Terror Infinity Side B

Chapter 29, H.O.T.D 2

In the aftermath of Team Kenya's attack on the second defensive camp, the Supreme Commander Souichiro Takagi was assassinated. In addition, the city's hero Takashi was seriously injured after the class with Badru and hundreds of soldiers were killed and more so left injured by long range bombardment or erupt fires spreading throughout the camp till they were put out. Fortunately, the army was able to maintain its defensive parameter around the inner most parts of the city and repelled the advance of the legion on undead.

The Z3 took this chance created by Team Kenya to try to break through the second defensive line, yet ultimately failed. Although the army was left disorganized with the loss of its leader, they still had leadership in the now widowed Yuriko Takagi and her daughter Saya who were able to temporarily bring stability to the army. In addition they still had Aqua and the EMP Rifle capable of wiping out tens of thousands of zombies pushed the invading enemy long enough for the human side to reform their defensive lines.

As this battle raged it was becoming more and more apparent that the EMP Rifle brought in by Team Japan was the ultimate weapon and deterrent for keeping the legion at bay, and ultimately the Z3 slowed down its advance. Perhaps the Z3 knew it could have breach the second defensive camp if it ordered his mindless followers to continue to charge forward, but the strange and powerful weapon which tore apart tens of thousands of zombies in minutes would eventually cut down its legion closer to only 1 million. It was also unknown if the Z3 knew that their was a final third defensive camp being prepared in case the army had to retreat a second time, yet only a million or a few hundred thousand zombies wouldn't be able to overtake it. Especially if Team Japan and the EMP Rifle were still present.

As far as the army top brass was concerned the remaining 1-1.5 million zombies were not a issue. By the end of the day, even under the current conditions of the army who still held the advantage with magic bullets and modern weapons and most of the elite forces of the legion were slain by Team Japan and the Walking Dead Unit, and so they fully expected by the end of today the legion of zombie's numbers to be reduced to less than 1 million. The true crisis on their mind was the chain of command and the effects it will have on the future. They had just committed a political purge within Tokonosu City and were just establishing a new and united government and military, so it was far from stable.

The top brass hand slected by the former Supreme Commander held ambitions of their own, but were all righteousness men and woman who wouldn't dare use the timing of their leader's death to make any reckless grabs for power when in the middle of a large battle, but there certainly were such people below them in the chain of command who wouldn't hesitate. Those not absolutely corupt and were allowed to stay with some power, but were not faithfully loyal to the Takagi faction, and would use this timing to make a grab for power. Even if they won this battle, in the future without a strong leader like Souichiro Takagi in a time of unstable social order, even without someone making a grap for power order the city could collapse from riots.

What they and the city needed most was a strong leader who could unit the military, government, and the people of Tokonosu City as one, and at this time two names were brought up by their former leader's wife Yuriko. Sitting in the corner of the command center they were in, she had been silent for most of the discussion due to the shock of her husband's death, but seeing as all his hard work to unite the people of the city together was so close to falling apart, she stood up and looked upon her husbands still loyal subordinates even in death and made a suggestion. Temporarily, she herself will remain control of Tokonosu City leadership, but afterwards, once this battle was concluded two people would take up the mantle of leadership for both government and military.

Takashi Komuro and Saya Takagi.

After the former Supreme Commander Souichiro Takagi, no even more so than him, Takashi of the Walking Dead Unit held the highest popularity and respect in the military and was idolized by the people. He was not a formal member of the military, but he had taken part in almost all major operations and brought about countless miracles to overturn the worst of situations ranging from man eating zombie, rampaging mutant beast, and as well as warlords attempting to takeover Tokonosu City when it was still weak and vulnerable. Takashi was also responsible for personally bringing over thousands of civilians within the city who were on the brink of death and starvation after the apocalypse, or were under the rule of the unjust and were freed by him and his Walking Dead Unit.

For these many reasons Takashi was the undisputed hero of Tokonosu City who no one could deny or match, and thus was the most suited to lead the military, or at least as far as the people and rank and file of the military were concerned. Souichiro had always had plans to raise up Takashi and Kohta Hirano of the Walking Dead Unit as future cornerstones of the military, but with his death he never had the chance to give them the formal training which worried those at the top more than anything else. That's why Yuriko volunteered Takashi's name as the new leader of the military, but also pointed out that till he can fill into this role all of those here and now would look after and support him.

