The ones I encountered most frequently were, as expected, zombies.

It seemed that almost all the students who were on the first floor had died, and I particularly often saw zombies wearing school uniforms or gym clothes.

Also, among those who had just recently become zombies, although few in number, some mutated into zombie leaders.

From this, it can be understood that they do not "evolve" simply by the passage of a certain amount of time.

Is it random, or is it a matter of constitution—no, is it their aptitude while they were alive?

Well, either way, judging from the frequency, there is no doubt that zombies whose decay has progressed are more likely to evolve.

And there is one more thing I learned.

That is, the dog-like monsters named "Zombie Wolves" were also originally human.

The evolution paths diverge.

I was truly surprised when a zombie got down on all fours right in front of my eyes, its skeletal structure changed, and it became a zombie wolf.

Perhaps the zombie is the "basic form."

Humans who die in this space turn into zombies, and then step by step, evolve into other monsters.

In that case, if left alone, will zombie leaders and zombie wolves evolve even further?

I repeated battles on the first floor for a while, but so far I have not encountered such individuals.

'Monster [Zombie Wolf] killed . Congratulations, you have leveled up to 13!'

When I looked back down the hallway, a massive number of corpses lay there, emitting a strong stench of decay.

I wonder if I should dispose of the corpses; if I leave them, it seems like diseases might spread.

While I was thinking that, I heard a distinctive chewing sound from afar: "Mogh, mogh, mogh."

"It's that guy again..."

The flabby monster that ate the male student at the entrance, looking like an even grosser version of that gross mascot character.

That guy is eating the corpses.

Does this mean that a food chain exists even within this bizarre space?

Come to think of it, while I was defeating zombies, I didn't encounter that monster or the goblins.

It doesn't look like a form evolved from a zombie; is there some difference?

As its appearance suggests, its movements don't seem fast, so at this distance, there shouldn't be a need to force myself to go and defeat it.

...No, wait.

When I encountered it at the entrance, I couldn't sense that monster's presence.

It should have appeared suddenly behind me without even the sound of footsteps.

If its movements are slow, why did such a phenomenon occur?

"Mogh, mogh, mogh."

See, right now too, I can hear that voice from right behind me—

"Power Stab!"

I unleash a skill as I turn around.

The thrust, released sharply with a "hyugo!", blew a hole right through the stomach of the monster standing behind me.

"Moaaaa..."

The enemy opened its large mouth, which took up about half of its face, and slowly retreated while letting out a lifeless voice.

The damage went through.

However, the hole I had made was already trying to close up.

"To get behind me without any presence!"

There were no footsteps either.

This guy doesn't move with those short legs.

When the area around the monster's forehead split open with a "gupa!", a red, jewel-like eyeball appeared.

In an instant, its figure disappeared.

"Mogh—"

This time, as expected, I could read where the opponent would appear.

I turn around almost simultaneously as the opponent disappears, and immediately unleash a skill.

 "Double Slash!"

The monster's body is cut into four pieces.

But it's still not enough.

"And while I'm at it, Illusion Dagger!"

With a three-hit combo released in quick succession, I further pulverize its divided body into tiny pieces.

The pieces of meat fell to the ground with a splat, but they were still wriggling like slime.

"It's still alive. How can I defeat it?"

An enemy that can't be defeated by physical attacks?

If so, it's a common trope that such opponents are often weak to magic.

"I wonder if I can defeat it with Water... the pieces of meat look watery too."

Holding up my palm, I fire a water ball at the fragments of the monster trying to return to their original shape.

The forcefully fired mass of water hit the target like a cannonball, burst—and was then absorbed into the monster's body.

The pieces of meat that sucked in the water expanded, increasing their regenerative power.

"I went out of my way to use magic, and it's sucking it in. It has too much resistance for an early game enemy; didn't they fail at balancing?"

Perhaps the side that created this monster doesn't have the slightest intention of making it a game, though.

"If water doesn't work, maybe it's the fire attribute."

Fortunately, thanks to defeating a massive number of monsters up to this point, my skill points have accumulated.

[Kuragane Erika]

[Level: 13]

[HP: 12/12]

[MP: 5/12]

[Strength: 13]

[Magic Power: 6]

[Stamina: 6]

[Agility: 7]

[Remaining Stat P: 14]

[Remaining Skill P: 6]

It seems MP also recovers over time, so I had secured enough to use the newly learned magic.

I immediately learned fire magic.

[Fire Lv. 1 MP Cost: 2] 

[Fires a fireball to attack]

I immediately held up my palm and fired magic at the fragments of the monster that were connected to each other and seemed about to return to their original shape at any moment.

"Burn, Fire!"

With a "Goooh!", a blazing sphere of fire flies towards the opponent.

Strangely, I didn't feel much of that heat.

"Mogh, mooooooo...!"

The enemy, engulfed in fire, had the moisture it had gone out of its way to obtain evaporated from the roots, and let out a death cry.

Its body shrank like a slug sprinkled with salt, and ultimately disappeared.

'Monster [Eater] killed. Congratulations, you have leveled up to 14!'

And right here, exactly a level up.

The consumed skill points are also returned.

"I hate how it sounds a little cute if you only listen to its voice, this guy..."

Looking at the burnt remains on the floor, I end up complaining.

Even though, no matter how you look at it, it's a man eating monster.

Or could it be, sympathy as a fellow murderer?

If I were told we're the same kind, I couldn't deny it.

Especially having such ugliness and power.

"The Eaters further back... are still just eating corpses, huh."

I can see their figures, but they don't seem to be approaching me.

If they're cleaning up the rotting corpses, perhaps I should just leave them alone.

I'm afraid of them warping, but with 3 MP left, I can only use Fire one more time, so messing with them carelessly is dangerous.

