Mrs. Yuigahama's cheeks were flushed red. Although she protested softly, her body made no effort to resist.

Previously, when Sosuke Kitahara embraced Utaha Kasumigaoka and Yukino Yukinoshita, his mind had remained clear and composed. But after hugging Haruno Yukinoshita, something inside him seemed to awaken. His body had become far more sensitive and right now, he could clearly feel the full softness pressing against his chest from Mrs. Yuigahama.

Sosuke tried his best to angle his waist away from her, hoping to avoid contact. Unfortunately, like Haruno, she leaned into him with no resistance. And as fate would have it, their bodies touched in a way that left no room for doubt his lower half brushing against the soft curves of hers.

The feeling was electric. Sosuke's body trembled slightly, an involuntary reaction, as heat surged through him like a wave. Danger bells rang in his mind.

Sure enough, Mrs. Yuigahama noticed. Her face turned crimson as she glanced at his awkward expression. Then her eyes dipped just for a second toward his waist. She blushed even harder, a mix of surprise and embarrassment flashing in her gaze, followed by a playful yet scolding glare.

"Umm… Mrs. Yuigahama, how are you feeling? I brought the medicine back."

Sosuke quickly let go, stepping back with a neutral tone, pretending as if nothing had happened. Mrs. Yuigahama, still flustered, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave a small nod. "Much better now. Thanks to Yukino and the others, I've already taken the medicine."

"That's good..."

Sosuke nodded, then turned his gaze to the group of people huddled on the ground not far away. His lips curled into a playful yet cold smile.

"So… who was it? The one mouthing off just now, throwing out threats?"

"He was!"

Three voices chimed together crisply as three hands pointed straight at the pale-faced Maeda lying on the floor.

Maeda looked like he had seen a ghost. His heart had completely collapsed.

This guy Sosuke had gone off to the airport hall and returned not only alive, but fully loaded. A huge pack stuffed with supplies slung over his shoulder, a rifle in hand, pistols strapped to his waist. He looked like a one-man army.

If they'd known this would happen, they never would have left the safety of the airport through that so-called secret military passage.

And if Sosuke looked formidable, the two people who appeared after him were even more terrifying.

Keiichiro glared at Maeda like a betrayed soldier. Even the usually quiet Hiramiya had undergone a complete transformation dressed in black tactical gear, dark shades on his face, and bristling with weaponry. Bulletproof vest, combat knife, radio, night-vision goggles, grenades strapped across his chest like a Hollywood action star, and in his hands, a monstrous squad machine gun with an ammo belt coiled around his shoulders like a python.

He looked like an American GI straight out of a war movie except he used to be a skinny, unremarkable civilian.

"Wait, wait! Don't act rashly, this is a misunderstanding! I was just joking around, it wasn't serious…"

Maeda's voice cracked as panic consumed him. These people had actually made it back alive and judging by their gear, they hadn't come crawling back through any secret passage.

They must've fought their way through.

And based on their current firepower, their combat strength was probably off the charts. In contrast, the people around Maeda only had a few pistols and a submachine gun at best.

Keiichiro's newly attached laser sight swept slowly across the group. The tiny red dot danced over their foreheads, hearts, and temples every critical kill zone marked one by one.

Then

Bang!

A sudden gunshot shattered the silence. A searing bullet tore through the air, grazing Maeda's scalp and thudding into someone behind him.

Maeda froze.

Slowly, he turned his head.

Standing behind him was Asou Kota, eyes wide in disbelief, a clean bullet hole in the center of his forehead. His fingers slipped from the trigger of his gun, and his body slumped to the ground.

Utaha Kasumigaoka coldly retracted her pistol, casting a disdainful glance at the corpse.

"Trying to pull a sneak attack in front of me? Know your place."

Since awakening and entering Stage One, Utaha's perception had improved significantly. The moment Asou made a move to shoot, she had pulled the trigger without hesitation.

"Ahhh!"

"What do you want?!"

"Don't kill me! I don't even have a gun!"

Screams and panic erupted all around. Most of them immediately dropped into a squat, arms over their heads.

Pathetic.

Sosuke couldn't even be bothered to mock them. So much for their tough talk. Their comrade was gunned down, and all they could do was cower like dogs.

He moved in a flash before Maeda could even react, Sosuke was right in front of him. The distance was too close.

In the old world, maybe Maeda could've relied on his status and age. But in this apocalyptic hell? Picking a fight with a pretty young woman just because she looked defenseless?

That's not just stupidity. That's suicide.

And standing this close to an awakened one like Sosuke… he'd signed his death certificate.

A gust of wind howled past Maeda's ears, and then came the pain.

Searing pain exploded in his gut as Sosuke's fist landed squarely in his stomach. Maeda's eyes bulged as the agony froze his expression in place.

He hadn't even had time to process what was happening.

If Sosuke had been serious, that punch would've caved in his organs.

Pity…

But Sosuke held back barely. Even so, the force of his strike folded Maeda like a shrimp. His mouth opened in a silent scream as his body collapsed inward.

And Sosuke wasn't done.

Without giving him time to recover, Sosuke's fist transformed into a claw, gripping Maeda's collar and lifting his bulky frame into the air like he was tossing around a ragdoll.

Drool streamed from Maeda's open mouth as his feet dangled.

Then Sosuke flung him to the ground like garbage, the impact making a sickening thud.

Some people's true nature was too vile to be reasoned with. It was better to strangle that darkness in its cradle.

Sosuke stared down at Maeda's limp form, his eyes cold and judgmental.

This was the kind of man who dared to speak filth about Haruno.

If Maeda had simply admired her beauty, Sosuke could've let it go.

But the moment those words "play her to death" escaped his lips, there was no room left for mercy.

Maeda finally began to regain his senses, his eyes wide with disbelief. He'd been shot at without warning. Was this kid really a high schooler?

Even criminals weren't this ruthless. Was this really happening over just a few off-color remarks?

He was a man of status! Wealthy, powerful, with a full family and plenty of lovers outside. How could he end up like this?

He had dual citizenship! He should've been lounging on some exotic island right now, sipping fine wine and waiting out the apocalypse in peace.

Why why had he come back to Japan?

Why now?

Why get trapped in this goddamn airport?

It was all Rin's fault, that damn woman!

If only he'd run when he had the chance…