Essentially Takashi would be a puppet leader while those with experience ran things, but as Takashi was capable he would eventually get a handle on being a decisive leader equal to or maybe surpassing Souichiro Takagi. The upper brass of the military could see this was a good idea to regain control of the military and they didn't reject Takashi's nomination. They also saw the potential of exploiting a young and inexperienced Takashi for their own ambitions. Yuriko of course knew this, but also knew that her husband had never brought into his fold of trusted advisors and subordinates those who would abuse their authority given the chance. He had made the mistake of inviting people like the 5 Heads of Military and the Mayor into the organization, but they were never apart of his inner circle who were true extentions of his will.

Even if those here would use Takashi at first they would honestly teach him everything they knew and follow him once he matured as a fine leader they could trust to lead them. Especially since deep down Takashi was a hero to them as well. Although they would never admit that a youth who should still be in high school has aspired them at times with his courage and fighting spirit. In truth even if Takeshi was only a figure head who overly relied on his staff it was okay. Takeshi was admired most for his combat valor and losing that would be his and the military who raised him up to be the Head of Military's down fall. Even if Takeshi continued to go out and explore the apocalyptic world with the Walking Dead Unit no one will complain long as he keeps in mind to bring advantages to the city.

As for the decision to appoint Saya Takagi as the new leader of the government, this was a decision far less of a shaky choice than Takashi becoming the new leader of the military. Saya had all the necessary requirements to become the leader of the government which would rule and oversea Tokonosu City. Lineage, popularity, and experience. Saya was the only daughter of former supreme commander who till now ran both the military and government and his wife Yuriko Takahi who helped her husband in both military but more so political affairs. Saya like Takashi also held popularity in both the military and with the people. Saya was the undisputed number 1 magic user among Enhancers and Evolvers within the city and helped train many of them of the different battle tactics to take when facing zombies, mutant beast, and humans armed with modern weapons as each needed different forms of preparations and mentalities.

Saya had also reluctantly used her magic in some of the events organized within the city to raise moral and shocked and amazed many who did not understand the power and wonder of Enhancers and the like. Lastly, as for her experience in government affairs she would often help her parents out when she wasn't out hunting monsters or training her magic, and she was well acquainted with many influential people within the city. Her mother Yuriko proudly proclaimed that her daughter truly was a genius far too good for her parents and with confidence said with just a little help she would have the city running fine in no time. Yuriko will also be there to support her, so the announcement to make Saya Tokonosu City's new governor (The term Mayor still had a bad taste in their mouths) would go very smoothly. Yuriko was only inwardly worried that Saya wouldn't always stick around at her deck.

Unlike Takashi, it would be bad if Saya continued to adventure alongside the Walking Dead Unit as her job was a political one whereas Takashi's was a military one which at this time was far more stable. Due to the former Mayor and other heads of military who till recently abused politics, the city was in a rough shape. To be honest her mother felt Saya would agree to do whatever she could to support the city that had loss her father, but knew she wouldn't be satisfied with a desk job which would impede her advancement in the God and Devil system. Saya had seen what happened to weak women in the apocalypse who can't protect themselves and of the greater danger of being weak as a human being during these times where both zombies and mutant beast continue to evolve stronger by the day. There was also the uncertainty of what other humans had planned for this world overturned by the apocalypse.

Still, her mother couldn't and wouldn't blame Saya if she still ventured out into the world. Yuriko also understood the fear of being weak as a beautiful woman during the apocalypse. She hadn't had much time to enhance herself with the God and Devil System as she supported her husband's political life which was a full time job, and so was not even above level 20, a level which was gained only due to her husband making time now and again to train her up fearing the worse as well if something were to happen to him. Yuriko didn't doubt that someone would try something against her if she didn't find a way to keep some form of power after her husband's assassination, so she wouldn't blame her daughter Saya for not sitting at a desk all day and she wouldn't want that for her daughter as well. And with that in mind Yuriko made mental plans to organize a massive yet capable staff which can function without Saya for periods of time, and one that can keep her outings a secret from the genral public as well.

No one present disagreed with Yuriko's two nominations and went to inform the two in question. The Walking Dead Unit were within their tent around their laid up leader in bed almost completely black with burns. Takeshi had regained consciousness and was being healed by Shizuka-sensei with various spells and healing items she's made. Team Japan's Sachi was present as well and using acupuncture to help Takeshi recover as well. Takeshi was a strong Double Evovler and possessed passive healing skills to recover from the brink of death, so he informed everyone much faster than expected that he would be combat rady by tomorrow afternoon thanks to the effort of both Sachi and Shizuka-sensei, although it will still take a few days to regain his peak condition.

