Abyss
Hey-ho. I was working like a dog. Like some uncivilized ant laborer. Lift. Carry. Set down. Those were the only three principles etched into my brain.
"You're working harder than I expected."
That was Rira, carrying supply crates beside me. Yeah, yeah, I'm working hard, so don't bother me.
"That's 100kg, you know. And you don't look tired at all?"
Eh, no way~ It's so light! How could it be that heavy?
"Ah, my arms hurt after working so hard."
*The frail beauty Nera accidentally drops the supply crate!*
But then Rira's expression darkened. Well, yeah, it must hurt her heart. Seeing such a delicate girl sweating buckets while working!
"That acting is so lame..."
Whoa, look at those sharpening eyes. She's about to slug my shoulder any second.
...A little scary. Should I pick it up again? Yeah, no one's watching anyway.
I went all out and leaped high to set the supply crate down. Phew, close call. A second later and I'd have gotten that shoulder punch.
What, given up on the acting already? It's fine! As long as Dr. Licht doesn't know. The others aren't close to him anyway—would they really go complain to him about how strong I am? Nah, they'll just think, 'Oh, she must've sacrificed some people along the way~' The moderates and hardliners aren't blood enemies, but they're not chatting buddies either. It's like they hate each other but turn a blind eye for survival's sake? Life's too tough to nitpick everything.
But one problem: this sector's too comfortable to live in. Yeah, they're seriously gearing up for a showdown. Against each other. So they don't look at me with kind eyes. The moment they spot a weakness, they'll flip the table. On each other, that is...
Anyway, carting supplies to survivor camps like this? Only possible because the sector's got slack. The crates have basic rations, but mostly vaccines and virus suppressants—medical stuff.
Man, survivor camps are weird. Not a soul in sight! Kinda like the blooming grounds. Same grotesque mutations on body parts. Just no cannibalism or madness. Well, duh? Blooming grounds or survivors—they're all carriers. The only difference is whether they've lost it or not.
Still, with all these supplies, more kids and normal-looking folks here. Good for them, I thought, heading back to the military truck. One more supply crate, please~
"That's the last one."
Really?
"Unexpected."
Carlos, what's with that look? Everyone's been saying the same thing. Do they really think I had zero intention of helping?
...Okay, true, I didn't. Too annoying. But seeing the camp made me feel all sentimental. Guess my conscience got pricked.
"Thank you so much."
An old man who looked like the village elder approached. Wheezing hard—guy's on death's door. Surviving to that age out here? Impressive.
"No need. Sharing our surplus is only natural."
Hm, nice words, but I see it differently. The sector's excess isn't just for handouts. They could take in anyone treatable, no problem. But... they hate even tiny risks. Plus, survivor groups around draw cadaver attention. Gotta be ulterior motives tangled up.
"Heh, 'natural'? Nothing's free in this world."
Smart old coot! Kinda different from what I said, but!
-Tap.
Someone nudged my leg while I watched their heartwarming chat. Ow, did you just kick me?
"Sis, nice to see you."
Whew, thought it was a kick, but our kid friend—why's she so happy to see me? Tricky~
"Hi."
Want to pick her up and coo over her cuteness, but too many eyes! Forgive your sis for this lame greeting.
More importantly, Carlos, why're you reaching out? Worried I'd kick the girl? ...I did wiggle my toes a bit, but you noticed? Feels guilty now. But I wasn't gonna kick for real!
"Sonia, what brings you here?"
The elder called the girl softly, affection dripping. Makes sense—kids here are hope incarnate.
"Came to watch the strong big sis and bros."
She sees through this body's strength? Sharp kid.
"Heh, amazing. Sonia's a bit special, you see. She usually clings to the toughest-looking enforcer. Sticking to our cute enforcer lady this time—must just like her."
Hm... doesn't sit right. And Carlos is staring blatantly. Hey, no way this kid has P.V. Virus detection, right? Do I really need to check again?
......Hm, same detection type as me. No way? A kid at 1.5 activation index.
"Sis is the strongest."
Nope, I'm the weakest. So please let go. Squad leader's eyes are getting weirder.
"Cute. Mind taking her for a bit?"
"Fine by us. Sonia's thrilled to have a playmate. I can't with this body. Heh."
Not playing. We have important talks. I shot Carlos a glare before leaving.
"Do what you want. Tired of repeating myself. Whether you're here or not doesn't matter. You weren't gonna follow orders anyway, right?"
Hm, I planned to follow diligently, but if you see me as half-assed, that's different. I'll take that as permission to do my own thing from now on!
"Sis is super strong. A total monster."
Yeah, yeah, I know. Lucky, though. Was wandering carefree, but a kid with detection powers...
They call 'em linkers—super rare. Special type, zero combat ability. But wide-range detection that punches through even mimic disguises!
Still, who believes a kid calling me strongest? Just chuckle it off~
No clue why Carlos glared like that. Didn't buy the kid's words, right?
Anyway, brought her along 'cause... rumors from a kid could spread awkwardly.
"Shh, sis being strong is a secret from others."
Secret-keeping game with sis.
"A secret?"
"Yeah."
Sonia nodded, pondering deeply?
"Then promise to keep it, and grant my request."
Smart kid. No freebies in this world.
