Terror Infinity Side B

Chapter 5 - 2, H.O.T.D

Well, we were screwed big time.

The mad man, who I'm now calling R1 for Rioter 1, who had taken Rei hostage at knife point was not alone. He was teamed up with another crazed rioter not in the original story, R2. The second man had taken us by surprise and had us a gunpoint, so they had effectively made us all into hostages. Really, what did I do to arrive at this point?

Did saving Hisashi cause that big of a ripple effect? The only other thing I could think of was different because of my actions was that we took a pickup truck and not a bike to get here. What, just because there is more space for passengers, it ended becoming a target for crazed rioters? Whatever the case, I, we were all in a bad spot right now. The two of them had Rei now held hostage, a gun and more importantly a gun pointed at our backs. Even if a negotiation was possible with these mad men, they would have all the power in the talk. Still, we still had a shot at reversing the situation.

As they were ordering us to get rid of our weapons, I realized that the fact that there side had a gun wasn't an absolute factor here. No matter how insane these two were they knew that a gun shot would alert all the nearby THEM. If that wasn't the case then it would have been smarter to kill the two men and take the girl away to do who know god what's to Rei. Just like the knife to Rei's throat the gun was just another bluff. We still have our guns on us, so long as we are carefull it is more than possible to turn this situation around for the better. The two rioters after telling us to to disarm gave us two instructions if we wanted to get Rei back.

1. For Takashi to hand over the keys to the pickup truck and for him to fill up the tank with the money get got from the cash register.

2. For me to move away from Takashi, Rei and the knife wielding R1, to move back into the gas station with the gun wielding R2.

Takashi was going to be forced to fill up the gas while I was going to be dragged back into a close building that can not just block sight, but as well sound... I think it is obvious what their plans for me were and with that gun. Going into that building was going to give the two of them all the power and most important of all I was going to be silenced. I can't allow that to happen and tried to convey that much to Takashi so that he would know we had to do something and fast, but he wasn't even looking at me. He kept staring at Rei and the knife to her throat and I only now did I notice that his legs were shaking.

Takashi was too overwhelmed by the whole situation to act. I didn't want to think about it, but because he never killed Hisashi after he was turned like he was originally supposed to, he never grew into the MC he needed to be to become a leader, but more importantly he now wasn't the type of man to approach a man with a knife or gun and shoot with the intent to kill... Which was very bad for me. That meant that I can't rely on Takashi for support here and had to take care of both R1 and R2 by myself.

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I was escorted from behind by the R2 in the direction of the gas station as Takashi began to fill up the pickup truck. If I couldn't rely on others and wanted to make it out of this alive then I needed to act right now. And although he was useless now, just before I stepped back into the gas station Takashi presented the ideal opportunity without meaning to.

Takashi: Hey... Why don't you just let her go? We... Don't even know if her parents are okay, and we are about halfway there to where they should be. So just-

R1: You must be stupid or something! If her mom and dad were in the city then they would be the same as our families! Dead or turned into one of THEM, so if you found what was left of them, all you can do is bury them or bash their skulls in!! Hahahahah!

R2: Or maybe even both!

R1: Good one bro, hahahahaha!!!

This was my chance! While the R2 turned around to laugh at Takashi, I could finally make my move. I quickly pulled out the handgun that I just found inside the station and turned around to face the rioter gunman R2.

R1: Hey! That kid has a gun!

R2: What!!

Damm, I was spotted, but it was too late now to stop me. I had already drawn the gun and pointed it at the R2 right in front of me. On his face was a look of fear and terror that so far I have only seen by those about to be eaten alive by THEM... And now I was the cause of it for this man here. Still, I had to do it less I wanted to live... and I did.

- *CLICK*!

- *BANG*!

Shit!

What a fucked up cliche to be caught in... Was what I thought as I feel backwards from a large impact to my left shoulder. I was shot by the rioter before I could get off a single shot from my gun, all because I didn't switch the safety off. It was a cliche of a cliche from both animation and tv dramas that I have seen countless times. I always thought to myself how stupid could they be to not check, but looks like today I would join them in that foolishness.

