Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo meticulously prepared for the mission ahead. He slung his MP5 over his shoulder and made sure the flashlight was fully charged. His backpack was filled with essential supplies: bottles of water, extra ammunition, and a tactical knife. A spare Glock rested securely at his waist, easily accessible if needed. He was leaving nothing to chance this time.

Sachiko stood by, clearly wanting to accompany him. Her eyes followed his every movement as she clutched her own gun, silently pleading to be allowed to join. But Ryo shook his head firmly. "Not this time," he said in a low voice. "I need to move quickly, and bringing you would only slow things down."

Her face showed a hint of disappointment, but she nodded. She understood the dangers Ryo faced, especially after their last visit to the mall. That time, he had been forced to retreat, not because of the zombies but because he had to prioritize her safety over the mission. This time would be different. He wasn't going alone—he was bringing Sayako.

Ryo glanced at the female zombie, who was standing silently, as if awaiting his command. She was far faster and stronger than any other zombie he'd encountered, even more powerful than the Striders. If things went south in the mall, Sayako could be his trump card. He had considered bringing a Strider as well, but without a truck, transporting one was impossible.

Still, with Sayako at his side, his chances of surviving any unexpected encounter were higher.

He clipped his flashlight to his belt and ensured everything was in place. Sachiko, now calmer, handed him a bottle of water for the road.

"Be careful," she whispered, watching him as he checked his gear one last time.

Ryo nodded, gripping the strap of his backpack as he walked toward the door. "I'll be back soon. Just stay here, and keep everything locked down. If anything happens, you know where to hide."

He looked back at Sachiko one more time before turning to Sayako, giving her a silent command with his gaze. The female zombie fell in step behind him, her movements eerily precise and calculated.

As Ryo stepped outside, the familiar growls of the zombies patrolling his base greeted him. The Striders and Brutes lurked nearby, but he knew they wouldn't follow. Today, it was just him and Sayako. They were heading back into the unknown, to face whatever lurked in the darkness of the mall. This time, he would be ready.

Ryo couldn't shake the memory of that day inside the mall—the day when he and Sachiko had ventured inside to scavenge for supplies, only to encounter something new and unsettling. He remembered the moment clearly: the zombies he had commanded to follow them, to act as his protection, had suddenly changed.

Instead of moving freely through the empty halls of the darkened mall, they had grown restless, agitated, forming a protective circle around him and Sachiko. The sound of their growling echoed in the darkness, creating an atmosphere of tension and unease.

Ryo had been forced to retreat that day, not because of what he saw, but because of the unknown—a looming sense of something watching them, lurking deeper inside the mall. The zombies had not been able to shake that feeling either. They had acted as though something more powerful, more dangerous than them, had taken control of the area. He still couldn't explain it.

The zombies he brought were fiercely loyal to him, but whatever was inside the mall had made them uneasy, as if they were threatened.

Now, the curiosity burned in Ryo's mind. What had spooked his undead guardians? What was lurking in the shadows that even they feared? He needed to find out. He wouldn't be satisfied until he uncovered what was causing the disturbance. Was it a new type of zombie?

A mutation stronger than anything he had faced before? Or something else entirely?

As he prepared to head back to the mall, Ryo couldn't help but replay that moment in his mind—Sachiko standing beside him, the zombies growling, the oppressive darkness surrounding them. Whatever was inside the mall had marked that territory as its own. He wasn't sure what he was walking into, but this time, he was bringing Sayako with him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

If anything could challenge the dominance of whatever creature lay in wait, it would be her.

He had his gear ready, and Sayako's presence would provide him an edge. If there was a new creature or a stronger type of zombie, he would uncover it and make sure to either control it—or destroy it.

Ryo smirked as Sayako landed effortlessly on the backseat of the scooter, her agility always impressive. He didn't mind her tagging along; her strength and speed made her an invaluable asset, especially for this trip back to the mall. With the fuel tank full and an extra gallon secured in the back, he revved the scooter's engine and glanced back at the house.

Sachiko had locked the door, safe under the watchful eyes of the Striders, Brutes, and the other zombies patrolling the perimeter. He had ensured that his base was well-guarded before leaving—no intruder would get close without being ripped apart.

As Ryo pulled out of the driveway, Sayako settled in behind him, her cold, undead presence a stark contrast to Sachiko's warm embrace. He took off down the road, the wind rushing past as they sped towards the mall. His mind was focused on what awaited him there—the mysterious force that had disturbed his zombies, the unknown entity that still lurked within the darkened halls.

Today, he was determined to find out what it was. With Sayako at his back, ready for anything, Ryo felt more confident than ever.

As Ryo drove his scooter, with Sayako perched behind him, his mind raced with thoughts of what he might encounter in the darkened mall. He couldn't help but wonder about the mysterious unknown creature that had caused his zombies to form that protective circle last time. What kind of force could provoke such a reaction?

Ryo knew Sayako's power—she was faster, stronger, and more agile than even the Striders. In a one-on-one fight, she could easily take down most threats. But what if there were more of these unknown creatures? What if they were just as fast, or perhaps even faster, than the Striders? What if they were on par with Sayako's strength and agility?

The possibilities gnawed at him. He needed to know what this creature was. Could it be a new type of zombie, one that even he hadn't encountered yet? And if so, would it fall under his control like the others? Or was this something entirely different—something that might resist his aura, refuse to submit to his command? The thought both excited and unnerved him.

Ryo gripped the handlebars tighter. He needed to be prepared. A truck would help him bring more of his zombie forces, like the Striders and Brutes, to face whatever was lurking in that mall. One-on-one, Sayako could handle a few enemies, but a swarm of fast, powerful creatures could be a challenge even for her.

He smirked. Whatever the outcome, Ryo was determined to uncover the truth. Whether the unknown would submit to him or challenge him, he would face it head-on. No matter the odds, he wouldn't back down.

As Ryo continued driving, he recalled a night not too long ago when he had encountered a strange new type of zombie—one unlike anything he had seen before. This zombie wasn't as fast as the Striders, nor did it possess the agility of the Creepers, but it was still faster and more intelligent than the typical undead.

What troubled Ryo most was that this zombie hadn't attacked him, but it also hadn't submitted to his control like all the others. It had simply stood there, watching him, its dark eyes filled with an eerie awareness that set it apart. It wasn't aggressive, but it had a sense of defiance, as if it had some kind of will of its own. The encounter had been unsettling.

Faster than normal zombies but lacking the raw speed and power of the Striders, it seemed like something… modified. Ryo had sensed that it wasn't quite like the others. Maybe it had been part of some failed government experiment, or perhaps it was a new evolution of the virus. The thought lingered in his mind as he drove.

What if the mall held more of these modified zombies? Ones that weren't outright hostile but also wouldn't bend to his will? Could they be part of something bigger? Ryo didn't know, but the idea made him more determined than ever to return to that mall and uncover the truth.

There was something going on, something beyond what he had already learned about the outbreak. If this new type refused to submit, could there be even stronger forces behind it? Ryo felt a spark of excitement mixed with caution. He was about to find out. Chapter Experience: