ahead was clear.
A three-way intersection lay just ahead.
Where the hell am I?
The streets and buildings are all unfamiliar.
Normally I’d walk casually until I recognized something, but now everything feels alien.
I pressed against the left wall.
Rows of shops, streetlights lining the sidewalk, and traffic lights painting the road with colored light.
So quiet.
“Haa…haa…”
My breathing sounds unnaturally loud.
Gripping the baton, I slowly stepped out of the building.
Listening intently.
No sounds.
No movement anywhere.
Continually scanning left and right, I entered the road.
All sorts of vehicles sat abandoned.
But all the doors are closed.
People fled but still managed to close their doors properly.
Damn.
Moving carefully between cars, I spotted one with an open door.
Yes!
A white Hyundai Avante! Perfect!
Grabbing the window frame, I climbed into the driver’s seat.
Closing the door would make noise.
Any sound now might attract something.
It’s that quiet.
Couldn’t there at least be some damn dog barking?
Haa.
Carefully pulling the door shut, I placed my hands on the wheel.
Then realized.
…No keys.
Fuck!
This is insane.
Need to find a car with keys, not just an open door.
Exiting the car, I walked between vehicles.
Rows of cars yet complete silence – an unnatural scene.
And here I am walking alone down the middle of this wide road.
…Found one.
……Fuck.
A blue 5-ton truck.
This thing would be loud as hell.
…What now.
Grrroowl.
Ugh…!
Fuck…!
Haa… damn.
Running around all day without eating has my stomach screaming.
Dammit.
Change of plans.
Cars later.
These vehicles aren’t going anywhere. No need to rush.
First, find food. Survive.
Leaving the road, I returned to the sidewalk.
Bizarre sight.
Every store open at this hour.
Merchandise fully stocked.
But no shopkeepers in sight.
Holding a utility pole, I looked around.
A convenience store ahead.
Ah, fuck.
This silence makes moving so unnerving.
Is anyone even alive here?
Muffling my footsteps, I carefully approached the store.
Getting closer.
…Any staff?
Staying alert, I peered inside.
The counter……
No one. But……
Blood on the cigarette display……
Splattered violently like someone dumped a bucket.
……Should I go in?
Is there a body?
…Fuck this.
“Haa, haa, haa.”
Nervousness made my breathing shallow.
Hoo, let’s go in.
Need food.
Pushing the door slightly, I peeked inside.
Soft music played.
No other sounds.
Good.
Seems empty.
I carefully entered.
Bright inside.
Completely visible through the glass walls.
Standing out like a spotlight.
Dammit, grab stuff and go.
Moving cautiously, I headed to the fridge first.
Ramen would be good, but need drinks first.
Wait, grab dumplings from the freezer first.
As I took a step toward the freezer-
Ding-dong.
The door chime rang.
I instinctively crouched.
Fuck!
What!
Those beast bastards?
What now!
Sweat dripped from my baton hand.
Trembling from gripping too tight.
“…See? No one here, unnie.”
“Hey, but there’s blood.”
……People?
Female voices?
Peeking over the shelf where I crouched.
…High schoolers?
A girl in uniform and another in casual clothes stood by the bloody display, talking.
What are they doing?
Ah, here for food like me?
Allies then.
Ah……fuck.
Weirdly reassuring.
“…Ahem.”
Clearing my throat, I slowly stood.
The girls gasped and turned.
Faces full of shock.
They grabbed for the door.
…Fumbling like idiots. If I were one of those beasts, you’d be dead already.
“I’m here for food.”
Palms raised, I spoke softly.
The girls stared, startled.
Fear in their eyes.
“Getting supplies, then leaving. If you’re here for food, hurry. No telling when those things appear.”
Whether they’re scared or not, I said my piece. Quietly.
If these idiots scream, this confined space becomes my tomb.
Don’t care if they die screaming, but I don’t want to go down with them.
I’m here for my business, you handle yours.
“Hoo, hoo.”
Breathing calmly, I kept my hands visible.
Their expressions softened slightly.
Maybe not complete idiots. At least they’re not screaming.
Glanced outside.
Still quiet.
Good.
I eyed the girls, then stuffed dumplings into my bag from the freezer.
What else?
Snacks……
Not filling.
Those puffy bags take up too much space.
