Terror Infinity Side B
Chapter 9 - 1
Aqua: So that is why the sky turned the color red and the undead became stronger. Really, what kind of good, or bad luck do you have to be triggering events left and right like this?
Shin: I would like to think it is bad luck considering my current situation.
With my hands ruined and unable to move a finger properly, I had Misaki use his communicator phone we were giving to call Aqua seeing as I couldn't. I not only did this to get advice from Aqau, it was also to get Misaki to discard the idea of killing me. It was 100% guaranteed that I was going to turn into an undead, one of THEM sooner or later. Now, all alone in a room with one of THEM, by which I mean me, is a risk that no one should take if they were sane.
The mission would be over in less then an hour at sunrise, so I had some hope that once this mission is over and we arrive to the Terminal Lobby, whatever is inside me now that was going to turn me into a undead would be fixed. That was the reason I called Aqua. If I were to say that kind of unsupportable theory here and now in my desperate state, who would believe that I wasn't trying to talk my way out of being killed?
Maybe Hikari would believe me since she feels responsible for what happened to me. Even if it was an obvious lie, in the mental state Hikari was currently in, she would either believe me wholeheartedly, or wouldn't mind if it was a lie and would take dying together here as her punishment. The latter is more than possible since when she was telling her life story, she was obviously felt guilty for her past crimes. It was the punishment of death that she was always looking for, but like I said, I haven't given up.
The point is of the the two of them, only Hikari would side with me and Misaki wouldn't risk it and definitely kill me before I turned, but Aqua could defuse the ticking time bomb that is my short life. If Misaki hears that there is a chance for me to survive from Aqua, a veteran of these insane and scary mission from God, he would have no choice but to accept it and not kill me. Misaki is a violent guy, but he definitely wouldn't murder a man in cold blood without a good reason.
Hikari: Aqua... Shin, he can be saved, right?
Aqua: ...It isn't impossible, but Shin, do you really want to risk it? You can only be healed if you go back to the Terminal Lobby.
Shin: What do you mean do I want to risk it? If I go there the virus or whatever is in me now will disappear, right?
Aqua: It won't suddenly disappear. Even if you are injured or caught some terrible disease, when you are called back to the Terminal Lobby, those injuries will come back with you. To fix whatever injuries that occur to you in the missions you have to exchange points to God for him to heal you, but long as you are alive you can be healed if you have the points.
Shin: Does it cost a lot of points?
Aqua : No. Not if you tell God exactly what to heal it won't cost a lot of points, but if you don't know what is wrong or don't tell God, he will give you a full body treatment and that will cost a lot more points.
Shin: Then what is the problem? I will just tell him to get rid of whatever turns humans into THEM in H.O.T.D that is inside me. What's the problem?
Aqua: What I am asking is are you willing to wait that long till you are called back to the Terminal Lobby. In this last hour, fifty-two minutes in till sunrise, if you become an undead you will no longer be considered human anymore, so God won't let you come back to the Terminal Lobby. You may have to experience becoming one of THEM if you fail to make it in time, and that's a problem in itself. I don't know what happens to people here when they die, but some death here can destroy the soul. You might not get an afterlife or a chance at reincarnation if you turn into an undead, you know.
Hikari and Misaki had terrified expressions as they heard this. Aqua mentioned something like this in the very beginning of the mission, but I bet no one even believed it to be true then. Still, even if you are not a religious man anyone would be frightened at the idea that even after death, a worse fate could befall you.
They are all probably imaging me continuing to live after death as one of THEM, to forever live in this world unable to act as I wish till the day some MC comes along and bashes my skull in. I was imaging it right now, so that had to be the case. Also, we know nothing of the soul, so after death as one of THEM, who knew I could go to heaven or even hell. This was something worth considering, to die now peacefully or risk dying in the worst possible manner, yet...
Shin: ...It wouldn't work. Heaven or hell, I don't even know if they have an internet connection or get WS-Jump there. I'll prefer the living world for the time being.
Aqua: You... Is that all you are worried about?
Hikari: Yeah, Shin, there is a chance that you may die, so stop being a creepy otaku!
Shin: Well, if I am at death's door then stop calling me a creep otaku ok? And putting aside if I can last till the end of the mission, who knows how long this place can hold with those supercharged THEM out there.
Misaki: Shin is right. Who knows how long those doors will last.
Hikari: Shin is hurt... because of me and now he can't even defend himself, and there is only Misaki and me to hold them off. The main characters also took all the weapons stashed here, so we are basically unarmed as well. If they break in... It is the end. Hey Aqua... What should we do?
Hikari was half in tears at this point, but the answer that she got and what I expected wasn't what she was looking for.
Aqua: ...How is any of that my concern? Whether Shin turns or if you are all killed, how is that my problem?
Hikari: But, but Shin is...
Aqua: Like I said not my business.
Misaki: Not my business... None of my concern... What is you problem bitch! Shin is dying over here and you have the power to help him and us! Are you even human!?
Shin: Stop that Misaki! I didn't have you call her just so you can get into a shouting match. I only wanted to know if I could survive, that there was a chance here that I could live after being bitten by THEM. Aqua has no obligation to help any of us.
For that reason I didn't blame Aqua for her words. She had never said she was our comrade and has never done anything to prove otherwise. Even when she saved us from THEM or gave us these communicators, it was for her sake and her survival, not ours. Neither Hikari, Misaki or I had any right to ask anything of Aqua or put her in any risk of danger, yet not just Misaki, but Hikari was not satisfied either.
Hikari: Aqua...