The top brass and Yuriko were very pleased with the good news and then preceeded to tell them of their decision to make Takeshi and Saya the new leaders of Tokonosu City, yet no one looked surprised. Saya had already guess that they would be chosen due to their high popularity and standing, and so told everyone beforehand. And so Takeshi and Saya agreed without making a fuss about a decision which was more than a order to take leadership rather than a request, but they did have their conditions nonetheless.

Takeshi would become the new Head of Military and Saya the Governor of Tokonosu City, but the Walking Dead Unit wouldn't be disbanded, but restructured into a larger and powerful elite group officially affiliated with the army, but ultimately only under their control. Basically, an elite unit outside the power structure which couldn't be ordered by just anyone with a high military or political rank. The top brass and Saya's mother agreed to these terms, and like so Tonkonosu City gained two new leaders to lead the way into the apocalypse.

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Jin: "From what we've seen so far I've concluded that Team Kenya had seven members, now six thanks to Shin killing one of them on his way back to camp. The woman who could change her appearance and foolishly went through expensive items like they'll go out of style. Do keep in mind there could be more members, but I doubt that they are powerful enough to enter battle if they were left behind when they attacked us. Their abilities and fighting style are as follows."

Gathered in their personal tent were the members of Team Japan. They had all gathered after their first battle against Team Kenya to discuss the enemy and their future plans. Initially, and especially Jin, believed that the Main Mission was all but won thanks to how much they had invested into this world, but as it turned out it was only half true. The Army certainly had the power to wipe out the zombies invading the city. There was no question about this, but they were much more fragile than anyone of them could have expected.

They weren't like the pure NPCs found in video games who didn't value their lives or could get confused. If there was a sniper they couldn't see picking them for a extended time, few would continue to fight as intensely. Even knowing that zombies could charge forward and sweep them all away if they didn't keep the pressure up, the fear of being picked off from a distance by a weapon one couldn't see by an unknown enemy was too much to bear. This wasn't big flaw, but one of human nature. The true weakness of a organized organization was an attack that inflicts disorganzation. If the member of Team Kenya who could control fire wasn't stopped as swiftly as he had been the entire camp could have been up in flames making it impossible for the army to continue fighting.

Shin: (Really. If Team Kenya committed themselves to sabotaging tactics and not head on confrontations like they have, we would have lost the battle without ever seeing them. Once the organization advantage the human side holds is lost... the numerical advantage of the zombie legion would have become the decisive factor.)

And so Team Japan realized something quite obvious. They could rely on the army to handle the zombie legion, but only Team Japan could handle Team Kenya, and if they choose to hide and avoid them the zombie side will win with the support of Team Kenya.

Jin: "Our priority target is the man who has one of the same enhancement path as our own Shuai, but uses a Fire Elemental rather than Earth Elemental. More so than the Earth Elemental, the Fire Elemental is more suited to wide spread destruction and mayhem. For example, what does more damage. A rock thrown with all you might at a house, or a torch thrown at a house? The answer is the torch. Without any additional input from its thrower, the fire from the torch would spread and burn down the house and its surroundings. It would certainly take much more effort for a rock to bring down a house unless it's the size of a truck. Fire takes the least amount of effort to cause wide spread destruction and as such has been a long time tactic to use throughout history in wars. Burning down crops to sabotage productivity, flashy fire arrows which scare and burn vulnerable targets from a distance (A tactic still in debate whether it really works. Some people can prove it doesn't with science, but other can show evidence it has been used in wars of the past, just not as grand movies and video games depict), out at sea sending small boats loaded with gasoline and torches that will tip over on impact to sink enemy boats, burning down towns and cities to cause mass chaos and confusion are among the many war tactics used involving fire. This member of Team Kenya who can bring destruction and confusion to the battlefield has to be killed at all cost, but thankfully for us he himself isn't too special. From those of you here who fought him he wasn't a strong fighter himself and was not unlocked as far as we could tell. To be honest he's more fragile than Shuai who can at least use guns, Kekkai Barriers, and Shaman techniques. This enemy probably only uses his rewards for energy, tools, or to upgrade his elemental. Perhaps even a recent addition to the team, so it won't be difficult to kill this glass cannon. There's also the sci-fi weapon user who used explosives. He was countered easily enough by Connor, but without our sniper he too could have reeked havoc on our side's forces."

The answer Jin gave after discussing it with Aqua and Shuai was the following. Destroy the Fire Elemental with the Thompson Contender Mystic Code. Shuai has already confirmed that their is a magic/spiritual link between a master and his elemental as the master fuels the elemental with energy, and to cut that link means being unable to continue to maintain or summon the elemental. Shuai even went on to say that destroying this link as violently as Aqua's Mystic Code does would be lethal to the summoner even if they were not outputting much energy to the elemental.