I thought as much I was lying on the cold ground of the asphalt in a pool of my own blood. Did I treat this world too much like a game? Of course in real life you have to switch the safety feature off first if you want to shoot a gun. It was a god dammed safry feature. It wasn't like mashing the A button in a video game in front of a tv screen. How stupid could I be?

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!!!

And isn't it too late to reverse this situation? After I got shot (And that hurt like hell and still does ) I dropped the gun, and it dropped right next to the R2 to pick up. Now he held two guns pointed at me... Hell, who do you think that you are all that now? You're no Tasha Godspell!? I then looked over to the two main character that were frozen in place due to fear after I was shot. Rei looked as pale as a ghost and Takeshi could only keep staring at me... His eyes unable to look away as I lay there in a pool of blood flowing out from my shoulder.

R2: Really, you all just had to resist and we were really going to let you, pffft, damn I couldn't keep a straight face!

R1: You would have never made it as an actor, bro!

Takashi: You, you bastards!

R1: Oh, hold up there. If you don't want anything to happen to your woman then finish up filling the tank! Those freaks are coming!

It was just like the R1 said. The sound of that last gunshot sounding in the night drew all the nearby THEM towards our direction. Within another minute or so, whoever was still around this place would be eaten alive and turn into one of THEM, just like the R1 in the original story. The only difference now was that it was more likely to be Takashi, Rei and I who will be left behind. Maybe they would take Rei with them to play with her, but nonetheless, at this rate we were all going to reach a BAD END here.

Shin: ...That's right...

Right, this was a bad ending.

My own bad ending.

Without becoming the hero that I was pretending to be, wanted to be since I first got here to this world. Without becoming special, without becoming like the MCs that I always admired and wanted to become, but knew that I could not in the real world... I... I won't be able to ever return to the real world after becoming something.

Shin: Fu-fuck you crazy shit heads that went mad just because the world ended while you are still alive! Like hell I'm going to be killed by the likes of you people!

R2: What, you still haven't had enough!? Would you like another hole in your body? How about between your eyes this time!?

Shin: ...I won't die.

I won't die.

I don't want to die.

I'll live. I won't die.

I don't want to die. I'll live. I won't die. I don't want to die. I'll live. I won't die. I don't want to die. I'll live. I won't die. I don't want to die. I'll live. I won't die. I don't want to die. I'll live. I won't die. I don't want to die. I'll live. I won't die. I don't want to die. I'll live. I won't die. I don't want to die. I'll live. I won't die. I don't want to die. I'll survive and live!

Survive survive survive and live, survive survive survive and live, survive survive survive and live, survive survive survive and live, survive survive survive and live, I'll Survive and live!

That is right. I'll survive and live... But more importantly how dare these people, these NPC's dare look down on me and threaten to kill me!!? What right do these things have to kill me?

Do they think that they are one of the great villains of manga and anime.

Madara Uchiha

Aizan Sosuke

Black Beard

The Earl of Millennium

Principality of Zeon

The Mage of Beginning

Majin Buu

Marik Ishtar

Kirei Kotome

Healcliff

Miya Yosuba

Ren Gokuken

Aogiri Tree

Johan Liebert

Phantom ( Mar )

Hao Asakura

Esdeath

Shogo Makishima.

Damm, at least give me that level of villain! I'll die with a smile on my face if you were that level of enemy, but no way in hell am I dying here to Rioter 1 and 2, these fucking mob character unworthy of even given a name by their author! Fuck you guys... No I won't die here on the ground in a pool of my own blood. I'll live! I stand up here, kill you people, escape and live!!! It was then that a voice rang in my ear, but I didn't have the time or energy to listen to it. I had to stand up and fight for my life.

- PHYSICAL REALM LIMIT BROKEN!

REWARDED 500 POINTS, MUSCLE DENSITY INCREASED BY 30 POINTS, CELL VITALITY INCREASED BY 20 POINTS, IMMUNIZATION STRENGTH INCREASED BY 10 POINTS!

For some reason I felt great strength rise from my body as an rigid and dignified voice rang within my head, but I couldn't register it or cared about where it came from. The pain in my shoulder also subsided to some extent as well. And so I stood up. Stood up with the determination to live no matter what. Takashi, Rei and rioters were shocked to see me stand up like nothing had happened to me. Like a bullet hadn't just cut through and out my body and that I hadn't lost a lot of blood.

