Drowsy... a buzzing in her ears.
Mei forced herself to stay awake, but everything was uncontrollably leaving her... her blood, the sounds, the warmth, her sense of touch, the colors... even her life.
She could no longer feel the pain in her leg. Mei lowered her eyes, tilting her head slightly to the side.
Bronya, her eyes closed, was leaning against her, her face pale and frightening.
But on her body was a large, scarlet stain of blood.
Bronya's hand was in Mei's, but Mei couldn't feel any warmth or touch.
Perhaps... this is where I die…
It's good that... Kiana isn't here... She doesn't need to face those zombies with scythes and bows and arrows... thankfully... but... Bronya... she could have left, but she wanted to bring me with her…
So cold... I must have lost too much blood... Is Bronya… also feeling this? Or... are people who are unconscious dreaming? Then... what is she dreaming about?
I hope… it's… a wonderful dream…
Mei's eyelids grew heavier and heavier... It seemed that she heard something, but... it didn't matter anymore... It didn't matter...
Mei slowly reached out and hugged Bronya.
"At least… you won't be so cold…"
...
...
...
"Mei!!! Where are you!!!"
Mei's eyes snapped open. Shu's call echoed in her ears. It was so close, as if within reach!!!
Without thinking about why Shu was here, or why he knew where they were, Mei didn't hesitate and used all of her remaining strength.
"Shu!!!"
The call was answered. Shu was shocked. He looked toward where the voice had come from.
The voice... it came from downstairs!!
"Mei! Where are you?!" Even though he had received an answer, Shu still called out, "I'm coming! Wait for me!!"
Mei had no strength left to answer. She tried to open her mouth, but the voice she made was barely a whisper. But she heard footsteps, and she held Bronya's hand tightly.
Although it was cold, it wasn't completely without warmth.
"Bronya... we... It seems that we're saved..." A smile appeared on Mei's face. She held Bronya's hand tightly.
The next moment, the door was kicked open by Shu. It slammed into the wall.
"Mei..." The joy in Shu's heart was instantly washed away by the scene before him. Mei and Bronya were leaning against each other.
Both of their eyes were tightly closed, and their bodies were covered in a striking amount of blood. Shu quickly went to their side, his hand trembling as he felt for their breaths.
He felt the warmth. Shu's tense heart relaxed slightly.
He looked at their serious injuries and sighed. At least they were still alive…
"Let's go," Shu quickly scanned the surroundings, grabbed a rope, squatted down, and, not minding his injury, started to tie Mei to his back.
It's a bit loose. This is still something I need… Huh? What's this on her back?!
Shu turned back to see why the rope was so loose.
That softness was something Fu Hua didn't have... No wonder Fu Hua was easier to carry.
Shu twitched his lips, and then turned to carefully lift Bronya into his arms. He controlled himself, and, carrying their combined weight and enduring the pain in his arm, he walked out of the room.
"Aarrgghh!!" Just as he left, Shu heard the familiar roar.
Shu didn't panic. He just looked to see where it was coming from and began to look for a way out.
The remaining zombie being startled was something Shu had already predicted. When he had shouted earlier, he was already prepared to be surrounded again.
But this time, he was prepared and he didn't think he would take another hit.
But right now, he had two people with him. It was better to avoid it if he could.
Shu softened his steps, but didn't dare slow down.
This time, Lady Luck was on his side. He only saw the zombie from a distance before successfully avoiding it. He came to the front door.
He opened the door and ran without hesitation, escaping the house that had left an unforgettable impression on him.
After a certain distance, Shu stopped and yelled, "Kiana! I've rescued Mei and Bronya! Run away!!!"
…
"Kiana!?" Shu hesitated and called her name again.
This is wrong… Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!!!
Come to think of it… Since he was still in the house, why did the sound of the Honkai Beast's destruction disappear?
Don't tell me that that guy Kiana… brought the Honkai Beast to the main road!!!
Didn't I ask her to distract the Honkai Beast here because it would be difficult to escape if she ran into the main road?! And she is still injured, and she's using up her energy, you…
Damn it, I shouldn't have asked a muscle-brained Kiana to do something so difficult! I should've predicted this!
"Didn't I tell you not to push yourself?!" Shu roared in frustration, he was about to start running to find Kiana, when Mei on his back groaned weakly.
That small groan made Shu stop.
He looked back at Mei's pale face, and at Bronya, who was barely conscious, in his arms. He stomped his foot in frustration.
What use was he in his current condition if he looked for Kiana?!
But leaving them here wasn't something he could do either!
Another difficult choice… This kind of choice was driving Shu insane! He wanted to have the power to destroy this world with one punch!
After a long moment of internal struggle, Shu finally made up his mind and gritted his teeth.
Just like Kiana had said… He shouldn't put so many people at risk.
…So he didn't choose Kiana.
[She lay there, the stain of blood marring the pristine white. He reached out, the only way he could, tearing at himself to touch her cold hand…]
This feeling… it was like sleepwalking, a lingering nightmare that clung to Shu.
It tore at Shu's heart.
But where should he go now?
…
Back to the academy... It should be able to protect a few more people, and Otto and the others should also be there, right.
Shu lowered his head, walking forward. It's just… he didn't know where he was going!
Forget it, I'll go with my gut… I hope I'll encounter a hospital.
In the darkness, Shu kept walking… forward… forward…