One shot of the Origin Bullet will kill the Fire Elemental and its summoner no question. It was a terribly broken and unbalanced weapon against magic users and summoners such as himself, although a independent familiar like Shin's Grim Ash would not backlash back to him if the demon skeleton was killed by a Origin Bullet.

As for the sci-fi user it was simple. He is dangerous if he still has ammunition, but Connor and his long range attacks and rapid fire almost perfectly counter this enemy player. Long as the teams sniper was around he wouldn't be much of a threat assuming he has no other weapons.

Jin: "Next is the Stone user. He can manipulate stone, but probably can't transform earth into stone, or at least on a large scale. I can't tell if he's unlocked, but he's skilled enough to cover his comrades."

Aqua: "I have to point that this man is probably in charge of defense and is quite capable. Stone when reinforced with magic power could defend against the beam from the DRAGOON and the bullets of my own EMP Rifle. With that being the case its best not to try to overpower his defense if you're not confident. We have no idea of his offensive ability as well if he has any. Thankfully once again he can probably be killed my Mystic Code gun. It'll have no effect when he isn't reinforcing his stone creations, so it's best to actually make him put his all into defending and then surprise him with the Origin Bullet. The resulting dangerous is also greater the more magic power is active within the target."

Shin: "So do the same thing as the protagonist of Fate Zero did to defeat his first opponent. Good! Next is the mysterious ability user who has yet to show himself, but has made himself well known. I saw a strange monster, a parasite of some kind living within the elite evolved zombie. The L3. Kisara has also confirmed she had seen something similar in the S3, but she had killed it and the S3 too quickly to notice much. From what I've seen they increase the combat parameters of their host body as well as keep them alive with high speed regeneration. This ability is too unique to be a second enhancement path like how I have both Ki and One-eyed Ghoul Mutation."

Jin: "So we should be looking for a summoner of beast like a monster tamer? Well, if that's the case he is sure to be weak physically. We should be able to tell this by the number of summons he uses in battle. If its only one or two he could be like Shin who have close quarters combat ability as well as summoned creatures, but someone who uses hundreds is more likely to be weak physically. Aqua uses many shadow wolves, but she herself hasn't invested too much into this path and is only prominent as it is because of her high ranking A tier Elder Werewolf Bloodline. Lastly, there are two more individual we must be wary of."

Hikari: "The female dual spear user with the power to control ice and this Badru fellow who gave Shin and his group who went out to face him a hard time?"

Jin: "Yes. The woman dual wielding with a long transparent blue spear which freezes and burst anything it stabs, along with a short black spear with the with the power to cast mental attacks strong enough to disorientate Aqua. And according to Shin's guess after hearing of her ability, not just to create ice and cold winds, but turn her body into ice she must likely consumed the Hie Hie no Mi. A Devil Fruit from the world of One Piece. Furthermore, she has unlocked up to the Second Stage of the Generic Constraint, possess the skill to fight off Sachi, Aqua, and large groups of soldiers by herself. She even succeed in killing Saya's father despite being surrounded by elite soldiers and the power she used to do so was overwhelming. I'm under the impression it's a burst of power rather than something she can sustain at all times like Shin's Black Origin Threshold or the Kakuja Kagune... even through the source material of Hie Hie no Mi doesn't support this conclusion. It might have a similar origin to Shin's latest breakthrough, Scarlet Bullet. When you think about it it's frightening that such a individual isn't Team Kenya's leader and strongest fighter."

Shin: "More than frightening its bad for us. We felt proud that our Team Japan had two ace players to rely on in Aqua and myself. Certainly Team Germany who we fought before didn't have two lead fighters capable of carrying a team if needed, and without this advantage both teams are on equal footing and if it comes down to our strongest fighters... we're at a disadvantage. It's best to rely on team work and if you come across this woman with the Hie Hie no Mi, it's best if either Aqua or I are-"

Aqua: "It can't be you."

Shin: "Huh?"

Hikari: "Seconded! Shin, I saw her and she's beautiful. A beautiful young woman with the aura of a warrior like Aqua, but also carried a majestic air about. I can't trust you not to cheat, ah, no I mean go easy on her."

Shin: "..."

Kisara: "I think so too Shin, but more importantly it would be a romance doomed to end in tragedy. Your both from two different team, and she is from one of the Four Pillars with who we are destined to fight with. It's best to abandon your plans of conquering her... I'm sure Komaru would tell you the same if she was present."

Shin: "...Aqua, Hikari, Kisara.... Even putting aside your lack of FAITH in your leader and the man your all in a relationship with, I have no plan to conquer any-"

Shuai: "Don't get too down, Shin. You can just create someone who looks like her when we get back."

