Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Into the Shadows

Ryo stopped his scooter outside a grand mall that Sachiko had spotted during their ride. The imposing structure loomed over them, its once-vibrant facade now faded and weathered by time. Ryo knew this was the place where Sachiko could find new clothes, and perhaps they could gather more essential supplies.The mall, vast and filled with endless possibilities, promised the potential for both danger and reward.

After parking the scooter and securing it, Ryo made sure his MP5 was strapped securely to his shoulder. He then handed Sachiko a spare gun, the cold metal heavy in her hands.

"What's this for?" Sachiko asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Ryo didn't miss a beat. "You'll need it when you have to."

"But no zombies will attack us if you're here, right?" Sachiko reasoned, trying to understand.

Ryo's expression darkened. Without warning, he grabbed a fistful of her hair, his grip firm and unyielding. The sudden pain made her wince, but instead of fear, a strange mix of emotions washed over her—pain, yes, but also a disturbing sense of pleasure.

"It's not the zombies I'm worried about," Ryo said, his voice low and intense. "It's the humans. You better stay alert."

Sachiko, feeling the sharp pull of his grip, found herself strangely drawn to the sensation. She nodded, breathlessly agreeing. "Okay."

Satisfied, Ryo released her, then reached into his pack and handed her a flashlight. He switched on his own, the beam cutting through the dim light that filtered into the mall's entrance. The air inside was thick with the scent of decay and dust, the silence oppressive.

Without hesitation, Ryo dragged a nearby zombie, one of the many that had been loitering outside the mall, and issued a command. The zombie obediently followed him, and as they entered the mall, more zombies joined, forming a small entourage. Sachiko noticed there were at least seven of them, shuffling behind Ryo, their presence both unsettling and oddly reassuring.

Some of them moved closer to her, their cold, lifeless eyes watching her every move.

The mall was pitch black, the vast interior swallowed by darkness. The only light came from the weak beams of their flashlights, which barely illuminated the path ahead. Shelves and displays, long abandoned, cast eerie shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere of claustrophobic unease.

As they ventured deeper into the mall, the zombies Ryo commanded moved with surprising coordination, staying close but not obstructing their path. Sachiko kept her flashlight steady, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt the weight of the gun at her side, a constant reminder of Ryo's earlier warning.

Ryo moved with purpose, his senses alert, scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. His grip on the situation was as firm as ever, and Sachiko found herself drawn to his commanding presence, despite the fear gnawing at her insides. The mall was a place of shadows and secrets, and as they delved further into its depths, Sachiko couldn't shake the feeling that they were not alone.

Ryo came to a halt in the darkened corridor of the mall, the oppressive silence broken only by the faint echoes of their footsteps. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a cigarette, and lit it with a practiced flick of his lighter. The small flare of light briefly illuminated his face before the orange glow of the cigarette tip took over, casting long shadows around him.

He carefully tied one of his flashlights to his MP5, making sure it was secure and angled just right to illuminate his line of fire. Not satisfied with the limited light, Ryo pulled out another flashlight, turned it on, and strapped it to his backpack. The additional beam provided more visibility, cutting through the darkness that seemed to swallow everything around them.

The mall was vast, with endless rows of shops and stores, all abandoned and shrouded in gloom.

Ryo's flashlight beams revealed the outlines of various storefronts—a phone shop with shattered glass displays, a clothing store with mannequins frozen in eerie poses, an electronics store filled with outdated gadgets, a food court with tables overturned and trash scattered across the floor, and countless others. Sёarᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Each shop was a reminder of a world that no longer existed, now reduced to silence and dust.

Ryo took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling lazily in the stale air, before issuing a new command to the zombies following him. He motioned for them to move ahead, their shambling forms obediently taking the lead. While he wasn't concerned about the zombies themselves, Ryo knew better than to let his guard down.

There could be other dangers lurking in the shadows—traps, unstable structures, or perhaps even other survivors who might see them as a threat.

As the zombies moved forward, their pale, lifeless eyes scanned the area, ready to react to any movement or sound. Ryo's focus shifted to the stores around them. He knew they would need to be thorough in their search. The mall offered everything they could possibly need—clothes for Sachiko, electronics, survival gear, and possibly even entertainment to make life in their new base more comfortable.

The phone shop could provide communication devices, the clothing store could offer new outfits for both of them, and the sporting goods store might have equipment they could use for defense or everyday tasks. Each store represented an opportunity, but also a potential risk.

Ryo glanced back at Sachiko, who was still close behind him, her face pale in the dim light. She had been quiet since they entered, her eyes wide as she took in the eerie surroundings. Ryo exhaled a stream of smoke and gave her a brief nod, a silent reassurance before turning his attention back to the path ahead. They would start their search soon, but first, he needed to be sure the area was secure.

"Stay close," he muttered to Sachiko, his voice low but firm. "We'll check the stores one by one, but don't wander off. The zombies won't attack you, but that doesn't mean you're safe from everything else."

