District 3 Green Zone #2
A few days have passed since I've heard from Fukui or our parents. It's hard not to worry, especially given the situation in District 8 as well. I hesitate to ask anyone about the status of other Green Zones, fearing the worst, but...I can't help but muster up the courage to do so, even if I don't get anywhere...
Yowaya continued to contemplate as he got up from the bench. Right now, there were plenty of people moving equipment, food, medicine, and other products across the Green Zone. Yowaya felt slow.
What was he supposed to do in the middle of all this ruckus? He spotted one of the soldiers who seemed to be packing up slower than the others. Just like him, the soldier was probably contemplating a lot of things.
Maybe he could spare some time to talk...
Yowaya maneuvered his way past a group of clustered survivors and approached the soldier, who still seemed to be lost in thought.
"Hey, could I speak with you for a moment?" Yowaya asked.
At first, the soldier didn't seem to register what he had said, then, it clicked.
"I have a second," The soldier said.
Yowaya sat down next to him.
"You have family in other districts, right?" Yowaya asked.
The soldier shook his head as he prepared his assault rifle and grabbed his magazines.
"No. I'm on my own, but that's the reality for a lot of us. I guess it makes me feel better knowing that I'm not the only one," the soldier said softly.
Yowaya nodded.
"Sorry for assuming."
"Don't kid yourself. We're all screwed here. So, you want to reach someone specific in another district? Forget it. Even the bigwigs are struggling to communicate. Everyone's swamped. It sucks, but other places might be even worse off than us." the soldier said, getting up.
Yowaya frowned. He didn't really like the sound of that. It was almost as if the soldier didn't have any hope of reaching out to anyone.
"I have to go, see you around," the soldier said, walking away. Yowaya caught up to him.
"Wait, at least point me in the direction of the Board," Yowaya asked.
The soldier gave him a raised eyebrow.
"The conference room? Just past those tents over there. I doubt they'll let you in. You could talk to Colonel Kawaki. Do you have anyone in the room that you know of right now?" the soldier asked.
"Yes, I do..." Yowaya replied.
Yowaya and the soldier started walking over to the training area where the soldiers were doing test runs and quick exercises. Based on what Yowaya could tell, it seemed like only the highly ranked soldiers were able to operate the enhanced battle suits, while the normal soldiers just had to stick with their guns.
Why is that? Don't they know that their guns have little effect on those monsters?
Yowaya straightened as he and the soldier stopped in front of Colonel Kawaki, who turned around to face them with his hands behind his back.
"Soldier, why are you slacking behind? You were supposed to be here a minute ago. Drop down and give me thirty," Kawaki commanded.
The soldier didn't hesitate to drop down and start doing push-ups. Yowaya started talking, stuttering a bit out of nervousness.
"Colonel, it was my fault that he w—"
"Name please?" Kawaki shot back.
"Yowaya," Yowaya replied.
Kawaki shook his hand with a very firm handshake.
"If you need an—" Yowaya started.
"No, I recognize the name. You were with Dr. Sunji, correct? You were one of the officers that managed to escape the detention center..." Kawaki started.
The soldier was still doing push-ups—he had five more left.
"I am. Colonel, I know this might sound like a lot, but I really need to get in that conference room," Yowaya started.
Kawaki had somewhat ignored him for a second and took a bite out of his apple.
"Why didn't they call you in?"
"I'm not sure," Yowaya replied.
Kawaki nodded and put his apple back down. As he did, the soldier finally stood up after finishing the push-ups. A moment later, rain started falling. The soldiers who were training groaned, clearly annoyed by it.
"I can get you in that room. I don't know what went over their heads anyway. For God's sake, you were at the site where it all started. Speak up more—let them know you're just as important as the doctor. Also, change that weak demeanor of yours. Anyone I know could snap you like a twig," Kawaki said.
Yowaya nodded. In some way, the colonel was right. Sooner or later, he would have to stop acting like a timid coward. But, how could he even do that given his current situation?
Yowaya said thanks to the soldier and started walking away from the training grounds with Kawaki. As Yowaya and Kawaki were approaching the door to the conference room, the soldiers who were standing by its side greeted them. The soldiers then opened the door, and Yowaya and Kawaki walked in.
...
Dr. Sunji stood before a room full of military personnel, attempting to explain the outbreak at the detention center. Seated in the front row was Dr. Oki, who seemed pleased to hear from someone who shared her views.
"Are you telling us that by the time you and Yowaya made it past the cell blocks, the Warden was already presumed dead? Bullshit. What kind of monster was it?" The General demanded.
Dr. Oki shot the General a disapproving look.
Dr. Sunji took a sip of water and cleared his throat. From the corner of his eye, he saw Yowaya and a colonel enter the room.
At least I won't have to explain everything to him afterward...
"The monster in question was more of a brute... Its skin was so thick that standard assault rifles and shotguns couldn't pierce it. It also had only one eye. It looked something like this..." Dr. Sunji stepped aside, allowing the projector to display an image of a bulky, pale cyclops. Dr. Oki took notes in her journal while the other personnel analyzed the monster's appearance.