R2: Wh-what is wrong with this guy!? He was just on the ground unable to move!

R1: Who cares! Just shoot him again!!!

Shin: Takashi! Save Rei already!! She is your woman, right!?

Takashi stared back at me, but I had no more time to worry about him. Even if he is too much of a coward not to kill his foe, I'll take care of his opponent after I deal with this guy who made the first and last mistake of his life by shooting me. I had no weapons to speak of anymore and I had zero martial arts experience.

I need a weapon and fast, and luckily the bat I threw away earlier wasn't too far from me. While Takashi threw his away into the street away from the gas station, I purposely threw mine towards the store of the gas station so I could pick it up quickly again in the case I needed it. Thank god, not this world's God, that I did so on a whim. The bat was ten meters from where I currently was, and so I jumped for it with all my strength. The gunman rioter saw me do so and shot at me with both gun, but the recoil from his improper two gun style backfired on him and not only did he miss by a wide margin, he stumbled backwards as well.

With one leap that even surprised me, I crossed the ten meters in an instant and took back my bat. Tightening my hold on the handle of the bat I was now armed and ready for a fight, but they weren't making it easy for me. R2 threw away one handgun to better his aim and pointed his remaining gun at me. I was too far away from him to immediately attack and so I would at least need five, no three steps with my enhanced strength as it was to reach him.

What should I do? I doubt that he will miss a second time in this situation. Is it possible.....Can I dodge the bullet? No, impossible. The depths of my mysteriously increased strength is not so great that I can dodge a bullet, but because I have nothing else I have to try anyways. Damn you MCs who so easily acquire special powers and enhanced five senses. Share some of that with me, will you? What would they do in this situation. Now who is my favorite gun wielding protagonist I can plagiarize from? It would have to be Tasha Godspell from Witch Hunter.

Within possible human reaction speed, his master taught him how to dodge invisible Mana Bullets (My equivalent to all bullets) by looking at the muzzle of the gun to determine the trajectory path of the bullet and to also watch the finger of the trigger to figure out the timing for when the bullet is shot, with the key being doing both at the same time. It was an impossible task that needed Tasha to train for a long time and almost dying in the process in order to learn, but I have to do it here and now.

Do or die.

With amazing concentration I locked on to the muzzle of the gun as well as the finger pressing the trigger. I never knew my eyesight was so good, but hell, humans can do anything when they are on the verge of death, yet it still wasn't easy. By pushing concentration to realms that even I didn't know that I had, time seemed to slow down ( Hope it isn't the moment that a person dies kind of thing ), yet R2's hand kept shaking constantly, so it was hard to determine the exact path of the bullet and his finger was about to pull the trigger.

I need greater concentration to live. A higher reaction speed to move at the exact moment that he pulls the trigger to live through this, so I kept thinking thinking. Thinking of a way to dodge the bullet and survive this life and death situation.... And then it came to me, whatever it was. Within the very last second time stopped and all sounds of the world disappeared. Although the entire world had slowed down I could still move and that is when I saw it... The moment that the trigger was pulled on R2's gun.

- MENTAL REALM LIMIT BROKEN!

REWARDED 500 POINTS, MENTAL CAPACITY INCREASED BY 20 POINTS, INTELLIGENCE INCREASED BY 10, REACTION SPEED INCREASED BY 30 POINTS!

I dodged the first bullet. Luckily, the bullet was aim for the side of my torso, so it was easy to step to the side to avoid it, getting away with a very small flesh wound that splatter blood into the air, but I paid it no mind. My chance had come! I kicked the ground and made a rushed for R2.

He was amazed by my speed and backed away as he fired off a second bullet. This time the aim was especially bad as the bullet went for the top of my scalp. I only had to duck a little to come out of it without a scratch. I am sure that R2 was shocked speechless. Here he just saw a human being that had not yet been turned into on of THEM rise from the ground as if the hole in the shoulder was a joke, and then saw the same person in the span of what couldn't be more then three seconds dodge two bullets. If he hadn't lost his mind before this then he had now.