"What request?"
"My friend's over there. Meet him with me?"
What, thought you were all jaded already~ Easy request, sure.
I headed where she pointed. Here? There?
"Over there."
...Pointing outside the camp, not in. Kinda dangerous for a kid—is that right?
"Friend rests behind that rock after hard work."
Hmm... Friend's not a peer, but a guard working hard? Camps need cadaver defense. Kid wants to help hardworking adults—sweet!
Sis can handle that easy!
After splitting from his squad, Carlos kept probing locals. Target: info on the anomalous entity discussed with Director Ugo. Unofficial name for now—Abyss.
Big commotion, so residents must know, he figured. But no dice.
-"Dangerous cadaver? Didn't see it."
-"All cadavers are dangerous. No clue on that one. Would've wrecked the camp first."
Mostly clueless or first-heard. Carlos didn't buy it.
They're subtly avoiding my eyes. Hiding something—resident-only secret.
Normally, shrug it off. But any Abyss intel? Can't miss a crumb.
Won't get it chatting. Search the area instead. Threats aren't his style.
He scoured thoroughly, betting something'd turn up. Time passed. One fact: no hidden secrets in the village.
Time to head back? Unless major issue, return to sector.
As he keyed the radio for recall—
-Boom!
Noise shattered the camp's peace. From outside, not in.
-Static.
"Cadaver detected. 4.9. Probably it."
"Roger, heading there."
"Sis, why pretend weak?"
Adult stuff, I guess. Gotta stay weak for reasons.
"Grrrrrr."
Whoa, that bass. Air's shivering. My body's too.
"Sis can catch bad friend easy. Simple request, right?"
Simple? Not really! And friend? Bad friend what! Bad kids aren't friends!!
Sonia's got weird thinking. Totally fooled this sis!
Answer: disguise works fine. But unleashing real power blows activation index cover. Guessed at 4.5 vs. dead-on 4.9? Worlds apart!
-Whoosh.
Ouch, mutation type? Arm grazed. Tentacles sharp.
Sonia's brave? Or fearless? Wouldn't you bawl facing that monster?
"Sigh, sis is scaredy-cat. Sis could punish it easy."
...Absolute trust? This brat talks big!
Distancing, tentacles multiplied. But can they reach me?
"Do... mang..."
It spoke! Still has reason.
Sonia, see? Not bad!
I looked at her. She opened right up.
"Friend said he's turning bad soon. Asked for strong mister or sis to punish him."
Uh...
"Said you'd understand if you punish him."
Hm... lots to say, but glad she picked me! Normal person? Shocked, shredded. Or crushed by size first?
While dazed, it gaped wide. Not good! Run!
Something gathered in its mouth. Blood? Damn, same type as me. Whatever! Tank it—recover, blame rolling. Plenty ways to seem unharmed, but too natural!
-Shiiiik!
Blood blast! Watch out!
Can't let Sonia hurt. Fake a turn...
Blood wall at perfect time...
-Bang!
Whoa, white bullet flies.
-Crack.
Its blood blast frozen solid. Like hero's frost shot.
...Phew, almost walled. Escape now. Fast move won't pass for 2.5, but good 1st Squad'll understand!
"Crazy? Why there?"
No understanding. My bad.
But you said move freely. Nera just followed orders.
"Sonia asked. Sis is strong—"
Covered her mouth. Heh, kid says wild stuff.
"No issue. Taking Sonia safe now. Bye."
Carlos eyed my arm. What, first blood? Nothing, let me go...
Luckily, just glared, no words. Yes!
Worth risking life?
Thought just another evil human cog. Wouldn't care for fragile village lives. Treats people like disposables—Dr. Licht's side. Adults, newborns, no mercy. Understand survival drive, but methods intolerable...
Yet.
Foolish? Or confident?
Blood pouring from arm nonstop—situation dire. Weird. Values life so much, how in that group?
No. Focus now.
Huge body. Writhing back tentacles. Abnormal blood blast power. Enough to confirm identity.
"So last time was disguise?"
Carlos spoke, knowing no reply.
"Uwaaa, uwaaaa!!"
Twisted multi-voice. Proof of rampage.
Can take it now.
Overclock. Force virus rampage—needs catalyst usually. Skilled enforcers control by will. Controlled overclock > blind rage, endless utility.
Cut all tentacles first.
Finisher fired.
-Bang!
One shot, one tentacle.
-Crack.
Froze, but Abyss severed, blocked next with others.
-Bang! -Bang! -Bang!
Endless barrage stripped all tentacles fast.
Head now.
Aimed—Abyss ducked. Rampaging yet gun-aware. Desperate to guard weakness.
Fine. Overwhelm with volume.
Drew virus. Palm blood absorbed into Finisher mag.
-Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Impossible pistol speed. But charging Abyss intensified.
Graze shoulder? Shredded flesh. Arm skim? Discarded arm. Calf pierce? Sliced thigh, grew new tentacle.
Falling apart. Different from before. Losing reason clear.
"Didn't expect revenge so soon."
Compressed all power into one bullet.
"Farewell."
Muzzle flashed frost. Abyss head exploded gruesomely. Gunshot echoed late.
True White Frost Bullet. Compressing blood, instant power—not cadaver exclusive.