Dr. Sunji continued: "A 19-year-old boy named Harlow Blackburne, incarcerated in the center on assault charges, is the sentient monster who enabled us to make it from the detention center to the mall alive. He's also the first monster in my database to achieve 100% monsterification."
The personnel gasped, but Dr. Oki simply nodded, unsurprised.
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"100% monsterification? What does that even look like?" The General inquired.
"A human," Dr. Sunji replied.
The General pressed: "I understand that monsterification has always been a slippery slope, but wouldn't it make more sense for this boy with 100% monsterification to look more distorted than the cyclops with 65%? You're claiming he looked completely human?"
Dr. Oki paused her notetaking.
"Yes, General, that's exactly what I'm saying," Dr. Sunji affirmed. The room fell silent for a moment. Then, Dr. Sunji began speaking again.
"I'm sure many of you have thoroughly reviewed monster cases and journals from the Black Death era. Cases involving 'vampires' and the like. After extensive research in the lab, I've developed an explanation that I believe clarifies much of the confusion. It's nothing groundbreaking, but when explained in this way, it makes a lot more sense—
—Monsterification progresses along a fascinating spectrum. Below 50%, individuals retain a largely human appearance with only minor aberrations—perhaps sharpened teeth, glowing eyes, or slightly elongated features. However, as the percentage increases, these traits intensify, resulting in dramatic physical transformations such as claws, scales, or additional appendages.
—At exactly 50%, the individual reaches the peak of visible monstrous traits, displaying the most striking combination of human and beast-like features. Beyond 50%, however, the process appears to reverse; the individual's monstrous traits diminish, and they gradually appear more human.
—By 100%, they look perfectly human, even unnervingly flawless, though internally, they are fully monstrous in nature and capabilities. I call this the Monsterification Reversion System." Dr. Sunji explained.
Dr. Oki raised her hands.
"Doctor, given your close proximity to this monster you call Harlow, who you claim has 100% monsterification, what symptoms have you observed in this individual?" Dr. Oki asked.
Dr. Sunji cleared his throat again.
"Well, for starters, I've observed schizophrenia. Harlow has also shown signs of dyslexia, particularly when it comes to directions. He's also shown signs of low impulse control and an obsession with fictional stories." Dr. Sunji said.
"Fictional stories?" Oki asked.
"Yes, tied to his schizophrenia." Dr. Sunji replied.
Dr. Oki nodded and began taking more notes. The General raised his hand.
"Where do you think Harlow is now? Given what you've seen of the ODW Unit's top soldiers, do you think they would be able to handle Harlow?" The General asked.
Dr. Sunji shrugged.
"I'm not sure. However, given the sudden increase in monsterification levels within the district in the last 24 hours, and the fact that the new level hasn't changed, Harlow is definitely still in this district. I don't have anything else to say. Thank you for listening, General. I'll hand the floor over to you." Dr. Sunji said, stepping away.
The General nodded, rose, and strolled toward the front of the room. After switching the database displayed on the projector, he began his address.
Dr. Sunji sat beside Dr. Oki, who offered a small smile and a nod. Dr. Sunji then glanced over his shoulder, meeting Yowaya's gaze.
"As you know, the tunnels are currently useless, overrun by monsters. However, with Dr. Oki's help, we've made progress in developing two solutions for eradicating the monsters within this district. The first solution involves releasing a chemical gas—still in development—on the surface and within the tunnels. This gas would target and eliminate monsters with a monsterification level of 20% or higher, not just in this district but across all districts.
--The second solution is to strategically place camouflaged explosives within the tunnels during the day when most monsters are active on the streets. We would then detonate these explosives at night while the monsters are presumably sleeping.
--To be honest, we have reservations about the second option due to our limited knowledge of survivor locations within the Red Zones. However, if the first solution proves ineffective, we will proceed with the second option." The General concluded his explanation.
The room absorbed this information in thoughtful silence. Dr. Sunji, still contemplating the solutions, looked at Dr. Oki before speaking.
"If the first solution is successful, what percentage of the population do you anticipate will be affected?" Dr. Sunji inquired.
The General stroked his chin.
"If you're referring to the impact across all districts, we estimate a reduction of thirty to forty percent. I'm sure you understand the gravity of this, Doctor, but the average monsterification levels are increasing annually, based on ODW data. It's crucial to limit monsterification growth before it's too late." The General replied.
Dr. Sunji frowned.
"But what if it has the opposite effect? What if we adapt, and the monsterification levels begin to accelerate?" Dr. Sunji countered.
The General continued his pacing.
"There are always 'what-ifs,' Doctor, but I'm confident that you can't envision a superior alternative, can you?" The General challenged.
Dr. Sunji shrugged.
"Give me some time. Perhaps I can." He replied, glancing at Dr. Oki, who returned a look of respect.
The General nodded.
"Very well. Take the time you need. However, for now, the decision is made. Units 2, 6, and 4 will undertake the operation to plant the explosives in the tunnels. As I mentioned, this is merely our backup plan. I anticipate that some high-ranking ODW soldiers will also participate in this mission." The General announced.