Laughing like a true madman he fired a third and final bullet as I was directly in front of him with my bat raised. I didn't expect a third bullet and one so well dammed aimed for the center of my face, maybe he was in a similar state as me right now, but whatever the case it was too late for him. Not for a moment, not from precaution, but very well fear did I not take my eyes off that gun of his. Turning my head to the side in a flash beforehand with enough force that it should have broken my neck, the bullet went right by my head, leaving behind a very deep burning graze mark right above my left eye (Nearly needed an eye patch there).

I did it.

It was only after I had raised the bat with my usable, not shot up right arm and smashed it down on the skull of R2's head, with blood and brain matter swimming through the air did I finally register that I was still alive. I created a miracle from nothing and survived and won against R2 and his fucking gun!

- SIDE QUEST REWARD 2, KILL THE RIOTERS - 5 POINTS ACQUIRED.

The same rigid and dignified voice? Before I didn't bother to listen to it, but once I thought about it again it all came back to me. It said that I broke some kind of limit, I think it might have been God and I was rewarded with points and increased stats. I received 500 points for breaking the Physical Realm. Muscle Density increased by 30 points, Cell Vitality increased by 20 points, and Immunization Strength by 10 points. Then another 500 points for breaking the Mental Realm. Mental Capacity increased by 20 points, Intelligence increased by 10, Reaction Speed by 30 points.

Weren't these enhanced stats that I just acquired already worth 1200 points if I were to enhance myself? And with another 1000 points just for breaking those two limits I already have the equivalent of 2200 points, not including the points from the undead and rioter I have killed or the side quest from savings Igou Hisashi. I haven't even passed my first mission from God and yet I have close to the amount of points you would get from surviving over four missions already!

I was extremely pleased with myself, but what woke me back to reality was the sound of another loud gunshot. I instinctively felt over my body out of reflex, but it didn't look like I was shot again. I then realized that I totally forgot about Takashi, Rei and the last rioter as I thinking about my points. I turned around while on guard and I was pleased with what I saw. Takashi had run up to R1 and shot him in the shoulder at point blank range just like in the original plot and saved Rei. Maybe it was the shock of seeing a comrade almost killed or just my words, but whatever the case, Takashi took care of the last rioter showed that he had finally awakened as the true protagonist of High School of the Dead.

Shin: That is how it should be. Hey, you guys. Can you stop hugging each other in a passionate embrace look at where we are (Like I am one to talk, getting engrossed by looking over my many, many points)? They are coming towards us right this second!

Takashi and Rei who were hugging each other backed away in embarrassment, and seeing that we didn't have even have thirty seconds to spare for our escape from the undead, they begun to move. Takashi started up the car and Rei with quick thinking on her part retrieved the guns that were on the floor. Noticing how much power guns played in that standoff back there, Rei now knew that we needed power to survive this apocalyptic world if there were going to be both THEM and mad men like those two to deal with. Then as we were about to drive away in the pickup truck, R1 began to scream at us. Takashi did indeed shot R1, but only in the shoulder. He was still alive and kicking.

R1: H-Hey! Damn my shoulder hurts... Are you guys just going to leave me here!? To be eaten by THEM!!? I'll be left alone, help me. You guys have to help me!!!

Desspite of his plea for help, Takeshi and Rei fully intended to leave this man behind to be eaten and turned by THEM. I was of a similar mindset as well. NPC or not, this bastard and his friend almost got all of us. That meant me getting killed, Takashi getting killed or to be left to be devoured by THEM, and Rei most likely getting gang xxxxxx by the two rioters after seeing her two comrades getting killed. He can join the undead for eternity for all I care, but... his life still had one last value to me.

Shin: Rei can I see one of the guns you collected?

Rei: Sure, but... You aren't going to help him out (I am sure she meant spare him the fate of turning into one of them), are you?

Shin: ...No, it isn't that. I can't tell you why though, but I need to do this of I am going to continue living in this world. Please don't ask questions.

Nodding as if she understood and seeing as Takashi did not stop me, Rei handed me one of the three guns we now had in our possession. Rei probably believed that I meant this world, but that wasn't exactly it. The world I was referring to was this world of God's, where I and others would be forced to risk our lives in order to survive and gain points and hopefully to one day to return to our home and families after whatever regrets we all had that led us to click YES were resolved here.

