Chapter 2: A Close Call

Chapter 2: A Close Call

(A/N: Is that a Power Stone I'm sensing? You should leave it here for safekeeping. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.)

Word Count: 2032

Nagi stood in contemplation as he surveyed the swarm of the undead blocking the main entrance and first floor of the main building. It was a problem that needed to be addressed, but attempting to control such a large herd without proper protection was suicidal. Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

He weighed his options and came to a decision. He couldn't take on the zombies head-on, so he opted for the next best thing. Going around the back of the main building, he spotted an open window from the second floor.

The height wasn't insurmountable, but with the extra weight he was carrying, the climb would be dangerous. The consequences of a fall would be severe - death, or at least serious injury. Despite the risks, he decided that going through the window was the only option.

"There's only one way left to go, and that's up," Nagi murmured to himself. Placing the food bag on the ground, he set down his bow, kitchen knives, and cleaver beside it, then began stretching.

The safest way to proceed was to carry his belongings up one by one. Though it was time-consuming, Nagi preferred to stay alive rather than risk becoming meat-paste.

After finishing his stretches, Nagi grabbed the food bag and a kitchen knife before making his way up the wall. The climb was relatively easy, as the wall held crevices and dents that offered good grip and footing.

Within a few moments, he reached the second floor and peered inside to make sure it was safe. Satisfied that there was nothing and no one there, he placed the bag inside and climbed back down to retrieve the rest of his items.

Nagi's feet landed softly on the ground as he climbed through the open window. He quickly picked up his designated "Food Bag" and silently made his way through the empty corridor.

This area was typically deserted, housing only the unpopular extracurricular activities. However, it seemed to have attracted a new crowd of visitors. If you consider the undead corpses shuffling around, that is.

Nagi sighed as he thought, 'A total of seventeen, huh?' He was growing weary of the endless killing, and the sticky blood coating his clothes made him long for a shower and a nap.

Without wasting any more time, he reached into his pocket and retrieved a spoon, flinging it towards a distant window with a loud thud. The clinking sound it made upon landing immediately caught the attention of the nearby undead.

He carefully navigated around the zombies and made his way down the hallway until he saw a sign that caught his attention. After thinking for a moment, he decided it was necessary to go there.

'The nurse's office, huh? Well, since medicine will be a crucial need in the future, I might as well get some now,' he thought to himself. Continuing his march, he walked past the numerous bodies laid out in classrooms and the corridor.

Nagi continued his rampage, brandishing his knife and deftly dodging an attempted grapple from another zombie. In one swift motion, he plunged the blade into the side of its head, leaving it buried in its skull.

As an approaching zombie lunged towards him, Nagi reacted quickly, delivering a powerful kick to its knee and causing it to stumble and fall. Seizing the opportunity, he brought his foot down hard on the zombie's head, crushing it like paste.

"Three down, eight more to go," Nagi muttered as he surveyed the remaining undead. He quickly glanced around and noticed that the sun was beginning to set, casting a dim orange glow across the sky.

Despite the barricades he had set up, he could see that the zombies were relentlessly pushing against them, threatening to breach the barrier at any moment. With the barricade on the verge of collapse, Nagi sped up the attack.

Nagi swiftly snatched the knife from the head of the zombie he had just dispatched, causing blood to spurt out and pool beneath it. Without a moment's hesitation, he followed up with a kick to the abdomen of another undead that was approaching him, causing it to fall back. He then brutally stomped on its legs, breaking them with a sickening crunch.

Quickly turning his attention back to the remaining seven undead he closed the distance between himself and an approaching walker. With a swift movement, he shoved the knife up its chin, penetrating its brain, and then pulled it out to swing his cleaver at another zombie, slicing its head in half.

Swiftly sidestepping as an undead lunged at him, he brought his cleaver down and beheaded it. The zombie's blood gushed out, joining the pool of blood that surrounded them. Another zombie tried to grab Nagi from behind, but he reacted quickly, spinning around and plunging his knife into its forehead.

Nagi retrieved his arrows and blades and quickly made his way to the nurses' office to grab his belongings. After grabbing what he needed, he ran towards his intended destination.

Behind him, he could hear the loud sound of desks and tables falling to the floor as the horde pushed through the barricade in search of him. The screeching of furniture and the groans of the undead filled the school, creating a chilling cacophony.

Nagi ran up the stairs with urgency, his destination only a couple of feet away. But before he could reach his room, he encountered a group of five zombies blocking his path. Without hesitation, he rushed towards them, brandishing his cleaver, and swung it, knocking them back. Nagi knew that simply walking quietly was not enough to escape.

The noise the barricade had created would attract more zombies, and he could soon find himself surrounded. He needed to get out of there.

Hurried footsteps echoed as Nagi pushed past the group of zombies, finally reaching his desired room. With a swift motion, he opened the door, entered, and shut it, locking it behind him.

Barricading it with nearby tables and cabinets. Banging sounds could be heard from the other side, making Nagi clench his cleaver tightly in preparation to fight if necessary.

"NOOOOOOOOO!!!"

A sudden shriek filled the air, causing Nagi to look up with furrowed brows. Coming to a quick realization, he just nodded to himself before walking towards the door and listening to the other side, hearing the shuffle of the zombies fade in the distance slowly.

With a sigh of relief, Nagi walked over to the couch and collapsed onto it, catching his breath. His face and clothing were drenched in dry blood and sweat, evidence of the danger he had just narrowly escaped. As fatigue slowly overtook him, Nagi muttered to himself:

"That... was too close..."

Author Words:

Is the way I describe the gore good? I want to make the scene more vivid for readers without overwhelming them with excessive or repetitive descriptions. Give me a scale: 1-10

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you haven't already, please consider leaving a Power Stone here to show your support and help this story stay visible.