Just grab more dumplings.
Two, three packs.
Then drinks.
Stuffing a large Gatorade into my bag, I turned-the girls were picking food.
……Why gum?
Won’t fill you up.
Then-Crash!
Something shattered nearby.
Simultaneous screaming.
Someone got hit!
Damn, close!
So loud!
Like someone cranked speakers and screamed full force!
The store echoed!
The girls shrieked.
“Kyaaaaah!”
Then-something black surged up behind the counter.
“Graaaah!”
Shit!
Was lying there all along!
Damn, missed it!
The convenience store clerk!
Half his face gone!
Jaw exposed, teeth bared!
“Graaaaah!”
Eyes rolling back, the clerk leapt onto the counter.
Crouched, then pounced.
Like a beast.
“Aaaaah! Kyaaaaah!”
The girls screamed.
Fell on their asses.
Why sit down!
You stupid bitches!
The clerk lunged at them.
I lunged too.
The girls clutched each other, screaming as we closed in.
Saw the clerk’s jaw unhinge.
Fuck, it stretched so wide the lips split!
Fucking insane!
No time!
Any delay means death!
Fast!
Faster!
[Auto-cast: Acceleration]
The clerk froze mid-air.
“Graa—a—a—ah…”
Amazing!
Like slow-motion special effects!
But no time to marvel!
I swung the baton upward with all my strength.
Metal connected perfectly with the clerk’s face.
Crunch! Nose shattered instantly.
Blood droplets floated lazily.
Face crumpled like crushed paper.
Gripping the baton with both hands, I swung like batting.
Another direct hit.
Thud!
His…eye!
Eye…!
Popped out!
Fuck, like a boiled egg, goddamn!
Fuck, insane!
“—ah–uh-uhlk!”
The clerk spun mid-air, smashing into a display.
Crash! Products flew everywhere.
Acceleration ended!
“Kyaaaaah! Aaaaah!”
Those stupid bitches still screaming!
Grabbing my bag, I yanked one girl up.
“Get up! Now!”
You clueless bitch!
“Kyaaaah! Ah! Kyaaaaaaah!”
Fucking hell!
The clerk twitched violently, making grotesque sounds.
“Grrrlk! Grrrk!”
He’s…getting up!
Fucking hell!
Sounds from outside too.
…Roaring.
No, beastly howls.
We’re……
Spotted……!
“Kyaaaaah! Aaaaah! Aaaah!”
Those bitches trembling on the ground, screaming, drawing attention.
Now we can’t leave!
No telling where they’ll come from!
Fuck, what now?!
I looked around.
Wrong move here means death!
“…!”
Found it.
Found it!
The store’s back room!
Slightly ajar!
Fucking thank god!
Dragging the girl toward it.
“This way! Or die!”
This bitch still screaming and resisting!
More roars outside!
“Graaaah! Graaah!”
Multiple voices!
Fuck, a whole group!
They’re coming!
“Kyaaaaah! Aaaaah!”
You fucking idiots!
I roared:
“Move now! Wanna die?!”
Yanking hard, I pulled them along.
The uniformed girl helped drag her friend.
This bitch dead weight.
“Graaaah! Graaaah!”
SMASH!
The glass wall shattered!
Black figures pouring in!
Fuck!
Grabbing the uniformed girl, I bolted for the back room.
A glimpse showed the beasts tripping over each other in their rush.
Shoved both girls inside and slammed the door.
A bloodied, monstrous face flashed past the gap.
BANG!
“Fuck!”
Door shut!
Immediate pounding.
Roars outside!
“Graaaah! Graaaaah! Graah!”
“Kyaaaaah! Kyaah! Aaaaah!”
Fucking nightmare!
Heart pounding, mind blank!
Trembling hands turned the lock.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
“Graah! Graaaaah!”
Each impact shakes my body against the door. Fuck, it’ll break!
Anything to block it?!
Cleaning supplies nearby!
Grabbed a sack to barricade the door.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
More, need more!
Dragged a shelf stacked with boxes against the door.
“Graah! Graaaaah!”
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
“Aaaaah! Kyaaaaaaah!”
Amid the chaos, I clutched the door, gasping.
“Huff, huff, huff!”
This fucking…!
Absolute hell…!
Then, a message appeared:
[Level increased.]
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