Mine weren't, and so I had to do this and just getting home wasn't enough for me. That might be the goal of Aqua, Hikari and Misaki if they are still alive out there, but not mine. A normal person after experiencing that life and death battle would have first thought about escaping this place and returning to the original world, but I didn't. What I was most concerned about were the points I had and how I could use them to enhance myself. In this world that wants nothing more to kill me in the most cruel way possible and force me to do things a sane, what a moral and upright human being shouldn't never do... I was enjoying myself deep down and every last minute of it.

For the first time, I realize that I am a truly broken individual who had dreams of living together with manga character and with the dangers that come with it. Just like Sora and Shiro, I wasn't born here, but this is definitely the world that I should be living in. I have to thank the god, devil, alien or whatever that created this place and brought me here. Don't get me wrong, I still want to punch the bastard for not giving me informed consent prior to arriving here, but nonetheless, I want to thank said person, yet what I have to do now is for my own survival.

I arrogantly want to live the life of a protagonist and can't help but look at this world with wonder and all the fantasy with joy, yet Hikari and others would all agree that kind of thinking will get me killed one day for sure. It almost sure did in reality. I honestly can't say that there is anything I can do, or desire to do to change my mentality, but there is one thing that I can do. Engrave onto my body, mind and soul that this world isn't just a fantasy world, but a true hell world.

And just like the real world, without effort, talent and luck one can't survive here in this hell world. I wasn't born with talent and I never tried hard enough at anything to think that I am a hard worker, and just now I probably used up my life's worth of good luck to stay alive in that shit storm. That is why because I lack effort, talent and luck.....I will strengthen my resolve.

The resolve to live.

To survive any world in spite of my own foolishness to enjoy these 100% fatality rate missions given to us by God, and like Vongola X, I will overcome any and all obstacles in my way and survive with the power of my resolve. I will survive till the day I honestly wish to return to my boring world that's only worth are books and games going for it. That is why what I have to do now has to be done. Not something that I did in the moment to survive, but to strengthen my resolve to live no matter what, and in spite of myself above all. I must stain my own hands with blood of my own free will, so... That is why... That is why...

Shin: It doesn't matter if he is human or not. Those who threaten my path of survival and those who point there animosity at me... Can go die and burn in hell. At the very least you can become a part of the foundation of my strength.

At point-blank range, squarely at his forehead, ignoring any and all pleas asking to be spared, I pulled the trigger. I... In the truest sense of the word, I have become a murderer.

- SIDE QUEST REWARD 2, KILL THE RIOTERS - 5 POINTS ACQUIRED.

Shin: I-I killed a dying man for points. I hope that is enough for now to... Keep me grounded within reality.

I then dropped to my knees. It wasn't that I was saddened about what I just did. I didn't have to do it, but he was an enemy who tried to take advantage of me and my comrades. He could go to hell and burn for all I care, but that wasn't the reason for my worsening state.

I had loss to much blood earlier after getting shot through the shoulder. I had also forced my body in that situation to continue to fight and pushed myself beyond my limits. I was honestly surprise that it took this long to happen. The timing was so perfect. It was just like in an anime.

Takashi: Shin!

Rei: Shin!

Takashi and Rei called out to me, but it was no use. With nothing sustaining me any longer, I fell to the asphalt ground and passed out. Even knowing that the undead, THEM were approaching us because of the ruckus we made with those gunshots, I couldn't keep myself awake. Whether or not the next time I open my eyes I will be human or not... Only time can tell. This far from the best, but not the worse ending for a former otaku. I... Could at the very least say I did my best, right?

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Authors Note:

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Proofread by Deltoren.

Sorry for anyone who was waiting for this... I hope there was. More so then I originally planned I spent a lot of time on this chapter and this made me realize that once the story really picks up I won't be able to release a chapter every day. So I now plan to take 4-8 week breaks at times to write the best possible chapters that I could, but don't be alarmed. These breaks won't happen during the middle of an arc or at a cliff hanger. Only when one mission ends and I move on to the next will I take a break to write chapters, so one chapter will still be released a day till a mission ends.