Zombie Domination

Veronica darted forward, her aura flaring like a golden blaze. She drove her fist straight toward the gorilla's chest, but the beast was quick, its thick forearms rising to block the blow.

Even so, the sheer force of her strike pushed the monster back, its feet gouging deep grooves into the ground. Veronica's lips curled into a smug smile.

"Gotcha"

Without giving it time to recover, she jumping high into the air, her body twisting as she brought her leg down in a vicious arc. Her heel smashed into the gorilla's head with a sickening thud, and for the first time, crimson blood trickled down its coarse fur.

The beast froze for half a heartbeat, then snapped its gaze toward her, its eyes burning with rage. With a roar that rattled the arena walls, it charged, its massive arms slashing through the air. Each strike cracked like a whip, the force alone splitting the air.

Veronica ducked low, sliding between its legs, then slipped behind it in one smooth motion. Its enormous back loomed before her, an unguarded target.

"Feel this… you gorilla woman!" she snarled, gathering golden energy in her palm until it blazed like molten fire. She slammed it into the beast's spine, the impact sending the gorilla lurching forward with a howl of pain.

But Veronica wasn't done. She sprinted after it, her voice cutting through the roar of battle. "Tough hide… but it's too late for you to surrender!"

The gorilla whipped around, reading her movement this time. Its massive hand shot out to grab her, but she vaulted onto its arm, running up the length of its limb as though it were solid ground.

She reached its head in a heartbeat, channeled every ounce of strength into her fist, and brought it crashing down on its skull.

The sound echoed like a war drum.

The beast staggered, its eyes rolling back before its colossal body crumpled to the ground with a deafening thud.

The gorilla had fallen. Veronica stood above it, chest heaving, her golden aura flickering around her like the final glow of a dying sun.

"And the winner is… Veronicaaa!!!" the announcer's voice boomed through the arena.

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement shaking the very air. People leapt to their feet, shouting her name, clapping, and whistling in celebration of the hard-fought victory.

From the VIP section, Leo watched with narrowed eyes. His subordinate had just been defeated, by a skill user, nothing more than support.

A slow, intrigued smile tugged at his lips.

"Interesting… now I want her even more."

Beside him, Celestia's expression turned cold, her voice like frost.

"You'd better not mess with us. If our boyfriend hears you say that… you'll be dead before you can blink."

Leo only chuckled, brushing off the warning.

Down in the arena, Veronica stood tall, soaking in the roar of the audience. Her golden aura had faded, but the pride in her stance was brighter than ever. She flicked her ponytail with a smirk.

"Of course I won."

The crowd screamed louder in response.

Then, a sudden, heavy thump-thump-thump echoed from above. The sound grew sharper, louder, until shadows swept over the arena. Everyone's eyes turned skyward.

A sleek helicopter descended through the clouds, its rotors slicing the air. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the spectators.

From the stands, Mr. Glain sat with his cane resting across his knees, eyes narrowing as a distant rumble began to cut through the noise of the crowd.

He tilted his head slightly, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Finally," he muttered to himself. "They're here."

The crowd, still buzzing from Veronica's victory, began to murmur and point upward as a sleek black helicopter broke through the clouds, sunlight glinting off its metal frame.

The downwash from the blades whipped at their clothes and sent dust spiraling into the air, forcing people to shield their eyes.

The scene shifted.

The helicopter's skids touched down on a clear landing area outside the arena. Its side doors slid open with a metallic clunk, and Julian was the first to step out, the wind tugging at his hair and coat. Behind him, the rest of his group disembarked, faces marked with exhaustion, dirt, and relief.

For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then—

"Julian!"

The call came from more than one voice at once. A rush of footsteps followed, and before he could fully steady himself, his girls were upon him, Emma, Clarissa, Aya, Veronica and Celestia smiling, eyes glistening with relief.

Julian dropped his pack and opened his arms, the tension in his shoulders finally easing.

Zoe was swaying slightly, her eyes half-lidded from exhaustion after the long ride. Julian, letting her climb onto his back. Her head rested against his shoulder, her breathing slow and steady.

Then Clarissa stopped dead in her tracks, her smile faltering as her eyes fixed on a figure standing near the Scout Team. She blinked once, then again.

"Eh…? Miss Beatrix?"

The woman in question, long coat swaying lightly in the rotor wind, lifted her hand in a lazy wave. Her voice carried that familiar drawl, casual yet tinged with a faint boredom.