Jin: "I do get that the Hie Hie no Mi is as attractive as an Adamantium indoskelton, but it isn't a go this time."

Connor: "...No comment."

Drake: "Even if you let this one go leader I'm sure a woman with impossible looks and talents right out of fiction is waiting for you in the future, so be a man and endure for now."

Sachi: "Leader, please to describe your great and painful regret at letting such a chance slip away. It might make me, no you feel better."

Shin: "...I need a new team. Maybe Team Kenya is taking applications."

Shin hanged his head down in defeat with is arms cradling his head. He just wanted to cry. Even when he was being perfectly serious without one word of messing around his team had a way to bring him down by reminding him of their lack of faith and trust in him as both a leader and a man.

Hikari: "Okay, that's enough fooling around for now. Lets get back on point. Shin, describ Team Kenya's leader for us. I kept an eye on the battle with Psyche Force Scan and Soul Link to see through your eyes, but I couldn't grasp his full power at all. If asked I could only say that he is a monster."

Shin: "No Hikari, your description of the man Badru, the leader of Team Kenya isn't mistaken at all. He is a monster, or at least that's his ideal image he's pursuing. His enhancements don't lean towards versatility like my own, but pure extream power. Badru's enhancements are A rank Younger Togoro 100 Percentage Power, a second A rank mutation with Demon Overlord Mutation, and lastly an AA rank ability Molecular Density which he has inherited from his bloodline. I can also imagine he has spent many rank rewards towards increasing his physical stats. Heavily in Muscle Density and to a lesser extent Reaction Speed. When I fought him I felt that although his reaction times weren't slow, we were on par with one another, unlike with power and toughness. With the exception of a third enhancement in energy like Nen, Badru seemed to have followed the double mutation path like Aqua and like her it may have come with a positive effect for a boost of power even if its not as extreme as Aqua's "Silver Fang" transformation. Even so, he has enough force to put down Takashi and myself with just 80% of his full power with one attack and he's can achieve burst of swift yet silent high speeds. AA ability Molecular Density is his most troublesome ability in my opinion. Even if you are lucky enough to get in a good hit with your best attack... you can still fail and leave yourself open to a counter attack. I'll be up front here, but I don't think I could beat him even if luck was on my side. I'll still fight him to the death if he appears before me again, but it'll be a down hill battle to say the least. He's the first opponent I've felt this way about besides the Guide who pursued perfection and succeed, yet lacked the ability to carry it out truly beyond mortal limits."

Drake: "There's no shame in saying so Shin. From my time in the church affiliated with Absolute Reckoning, this Badru is highly likely to be one of Blood Crusade's rising stars, The Reaper."

Sachi: "I agree. As much as I'll like to make fun of your lack of confidence as a man, no I mean as a warrior, your thoughts are understandable. These rising stars of the Four Pillars don't number past 20 or so individuals, but they are the real deal even among those born from families of former Players who've escaped the realm. They are even made targets of the Assassin Clans at a early age since they generally developed into warriors who will live to become the direct subordinates of the founders of the Four Pillars. Badru, The Repear is one such individual for Blood Crusade."

Shin: "That doesn't make me feel any better as someone God has chosen as a individual with high potential. That monster actually withstood my most powerful attacks with ease."

Shin recalled his battle with Badru as those words left his mouth. Badru had actually caught the charged energy blade of the Deltoid Z Sabre with his hands, and when the attack he believed in failed he was left open to a kick that blew him away into the air for over hundreds meters and into a crowd of zombies. In his next offensive Shin had put his all into his strongest attack, the Gravity Blade reinforced Spirit Wave slash, and landed a direct hit that should have cut his body in two, but...

Shin: (But what was that? Was that really the AA ability Molecular Density? The skin that came into contact with the Spirit Wave slash turned hard as rock with a deep red color, and... my sword slash failed. Only cutting three inches into his body. I only had about 1/4 my Ki left at the time, but that's no small amount of energy to use as a catalyst for Spirit Wave. Once more I failed and was left even more vulnerable than before, but Badru didn't follow up to finish me off. He just smiled, went on about some nonsense and left with a few parting words. That was odd behavior maybe associated with a crazed organization like Blood Crusade, but that's not what's important. Was that power that stopped my sword the same Molecular Density from before, or was he just not going all out till that moment? I... I can't help but feel that I'm missing something critical.)

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Authors Note:

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I liked this chapter and was one of the reasons I didn't want to rewrite the arc when I learned just how much I hated military battles.