Zombie Domination

Leo scanned the area casually, his insect-like eyes sharp and alert, until they landed on a small group of women nearby. A smirk crept onto his face.

"Well, well… What are you lovely ladies doing here? This isn't exactly the safest place to be," he called out playfully.

The women turned to him, their expressions mixed with confusion and mild annoyance. One of them, with silver-white hair and a cold gaze, answered him coolly.

"We're part of the strike unit too. It's only natural we monitor the situation ourselves," Celestia said flatly.

Leo gave a low whistle. "A beautiful lady with a sharp tongue. What's your name, snowflake?"

Before Celestia could respond, a blonde woman stepped forward, arms crossed with a haughty air.

"Hey, maybe focus on the sky monster instead of trying to flirt, bug-eyes," Veronica snapped.

Just then, Leo's second-in-command, a sharp-looking woman with a pragmatic tone, cut in smoothly, having clearly observed them beforehand.

"They're from Julian's unit. The one with white hair is Celestia, the blonde is Veronica, black hair is Aya, the blue-haired one is Clarissa, and the redhead is Emma."

Emma blinked, then narrowed her eyes. "Uh, excuse me? Isn't that kind of creepy? Were you stalking us or something?"

Leo just grinned, unfazed. "Beautiful names for beautiful warriors. Fits you all perfectly."

At that moment, Kevin, who had been watching the exchange, spoke up sharply from a few steps away.

"Hey, pal, maybe lay off flirting with women who already have someone."

Leo raised a brow, amused. "Someone? You mean that emotionless guy who stares like a dead man? What was his name again? Juvion? Who knows… maybe he's already been swallowed by the whale."

Veronica's eyes flared with anger. "What did you just say? Sounds like your mother forgot to teach you how to use your mouth properly."

Emma took a step forward, flames seemingly dancing behind her gaze. "Hey, freak, shut up before I burn you alive."

Celestia remained calm, her expression cold as ice. "Everyone, stand down. Let me be the one to bind him and slice him apart… slowly, with my threads."

Aya's voice trembled as she raised her hand awkwardly. "H-Hey… g-guys… you're scaring me…"

Clarissa, in contrast, kept her tone soft and serene. "Let her be, Aya. A man like him deserves far worse."

Aya glanced at her, startled. Clarissa was smiling, but it wasn't a warm smile. There was something chilling in that gentle expression.

Leo chuckled, not even trying to hide his amusement. "I'm just stating the obvious. What kind of sane man walks up to a sky whale to analyze it? That's basically suicide."

Clarissa tilted her head slightly and replied with a calm tone, "Then maybe you're the insane one, talking trash behind someone's back while he's out risking his life."

Leo's second-in-command sneered. "Sounds like his team is just as dumb, leaving him behind for a suicide mission."

That was enough for Veronica. She took a bold step forward, her arms tense. "Hey, bitch. Maybe shut your mouth if you don't know what the hell you're talking about. Or… are you asking for a duel?"

Kevin immediately stepped between them, alarmed by the rising tension. "Alright! That's enough! Everyone calm down, we were ordered to work together, not tear each other apart."

But Belle's voice cut through his plea, sharp and pointed. "Shut it, Kevin. That woman's words crossed a line. We can't just ignore that."

The woman beside Leo stepped forward, her voice laced with contempt. "You all get provoked so easily? Looks like your hearts are even smaller than your brains."

Emma's eyes narrowed. "Oh, you really wanna get your face smashed, don't you?"

Celestia's gaze sharpened like a blade. "That was out of line. You've crossed it."

Leo, watching the rising tension like it was theater, chuckled. "Well, well. That's unusual, seeing you like this. What's going on?"

The woman didn't even look at him as she answered, "I don't like it when people talk down to you."

Veronica scoffed, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Well, we don't like people talking down to our guy, either. So what? Want a duel? Or are you scared of someone with a support type skill?"

The woman's lips curled into a smirk. "Fine. Let's duel. Do I have your permission?"

She turned to Leo, who leaned back, grinning like a man enjoying his favorite pastime. "Sure," he said. "But try not to mess up her pretty face, alright?"

Kevin, watching from the side, buried his face in his hand and muttered under his breath, "Damn it… this is spiraling out of control."