Sachiko nodded, her grip tightening on the flashlight he had given her earlier. She knew Ryo was right—this place was full of unknowns, and she would have to rely on him and his strange bond with the zombies to make it through. The mall was a maze of darkness and decay, and they were about to venture deeper into its heart.

Ryo's instincts flared the moment he noticed the subtle movement in the shadows. The zombies that had been following them began to growl, a low, guttural sound that sent a chill through the air. Something had triggered them, and Ryo didn't like the uncertainty of what it could be. His eyes scanned the darkened expanse of the mall, but he couldn't pinpoint the source of the disturbance.

Whatever it was, it was enough to agitate the zombies—a sign that something dangerous lurked nearby.

Without hesitation, Ryo barked a command to the zombies. "Form a circle around us, now!"

The zombies obeyed instantly, shuffling into a protective formation around Ryo and Sachiko. The sound of their movements echoed in the otherwise silent mall, their growls growing louder as they prepared to defend their master. Ryo knew that whatever had triggered them was no ordinary threat, and the idea of confronting it without proper backup wasn't a risk he was willing to take.

He tightened his grip on Sachiko's hand, feeling her tense up beside him. The sensation of her delicate hand in his, combined with the urgency of the situation, stirred something primal within him. He didn't want to lose her—not just because of her value as a companion, but because of the pleasure and satisfaction she provided.

Sachiko was more than just a woman to him; she was his outlet, his source of comfort in this twisted, post-apocalyptic world. Losing her to some unknown danger wasn't an option.

"We're getting out of here," Ryo muttered, his voice low but commanding. "Now."

Sachiko nodded, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and something else—something she couldn't quite identify. As Ryo tugged her along, she felt a sharp pain in her hand from his tight grip, but instead of fear or discomfort, she found herself oddly drawn to it.

The pain, the dominance in Ryo's actions—it all stirred something deep within her, a strange mix of submission and desire that she couldn't fully comprehend.

Ryo led them back the way they had come, moving quickly but cautiously. His mind raced as he considered their next move. The mall was too dangerous to explore further without proper backup. He needed the strength and speed of the Striders or the ferocity of the Creepers to deal with whatever had triggered the zombies' aggression. If it was a survivor, they might be hostile.

If it was something more dangerous, like a mutated creature or a new type of zombie, he couldn't afford to take it lightly.

Once they made their way out of the mall, Ryo's grip on Sachiko's hand remained firm, almost possessive. He couldn't help but think about what losing her would mean—not just the loss of a companion, but the loss of the only person who could satisfy his desire.

The thought of being alone, without the pleasure and comfort her body provided, filled him with a sense of urgency.Ryo didnt want to lose another woman this time.Sachiko was the best person to satisfy his urge and need.

"We'll find what we need later," Ryo said, his voice a mix of frustration and determination. "For now, we leaving. But next time, we come prepared."

Sachiko nodded, still trying to process the strange mix of fear and excitement that churned inside her. Ryo's dominance was overwhelming, but there was something about it—something about him—that made her want to submit, to give in completely to whatever he desired. And as they moved away from the mall, she couldn't help but wonder what would happen when they returned.

Ryo navigated the streets on the scooter, Sachiko holding onto him tightly from behind, his mind churned with unsettling thoughts. The incident in the mall gnawed at him. The way the zombies had reacted, growling and forming a protective circle, was out of the ordinary. They usually remained calm in his presence, obedient to his commands.

But whatever had triggered them inside the mall was different, something he hadn't encountered before.

His thoughts drifted back to the other night when he had encountered that new type of zombie—the one that didn't attack him but also didn't show the usual deference. It had simply stood there, unmoved, almost as if it was sizing him up. Could this be something similar? Another new breed? Or was it something entirely different?

Ryo's grip on the scooter tightened. If it was another new zombie type, one that didn't follow the usual patterns, he needed to be prepared. The unpredictability of these encounters was troubling. His immunity and control over zombies had always been his greatest advantage, but if there were creatures out there that didn't fall in line with the others, it could spell trouble.

Could it be a survivor? A human who had somehow triggered the zombies' aggression? But that didn't add up either. Even if it was a survivor, why would the zombies react so violently? The idea of another human being able to influence the zombies in any way was almost unthinkable.

Or maybe, just maybe, it was something else entirely—something unknown, lurking in the darkness of the mall, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Ryo shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He needed to focus on the present, on keeping Sachiko safe and finding the supplies they needed. Whatever that thing in the mall was, he would deal with it later, with more firepower and stronger zombies by his side. But the uncertainty lingered, a shadow in the back of his mind that he couldn't quite shake off.

As they rode through the desolate streets, the familiar sight of abandoned buildings and scattered debris did little to ease his tension. The world had become a dangerous place, and Ryo knew better than to underestimate anything. Whatever was out there, he would face it head-on when the time came.

But until then, he needed to stay sharp, stay in control, and make sure nothing threatened the precarious balance he had managed to maintain.

Sachiko's grip on him tightened slightly, and he could sense her unease. She didn't need to say anything; her body language spoke volumes. Ryo slowed the scooter as they approached their next destination, determined to focus on the task at hand. The questions could wait, but he knew they would continue to gnaw at him until he found answers.