As they passed through the gates, the Hybrid guards closed the gates behind them, keeping the undead stragglers at bay. Kazuichi set the woman down gently, his muscles finally allowed to relax.

"We made it," Arisu said, a rare smile crossing her face.

Kazuichi nodded, his gaze shifting to the woman they had rescued. "Let’s get her to the infirmary," he said. "She needs medical attention."

Together, they carried the woman into the stronghold, the familiar sights and sounds of a stronghold were a welcome relief. The Tokyo Stronghold was a bustling hub of activity, with survivors going about their business, secure in the knowledge that they were safe within its walls.

As they made their way to the infirmary, Kazuichi felt a sense of pride and determination. They had faced the horrors of the outside world and emerged victorious. He still couldn’t believe that the two of them, with unwavering determination, were able to push past their limits and reach the Tokyo Stronghold just in time.

Then again, Kazuichi contemplated on their one-day journey. Had he been more relaxed in his preparations, things wouldn’t have ended the same.

It was painfully clear that the evolution of the undead was occurring at a rapid pace, and it was already taking the Hybrids everything they could to keep up with them. The horrors and dangers of the outside world were slowly establishing their dominance, and it wouldn’t take long before the barely surviving strongholds were overcome by the looming threat.

Raaargh!

In an instant, Kazuichi felt something bite his shoulder. Every tooth was felt digging into his flesh and into his sore muscles, causing him to let out a resounding yelp as he instinctively glanced at the reason for his injury.

Apparently, the once unconscious woman had finally regained consciousness, and just in time as well, now that they had reached the safety of the Tokyo Stronghold. Glaring at Kazuichi with fierce tenacity, she proceeded to lock her jaws while swinging her head around, determined to bite off a chunk of Kazuichi’s shoulder.

"Dang gurl," Kazuichi couldn’t help but let out as he made light of the situation. He was well aware that panicking would just bring him and Arisu in a negative light. It was their first time in the Tokyo Stronghold and they were already giving off quite an absurd impression towards its residents.

"Sorry, she was just fidgety after all that fighting. A nice warm bath would perk her right up." Kazuichi scratched his head, innocently writing off the bite as her way of throwing a tantrum.

Without a second thought, Kazuichi once again slung her on his shoulder as he carried the meteorite ores with his free hand.

"We’re looking for a certain Harajuku Amane." Kazuichi continued. Now that he thought about it, it had been so long since he voiced out that familiar name. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Flash~! Every Hybrid was well aware that a bite from another Hybrid meant life and death, and Kazuichi felt the surge of the zombie virus forcefully and unsparingly invading his mind.

A flash of light, paired with a throbbing headache, caused Kazuichi to almost fall on his knees. His vision blurred and he glared at Arisu with increased bloodthirst, like a rabid dog about to sink its teeth on an unsuspecting prey.

Seeing the commotion and the sudden shift in Kazuichi’s aura prompted the guards to move forward in a futile attempt to apprehend Kazuichi. The struggle was real, and the tug-of-war fight for his sanity ensued.

"Graaaaarghhhh!" Kazuichi let out an ear-piercing and panic-inducing scream, which reached even the corner of corners of the Tokyo Stronghold. He could feel the rope in his mind tightening.

At any moment, that rope would break, and he would turn into a mindless Hybrid that would wreak havoc in his wake.

And yet, somehow, Kazuichi was fighting for dear life. His stare, which was directed to Arisu’s soul softened, and he tightened his grip at the woman who still hadn’t let go of his shoulder.

"Let’s go." The Hybrid guards nodded at each other as they signaled the watchmen to call for backup. They meant business, and if it meant killing Kazuichi on the spot, they wouldn’t think twice about doing it. After all, the safety of the Tokyo Stronghold takes precedence over everything else.

In that split second, Arisu completely comprehended the situation. She knew that the virus hasn’t completely taken over Kazuichi, and that there’s still a chance he could gain control of the virus.

Albeit a slim chance, Arisu decided to side with Kazuichi. She knew that the slightest disturbance, or a shallow wound, would break Kazuichi’s focus.

Activating her Project Blood Art, Arisu released copious amount of bloodthirst, directing it at the dozens of guards which gathered around them. "Nobody move! Can’t you see what’s happening?!"

Seeing a Stage II activate her Blood Art was more than enough to stop the Hybrid guards in their tracks. On second thought, this situation warranted an explanation, so they decided to listen to Arisu before taking action.

"This is a normal occurrence, and Kazuichi’s about to break through. One small mishap and he could lose his life. If any of you dared to move, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’m going to eliminate you from where you stood." Arisu warned, clenching her teeth so much so that they chattered.

Heeding her advice, the guards stopped dead in their tracks, and for the remainder of the time, they just stayed there, watching Kazuichi’s fight to the death with the virus.

"It’s not enough!" Kazuichi grunted as he clenched his jaws. In an instant, his Synthesis Blood Art activated, and he poured every ounce of his remaining energy into sustaining it.

Shhhhhhh~

Hefty amounts of steam seeped out of Kazuichi’s body. And at this point, the guards came to a realization.

Even if they all teamed up to fend Kazuichi off, it would be for naught. He was at Stage III and almost at the tipping point of breaking through Stage IV. Under their breaths, they silently thanked Arisu for her early warning.

Had they proceeded to attack him without reprieve, he would have doubled down on them tenfold, and they wouldn’t stand a chance if he decided to rampage through the entire stronghold.

Somehow, activating his Synthesis Blood Art gave him a little bit of advantage, and his clouded vision seemed to gradually clear up. His breathing returned to normal, and the steam that emanated from his body lessened.

"..."

"..."

"Phew~ thanks for that Arisu. I almost lost myself there for a second, quite literally if I may say."