Out on the streets, Luke strolled casually alongside Vivi, with Sefi and Lea trailing close behind. The morning sun cast a golden hue across the city, but tension buzzed faintly between them.

Vivi, clearly bothered, suddenly spoke. "Don't you two… have anything better to do?"

Luke glanced over. "Why? They just wanted to tag along with us."

"Shut up," Vivi snapped.

Luke straightened instantly, voice obedient. "Yes, ma'am…"

Lea chuckled, tilting her head slightly as she watched the pair. "It's fine. I just wanted to be closer to you all. That's all."

Sefi added softly, her voice laced with uncertainty, "S-sorry… if I'm bothering you. I… don't really have friends…"

"Oh, I see," Vivi said, folding her arms. "Then how about you two just go hang out together, and let me enjoy my time with Luke?"

Lea leaned forward, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Ooh, is that so? Because Luke doesn't look like he wants to hang out with you. His face is pale as a ghost."

Vivi turned her glare toward Luke, her eyes sharp as daggers. "Is that true?"

Luke flinched. "No! No, it's not true! Lea, please don't say things that'll get me killed…"

But before the banter could go any further, a sudden commotion erupted around them, dozens of people were running down the street, their expressions excited.

Luke furrowed his brows. "Hey… why do you think everyone's running like that?"

"Don't change the subject," Vivi growled.

But Sefi, now alert, looked toward the crowd. "No, he's right. Something's happening… they seem to be in a real hurry."

Luke turned to her with a look of gratitude, as if she'd just saved his life. "Exactly! Let's check it out. It might be another attack or something!"

Vivi sighed, finally relenting. "Fine. Let's go see what's going on."

They followed the flow of the fleeing crowd until they arrived at what looked like an old sports arena, half-destroyed, yet somehow still intact enough to host a fight. Dust clung to the air as people gathered in clusters along the edges of the ruined bleachers, murmuring and buzzing with excitement.

There, standing in the center of the improvised arena, was Veronica, already geared up in her combat outfit, sleek, dark, and built for mobility. Her long blonde hair was pulled up into a sharp ponytail that whipped slightly with the breeze.

Across from her stood a woman with short blonde hair and crimson eyes. Her presence was colder, more calculated.

Vivi narrowed her eyes. "Ehh? Why is Veronica fighting that woman?"

Luke frowned. "Do you know who she's fighting?"

Just then, Glain appeared out of nowhere and sat casually next to him, a faint smirk on his lips. "She's Leo's bodyguard. Or his assistant, depending on who you ask. Name's Lucy."

Luke nearly jumped. "Hee?! Since when were you here?"

Glain chuckled. "Long enough."

Lea leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Woah. This looks fun."

Vivi, confused, muttered, "Why are they fighting, though? Did something happen?"

"Maybe they were just bored and wanted a duel," Lea shrugged.

Sefi shook her head. "Bored people don't suddenly challenge each other to a fight…"

Then Luke turned to Mr. Glain and asked, "Aren't you going to stop them?"

Mr. Glain chuckled, folding his arms behind his back. "They agreed to the duel on their own, didn't they? I'm just an old man enjoying the show."

Lea grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Exactly. Why stop them? It's been a while since I've seen something this entertaining."

Suddenly, a voice boomed over a makeshift speaker system.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome! What you're about to witness is a one-on-one duel between members of two different squads!"

The crowd erupted into cheers.

"On the left side, we have the noble of beauty… Veronicaaaa!"

More cheers followed, mostly from male soldiers and a few surprised spectators who didn't expect her to fight personally.

"And on the right, we have the fearsome lioness of InsectCorp… Lucyyyy!"

Another round of wild applause. Both women stood unfazed.

The announcer added, "The rules are simple: No killing. First to surrender, loses. Are you ready?!"

Veronica smirked, one hand already adjusting the glove on her wrist. "Heh. He's talking to you, little mouse. Are you ready?"

Lucy's crimson gaze didn't waver. "Ready for what? To watch you eat dirt?"

Veronica took a step forward, grinning. "You talk big for a mouse who's about to get stomped."

Lucy responded sharply, "If anyone's surrendering, it'll be you."

The MC raised his arm. "Combatants ready... GO!"

The moment the signal dropped, the arena echoed with the thunder of their first clash, Veronica and Lucy dashed forward, colliding in a burst of energy and force.