There was no doubt that Sumiye and the rest of the group would notice the four missing people. They had an inkling that Riku and the rest had something to do with it, but aside from not being able to prove it, they didn't want to mess with Riku after what happened the first time they met.
The other members of the group were terrified of Riku and his group, however Sumiye and the other girl who knew Yori were at the very least aware that they wouldn't get killed indiscriminately still it doesn't mean they didn't fear Riku. All they know is that they wouldn't get killed without any reason, at least if their judgement is correct.
Meanwhile Riku and the rest were getting ready to leave. It is suffice to say that Riku was still injured, however, he didn't intend to wait for the other survivors to fear him so much that they'd take action so he planned to leave as soon as they were ready.
No one stopped them as they were leaving the mall, not even Sumiye who wanted to use Riku's strength, the fear that Riku left in their hearts were just that great that they'd prefer if he leave peacefully and not risk angering him.
Riku was assisted by Kohaku while Eliza and Rikka fought the zombies, Riku was still able to use his spear to pierce those who approached him, but every movement he takes would bring their own equivalent pain that made him stop when he couldn't take it anymore.
On their way to the apartment was a constant fight with the zombies and then a break. They've changed their tactics as well, they'd have either Kohaku scout the nearest group to them or the group approaching them and see if they could spot a Variant in them.
When they do have a variant they'd immediately take another route which would eat the valuable time that they could've spent getting close to their base still without Riku as their damage dealer it wasn't exactly worth the risk so they'd rather avoid them.
[Name: Kaneko Rikka
Age: 22
Strength: 10 (+4)
Intelligence: 10
Vitality: 14 (+2)
Agility: 18 (+1)
Dexterity: 10
Status points to allocate: 0
Skills:
Skill points to allocate: 8
Equipment:
Set Item: Bones (2)
Bone Gauntlet
Bone Dagger
(2 out of 6 items have been equipped +1 to vitality, strength and agility.)
Titles:]
Rikka leveled up to level 4 when they've managed to kill the S-Variant before, however, she was lucky that one of the zombies dropped an equipment.
[Bone Dagger, an ordinary dagger made out of bones. When equipped an additional 2 status points is added to Strength.]
It was also thanks to Rikka that they've figured out the effects of Set equipments which tempted them to find more parts of the set, the equipments, however, didn't drop easily as to why, they didn't know which made them aware that they still didn't know a lot of things about the System and its capabilities.
Riku and his group have also decided to change how equipments dropped are distributed. There were no problems with how Riku and Eliza split the items before, but they couldn't do that anymore now that Rikka was here.
It was just hard to determine which one needed it more so they've decided to just give the equipment to the one who killed the monster and it was up to the owner to decide whether he or she will give it to someone else.
As for how they'll split it when there's a lot of equipments dropped, they haven't decided yet, especially when there were barely any equipments dropped.
They continued to kill the zombies on their way, there were occasionally some rats that were bigger than the rats that Riku and Eliza fought in the hardware store before, still they would usually run away when they see Kohaku and even if they fought Eliza and Rikka were able to kill them with no worries.
They were taking a break after fighting a group of zombies when they heard a loud screech followed a loud whoosh sound bringing a gust of wind through the streets.
Windows were broken by the wind and everything light-weighted on the streets went flying, cars were moving slightly as Riku and the rest crouched and tried keeping their position stable.
A huge shadow covered the street where Riku and his group were as the whoosh sound can constantly be heard followed by the gust of wind.
Looking up, Riku could see a huge bird with a wingspan that was at least between 30 to 40ft its features couldn't be distinguished, but the bird could be seen carrying something quite big in its mouth.
The bird landed on one of the tallest buildings which shook the moment the bird landed. It raised up its head and threw whatever it was carrying, straight into its mouth before once again flying away.
"Wow, it's like we're in Jurassic Park."
Riku and Eliza knew there were huge animals, but seeing one up close was quite an experience. Rikka who in nature seems to be a quiet woman suddenly said while laughing nervously.
It was obvious in her eyes, though, that she was afraid.
Burning the image of the bird in his memory, Riku made the two snap out of their dazed state as he said.
"Let's continue moving, there's not much for us to do with that. Besides, it probably doesn't even see us as a snack, there's no need to fear it that much."
Riku said this to remind himself as well. His desire to get stronger was just becoming more evident as he continues to find creatures that are way stronger than him.
"Someday, I'll stand at the top with nothing to fear."
He thought to himself as he clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.
They traversed through the day and took a rest during the night, camping at the buildings they deemed safe, sometimes they'll camp inside a car when there's no building safe. They continued to travel and after three days they've reached the apartment.
Seeing their base made Riku and Eliza felt safe once again as they collapsed once they were inside the apartment room. Throughout their journey there was an undeniable tension that they just couldn't get rid of so being in the apartment room made them relax.
Rikka, who was new to the base still couldn't relax properly, but seeing how Riku and Eliza has dropped their guard, she couldn't help but release a sigh of relief as she lay down the floor.
After resting for a while, Riku went to the security room to check and see if there were any zombies inside the apartment. Seeing that it was empty, he felt slightly disappointed and at the same time he was relieved.
With the safety of the apartment, Riku and his group slept like logs throughout the night.
Meanwhile, somewhere near the capital of Japan.
"Sir, less than half of the civilians have evacuated and most of the soldiers have reached the designated position. The Chief of Staff has given the order to retreat. What are your commands?"
A man couldn't help, but feel his heartache as he heard the report of his subordinate.
They had three days to evacuate as many civilians as possible, however, those who were close to the capital hasn't seen much of the changes in the world because it was the soldiers on the Frontlines defending them. Therefore the civilians didn't believe the soldiers when they heard them say that a "Daikaiju" approaching them, they've assumed that the soldiers were exaggerating and using threats to make them obey.
Only a few civilians listened and it was only on the second night when the others saw a huge number of soldiers leaving did they start to evacuate as well. Sadly, they've wasted a day already and just like what the subordinate said less than half of them can be considered safe.
The man wanted to disobey orders and delay the monster, however, he knew that sacrificing himself and his man here was equal to lessening the forces defending the rest of his countrymen.
He apologized in his heart as he gave the heartbreaking order.
"Prepare yourselves, we're moving out in less than 30 minutes."
His subordinate saluted and immediately ran outside the building.
With the subordinate gone, the man looked towards a direction with a solemn look.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles away a giant monster was running with four legs, just behind him were similar looking creatures running along.
The giant monster looked similar to a wolf except its fur was jet black and its size was incomparably large. It was running while sparks of lightning seems to travel through its fur from time to time.
The wolf howled followed by the howls of its subordinates.