New survivors
1331 Words
The battlefield slowly became quiet.
The remaining zombies had either been killed or scattered.
The air was filled with the smell of blood and smoke.
Arthur remained kneeling beside Aiko.
She had lost quite a bit of blood.
Although the injury was not fatal, it was still deep.
"You idiot..."
Arthur's voice was softer than usual.
"Why would you jump in front of that attack?"
Aiko smiled weakly.
"...Because I knew you'd do the same."
Arthur became speechless.
Yuna walked over carrying medical supplies from the supermarket.
"You two can be romantic later."
Immediately, both froze.
"W-We're not being romantic!"
Aiko's face turned red.
Yuna giggled.
"Right. Totally."
Arthur sighed helplessly.
Even after fighting monsters, this girl still had the energy to tease them.
Aiko slowly sat up.
"I'll be fine."
"No."
Arthur frowned.
"You're resting."
Aiko blinked.
"...You're ordering me?"
"Yes."
"..."
"..."
For some reason, Aiko's cheeks became slightly red again.
"...Okay."
Yuna looked between the two and smiled knowingly.
Arthur carefully helped Aiko sit against a wall.
As he treated her wound, he noticed several people approaching.
The survivors from the supermarket.
There were twenty-one of them.
Several were injured.
Two older adults.
Four children.
The others looked exhausted and malnourished.
A man in his early thirties stepped forward.
He bowed deeply.
"Thank you."
The others immediately followed.
"If you hadn't come..."
"We would have died."
Several people had tears in their eyes.
Arthur slowly stood.
"You don't have to thank me."
"No."
The man shook his head.
"You risked your lives for strangers."
He smiled bitterly.
"In this world... that isn't normal anymore."
Silence filled the street.
Everyone understood.
The apocalypse had changed people.
Many had become selfish.
Cruel.
Monstrous.
Arthur looked at them.
"You all should come back with us."
The survivors widened their eyes.
"...Really?"
Arthur nodded.
"We have a shelter."
"We have food and water."
For a moment—
Nobody spoke.
Then one of the women suddenly began to cry.
"Food..."
Several others also lowered their heads.
They had been starving for days.
One of the little girls timidly looked at Arthur.
"Mister..."
"...Will there really be food?"
Arthur's expression softened.
"Yes."
The little girl immediately smiled.
It was probably the first genuine smile she had shown in days.
DING!
---
Side Quest Completed!
Reward Granted:
Silver Supply Crate ×1
Reputation Increased.
New Survivors have come to trust you.
---
Arthur ignored the notification for now.
He looked toward the group.
"We should leave."
Everyone nodded.
The streets would only become more dangerous during the night.
The journey back began.
Arthur walked at the front.
Aiko remained beside him despite her injury.
"You should rest."
"I'm fine."
"...You're stubborn."
Aiko smiled.
"So are you."
Arthur sighed.
He couldn't even argue with that.
For a while—
Neither spoke.
Then—
"...Arthur."
"Hm?"
Aiko looked forward.
"Thank you."
Arthur blinked.
"For what?"
She smiled softly.
"For coming to save them."
"For saving me."
Her voice became quieter.
"...And for worrying about me."
Arthur looked at her.
The moonlight reflected in her eyes.
For some reason—
His heartbeat became slightly faster.
"...Anyone would worry."
Aiko slowly shook her head.
"No."
"I don't think so."
Silence.
The night breeze gently blew past them.
Aiko lowered her head slightly.
"...But I'm happy you did."
Arthur froze.
Even her ears had become slightly red.
For some reason—
He suddenly didn't know what to say.
Yuna, who was walking behind them, almost laughed.
These two were completely hopeless.
A few minutes later—
The shelter finally came into view.
The survivors guarding the entrance became shocked.
"They're back!"
"And there are more people!"
The gates immediately opened.
The newly rescued survivors stared in disbelief.
A proper shelter.
Walls.
Barricades.
People.
Children.
For a moment—
Several of them began crying.
They had thought humanity was finished.
Yet this place still existed.
Arthur looked at the middle-aged man from earlier.
"Prepare food and rooms for them."
"Yes!"
The man immediately obeyed.
At this point, everyone in the shelter trusted Arthur completely.
Soon—
Food was distributed.
The new survivors almost cried while eating.
