Chapter 6 – “Monsters That Think

Somewhere near the school grounds— MADAO watched. Eyes locked forward. Unmoving. “…Another one.” A slow smile spread across his face. “Half gone… but not fully.” Audiophile stood in the middle of the broken horde. Breathing uneven. Still moving. Still fighting. Then— he snapped his head toward MADAO. And lunged. Fast. Too fast. He slammed into him— driving him back. MADAO laughed. “This will be a good fight.” His arm crackled. Energy building. Then— a strike. A burst of lightning shot through his arm— driving straight into Audiophile’s chest. Audiophile staggered. A bit of blood slipped from his mouth. But he didn’t fall. Didn’t stop. Elsewhere— The others saw it. “…What the hell—” Shock hit all of them. “RUN!” Archanos snapped. They booked it toward the school bus. Obama slipped— A zombie lunged— Luca grabbed him— pulling him up just in time. “Keep moving!” They reached the bus. Exhausted. Archanos looked around. “Can anyone drive?” “…Sorasl can,” Luca said. A pause. “…Where is he?” Archanos asked. Luca froze. “…Holy shit—we left him in the weapon area.” “…Damn it,” Archanos muttered. “I’ll go,” Luca said. “I’m coming with you,” Jokerpersona added. They turned— about to run— Then— movement. Audiophile. He had already cleared the zombies near the bus. Now he was coming straight at them. Fast. He pounced— slamming into Luca and Jokerpersona. They hit the ground. Luca struggled. “…You’re still human—” No response. No emotion. Then— MADAO intervened. Pulling Audiophile off. “I wonder what your ability is.” They clashed again. Fist to fist. Heavy. Unnatural strength. The others watched from the bus area— frozen between running and staying. “…That’s insane,” Twoh said— then casually sat down. He pulled out a manga. “Usogui.” “…ARE YOU SERIOUS?!” Zeke_2 snapped. Twoh flipped a page. Unbothered. Archanos ignored it. Still analyzing the fight. Back in the fight— MADAO grabbed Audiophile by the throat. “You need to get stronger.” Audiophile didn’t react. Then he punched MADAO away. MADAO roared. Zombies turned not toward him but toward Audiophile. They rushed in. MADAO stepped back. Watching. “This is one of my abilities.” “I have four.” A pause. “And I’ve only shown two.” Luca pushed himself up. Breathing hard. “…We still have to get Sorasl.” Jokerpersona nodded. “…Yeah.” They looked toward the school entrance. Then ran. Inside— The halls were worse. Bodies everywhere. Signs of what had already happened. “…Did he do this…?” Jokerpersona muttered. They reached the weapon area. Empty. “…He’s not here.” “…Check somewhere else.” They moved again— into the bathroom. Then stopped. Sorasl sat there. On his phone. Focused. Luca blinked. “…You’ve gotta be kidding me.” Jokerpersona leaned in. “…Why are you watching porn right now?!” Sorasl jumped. Silence. Don’t worry guys there will be traitors gore and more coming soon guys