Engines roared, echoing through the concrete garage as the last of the survivors piled into the old military Hummer. The air was heavy with tension and the scent of rust, oil, and blood. Yelena was already in the driver's seat, slamming the gearshift forward while Kamala and Melina helped the others cram into the back. The moans outside were growing louder—dozens, maybe hundreds, of undead closing in. The metallic doors of the compound groaned and rattled under the weight of their relentless assault.
Kate was the last one standing beside me, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Aren't you coming?" she asked, her tone sharp, laced with worry.
Instead of answering right away, I reached into my inventory and pulled out a small metallic pendant—simple, unadorned, but humming faintly with power. I pressed it into her palm. "Wear this," I said.
She blinked down at it. "A… necklace?"
"Something like that." I smiled faintly. "As long as you wear it, I'll be able to find you—no matter where you go."
Her eyes flicked up to mine, narrowing slightly. "Wait, why? Why aren't you coming with us?"
I turned toward the massive steel doors that were buckling under pressure, the deep, rhythmic thuds of undead fists echoing from the other side. A small crack had already formed, leaking faint light and the stench of decay.
"I have something to finish here," I said quietly. "You all go ahead. I'll catch up."
Kate frowned, stepping closer. "Something to finish? You mean those things out there?"
I glanced over my shoulder, a grin slowly forming. "Exactly. You could say… it's time to hunt."
And to collect some Quest Coins.
She didn't look amused. "You can't be serious. There are hundreds of them out there. Maybe more!"
"Then it'll be fun."
Shalltear, who had been standing beside me with her usual eerie poise, let out a soft laugh, her crimson eyes gleaming. "My lord never jokes when it comes to battle. You humans worry too much."
Kate turned toward her. "You think this is funny? We could've used both of you!"
"Kate." I placed a hand on her shoulder. My tone softened, just enough to calm her. "You have people waiting for you. Kamala, Yelena, Melina… they need someone they trust to guide them out of this chaos. That's your role. Mine—" I tilted my head toward the shaking doors, "—is to make sure none of those things follow you."
She opened her mouth to argue, but Yelena's shout from inside the Hummer cut her off. "Kate! We have to move! Now!"
Kate turned toward the vehicle, then back to me. Her lips trembled for a moment before she asked, in a quiet, almost fragile voice, "You'll meet me again, right?"
I smiled—genuinely this time, without the usual teasing edge. "Of course, I will."
Something about the way I said it seemed to reassure her. She nodded once, slipping the pendant around her neck. Its faint glow pulsed once—linking us—before disappearing under her collar.
"Don't take too long," she said, trying to sound lighthearted, but I could see the worry behind her eyes.
"I won't."
She climbed into the back seat beside Kamala. The Hummer roared to life, and with a sharp turn of the wheel, Yelena drove it toward the open exit on the far side of the compound. The tires screeched, mud splattered, and the massive vehicle crashed through the half-broken gate, barreling into the wasteland beyond.
Dust and smoke filled the air as the sound of the engine faded into the distance.
For a brief moment, silence returned—heavy and eerie. Then, a low rumble broke through it.
Thud.
Thud.
The metallic doors finally gave way, bending outward as dozens of decaying hands clawed through the cracks.
"Finally," I muttered, flexing my fingers as a familiar thrill crawled up my spine. "No distractions."
Shalltear stepped closer, her parasol dissolving into a spear of blood-red energy. The corners of her lips curved upward in pure, predatory delight. "And finally, my lord," she whispered, her voice dripping with satisfaction, "you and I are alone again."
I turned my head slightly, meeting her gaze. "You sound happy about that."
"I am," she said simply, smiling wide enough to show her fangs. "I never liked noisy humans. They chatter too much, smell too weak, and always seem to interrupt when I want your attention."
I chuckled softly, summoning a 'common sword' with a thought. The ground beneath us cracked as the magic pulsed through my body, the air shimmering faintly with golden sparks. "You're not entirely wrong. But now is no time for that. Now I need to get some work done."
~~~
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