Some even apologized for crying.
Others repeatedly thanked Arthur.
DING!
---
Rebate Activated!
200x Critical Return!
Rewards:
- Premium Food Supplies ×500
- Clean Water ×700
- Medical Kits ×100
- Construction Materials ×200
---
Arthur nearly smiled.
The shelter's supplies had increased once again.
As expected—
Helping survivors was incredibly beneficial.
At that moment—
The thirty-year-old man from earlier approached.
"My name is Kenji Sato."
Arthur nodded.
"Arthur."
Kenji hesitated.
Then—
"If possible..."
"We would like to stay here."
The others nearby immediately looked nervous.
Arthur looked at their faces.
Fear.
Hope.
Desperation.
The same expressions he had seen countless times already.
Slowly—
He smiled.
"Welcome."
Silence.
Then—
The entire group became excited.
Several people even bowed repeatedly.
"Thank you!"
"Thank you so much!"
Arthur scratched his cheek awkwardly.
He still wasn't used to people treating him like a hero.
DING!
---
Shelter Population:
31 Survivors.
Population Requirement Met.
New Feature Unlocking...
---
Arthur blinked.
Another feature?
Before he could check—
Aiko suddenly stumbled.
"Aiko!"
Arthur immediately caught her.
Everyone looked over.
Aiko's face had become pale.
She had clearly pushed herself too much.
"I'm okay..."
"No, you're not."
Arthur frowned.
Without another word—
He lifted her into his arms.
"...Eh?"
Aiko froze.
Princess carry.
Everyone froze.
Yuna slowly covered her mouth.
Several women immediately smiled.
Even Kenji looked amused.
Arthur looked confused.
"What?"
Aiko's face had become completely red.
"A-Arthur!"
"You're injured."
"I-I can walk!"
"You almost fainted."
"..."
"..."
She couldn't argue.
Arthur began walking toward one of the apartments.
Everyone watched silently.
Then—
Several people started smiling.
Yuna almost burst into laughter.
"Leader is surprisingly bold."
Immediately—
Aiko buried her face in Arthur's chest.
She was too embarrassed to look anyone in the eye.
Arthur finally realized something was wrong.
"...Why is everyone staring?"
No one answered.
Instead—
Their smiles became even wider.
Only then did Arthur understand.
"..."
For once—
Even he became slightly embarrassed.
Aiko could hear his heartbeat.
And strangely enough—
It made her feel safe.
Very safe.
For some reason—
She didn't want him to put her down.
A few moments later—
Arthur carefully placed her on a bed inside one of the rooms.
The atmosphere suddenly became quiet.
The two were alone.
Moonlight entered through the window.
Neither spoke.
"...Arthur."
"Hm?"
Aiko looked at him.
Her cheeks were still slightly red.
"...Thank you."
Arthur smiled softly.
"You've said that a lot today."
"...Because you keep saving me."
Silence.
The two looked at each other.
For some reason—
The atmosphere became warm again.
Very warm.
Aiko slowly smiled.
Arthur stared at her for a few seconds.
Then—
He unconsciously raised his hand.
Gently—
He brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
Aiko froze.
Her beautiful eyes widened slightly.
Their faces were close.
Very close.
Arthur suddenly realized what he was doing.
"...Sorry."
He immediately withdrew his hand.
However—
Aiko slowly shook her head.
"...It's okay."
Silence.
Both of their faces had become slightly red.
Then—
Knock! Knock!
The door suddenly opened.
Yuna peeked inside.
"Oh?"
A mischievous smile immediately appeared on her face.
"Did I interrupt something again?"
"..."
"..."
Aiko immediately covered her face with a blanket.
Arthur sighed.
This girl had terrible timing.
Yuna giggled.
"Everyone wants to celebrate."
Arthur nodded helplessly.
"I'll be there."
As he reached the door—
Aiko suddenly spoke.
"...Arthur."
He turned around.
Aiko smiled softly.
"...Don't get hurt."
For some reason—
Arthur smiled back.
"I'll try."
Outside—
The shelter was filled with laughter.
For one night—
Humanity had found hope.
But far away—
Within the darkness of Tokyo—
Several pairs of crimson eyes slowly opened.
And a terrifying roar echoed across the city.
The next danger...
was already approaching.
- Writer