Aqua: ...
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Hikari: It, it was my fault that Shin was bitten by THEM. Whether he did it consciously or not, he did it to protect me.
Aqua: What of it?
Hikari: I, I don't like Shin that much ( Hurts ). He is a creepy otaku after all ( Hurts, so please stop ), yet despite being one he has looked out for me time and time again. I owe Shin a lot, so I am begging you Aqua, to help Shin any way you can. If you have any advice or you could come here in person it would be very much appreciated and I would never forget this favor. But...
Aqua: But?
Hikari: ...But if you leave Shin here to die without lifting a hand, I will do whatever is within me ability to kill you. Wolverine or whatever nonsense enhancements you have, I will find a way, someway to kill you one day. You got that you cold, heartless bitch!
Aqau: ...Huh. Shin, you have a really good friend there, and Hikari... I should really kill you the next chance I get for that threat, but... Whatever, I'll help Shin and the rest of you.
Hikari: Really!?
Aqua: Yes. I am currently an hour away from you guys. If I hurry I might make it in time to help clear out all the undead outside to give you all piece of mind. I, I really can't do anything for Shin, but I will do my best to help you three survive... as long as it doesn't jeopardize my own safety. Understand?
Hikari: Yes! Thank you, that is more then enough!
Misaki: Really, you should have said this in the beginning.
Aqua: Well, I am on my way now, so try to stay alive. Head up to the rooftop of the building if you can to buy as much time as you can. Those undead may be able to climb a little, but I doubt that they are that good at climbing. If any do try to climb up though, just kick them down. Also, Misaki, I will forgive Hikari for showing guts, but I won't forget that BITCH comment for when we get back to the Terminal Lobby. I am hanging up now.
Misaki: Wait, why only-
In the middle of Misaki complaining about the unfairness, Aqua hung up on us. Now, only time would tell if she would make it in time, or if it will even matter for me, who is slowly turning into one of the undead.
Hikari: Thank goodness. Once Aqua getshere everything will be okay Shin. But in the meantime lets head up tp the roof. We should be able to climb up from the second floor veranda.
Misaki: Ok. I'll give Shin a hand since his hands are no good right now.
Shin: The way that sounded was stupid, and sorry, but I will have to decline the offer to join you two.
Hikari: ...What do you mean?
The reasons was simple.
1. I was bitten and could turn at any moment.
No matter how much I want to live and how little I really know about these two, they are still my comrades in this Mission World. Strange, I never had friends in the real world, but now I had comrades. Hikari has a foul mouth that cuts into my heart, but she has just proven like how I went the extra mile for her during the mission, she could do the same thing even in the face of an opponent like Aqua.
Misaki... I am not as close to, but the two of us naturally got along while we were waiting for the mission to end inside the apartment. It is too embarrassing to say out loud, but he may be my first male friend. I might be willing to kill anyone to survive so I can reach my goals, but... I don't think I could live with my self if I turned into an undead and killed them, though I wouldn't even be alive anymore.
2. Their target is me.
Because of the event that I triggered, the undead had become more dangerous and have permanently marked me as a target. I have no desire to lie down and let myself be killed, but this might all end if I die. They are targeting me, so they might ignore the others if only I am killed and the after effects of the Quest I activated may end.
I take out the needless stuff, and told them what I have concluded and decided on. Still, the two of them, especially Hikari doesn't agree with me.
Hikari: You... you can't stay here to just die alone!
Shin: I don't plan on dying. It is just a precaution to avoid the worse case scenario.
Misaki: The worst case scenario?
Shin: That the moment THEM break in and eventually reach us, and I bet they will, I'll turn as well. Can you honestly say that the two of you can react well enough in that situation where you have to deal with THEM, and ME at the same time? Will you just recover like that from the emotional shock, and deal with the situation calmly? Though not officially, I have been kinda acting as your leader and making the decisions around here. When your leader dies and turns into an undead, can you... Do what you have to do in that spilt second of life and death?
Misaki: ...
Hikari: Stop it Shin! You aren't going to die and we aren't going to, huh, wait, put me down Misaki!
Shin: Thank you.
Hikari who was trying to still persuade me was lifted off her feet and was being carried up the stairs by Misaki. Hikari kept hitting Misaki to let her go, but she was too weak to make him slow down.
Misaki: Please don't thank me, Shin. I am too much of a coward to tell myself that everything will be fine and allow you to come up onto the roof with us... Sorry.
Shin: Don't apologize. A real coward would have left without a word or just killed me outright the moment that I was infected. You're even taking Hikari with you, so she doesn't meet a bad end with me.
Misaki: ...
Hikari: Hey, can you save your silent man's moment of respect for later, and let me go!? We aren't leaving Shin behind!
Misaki: Stop struggling so much! I am trying not to hurt you.
Shin: If you know how to do one of those hand chops to the back of the neck to knock the other person out harmlessly, you might want to...
Misaki: Like hell I know such a thing! This isn't an Ani... No nevermind. Whatever, just don't die on me.
Hikari: Wait, just don't decide things on your.....
Without waiting any longer, Misaki carried the struggling Hikari up to the veranda. When I then heard the screen door close, I knew they were moving on to the roof. Now, with the exception of the raging THEM outside the building and halls, the apartment was lifeless with sound expect my own breathing.
Shin: So now I'm all alone. Just like before... What an foul, yet oddly familiar feeling. It's been a while.
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Authors Note:
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Proofread by Azarza.
The next chapter will mark the end of the first mission. Will Shin live to become OP... We will see.