The projector display changed, showcasing a map of the tunnels throughout District 3.
"It was challenging, but we've managed to contact some of the other districts and inform them of our backup plan involving the tunnels. They should be implementing similar measures. We acknowledge that if we proceed with this backup plan, the districts will collapse, necessitating a complete rebuild. However, given the current state of our districts, rebuilding was inevitable. Are there any questions?" The General inquired.
Silence met his question. No hands were raised, and no voices spoke up. The General nodded in acknowledgment.
"In that case, this meeting is set." The General declared. The attendees rose and began to file out of the conference room. Yowaya and Dr. Sunji met near the exit.
"There's no hope for Harlow, is there?" Yowaya asked.
"No, don't think so." Dr. Sunji replied solemnly.
...
The sewers were a never-ending pit of darkness, filled with the putrid stench of piss and shit. Yet, Harlow pressed on, wading through the murky water, desperate to lose the Shadow man.
He winced as he touched the side of his neck. The cut there, only partially healed, throbbed with a dull ache.
Fuck that guy man. Ugh, I want to rip him in half so bad. That was just a fucking fluke, a fucking fluke. I'm stronger than him, I know I am.
Why was he getting so worked up over a simple cut? His face contorted into an angry scowl as he paused, leaning against the slimy sewer wall. He felt like he was losing his mind.
Fuck this shit. Why can't everyone just leave me alone?
Pushing off the wall, Harlow continued his trek through the filth. How long had he been wandering? He couldn't remember, but he pushed forward nonetheless. Eventually, he began to feel faint vibrations beneath his feet. It was almost as if a miniature earthquake was brewing beneath the district.
That sound...what is it?
As Harlow pressed on, the vibrations intensified, accompanied by the wet, squishy, and slapping sounds that grew louder with each step. Harlow clenched his fists. Whatever it was, he was ready to punch it into oblivion.
Suddenly, something rolled past him with such speed that it sent murky water splashing all over his upper body. Harlow stumbled back against the wall, shaking his head in disbelief.
Giant centipedes—monstrous, writhing things—were hurtling down the sewer tunnels at incredible speeds, far too fast for Harlow to react. They probably hadn't even noticed him.
After the last of the centipedes had vanished into the darkness, Harlow stepped back, frowning.
Just how many giant bugs are there? This is too much for my brain to handle...
He glanced to his left. He hadn't noticed it before, but there was a door, not too far away, covered in ooze and saliva. With a shrug, he strolled towards it. When he reached it, he casually punched it open and stepped through.
He walked down a narrow passageway, bursting a couple of pipes as he passed. At the end, another door. He punched that one open too, emerging back into the sewers. This time, he was faced with a choice: three different tunnel directions.
After a moment's thought, Harlow broke into a jog, heading straight ahead. The tunnel eventually opened up into a massive chamber with a waterfall cascading down, its water flowing into a network of tunnels.
In the center of the chamber was a pool of stagnant water, filled with bones and soggy limbs. Harlow grimaced in disgust. It wasn't until he noticed that he, too, was standing in murky water, with a bone or two floating past him, that he fully grasped the grim reality of his situation.
So...this is where all the monster waste goes? Besides the centipedes, what other kind of monsters could be down here?
Harlow sighed. He was still lost. Turning back, he started searching for another door. When he found one, he casually punched through it and descended the stairs. Eventually, he reached a dark lair.
The lair was enormous, bigger than any he could have imagined. Harlow could even make out long chains dangling aimlessly from the ceiling. He sighed and continued walking until he saw a pair of glowing eyes.
Oh...shit...
The enormous creature lunged at Harlow, trying to swallow him whole, but something stopped it just in front of him, its mouth open wide. Harlow realized he was facing a giant wolf, chained up in the massive lair.
"Who's keeping you down here?" Harlow asked, raising his eyebrows.
The ground shook as the giant wolf struggled against its chains. Its saliva pooled in a large puddle in front of Harlow.
Disgusting...can I even pet this thing?
"Move aside..." A light, angelic voice said from behind. Harlow turned quickly to see who it was: a woman with beautiful skin, wearing a glamorous blue robe. Her demeanor and aura were undeniably powerful. It wasn't just her beauty; Harlow could sense a high level of monsterification. He gulped.
The woman casually pushed Harlow aside and stepped in front of the giant wolf, which was calming down. She petted the wolf until it fell asleep, then glanced back at Harlow.
Why is she looking at me like that?
Hands—very strong hands—her hands, were on Harlow's chest. He didn't even notice until it was too late. With a small grunt, the woman pulled Harlow's soul out of Kyoufu's body.
Kyoufu, back in her own body, dropped to the ground. Harlow also landed on the ground, completely naked. The woman didn't even look back at them. She simply walked away.
Harlow sat up, staring at his hands.
"YES!!! I GOT MY BODY BACK! Wait..." Harlow looked for the woman again. She was nowhere to be seen, but a slightly ajar door told a different story.
I'll pursue her later.