Since my level reached 14, it's gone up enough, so maybe I should just go back once I reach my destination, the school store.

I've been moving for nearly an hour, so the way back will probably take some time too.

Even though I was fighting, I must have advanced several kilometers.

Of course, the original school building couldn't possibly be that wide.

It's because this space, padded with a massive number of "classrooms that shouldn't exist" and similar scenery continues, spreads out endlessly.

I think the reason it's easy to get lost here isn't just because it's complicated, but because everywhere looks similar.

To not forget the way back, I've just been moving straight ahead today, but if I were to explore in earnest, I wouldn't even be able to return to the infirmary without making a map.

But fortunately, the "positional relationship of the classrooms" itself doesn't seem to have changed.

Class 1-A and Class 1-B were originally adjacent classrooms, but now it's like dozens of classrooms have been inserted between them.

So, if I keep going straight down the hallway right outside the infirmary, I should be able to find the school store along the way—

"I want to hope that it's not the case... that this hallway continues for dozens of kilometers."

But in terms of possibility, there's even a possibility that it continues for hundreds, thousands of kilometers.

Judging from the locations where the "normal classrooms" are placed, I don't think it's insanely long, for now.

But you can't rely on any laws or patterns.

As I was walking, trying not to hold too much hope, the reception room came into view.

Once I pass here, the school store should be just a little further.

But I stopped my feet there.

Blood was dripping intermittently down the hallway.

That blood continues beyond the closed door of the reception room.

When I pressed my ear against the door, I could hear a man's groaning voice from inside.

It's the voice of a living human, different from a zombie.

I'm enjoying this situation, but putting that aside, my heart aches somewhat that innocent people are getting involved.

If there's a life I can save, I want to save it.

I also smelled trouble, but I entered the room without hesitation.

The blood that had fallen on the floor went around the outside of a sofa and continued to the back of another sofa placed opposite it.

When I approached the owner of the voice, he, sitting on the floor, looked up at me, opened his eyes wide, and was surprised.

"What? a human—"

That guy felt relieved but when he realize the person facing him was "me" his face twisted in malice. 

"Kuragane!? You, you're alive... no, why are you covered in blood like that..."

"Oh, this? Blood splatter. By the way, is it a problem for you if I'm alive?"

"That's obvio—guh..."

Asanuma kun from the same class, who tried to stand up, grimaced in pain.

Looking closely, there was a mark like a bite on his right leg, and it was bleeding from there.

"Were you attacked by a monster?"

"Shut up, don't come near me!"

"Shall I help you?"

"Grinning like that, who do you think you are, Kuragane...!"

"What, I'm just trying to help an injured person. Look here."

I held Dreamer out right in front of Asanuma kun's eyes.

Seeing his own face reflected in the blade, his cheek twitched.

"Because I have power, I can fight those monsters. I can also heal wounds with magic, so I can help you, Asanuma kun."

"Have you finally lost your mind?"

"Ahaha, you say funny things. The ones who have lost their minds aren't me, but everyone else."

"So you really are crazy..."

"But this is reality. The school becoming full of monsters and many people dying, and if we do nothing, you'll be joining them."

"You intend to kill me, don't you."

"That sounds bad, I'm just stating facts."

"Then... ugh, stop that creepy face! Grinning and rejoicing in other people's misfortune!"

Am I smiling that much?

I try touching my face softly as a test.

Ah, this is bad.

It's a huge smile!

But it can't be helped, Asanuma kun, who rejoiced in my misfortune more than anyone else, is saying such things.

I should be praised just for not laughing out loud.

"You're right, I'm sorry, Asanuma kun. Laughing even though you're injured."

"Don't mess with me!"

Asanuma kun's arm swung to push me away.

I catch it with one hand.

He resisted, but it didn't budge even when I put in just a little force.

His face quickly turns pale.

"Kuragane... you..."

"I told you, I have power."

What's wrong, Asanuma kun.

Why are you looking at me with such frightened eyes?

"But believe me, I'm happy that you're alive, Asanuma kun."

Because if you're not alive, I can't make you suffer.

"I was with Mitsurugi san, but I saw Yoshioka san turned into a zombie earlier, and I was worried that maybe everyone else had died."

Because if you're not alive, I can't make you suffer.

"But finding you alive like this, Asanuma kun, made me think there's still hope. I thought probably more people are alive than I expected. That's right, in situations like this, cunning people survive longer. In that case, everyone in that class must definitely be alive."

If you're alive, you can suffer.

That's why I'm happy.

From the bottom of my heart.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Asanuma kun. I will help you, as much as I can."

 "...Are you going to get revenge?"

"I'm just going to help."

"Like I can trust you!"

"But you'll die like this. The wound hurts so much, right? You're troubled because the bleeding won't stop, right?"

"T-that's..."

I haven't told a single lie.

Asanuma kun actually had a wound on his calf, and his pants were sticky and dirty with the blood that had come out.

"Now, roll up your hem so I can treat it. If you don't want me to touch you, you can do it yourself."

He was clearly frightened, and while being wary of me, he lifted the hem of his pants.

The wound is exposed.

It's a wound made by a zombie's bite.

But what bothers me more than that is that the area around the wound has turned purple.

When I observe it closely, that "purple" is slowly spreading its area.

"Aha, ahahahahaha."

I couldn't help but let out a laugh, and instinctively covered my mouth with my hand.

Ah, but if I do something this obvious, Asanuma kun will again—

"I knew it... you, to me..."

See, he's so frightened his voice is trembling.

"I'm sorry, Asanuma kun. Sorry, pfft, sorry."

I understand your feeling of fear very well.

I'm trying my best to hold it in somehow.

But looking at this leg that is turning into a zombie, I can't stop my true feelings (smile) from overflowing.