"Hello. You're all still in one piece, I see?"

Clarissa tilted her head, curiosity and disbelief mixing in her tone.

"Wait, why are you with the Scout Team?"

Beatrix gave the area a quick, indifferent scan before answering.

"Because this group saved me."

Emma's face lit up, her voice brimming with excitement.

"Wow! It's been so long since we've seen you, Miss Beatrix!"

Beatrix's gaze softened just slightly.

"I didn't expect to find my students still alive… and still healthy."

Aya stepped forward, her posture stiff, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve.

"H-hi… Miss Beatrix…"

A faint smile tugged at Beatrix's lips.

"You haven't changed a bit, Aya."

Her attention then shifted, sharpening as she noticed Veronica standing at the edge of the group, her ponytail swaying, battle gear dusted with dirt, claw marks visible along her shoulder and side. Julian's eyes followed Beatrix's line of sight, and his expression hardened slightly.

"Why are you injured?" he asked, his tone low but edged with concern. "Did someone bully you?"

Veronica's eyes gleamed with pride as she crossed her arms.

"I just had a duel against an offensive skill user… and I won."

Julian's lips curved in the faintest smirk. His voice was calm, but there was a warmth beneath it.

"Impressive. You've grown stronger. That means I can raise your training to the next stage."

Her pride evaporated instantly.

"Ehhh… but I'm already strong now. We don't need to—"

Emma jumped in before she could finish.

"Isn't that a good thing? You can get even stronger!"

Veronica groaned under her breath, muttering something about overtraining.

Before the conversation could go further, Luke and several others walked up, clapping Julian on the shoulder.

"Glad you made it back safe, man."

Julian gave a single nod in reply.

From the side, Mr. Glain approached, his cane tapping against the ground. His gaze was steady, but there was an unspoken urgency in his tone.

"I've already received Sebas's report. We'll continue this discussion in our meeting."

Julian's expression shifted, eyes narrowing slightly, shoulders squaring. He gave a firm nod.

The next meeting it would be about the Sky Whale… and how to bring it down.

Meanwhile, in a dark, airless chamber deep underground, a place that felt more like a dungeon than a prison, dim lanterns flickered weakly, casting warped shadows across damp stone walls. The scent of rust, mold, and stale air clung to the skin like a second layer.

Several guards stood on edge, their hands resting on their weapons, watching closely as Leo strolled in with unhurried steps. His presence alone seemed to drain the warmth from the room.

He stopped before a cell where Joe sat on a crude metal bench. No chains bound him. No cuffs locked his wrists. Just the bars between them.

Leo tilted his head, a faint smile playing on his lips, his tone heavy with curiosity.

"Well, you're still in one piece… and not even restrained. Tell me, does the city's leader have that much faith in this prison? Or is he simply a fool?"

One of the guards bristled, his face darkening at the insult to his leader.

"Hey, watch your mou—"

Before the man could finish, Leo's insect-like eyes locked onto him, gleaming faintly in the dim light. His voice slid in like a blade between ribs.

"Quiet"

From behind him, something moved, a long, segmented tail like that of a monstrous insect. The stinger darted forward, piercing the guard's side. The man froze mid-breath, eyes wide, before his body went limp, as though sedated or poisoned.

Joe's gaze lingered on the scene, his voice calm but edged with disdain.

"Hey, bug… what do you want?"

Leo's expression was almost casual, his eyes studying Joe like a strange creature trapped in a glass case.

"Nothing much. I just wanted to check on you."

Joe spat onto the floor, the sound sharp in the silence.

"Didn't think you'd be the type to care about a criminal like me."

Leo's brow furrowed slightly, genuine confusion flickering across his face.

"Criminal? In a world like this, there's no such thing. The world doesn't have rules anymore."

Joe let out a bitter laugh through his nose.

"Heh… even in a world like this, some of us still know the difference between right and wrong."

Leo leaned against the bars, his tone calm, almost conversational.

"That depends on who you ask. Some people see this world as survival of the fittest. Others still cling to the illusion of kindness. Tell me, of all the survivors left, if they were suddenly given freedom, do you think they'd reject it?"

Joe's expression hardened. He looked away, voice flat.

"I'm not interested in your little games. Leave. You're wasting my time."

Leo chuckled softly, though there was no real humor in it.

"A shame… I actually came here to make you an offer. Are you interested?"